My Poor Sweet Lexie!

[Farmer Kitty]

Poor Lexi. I'm glad you brought her in.

 

[speckledhen]

Kitty, so am I! The temps dropped, not to the predicted 15, but to about 7-8 degrees! The others were all trying to stand under the waterer lamp this morning, too, something they just dont usually do, so that tells me poor little naked, low-on-the-totem-pole Lex would have been pushed out from under her only warmth. I spread a towel, got her a warm breakfast of oatmeal mixed with high protein layer pellets (22%) and chopped hardboiled eggs in it. She had her breakfast on the towel next to the woodstove and watched a little TV-that fascinated her, LOL. DH opened the pet carrier door and sort of pushed her toward it. She went in happily, making these odd little clicking sounds I've never heard from her before, and settled down in the straw. I think she's very cozy in there. And tonight is supposed to be the same after all day today when the temps aren't going to rise that much, so she's staying inside with us.
I may want to find a larger pet carrier at a flea market just like I found this small one, just in case I need it during the next molt or for the next broody, if I run out of space. They sure do come in handy.

 

[Katy]

Lexie may know a good thing when she's got it and keep her molt going for awhile!!!

 

[LoneCowboy]

I have spoiled rotten chickens. They have a totally insulated coop, a red heat lamp over their water, and a clear heat lamp that goes on very early to add extra light. The coops stays between 40 and 60. I think if I had a chicken like Lexie, she'd still be cold. I do have a SLW with a bear back from picking. I think I'm going to make a saddle for her today. More to keep them from picking than keeping her warm, but hopefully it will work both ways

 

[CarriBrown]

Cyn, you had me SO WORRIED when I saw the subject of this post!! Don't ever do that again!

I was thinking the worst!
Anyway, I'm glad you brought Lexi in... she obviously needs the break from the cold and it sounds like you're doing the right thing for her. I'm sure she loves the stove and scrambled eggs with her morning TV!

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry to scare you, Carri! It may have been bad news if I hadn't brought her inside.
Lex was wearing a saddle with the fleece I added, but when I saw a big spot of blood from broken feathers where the shoulder area had interfered with them coming in, I removed it. When those feathers are long enough, the saddle will go back on her to protect her bare back.
My coop, both the original part where Suede is and the addition, where the laying flock stays, is insulated, but not heated, just the heatlamp over each waterer. It's draft free and stays warmer than the outside for sure and if she had feathers, she would be out there with the rest of the gang. I'm ready for spring!!!!!!

 

[johnnyjack]

Quote:
me to speck.!

 

[Scrambled Egg]

Cynthia you are such a good chciken mommy!! You will have that little chicken so spoiled she will stand under that light just so you'll bring her in, lol!! Your Rocks are identical to mine, exactly, infact if we mixed them toghether only the leg bands on mine could tell them apart! The Rocks are my favorite, most sweet, chatty, loving chickens, mcuh more than the RIRs, I can sure understand your loving Lexie to pieces!!! Hope she gets her feathers in soon, mine have not molted yet so I haven't been through that but it sounds traumatic for a mom!!

 

[speckledhen]

My sweet Lexie is not all that cuddly right now-she is so prickly with quills, I'm sure it's very uncomfortable to be held. Most of mine hate to be held when they are in the worst of their molt, even if they were lap chickens before that. I just want her to be comfortable and feel like herself again soon. You're right about the BRs; they have such personality and seem more intelligent in some ways than my other breeds, probably because they are so curious about every little thing. Lexie and Ivy were the ones that started my love of the breed, even both are just plain hatchery-type BR girls, but they'll be with me as long as I can keep them healthy and happy.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Quote:
Another thing that works is those plastic play fences for toddlers &/or pets. I have Eldora in one right now. I just use four panels with a partial sheet of plywood on top for a roof. It gives them more room if they will be in it for an extended period of time.

I'm also ready for spring! This darn below zero weather! I was all set to start reintroducing Eldora when this hit. Now I'll have to wait until it warms up.