Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Our Roost]

Chickenwalker! Had a horse that lost part of an ear to frostbite and it never grew back. Had a friend lose a couple of fingers to frostbite, gone forever. Chances are unless they grow new appendages like a starfish, the answer is no!

 

[MIchickens]

I just wanted to thank whomever suggested the book "The small scale poultry flock" by Harvey Ussery. I have had my nose buried in it all day. What a great read....very informative! A bit pricey but worth the money...if any of you go to buy this book...get it from Amazon. I only paid $26 opposed to the $39.95 price tag everybody else wanted.

Thanks again!

 

[chickenwalker]

I have a digital thermometer that also measures outdoor humidity. The humidity has been in the 70's. I haven't been able to measure the humidity in the coop to see if it is reading around what the outdoor humidity is. I've got pretty good ventilation.

I just remembered that one of my jewelry boxes used to be a cigar humidor - no, I don't don't smoke cigars and yes, it is a great little wooden box for jewelry. I pulled the humidity dial out and plan to figure out a way to mount this in my coop. It's reading 43% in the house and 55% when I breathed on the coil. I'll check to see how how it reads during the morning showers.

From what I'm understanding, if the coop is well ventilated then there isn't much you can do about frostbite when the temperature keeps dropping below 0 except keep the girls out of the drafts. Am I missing anything? I'm new to raising chickens this year so there is a lot to learn.

 

[Trefoil]

if it's box elder its crap wood (smells like someone urinated on the wood when it burns..

. not a good burning wood) and it's too soft. So you may have a hard time getting rid of it........

Stacykins, I know what those feel like... hope you feel better soon.

Yuck. Will it grow mushrooms? I've been wanting to try.

 

[taprock]

I'll second the frost bite and moisture. It has been -16 up here with no problem for us....but every drop of moisture is frozen right now. I have more problems when it is just below freezing because then the coop is warm enough to thaw but cold enough to cause frost bite. I have had two roosters that got it on combs, the first escaped and couldn't get back in the coop and sat out in the wind. The second got his comb wet. I did also have a guinea lose a toe because she roosted in the eaves where there was ice.

My son brought in a balded polish today as well. W put blood stop and bluekote on him. It is not just boredom because I have 11 other polish and they are fine. I don't know how they determine who to pick on.

 

[HooverHenHouse]

Was she broody? My moms silkies always are bald when they go broody because the others pick on them and the broodys just take it. They look like messes when I see them, but they've always grow back.

 

[Opa]

Another day is starting and I much perfer mornings that start with double digit temperatures to the mind numbing single digit days. The coffee just finished so help yourself.

 

[gladahmae]

Yeah, nothing is black yet on combs or wattles, just pale and white-ish at the tips of the combs. Hmmmmm. Nobody is broody in my layer coop, so I guess they just like to beat up on the houdan. She's the gentlest thing.....doesn't mind being held and petted, and doesn't run away when I go into the coop.

 

[snowflake]

Herducks just my two cents...I would fight...im sure chickens wouldnt be to far behind ducks if they get banned. Maybe not an uproar fight but stand up.for the birds...maybe try to spread the word to any other bird owners you know.
That was nice of the chief to warn you about the meeting!

x2 just what I was thinking,...chickens could be included if they want to get nasty

alright. I have a few questions about frostbite, being cooped up, and roosters hitting puberty.
er pulling or breaking. Is it time to get those pullets out of there for their own safety? I haven't seen any of the roos trying to mount any of the pullets, but there have been a few minor scuffles lately between the boys, probably related to establishing who's the boss in there. I'm hoping to give the boys another 4 weeks before getting 3 of them processed, and then figuring out what to do with the 3 I'm keeping until April when I'll set up breeding stuff to get fertile eggs.

I can get pictures of the feather issues and the combs if that would be helpful.

vaseline is the only help I know for frostbite, or utter ointment ,once it is gone it is gone,


get the pullets out of the rooster pen ASP once they hit puberty they go nuts, will fight a lot less if there are no pullets around and the poor hens could get really hurt from to much loveing

I just wanted to thank whomever suggested the book "The small scale poultry flock" by Harvey Ussery. I have had my nose buried in it all day. What a great read....very informative! A bit pricey but worth the money...if any of you go to buy this book...get it from Amazon. I only paid $26 opposed to the $39.95 price tag everybody else wanted.

Thanks again!

several of us have that book, and yes Amazon is a good way to go I got 2 of Gail Damerow's books used on Amazon, $8 or $9 ea. and in Very Good condition,

Another day is starting and I much perfer mornings that start with double digit temperatures to the mind numbing single digit days. The coffee just finished so help yourself.

How is Granny??

never could drink coffee, But I love the smell so I will enjoy the smell!!!



Pullorum class at MSU March 5, 8:30 AM I will be going if any one would like to meet at Lowell or Ionia parking by the highway, I would be glad have some company

 

[Opa]

Just got back from taking Granny for blood work. In addition to all of the medication and numerous scheduled doctor appointments, she has to have blood drawn weekly for the foreseeable future. Still all of this is easier than a funeral.