Maine

[buckabucka]

My chickens are really wimpy about walking on snow. We put plastic on 2 sides of the run. Some snow blows in on the other 2 sides, and they refuse to step there. I never light or heat mine, but the coop is insulated.

Rest that ankle, Hoppy! I would like to get myself back on a health kick soon. I used to run a lot. Last year my thyroid was slow, and I just couldn't drag myself out of bed in the morning. This year, I just fell out of the habit and only go on the weekends. Even though I hate getting up in the dark, I always enjoyed running along checking out the moon and stars, and then watching a stunning sunrise.

 

[hoppy]

a yr and 1/2 ago, I could only walk up 6 steps then I was totally out of breath, everything hurt and I'd sleep 20 hours/day due to being so anemic. thankfully I'm better with that. today i don't understand it. I've rested more today then anyday, had my foot up and iced and tonight it is even more swollen then it was yesterday. seems to be getting worse without activity then getting better. took some tylenol to hopefully bring down this swelling.

My chickens are really wimpy about walking on snow. We put plastic on 2 sides of the run. Some snow blows in on the other 2 sides, and they refuse to step there. I never light or heat mine, but the coop is insulated.
Rest that ankle, Hoppy! I would like to get myself back on a health kick soon. I used to run a lot. Last year my thyroid was slow, and I just couldn't drag myself out of bed in the morning. This year, I just fell out of the habit and only go on the weekends. Even though I hate getting up in the dark, I always enjoyed running along checking out the moon and stars, and then watching a stunning sunrise.

 

[buckabucka]

Maybe SCG can correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe Tylenol is an anti-inflammatory. If you can tolerate ibuprofen or aspirin, that will take down the swelling, as well as eliminated pain.
Good luck, and hope your are back on your feet soon!

 

[PollyC]

My coops are not insulated and only heated if the temp will be below zero. I will use a 40 watt light bulb for an extra amount of light in the winter but that is on a timer. I use the same lamp reflector and just switch the bulb, but this is securely attached to the beam in my coop and chickens cannot get to it. I have enough chickens that they roost close together and keep each other warm. The water freezes but I change it out often.

 

[hoppy]

unfortunately, I'm allergic to both of those so kind of limited in what I can take over the counter.

Maybe SCG can correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe Tylenol is an anti-inflammatory. If you can tolerate ibuprofen or aspirin, that will take down the swelling, as well as eliminated pain.
Good luck, and hope your are back on your feet soon!

 

[hoppy]

I use a heated dog water bowl, turns on at a certain temp and i keep out side of the coop, gets them to at least get outside for a bit and I don't have to worry about the fire danger.

My coops are not insulated and only heated if the temp will be below zero. I will use a 40 watt light bulb for an extra amount of light in the winter but that is on a timer. I use the same lamp reflector and just switch the bulb, but this is securely attached to the beam in my coop and chickens cannot get to it. I have enough chickens that they roost close together and keep each other warm. The water freezes but I change it out often.

 

[m.kitchengirl]

Have you tried a topical Arnica rub, Hoppy?
I use that stuff for everything. It helps swelling, bruising, and numbs the pain quite a bit. Without a stinky smell. You get it in the hippy remedy section of most grocery stores.

 

[bwockbwock]

I swear by Arnica too, you can get get a homeopathic oral remedy as well as a topical creme.
Don't forget RICE for your injury.
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

You may want to get some kind of support on it.
Hope it starts improving for you soon.

 

[hoppy]

never heard of arnica, I will have to find some. and hunt up my ace bandage, been icing and resting it on the back of the couch.

I swear by Arnica too, you can get get a homeopathic oral remedy as well as a topical creme.
Don't forget RICE for your injury.
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

You may want to get some kind of support on it.
Hope it starts improving for you soon.

 

[lizakn]

Thanks so much for responding!!
I have been worrying about how I was going to keep my 'ladies' warm this coming winter....but I feel a little better now after your post
I think we will insulate now when we build it & just put in some vents. The part of the barn they are going into keeps pretty cool during the summer, because its shaded by large pine trees...so I think they will be nice & cool this summer. We also have lots of hay in the barn as well {because we keep cattle} & I read on this site that hay/straw is good in the winter for them to bury in.