Michigan

[Olive Hill]

2011 is going to be a great year. I can feel it!

 

[gallinamama]

Quote:
Thank you. I hope so too. I pray 2011 will be a good year for everyone in Michigan

 

[Opa]

Gallinamamma, if cleaning coops makes you feel better. Come and clean mine so you can feel real good

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Quote:

I have missed you Opa. I hope everyone is well.

 

[Opa]

I have been feeling the effects of TMB lately and haven't felt very well. Hopefully it's only a temporary winter time set back since it seems to be aggravated by the cold and damp.

 

[A2SciTeach]

What is TMB? I was trying to figure out the initials but was coming up with some pretty outrageous things, sometimes it's better just to ask.

One thing we can all be happy about is that we have sunshine and warming temperatures. Sunshine during a Michigan winter is so rare, when the sun comes out, I immediately start wondering what's going on outside that it's so bright out! The chickens are even poking their lazy beaks outside and beginning to venture forth.

 

[wansul]

I have a question... (even though I also am wondering what TMB is

)

my fav hen, Mable (black label), is the low hen on the totem pole. I saw that she had a black mark on her comb, kinda at the top. How do i distinguish it from a scab from being pecked or frost bite?

I have six hens that stay in a cozy coop (i.e. it should probably fit 4-5 hens) that's insulated. On the really cold days i turned the heat lamp on inside during the day then shut it off at night when i closed the coop. That kept the coop semi warm and hopefully kept moisture away. I haven't seen any sign of condensation inside the coop. It is dry as a bone.

Thanks for your help and wisdom

 

[Olive Hill]

Can you take a picture of the hen's head and post it? That would be the quickest way for us to give you an answer.

If not, frost bite is going to start at the tip, the point smallest and furthest from the head. If the spot is on the side of the comb, surrounded by healthy, red flesh it's likely a scab. A scab is also going to have a sort of raised / on-top-of-the-flesh appearance, at least somewhat, and also tends to be very dark whereas frostbite will be dull and look to be "one with" the flesh around it.

Now, that said, turn the heat lamp off and keep it off. You're not doing your hens any favors and -- whether what you're seeing now is frostbite or not -- you are absolutely, positively increasing the risk of your flock getting it now or in the future by using the lamp. Warmth put off by a heat lamp does not keep moisture away, it encourages it. And with the on and off pattern you're inhibiting your flock's ability to acclimate to the cold on top of it. They're far better off left to their own devices. Really, they will be just fine.

 

[gallinamama]

Quote:

I have missed you Opa. I hope everyone is well.

It calms me for some reason... Going through some family troubles lately... need to escape to the coop or elsewhere..haha..I would prefer elsewhere.

 

[Opa]

I went out at noon and removed 15 gallons of chicken crap from the droppings trays and surprizingly I didn't feel one bit better.

Sadly TMB is a terminal condition with no none prevention or cure It is only abated by death. It stands for Too Many Birthdays.