Michigan

[fifelakelooper]

Mornin' early birds!

I think we got around 7 inches of snow yesterday...didn't look out this morning to see if it is still snowing. I tried to quickly go through the posts I missed....looks like we have a new member and new chicks and a missing hen with one with wry neck. I thought wry neck was something they were born with and not something that developed....?

I hope everyone is safe on the road today and that all our flocks continue (or start) laying regardless of the cold, nasty weather.

 

[Opa]

Good morning all. Cold here this morning and of course since it's nasty I've got to go haul firewood for Hope's stepfather.

M2EM, I'm glad that we will be seeing you again at Chickenstock. It sure has become a day to look forward to. It's enjoyable being able to meet with the friends from previous years and to be able to meet those who have join our merry band since last year.

 

[fifelakelooper]

Hi Opa,

Good luck with the wood hauling!

 

[M.sue]

Are you sure about that???

lol....not that BIG!!!

 

[uchytil]

Anyone that read my issue about my hen that is paralyzed is still the same. She's alert and pecks at scratch but either way she's probably going home soon. It's tough when you only have 3 hens to start with. Raising them from day olds makes it tougher fo me. I got one response as to what it may be and without an avain vet I guess I'll really never know. For anyone that did not read my post this bird went from full vigor to a stumble overnight and then stilted legs the next day. She lays on her side but her feet can still clutch a little. Adding new birds will be problematic for me since I'd like to introduce new birds that have aged a bit. I have room for 6 birds in my coop so I need to figure out how I can get new ones in with my two BR hens. On a brighter note the snowmen my grandson and Mommy made are still standing!

 

[1muttsfan]

Grandma I hope you are planning on a trip to Chickenstock too!

Stacykins I agree with Olive too, lots of stress for little ones on a long trip like that. If they are a little older and are used to being hauled around, they might tolerate it better.

We didn't get much snow, just a couple inches, still not enough to break out the tractor with snowblower. It has finally gotten colder, good for ice fishing! Plan on going this weekend to try to hook up with some nice fat perch.

 

[fifelakelooper]

Anyone that read my issue about my hen that is paralyzed is still the same. She's alert and pecks at scratch but either way she's probably going home soon. It's tough when you only have 3 hens to start with. Raising them from day olds makes it tougher fo me. I got one response as to what it may be and without an avain vet I guess I'll really never know. For anyone that did not read my post this bird went from full vigor to a stumble overnight and then stilted legs the next day. She lays on her side but her feet can still clutch a little. Adding new birds will be problematic for me since I'd like to introduce new birds that have aged a bit. I have room for 6 birds in my coop so I need to figure out how I can get new ones in with my two BR hens. On a brighter note the snowmen my grandson and Mommy made are still standing!

Hi uchytil,
I am so SORRY about your hen. I have to say that although she is your pet...you need to put her down. It may be suffering unknown to you and you would be doing her a blessing to put her down. Hope this doesn't upset you but felt I had to say it. Please call Dr. Mick Fulton at MSU in charge of diseases and ask for what could be the cause. 517 353 3701. Even if you don't have the money or time to get lab work done on it..he may give you some ideas. Remember to ask him what to do to ensure future new additions don't get whatever this one has. It may be Marek's even though it does not have the classic symtoms.
I know you do not want to go through this again...so it is vital you find out the cause.
Hugs and good luck.
Linda

 

[taprock]

We only got a little snow, less than an inch, so whatever got her must have done it before the white stuff fell because there are no tracks what so ever in the yard. It is worrisome to not know what got her, so I'm going to close up the run for a few days and maybe set a live trap to see what critter I catch. Whatever got an easy meal will probably come back for another.
A friend told me he had a fox take a chicken off without leaving much behind, so if something did take off with her and leave only a few feathers I won't find them until after the snow melts.

This happen to me last year. We thought it must have been a fox and we did find feathers in the spring. Ours was a white Polish who must have wandered farther than usual and then it started snowing. I looked and looked but found nothing.

Anyone that read my issue about my hen that is paralyzed is still the same. She's alert and pecks at scratch but either way she's probably going home soon. It's tough when you only have 3 hens to start with. Raising them from day olds makes it tougher fo me. I got one response as to what it may be and without an avain vet I guess I'll really never know. For anyone that did not read my post this bird went from full vigor to a stumble overnight and then stilted legs the next day. She lays on her side but her feet can still clutch a little. Adding new birds will be problematic for me since I'd like to introduce new birds that have aged a bit. I have room for 6 birds in my coop so I need to figure out how I can get new ones in with my two BR hens. On a brighter note the snowmen my grandson and Mommy made are still standing!

