Minnesota!

[scandiafowl]

My coop cleaning is never a convenient time for the clan. Three are staring at me waiting to get to the nesting boxes.

 

[KlopKlop]

This weather is so weird! It's 45° here today! I don't know whether I should be grateful that the start of my first winter as a chicken keeper is being relatively warm or frustrated that my entire farm is a mud pit! Letting the dogs in and out of the house is a whole ordeal in itself involving paw wiping and toweling down...

 

[KlopKlop]

@KlopKlop I would probably try putting her out with the other girls directly. When they start feeling better and eating, they may slow down eating or quit if they are lonely. When you put her out there just watch and see if she starts eating and such. you don't want her away from the others too long...

She is getting spoiled, time to put her out with her own kind

You guys called it! i took her out to the coop and put her down with the other hens. at first she just plopped down and i was worried. I went to close up the other coop and when i came back she was rubbing shoulders with conrad and eating from the feeder. I think she probably could use the exercise in the very least. she has been in a jumbo dog kennel for a few days now. I will check in on her tonight before bed and bring her in if she needs. She is still all skin and bones so i may keep making scrambled eggs for her for a bit longer.

 

[cottonlouie]

I am usually careful about where my head is in relation to the goats' heads....but today was in a hurry to do evening chores. As I was bending over my goat's head came up and I got a hard bump with her horn nubbin in the corner of my eye. It bled. Now it's swelling up and turning a lovely black and blue. My neighbor, a first responder, came over to make sure it wasn't an ER kind of injury, and it's not. Just a Christmas shiner. Good thing me and dh took our Christmas pic already!

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Wow! Sorry coffee. I have to agree about telling the kid to scare away the hawk next time. I am sure he was so amazed he didn't know what to do.

Lala. How is your girl?

Klop, I hope she will be all good now.

I am finally getting some eggs!! 2 or 3 a day. Not bad this time a year for 5 hens I figure.

 

[scandiafowl]

I am usually careful about where my head is in relation to the goats' heads....but today was in a hurry to do evening chores. As I was bending over my goat's head came up and I got a hard bump with her horn nubbin in the corner of my eye. It bled. Now it's swelling up and turning a lovely black and blue. My neighbor, a first responder, came over to make sure it wasn't an ER kind of injury, and it's not. Just a Christmas shiner. Good thing me and dh took our Christmas pic already!

As much as I feel bad for you because I bet it hurt there is a wee little part of me that is chuckling and I'm really sorry.

And I think you should post a photo.

 

[scandiafowl]

Wow! Sorry coffee. I have to agree about telling the kid to scare away the hawk next time. I am sure he was so amazed he didn't know what to do.

Lala. How is your girl?

Klop, I hope she will be all good now.

I am finally getting some eggs!! 2 or 3 a day. Not bad this time a year for 5 hens I figure.

I found another super secret nest today. Same hen, a little Australorp. She's a sneaky little stinker. Eight eggs!

 

[Coffee 1st]

I am usually careful about where my head is in relation to the goats' heads....but today was in a hurry to do evening chores. As I was bending over my goat's head came up and I got a hard bump with her horn nubbin in the corner of my eye. It bled. Now it's swelling up and turning a lovely black and blue. My neighbor, a first responder, came over to make sure it wasn't an ER kind of injury, and it's not. Just a Christmas shiner. Good thing me and dh took our Christmas pic already!

ohh noo... head butted by a goat... glad it wasnt worse... and welcome to BYC guess i didnt say that yet... seems like everyone is pretty busy lately with this nice weather...

 

[lalaland]

cottonlouie, you know,..pics of your xmas shiner! that was good timing with your own xmas pics already done. Hope it wasn't too painful and heals fast.

scandia, glad your dog is a little happier today!

The suggestion to try live meal worms was brilliant. Goldie ate a quarter of an apple today while I was at work, didn't touch much of anything else except the clover/dandelion leaves that I was picking at 4 am. She perked up as soon as I came in and was eager for the meal worms. I think she ate about a doz or doz and a half before laying down in the back, head to the corner.

They were expensive, I thought - 500 for $20. worth it though if they keep her going.

Minniechickmama I am torn about force feeding. I will probably get some into her by tiny bit by tiny bit on her beak...but first I will try getting her into the coop to see if she perks up more with other chickens. I will put a bowl right next to her kennel so she sees others eating right in front of her. That trick has worked for me before.

I've been doing some searching about dog attacks, and there was one person who had a rooster that ate and drank very little for a few weeks and recovered. Not optimal!

So, wednesday I will do another inspection to see how the wounds are doing. SHe was molting at the time of the attack, so she has feathers in various stages coming in.

 

[aussiegal318]

@lalaland Glad that Goldie is eating something. I hope those wounds are healing up. I've been surprised how hardy chickens actually are.

@Coffee 1st So sorry about Kathy. Wasn't that the SLW that was picking on your other ill/injured hen?

@KlopKlop I love the tool sets. Did you decide what to make for the girls? Also glad your hen is back in the coop. I know what you mean about the mud. It's a muddy mess where I'm getting the new coop ready now.

@cottonlouie Yep, I chuckled too, but that had to hurt. Sorry.

@scandiafowl Poor baby got scared. I hope your pup didn't get injured while on adventure.

Feeling better today. I was able to get out and do a little bit on the coop before I tired out. Because the ground had thawed, I was able to dig the wire in. I should have all day tomorrow. Maybe I can get it finished!?! trying to decide what roosters & hens go out there. They won't have the second line of fencing until sometime in Spring. I want to fence another area around the coop for the alpacas, just need to figure out logistics.