Minnesota!

[The BlanchRanch]

Hi folks, just stopping in to say "hi". I don't have anything interesting to say because I only get to see my chickens off the roost on weekends these days. Another week and the days start getting longer though! Maybe I'll be able to tell you guys that my pullets started laying after that.... they'll be 32 weeks on Christmas eve....

How's everyone's weather? We've had a lot of rain, then it turned to sleet yesterday. Supposed to get some snow tonight and tomorrow. Maybe a couple inches on the shore, more inland. I'm ready for it, this ice is driving me crazy!

It is amazing. Sounds exactly the same as what we have had.I thought you would have had a lot of snow by now. Our forecast is even the same.

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Quote:
That is sad. Very humane though. You would think that they would not allow it in order to survive. Chickens are strange.

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Whoohooo!
Federal employees given a half day leave with pay on the 24th!

As it should be everywhere!! Many employers forget we all have family and loved ones too.

 

[The BlanchRanch]

I didn't see her as it was dark but DW thinks she saw her this morning while walking the dogs. I won't know for sure until lockup tonight because I had already opened the pop door at that point. It possibly could have been one of my other barred rocks. I am hoping for the best though

I hope she did too!!

 

[KlopKlop]

unfortunately I am still a hen short tonight. i think my guess about what chicken my DW saw was right. bummer! if she is roosting out somewhere i will need to catch her in the daytime.

I also took a tour of my corn crib this evening. Found 7 eggs in the hidden nest i busted yesterday. Then i thought about the straw upstairs where our kittens were born and went up there. Found 24 eggs in a nest!



I float tested them and 5 definitely failed and got chucked right away. the rest i may boil and then mash for the flock. I dont have any idea how old some are. a couple were cracked and got tossed as well.

That flock is going to stay locked up in the covered yard so i can see just how many hens are really laying. I cleaned out all of their nests and put in fresh straw which was probably over due. the nests are milk crates and 2 of them were down to the plastic base.

I am not sure how to prevent the hens from going upstairs yet. i will have to figure it out though! the downstairs was me not cleaning up the loose straw well enough.

 

[Cluckies]

Quote: I started by filling the entire bottom with about an inch or so of wheat bran.

Quote: So sorry you are not going to have your Christmas, but I'l with you and would not want my children driving that long with a baby in possible bad weather, i'd want them safe.

Goldie looked like she has some drainage from one of the wounds, her feathers near the wound just looked a little gooky this morning by flashlight. I don't know if this is a good or bad sign, after 16 days.

Bathing is a stressor, but I will do my best to bathe her tomorrow while working from home. And then get her time to roam part of the coop so she can walk more than a few steps!

I'd bring her in and check her out and see if it is draining, if it is, that is good, put warm compresses on it, see if you see any that aren't draining but that look red and infected, those are the ones that can really do some damage. My dog got bit, we didn't find all the puncture marks through all his fur, I came home a few days later and he had his side torn open as he'd bit it open to relieve the pain/pressure, terrible... It healed, but it was terrible. (therefore the fence)

unfortunately I am still a hen short tonight. i think my guess about what chicken my DW saw was right. bummer! if she is roosting out somewhere i will need to catch her in the daytime.

I also took a tour of my corn crib this evening. Found 7 eggs in the hidden nest i busted yesterday. Then i thought about the straw upstairs where our kittens were born and went up there. Found 24 eggs in a nest!



I float tested them and 5 definitely failed and got chucked right away. the rest i may boil and then mash for the flock. I dont have any idea how old some are. a couple were cracked and got tossed as well.

That flock is going to stay locked up in the covered yard so i can see just how many hens are really laying. I cleaned out all of their nests and put in fresh straw which was probably over due. the nests are milk crates and 2 of them were down to the plastic base.

I am not sure how to prevent the hens from going upstairs yet. i will have to figure it out though! the downstairs was me not cleaning up the loose straw well enough.

Keeping my fingers crossed that she makes it back or that you can hunt her down in the next day or two. Bet she is hungry if she is lost.
Nice find on the eggs!

 

[KlopKlop]

I started by filling the entire bottom with about an inch or so of wheat bran.

So sorry you are not going to have your Christmas, but I'l with you and would not want my children driving that long with a baby in possible bad weather, i'd want them safe.

I'd bring her in and check her out and see if it is draining, if it is, that is good, put warm compresses on it, see if you see any that aren't draining but that look red and infected, those are the ones that can really do some damage. My dog got bit, we didn't find all the puncture marks through all his fur, I came home a few days later and he had his side torn open as he'd bit it open to relieve the pain/pressure, terrible... It healed, but it was terrible. (therefore the fence)

Keeping my fingers crossed that she makes it back or that you can hunt her down in the next day or two.  Bet she is hungry if she is lost.  
Nice find on the eggs!

The bad part is that I don't know how long she has been gone. It has been a busy week and with it getting dark so soon we don't get to spend much time with them. I haven't don't headcount since at least last weekend or so.

Maybe she is broody somewhere? Would a 8-9 month old barred rock go broody?

Trying to stay positive!

 

[scandiafowl]

As it should be everywhere!! Many employers forget we all have family and loved ones too.

Am so with you on that. Profit over people = not good at all.

 

[scandiafowl]

@KlopKlop

You've broken the "hidden nest egg count" record!

 

[Minniechickmama]

The bad part is that I don't know how long she has been gone. It has been a busy week and with it getting dark so soon we don't get to spend much time with them. I haven't don't headcount since at least last weekend or so.

Maybe she is broody somewhere? Would a 8-9 month old barred rock go broody?

Trying to stay positive!

Is there any dark, hidden away spot up on top that she might be hiding in? I could see a Silkie going broody right now, but I don't know if a BR that age would do it at this time of year at that age.