Maine

[MustardTiger]

Sigh. more drama in chicken land..... Yesterday when I went out at about 6 to close the coop I realized two chickens were missing. It was already dark but my dog spotted something under the coop. I crawled under there and grabbed a pair of chicken legs. They were wet and I was expecting the worst. I pulled out my smallest blue Am... she had blood on her legs so I took her inside. She had two cuts on her abdomen near the top of her legs. Poor thing. DH and I cleaned her up in the sink, put on some antibacterial ointment and put her in the brooder with the heat lamp on. She was all scrunched up and looked like she was asleep. I made her some scrambled eggs and offered some plain yogurt. She had no interest in any of it. This morning she was standing up and eating so I am hopeful that she will be okay.

The other missing chicken was my one last buff orp from the first batch I ever got. She was the biggest of all the girls and I couldn't find any trace of her, not even feathers. I am suspicious of the neighbors dog. How I detest those people. Poor dogs have no control over themselves but the owners sure suck.

This year has been such a drastic increase in predator losses it is crazy. Last year I lost ONE chicken to the dog and had some close calls with a hawk. This year I have lost 5 to predators. OH MY I JUST NOW SAW THE ORP RUN ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY. I need to go grab her!

 

[Jazor]

...

This year has been such a drastic increase in predator losses it is crazy. Last year I lost ONE chicken to the dog and had some close calls with a hawk. This year I have lost 5 to predators. OH MY I JUST NOW SAW THE ORP RUN ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY. I need to go grab her!

Sounds like you're doing a fine job of taking care of them. Losses to predators will happen, but you're definitely not fighting a losing battle--and that's important.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

I provide more than one food area (to help the lower pecking order birds) and occasionally I'll provide a private dish for our cross-beak hen. As far as roosting on the floor, could you make a large pile of shavings for her to nestle in? The platform would be nice too, if you think she will use it.

Do you have two water stations, too, or just two food ones? When I changed out the bedding this weekend I did put down extra shavings in the corner... I'll have to sneak out tonight to see if she used them.

Do you have a roo? Often a roo will interceed when one of the hens gets too rough with another hen. For awhile we didn't have a roo and the boss hen was a tyrant. She was none too pleased when we acquired 2 roos. it took awhile, but the roos eventually got her in line and she is much more agreeable now. I have found that chickens who are low on the pecking order do better with a buddy. If your meek hen is roosting on the floor, perhaps if you got a Silkie, they would roost together and be "buddies". If they were kept together for a few days before the new one was introduced, they might bond. Good luck with your buff.

I can't have a roo (town covenants), but that's quite interesting to hear that yours got the hen in line. I hadn't considered getting her a buddy... hmmm. Is this how chicken math begins?


Non-chicken question: what temperature do you keep your house in the winter? I keep mine at 60, but put the bedroom up to 66 at night. Husband says I'm cheap, since the neighbors keep their house at 72. To me, 72 would be a sauna!

 

[MustardTiger]

I keep it at 60-62 at night and only put it up to 70 if I am really freezing. I drop the temp at night since we are cozy in bed anyhow. When we are home and awake it is usually 67-68

We have a programmable thermostat so we have it warmer in the am, drops off when we leave for work (7am) and then goes back up when we get home (3-4pm) then down again for sleeping.

I think we are kinda cheap with it BUT i like layering in winter for cozyness.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

I keep it at 60-62 at night and only put it up to 70 if I am really freezing. I drop the temp at night since we are cozy in bed anyhow. When we are home and awake it is usually 67-68

We have a programmable thermostat so we have it warmer in the am, drops off when we leave for work (7am) and then goes back up when we get home (3-4pm) then down again for sleeping.

I think we are kinda cheap with it BUT i like layering in winter for cozyness.

That makes me feel better!

Did you get the orp and is she ok?

 

[Mainechick168]

Do you have two water stations, too, or just two food ones? When I changed out the bedding this weekend I did put down extra shavings in the corner... I'll have to sneak out tonight to see if she used them.


I can't have a roo (town covenants), but that's quite interesting to hear that yours got the hen in line. I hadn't considered getting her a buddy... hmmm. Is this how chicken math begins?


Non-chicken question: what temperature do you keep your house in the winter? I keep mine at 60, but put the bedroom up to 66 at night. Husband says I'm cheap, since the neighbors keep their house at 72. To me, 72 would be a sauna!

