Michigan

[RaZ]

Those 2 little banties are sure raising a ruckus. I think they want to join the bigger girls.
They overnighted in the new coop and the other hens got the rest of the garage. They can see and hear each other but I'll keep them separate for a while before merging.
The big girls free range for a while then go back into the garage to see where the little ones are. (I really need to name them...Shake & Bake?...Nugget and ???)

Thanks for all the kind comments everyone has about the pretty girls and my coop. A big Thank You to 1muttsfan for letting me adopt her girls.

I think I'll make another pot of coffee and go out to the garage. I need to clean the TV, the new girls pooped on it. I think they were making a statement.

 

[chicken grandma]

I agree with Shake and Bake. T.V. is not good anymore!

Chickens are always raising a ruckus! Restless nature I guess!
They keep us busy!

I put plastic over the run yesterday. There are two areas open for ventilation. But I do have quite a bit of condensation on the plastic.
Does anyone have any ideas about this? I heard that it is good to keep the air dry for the hens. Winter is dry enough, so maybe it is a non issue later in the season.
Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[babigyrl22]

Raz - I love Shake & Bake. I think you have a winner.

 

[1muttsfan]

Grandma, when wild birds die in the winter it is not just due to cold. Most wild birds do not store any energy in the form of body fat, and so have to eat constantly to produce body heat. A combination of severe cold, poor shelter, and an inability to find sufficient food is what does the damage. In contrast, well-kept chickens have food, water and adequate shelter available at all times. In addition, they store fat very well. Trying to seal a henhouse too tightly to keep it warmer is much more likely to lead to respiratory infections from dust and stale air.

Girly names please Raz!

 

[KrisRose]

Quote:
I have used a flat panel heater for about 3 years now. Provides just enough warmth to take the chill off. Probably about 10 degrees warmer than outside air. I let my chickens tell me what they need. They were puffed, miserable and not eating. I also use a thermo cube with it so it shuts off before it gets too warm.
Pop door is always open during day and alot of my chickens used the run last winter since it was tarped and they were out of the wind. Very happy with my set up except for an area that collected snow. Put in more support for the tarp which should elimate the problem.

Certainly the location of your coop on your property is more important than a geographical location and can determine if you need insulation, heating source etc. I have wide open fields with out even a bush to stop the wind. My coop gets blasted all the time. If it was protected by a structure of some sort I might have a different set up. I have been to Nancy and Steve's and they dont have insulation, heat, etc... But their coop is beside the garage with a hill and trees in front of it providing protection. According to Nancy stays pretty warm all winter. Lucky dawgs!!
So take a look around your area, watch your chickens, go in coop and look around for problems (draft, frost?). Dont let your good judgement be swayed by my opinion or anybody else's. If you have a problem fix it to your and your hens benefit.
JMHO.

 

[Chickmate]

Quote:
I vote for pretty girly names too! How about Violet and Indigo since they are both lavender?

BTW RaZ, your post about them being infested with mights was priceless!!

 

[chicken grandma]

Thanks for your opinions ladies, I am glad to hear what you know!
What is a thermo cube?

 

[M.sue]

KrisRose......with the flat panel heater, how is it efficiency wise.....do you notice a increase in your electricity bill. I 'd love to do that but don't know what my DH would think. He belly aches sometimes to the kids about the lights being left on even though he's notorious himself for doing it.

Chicken Grandma....A thermo cube is a device that turns on & off at certain temps. I believe you can purchase them at Menards, Home Depot, Lowes, etc...

 

[Huston's Happy Hens]

Hey you all - hawk attack - yup, i let the buggers out for free ranging - actually it's one of the french cooper marans that Henrietta hatched out from Wynette's eggs....9 hatchings and i think we have 4 males! of course do you think the hawk would take one of the males...oh no...ok, seriously....she's got a gash on the top of her skull - it's not bleeding and actually if you don't pull the feathers back....it doesn't look that bad to me - steve on the other hand has a weaker stomach...she won't stand now, but i think it's shell shock...no other visible signs...recommendations on what to put on the wound...just clean it up and put neosporin?? - i THINK i read about putting agricultural lime on wounds...any input would be appreciated - and regarding warmth for chickens - we've learned that the more open area you have the better - Nancy

 

[KrisRose]

Huston's Happy Hens :

Hey you all - hawk attack - yup, i let the buggers out for free ranging - actually it's one of the french cooper marans that Henrietta hatched out from Wynette's eggs....9 hatchings and i think we have 4 males! of course do you think the hawk would take one of the males...oh no...ok, seriously....she's got a gash on the top of her skull - it's not bleeding and actually if you don't pull the feathers back....it doesn't look that bad to me - steve on the other hand has a weaker stomach...she won't stand now, but i think it's shell shock...no other visible signs...recommendations on what to put on the wound...just clean it up and put neosporin?? - i THINK i read about putting agricultural lime on wounds...any input would be appreciated - and regarding warmth for chickens - we've learned that the more open area you have the better - Nancy

If its not gaping then I would clean it up and use neosporin.I would think that ag lime would burn ( Perhaps something old timers used on cattle?). Put her in dark area and let her calm down. She could have internal injuries. I would watch to see how she response tomorrow.

When my hen got hit by a hawk she could barely stand for a week and her body from wings up were swollen bad. I put aspirin in water to help but ended up using dropper to get down her throat. She didnt eat for about 3 days and then I spoon feed her. After a week she started to come around. Poor girl.​