The MSU vet told me you could tell it was Mereks because they would be paralyzed. But your girl is alert and that doesn't really sound right either. You might also read up on strokes, I found some instances when I was trying to figure out what was going on with one of my hens.

Man, I keep waffling over the MI Chickenstock. It is a very far drive for me, but I have family in Pinckney that I can bunk with for the weekend. BUT I will have baby goats then that need tending (they'll be bottle babies) so I'd have to bring them along which might be complicated. ARG D: D: D:

I was thinking about how far it is and you are at least 2 1/2 to 3 hours past me!

It's not snowing at the moment. DH worked late last night and got called in at 4 this morning. I have yet to venture to the coop and shovel it out.

This is my first time incubating with an incubator that is not home made. It is so easy!! I don't have to do anything but look at it now and then. Eggs are turning and the temp and humidity are spot on. We'll see if the hatch rate is as good.

 

[sj3364]

For the first time ever, every girl gave me an egg! I'm finally starting to get a backlog of eggs.

The other day I opened the door to the nest boxes and found Neil, my rooster, setting on an egg. Such a silly boy. Makes me sad to think I have to get rid of him come spring. I was lucky enough to get one of those good roos and unlucky enough that I can't have roos in my neighborhood. I'm just hoping I can find a home for him that's bigger than a stew pot.

 

[MamaFeathers]

Good morning everyone. I hope your day is off to a good start.

It's chilly this morning. We only got a dusting of snow last night. It just started to snow again.

Welcome to the newcomers! Don't miss a day, like other have noted...This is a very busy & chatty thread! If you got chicken questions or are ever in doubt about anything these guys & gals will answer them in a heart beat!

I do not like the weather tonight. I can live with snow but I dislike the wind. It whips like crazy out here in the open. Wish our pine trees were bigger.....A Lot BIGGER!!

Thanks for the welcome M.sue! I'll be sure to keep that in mind

MamaFeathers.

Thanks RBahmer!

Hi mamafeathers, glad you made it over to check us out.

Thanks 1muttsfan! I'm glad that I made it over, everyone has been very nice.

I'm glad your friend told you about us, it's alway nice to discover that we have one more added to our circle of friends. Be sure to follow the link in my signature line to get information about our upcoming Chickenstock. It's a great time to meet with fellow chicken affectionados.

Thanks Opa! I'll be sure to check it out.

I am kind of between grand rapids and muskegon

Thanks fuzzybutt love! The West side, gotchya

Welcome to the MI thread MamaFeathers! So glad to have you. In your other post you say you are from the Port Huron area. I am in Clay Township/Alconac, so not far from you at all!

Stacykins - Bring the baby goats to Chickenstock, you'll have plenty of bottle holders!!

RaZ - Mmmmm, Belgian waffles! Were those Leghorns in the Muppet video, RaZ?


Well, I was going to try to candle Mama's eggs today, but it wasn't dark enough and I'm afraid I'll drop one, so I'm going to just leave them be and see if they hatch. I'm getting really geeked about maybe having babies soon!

It was so nice and warm here today, I did the chores in just my sweatshirt. Well, I wore pants too. Then it rained like crazy and now it's snowing and blowing. Keep warm everyone.

Thanks Chickmate!

What a small world. I grew up in Clay Twp/Algonac, a 1/4 mile S of the Harsens Island ferry. My family moved out of the area in the mid 90's. We still have quite a few friends that live there.

Fingers crossed for you on the new babies!

I think aliens have abducted one of my marans!

Well, one of my marans has vanished and that's as much info as I have. I figure something got her, but I dunno what. She's too big for a hawk to carry off, but there's no body anywhere in the yard and any feathers that may have been taken out on a struggle are likely buried in the snow.
She's the one that's been oddly lethargic lately and she usually sits somewhere in the run or up against the house so I don't know what would have gotten her. My only other thought is that maybe something scared her over the fence and there's a rogue chicken wandering the neighborhood. I doubt that's the case though.

Ferrret, sorry to hear about your maran.