We heat with wood with oil back up. When we are not home, and when we go to bed, I turn the thermostat down to 54. During the day when we are here I crank it up to about 64- but when the wood stove is running, it never goes on- I'd say the house stays between 65 and 70.

 

[Mainechick168]

Sigh. more drama in chicken land..... Yesterday when I went out at about 6 to close the coop I realized two chickens were missing. It was already dark but my dog spotted something under the coop. I crawled under there and grabbed a pair of chicken legs. They were wet and I was expecting the worst. I pulled out my smallest blue Am... she had blood on her legs so I took her inside. She had two cuts on her abdomen near the top of her legs. Poor thing. DH and I cleaned her up in the sink, put on some antibacterial ointment and put her in the brooder with the heat lamp on. She was all scrunched up and looked like she was asleep. I made her some scrambled eggs and offered some plain yogurt. She had no interest in any of it. This morning she was standing up and eating so I am hopeful that she will be okay.

The other missing chicken was my one last buff orp from the first batch I ever got. She was the biggest of all the girls and I couldn't find any trace of her, not even feathers. I am suspicious of the neighbors dog. How I detest those people. Poor dogs have no control over themselves but the owners sure suck.

This year has been such a drastic increase in predator losses it is crazy. Last year I lost ONE chicken to the dog and had some close calls with a hawk. This year I have lost 5 to predators. OH MY I JUST NOW SAW THE ORP RUN ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY. I need to go grab her!

Yay!! I hope she is ok! We've only got 2 left from our original flock- they are extra special

 

[lazy gardener]

household temp is definitely a source of contention and an need to compromise. I think that it's one of murphy's laws that any 2 people co-habiting have different bio-thermostats. Especially when you add in the gender differences. I love my adjustable thermostat. We do the same thing when we burn oil, but last winter, only used oil for 3 days. Regulating wood: not so easy! I open the living room window a lot.

Izzy, if possible, perhaps in addition to getting your mis-treated orp a buddy, you might give her a separate roost. Sometimes, when I feed the girls, I pick up the RIR who is top bird. That gives the 3 EE the go ahead to join the feeding frenzy. I swear that chickens are more cliquey than a bunch of 6th grade girls.

Totally not chicken related, but I know that a lot of readers like to save money: I borrowed some home made laundry detergent from a friend. It works great in my front load washer. I think my 7 y.o. who has a lot of allergies is responding well to it. It's dirt cheap to make, uses borax, fels naptha soap, and Arm and Hammer washing soda. When I find the recipe, I'll post it if folks are interested.

Mustard Tiger: I'm glad you saved the wounded bird and your orp is back. What a relief!!!

 

[IZZYBELLA]

Izzy, if possible, perhaps in addition to getting your mis-treated orp a buddy, you might give her a separate roost. Sometimes, when I feed the girls, I pick up the RIR who is top bird. That gives the 3 EE the go ahead to join the feeding frenzy. I swear that chickens are more cliquey than a bunch of 6th grade girls.

Totally not chicken related, but I know that a lot of readers like to save money: I borrowed some home made laundry detergent from a friend. It works great in my front load washer. I think my 7 y.o. who has a lot of allergies is responding well to it. It's dirt cheap to make, uses borax, fels naptha soap, and Arm and Hammer washing soda. When I find the recipe, I'll post it if folks are interested.

Funny you mention "6th grade girls" because that is exactly what they remind me of! And oh, how I hated junior high.

I'd be interested in the recipe. I've always wanted to try homemade detergent, but have been a little afraid to.

 

[Jazor]

I can't have a roo (town covenants), but that's quite interesting to hear that yours got the hen in line. I hadn't considered getting her a buddy... hmmm. Is this how chicken math begins?


Non-chicken question: what temperature do you keep your house in the winter? I keep mine at 60, but put the bedroom up to 66 at night. Husband says I'm cheap, since the neighbors keep their house at 72. To me, 72 would be a sauna!

Yes, this is exactly how chicken-math begins! The "need" for another chicken is always there!

I keep my house at 60 because I run too **** hot. With the thermostats on 60 I'm comfy in shorts, and the lady is warm enough. Pellet stove if it ever gets colder.