Maine

[IZZYBELLA]

Today, as I was watching my chickens out in their run, I noticed another bird on the other side of their fence. It kinda moved like a chicken and just figured one of mine must have somehow gotten out. As it walked around I could see it wasn't a chicken and my "girls" were trying to scare it away (to no avail). I think it was some kind of grouse. It was pretty fun to watch, because it stood more upright like a chicken, but ran into the bushes like a guinea hen. My chickens didn't bother it much, but I couldn't even get outside to get a picture of it. It would run for the bushes every time it heard my door squeak as it opened. Should I be worried about my chickens picking up any diseases from this wild bird? The closest they get is just through a chain link fence.

I agree with LG, dowgirl. This is one worry you can cross off your list... they are going to get exposure to wild birds regardless. Think of this as a bonus... if it's a guinea hen, maybe it's eating ticks for you.

 

[dowgirl71]

They might, and they might not pick up a disease from any wild bird passing through. Either way, there's not much we can do to effect an outcome in that regard. I guess my take on the situation would be not to worry about it. I would try to keep the wild birds out of my chicken feed, but, other than that, would have to keep my flock in a bubble to keep them away from wild birds, and even then, I can't keep wild birds from pooping over my bird's run! I don't remember if your SLW ended up being a roo? My EE roo is quite a character. He always has something to say to me. My SLW lays some nice big eggs. I got both ends and the middle of that swap with you!

LG and Izzy, I'm not really worried about them getting a disease from it, but it was just a thought. I read that this bird has the nickname, "fools hen," and I can see why, thinking that one of my girls had flown out. LG, thankfully, my SLW is a pullet and she's been been laying well, too. I think hers have kind of a pinkish tint to them. She's pretty funny-once again one of the loudest ones in the bunch and kind of a raspy cluck. Your EE roo is a very handsome guy! Do you remember me telling you how vocal he was the first night I had him and wondered if he missed his old buddies? That makes sense that he always has something to say to you.

 

[islandgirl82]

It's snowing like crazy here on the coast and not one member of my flock has set foot outside. This is the first snow for all but 2 flock members and they're both molting (one is nearing the end and the other recently began) so no surprise with those two.

How are everyone else's wee beasties coping?

 

[buckabucka]

Mine hate snow. They don't go out in their covered run, just because they can see it!

I put the plastic on the ends of the hoop coop today. I got soaked, but the chickens will appreciate being out of the wind.

 

[lazy gardener]

I'm taking a minimalist approach to winterizing their hoop coop, since the new coop is within days of receiving it's certificate for occupancy. (I stapled a grain bag over the window on the North side. I need to paint the window frames that we made yesterday. Then, windows and doors can be installed... all except for the people door. Interior paint, and flooring, then they can move in. They're standing around, huddled in the coop loft and lower level. Totally not impressed with this weather. Our yard is totally not winter ready. All the power tools got wet when the snow blew through the windows and doors of the new coop. So, after church, I brought them all in, and dried them, then spent a very wet hour outside tacking plastic over windows and doors of the new coop.

 

[islandgirl82]

My two oldest generally couldn't care less but because of the molt they haven't even ventured into the covered part. They're all getting startled by the snow falling from the branches onto the roof of their coop though. I was just out there with them and it startled me too. The whole building shook and they all rushed to huddle around me but they're safe and dry so hopefully they'll be able to settle down a bit once they get used to that.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

I'm on the coast and it has been snowing all day and it's accumulating. Not much, but some. My girls all ran out of the coop this morning and proceeded to turn right back around! The little ones in particular were quite confused. I still have the tarp on over the run (have to take it off soon, because it won't hold snow), so they are out, but not leaving the covered area much. I feel badly for the bees... somehow knowing they are out there makes all of this seem so much worse!

 

[veronicasmom]

Tammaclean-where are you in ME? We get out straw from Andy's Agway in Dayton. I think it is less than $9, but not positive.

 

[TAMMACLEAN]

Tammaclean-where are you in ME?  We get out straw from Andy's Agway in Dayton.  I think it is less than $9, but not positive.

I'm in Gray, by Windham.

 

[Marcy54]

We got no snow on the ground at all here in Shapleigh. The flock were allowed out but stayed close to the coop. None of them knew about snow. I added shavings in the coop, and covered the window. Had planned to winterize more this week. Guess tomorrow, I will get a roll of plastic to cover the area under the run where they gather get a little of the wind off or should I use tarp? Covered the window near the roosts.