Minnesota!

[lalaland]

That would take a mighty large sprouter.

Burlap bags come to mind.

Yeah I think I saw someone on byc that was doing sprouts in burlap, they grew through the burlap and she hung the bag up, the chickens just grazed off of it.

 

[lalaland]

Friday's update on Goldie:

She did eat yesterday when I was at work. Not a lot, but there are enough droppings that I am not worried. Normal green, but the urates are not white, they are yellow.

I spent about an hour this morning sitting near her. I wanted to coax her to eat because I would like her to up her feed intake, but she wasn't interested. Pecked at a few grains I tossed on the towel.
She did launch into a long and thorough grooming session. It was good to watch her because she was raising a wing giving me a view of one of the wounds.
The skin is pink not white near the wounds, but not red - so, maybe healing versus a bad infection.

I watched her and she is nibbling at the edges of the nustock paste. I decided the yellow urates are because of the sulphur she must be ingesting while grooming.

I figure she is doing ok if she has energy to groom, and hopefully when I come home I will find she has eaten and had something to drink.

Sulfur is ok to eat, I've added it to feed for a feather mite issue. Pine tar, I don't know.

I think in a couple of days I can move her to a hospital cage in the coop. I did get one of those panel heaters on sale in the fall, and I could put that in the hospital cage if needed. out in the coop. I think she has enough bare patches of skin that she could probably use some additional heat given that she is so badly injured, too.

I might be jumping the gun, as there is still a big risk of infection from all the wounds, but I am feeling more hopeful about her making it!

 

[FoxyChicken]

Friday's update on Goldie:

She did eat yesterday when I was at work. Not a lot, but there are enough droppings that I am not worried. Normal green, but the urates are not white, they are yellow.

I spent about an hour this morning sitting near her. I wanted to coax her to eat because I would like her to up her feed intake, but she wasn't interested. Pecked at a few grains I tossed on the towel.
She did launch into a long and thorough grooming session. It was good to watch her because she was raising a wing giving me a view of one of the wounds.
The skin is pink not white near the wounds, but not red - so, maybe healing versus a bad infection.

I watched her and she is nibbling at the edges of the nustock paste. I decided the yellow urates are because of the sulphur she must be ingesting while grooming.

I figure she is doing ok if she has energy to groom, and hopefully when I come home I will find she has eaten and had something to drink.

Sulfur is ok to eat, I've added it to feed for a feather mite issue. Pine tar, I don't know.

I think in a couple of days I can move her to a hospital cage in the coop. I did get one of those panel heaters on sale in the fall, and I could put that in the hospital cage if needed. out in the coop. I think she has enough bare patches of skin that she could probably use some additional heat given that she is so badly injured, too.

I might be jumping the gun, as there is still a big risk of infection from all the wounds, but I am feeling more hopeful about her making it!

Yay! I think grooming is a great sign! It seems like they mostly do that when they're comfortable, and it must also mean that she's feeling less sore since she's able to move around to reach all her parts. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[lalaland]

Thanks! I've got fingers, toes, and eyes crossed hoping....

 

[scandiafowl]

Friday's update on Goldie:

She did eat yesterday when I was at work.  Not a lot, but there are enough droppings that I am not worried.  Normal green, but the urates are not white, they are yellow.

I spent about an hour this morning sitting near her.  I wanted to coax her to eat because I would like her to up her feed intake, but she wasn't interested.  Pecked at a few grains I tossed on the towel.  
She did launch into a long and thorough grooming session.  It was good to watch her because she was raising a wing giving me a view of one of the wounds.  
The skin is pink not white near the wounds, but not red - so, maybe healing versus a bad infection.

I watched her and she is nibbling at the edges of the nustock paste.  I decided the yellow urates are because of the sulphur she must be ingesting while grooming.  

I figure she is doing ok if she has energy to groom, and hopefully when I come home I will find she has eaten and had something to drink.

Sulfur is ok to eat, I've added it to feed for a feather mite issue.  Pine tar, I don't know.

I think in a couple of days I can move her to a hospital cage in the coop.  I did get one of those panel heaters on sale in the fall, and I could put that in the hospital cage if needed. out in the coop. I think she has enough bare patches of skin that she could probably use some additional heat given that she is so badly injured, too.  

I might be jumping the gun, as there is still a big risk of infection from all the wounds, but I am feeling more hopeful about her making it!

Am so glad to hear she is moving in a healing direction. Grooming is a good sign!
Keep us updated, please.

 

[scandiafowl]

Cresco is about an hour and fifteen for me, so you would have to make most of a day of it.  I would check what their background is first since you are looking to breed them.  Did you ever get ahold of Bob Vaughn?

Yes, and his son Rich Vaughn. They are all in Tennessee at a show. I've joined the Jersey Giant Club and am learning so much from the masters!

 

[Minniechickmama]

Oh my gosh, and I thought Minnie wan an enabler!! You're even worse!!

Whaaaaat??!!

Did Minniechickenabler just say DON'T HATCH??

You heard me. I am happy to be that pushy enabler when I believe conditions are right, but this time of year, unless you have the space to keep them warm and happy so they will thrive, not a good time.
Now, talk to me in 6-weeks and my answer will be totally different.

 

[Minniechickmama]

To grow 6 day sprouts as a supplemental feed source for my girls. Possibly up to 25% but no more. I want to grow it long enough for there to start to be green growth so the girls can get some fresh greens.
Ultimately I hope this will do 2 things:
1) improve egg quality while the ground is snow covered
2) lower feed costs. The oats were significantly cheaper than my layer rations.

Sprouts are super nutritious too, so you are actually improving their diet even more than if they were out on free range. For people, sprouts are like a superfood. You can get sprouting mixes online to give more variety, but I bet it gets expensive. My husband is diabetic and he does sprouts sometimes, and eating raw with the sprouts really helps him feel better. I don't mind them in salads and on sandwiches, but not in huge amounts.

The other advantage to sprouting fodder is that if they are used to having it over the course of the cold season, then they won't go out and gorge themselves on grass in Spring, or hopefully won't.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Yes, and his son Rich Vaughn. They are all in Tennessee at a show. I've joined the Jersey Giant Club and am learning so much from the masters!

I didn't realize his son was in it too. The Knoxville show is big and people go there from all over the country. I think it is also the APA's annual meet. If you haven't joined the APA, I suggest you do so if you are going to be serious about breeding.

 

[Wild Child]

Friday's update on Goldie:

She did eat yesterday when I was at work. Not a lot, but there are enough droppings that I am not worried. Normal green, but the urates are not white, they are yellow.

I spent about an hour this morning sitting near her. I wanted to coax her to eat because I would like her to up her feed intake, but she wasn't interested. Pecked at a few grains I tossed on the towel.
She did launch into a long and thorough grooming session. It was good to watch her because she was raising a wing giving me a view of one of the wounds.
The skin is pink not white near the wounds, but not red - so, maybe healing versus a bad infection.

I watched her and she is nibbling at the edges of the nustock paste. I decided the yellow urates are because of the sulphur she must be ingesting while grooming.

I figure she is doing ok if she has energy to groom, and hopefully when I come home I will find she has eaten and had something to drink.

Sulfur is ok to eat, I've added it to feed for a feather mite issue. Pine tar, I don't know.

I think in a couple of days I can move her to a hospital cage in the coop. I did get one of those panel heaters on sale in the fall, and I could put that in the hospital cage if needed. out in the coop. I think she has enough bare patches of skin that she could probably use some additional heat given that she is so badly injured, too.

I might be jumping the gun, as there is still a big risk of infection from all the wounds, but I am feeling more hopeful about her making it!

Good Luck with your little hen!