Minnesota!

[Minniechickmama]

I have a timer hardwired into my lights and I have had it goof up on me before. I don't know how it can happen but It has. Maybe some ghosts of chickens I have culled are coming back to mess with me?

 

[Hensnhorses]

You can get bluekote at Fleet Farm. My roosters are suffering too. The Wyandottes with their rose combs are doing great. Thinking Spring!

 

[lalaland]

I'm loving this warmer weather, no frozen eggs!

Saw from tracks something (fox?) was checking out the run perimeter last night. I'll have to make sure the gate is well latched ....spring is coming (yup, I dare say that in January!)

 

[duluthralphie]

I'm loving this warmer weather, no frozen eggs!

Saw from tracks something (fox?) was checking out the run perimeter last night. I'll have to make sure the gate is well latched ....spring is coming (yup, I dare say that in January!)

Very brave of you!

If we get 5 more feet of snow and it goes to 20 below, I personally am going to blame you for taunting Mother Nature with your talk of spring in January. Even a ground hog waits until Feb to say anything!

 

[AmericanKraut]

Hi Everyone! Cluckies gave me the link to the Minnesota thread here. I'm new to BYC and will have my first flock this spring so I'm new and eager to learn! I'm over toward the St Croix River valley. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!

Krista

 

[AmericanKraut]

Cluckies said she's having trouble with frostbite and Orpingtons. I've ordered a couple from the hatchery for spring. Since it's my first flock, should I avoid Orpingtons for this reason?

 

[Chickenchick11]

AmericanKraut!

I think it mostly depends on are you going to be heating your coop, and are you willing to go outside when it's -20 degrees and put Bag Balm on their combs to help prevent frostbite.

 

[Dandelioness]

Cluckies said she's having trouble with frostbite and Orpingtons. I've ordered a couple from the hatchery for spring. Since it's my first flock, should I avoid Orpingtons for this reason?

Hi there -
We are in the St Croix valley, too.
My Orpington hens hasn't had frostbite problems, very few of my hens have, in fact, besides the leghorns and those just a little on the tips - I would be surprised if there was any damage. Roosters are another story!! I had a RIR whose top half of his comb turned black and fell off last winter, right next to an Easter egger roo who showed zero signs of even mild frostbite. My leghorn roos this year have black tips on the combs which I think may fall off eventually, but I am treating with Vaseline.

So I've been looking into changing my flock over to small-combed varieties, particularly if I mean to keep a male for breeding purposes.

Orpingtons are very gentle & friendly, so they are great to work with, especially for new flock owners. I think the roos combs & wattles could be susceptible, though. Again, my hens have not had trouble.

I do not heat the coop.

 

[AmericanKraut]

Thank you, Dandelioness! Very good to know. Do they have nerves in their combs, like do they feel the frostbite or in rather callous terms does it just become a lost cosmetic feature?

Can you recommend any places in the area for organic feed that isn't too expensive? Or how to make it affordably that is still well-balanced for the winter months when they aren't getting the usual summer time outdoor eating they're used to? Once they're out of the chick stage, what should I be feeding them basically and do you have suggestions on where to buy it. I can message you where I'm specifically at if that helps.

 

[Dandelioness]

Thank you, Dandelioness! Very good to know. Do they have nerves in their combs, like do they feel the frostbite or in rather callous terms does it just become a lost cosmetic feature?

Can you recommend any places in the area for organic feed that isn't too expensive? Or how to make it affordably that is still well-balanced for the winter months when they aren't getting the usual summer time outdoor eating they're used to? Once they're out of the chick stage, what should I be feeding them basically and do you have suggestions on where to buy it. I can message you where I'm specifically at if that helps.

Hi again -
I don't know if they have nerves in their combs or not. Maybe someone else knows the answer to that one.

The RIR roo that lost part of his comb last year has shown no signs of frostbite this year, not even a tiny bit of greying. I wonder - have others found this to be the case as well?

You should start chicks on starter (20-22% crude protein). I use unmedicated, but you may decide your situation warrants it. Some switch to grower at some point (18-20% crude protein), but I keep mine on starter until butchering day or just before point-of-lay or when I introduce them to the main laying flock, at which point I begin offering layer ration (16-17% crude protein plus minerals necessary for optimal laying).

As far as local feeds, I will pm you so this doesn't get too lengthy.