Minnesota!

[AftonChickenHil]

Somehow or other I thought I replied to someone new in Hudson, WI who asked where one could get 5 chicks locally, as opposed to buying from a large out-state hatchery. I realized it jumped into the middle of a non-related stream, and I could not find the original post, nor could I remember her handle!
So, yes, I thought I was answering someone! Thank you for your welcome.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Ah, I think I remember that one.

I have a small hatchery too with no minimum for pick-ups. I am in Zumbrota. I offer a nice variety of breeds, just for info sake.

It is always nice to see new poultry enthusiasts on here!

 

[michellepagan]

Where exactly is Zumbrota (north or south of the cities) and what kinds of poultry do you have?

 

[Minniechickmama]

The breeds I have available are in my signature line.
I am one hour south of St. Paul.

 

[michellepagan]

Awesome! I have to be down that way (Red Wing) the first weekend in March. How soon would I need to place an order if I just wanted to pick up some babies on my way home?

 

[Minniechickmama]

Awesome! I have to be down that way (Red Wing) the first weekend in March. How soon would I need to place an order if I just wanted to pick up some babies on my way home?

I'll PM you.

 

[FoxyChicken]

Hey fellow Minnesota peeps, I have a question for you. I just noticed yesterday that one of my RSL girls has a perfectly bald area about an inch below her vent. It's a circular area about 2 inches or so in diameter. It's not swollen or red, no signs of being pecked at other than the lack of feathers. She's also at the top of the pecking order. She's acting totally normal and laying an egg every day. So of course my first thought was mites, so what I'm wondering is if mites are possible in the dead of winter? I don't heat my coop and I have a hard time believing there could be mites in the coop with how cold it's been this winter! And none of the other girls have bald spots. I guess I have been noticing some downy type feathers on the roost board in the mornings, but they're from my Australorps. Not a ton, just a few here and there. They wouldn't be molting right now would they?? They're maybe 10 months old.
This is my first flock, so any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks and stay warm!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Fall and Winter is the time to most worry about mites from what I've read. The chickens seem to get it possibly from bedding --hay and straw are mostly pointed at. Before you get yourself too worried about it do a few Google images of Fowl mites or Poultry mites and then start looking your girl over for signs of them. I have not had to contend with them myself so I'm no expert. But do your research and hopefully it was just a one time feather pick from one of her girl friends. If the area starts to look worse (Bigger) then you might have to watch to see who she is roosting next to. Feather pickers are hard to break.

 

[FoxyChicken]

Thanks for the input Bogtown. I suspect you may be right about the feather picker. I had sort of ruled it out because the RSL with the bald butt is at the top of the pecking order so I just assumed she wouldn't let anyone pick at her, but I suppose if it was done on the roost while she was sleeping she may not have reacted. I also believe I know who the culprit is! My SLW, she quickly scarfs up any feather she sees laying on the ground and I have seen her pick at my Australorp's fuzzy thigh feathers before. When I was looking them all over last night I noticed that some of those thigh feathers were broken off halfway down the shaft. I only have 6 hens and they are very much pets so I'm not going to cull the SLW over it, she also happens to be my favorite of course

I'm sure they've got some serious cabin fever going on.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I think all of our birds - we worry about their Minnesota Cabin "Coop" Fever. It's stressful for them and that's when those bad behaviors come out. Sometimes it's just the water staying froze over too long or the food hasn't been topped off....or they need a higher protein feed. You could also do an electrolyte, probiotic drench like Merrick's blue Ribbon. You get a bag that lasts forever for 2 bucks at Fleet Farm. Just start doing a few little extra things that could make a difference nutritionally for them to start off and see if that turns the behavior around.

I think providing roosting space so they can get away from one another is equally important. So if you can do another bar without somebody getting pooped on I would try that.

You can also do some association things like a coin in a tin can. And everytime that little feather nipper SLW starts doing her new favorite pastime with a pick here and there you make an obnoxious noise with the can. So she associates her behavior with the can. IDK if it works or not...but chickens are weirdly trained easily I've seen before. It would be fun to try at least! LOL. Our SLW is a pistol too.