NY chicken lover!!!!

[Cass]

Hi everybody, I haven't checked in for a long time so I'm just getting ready to scan the posts I missed and see how you all have been doing.

In the meantime- I've got a silkie pullet that I'm thinking of rehoming. She won't roost with the other birds because she can't fly and my roosts are too high for her- and even if I put in a short roost she'd be all alone on it. I'm worried that she'll freeze to death over the winter. Is this a legitimate worry or am I overthinking this?

Thanks!

Maybe you need another silkie! I had a bantam hen that roosted by herself without any issues.

Another bird might solve the problem...BUT you are over thinking it. Do you have a box you can fill with shavings or straw for her to sleep in? My bantie survived the winter without a roost partner. (Roosts are too high for her and her summer partner took to roosting with the rest of the flock) My birds roost in the rafters and, for the most part, don't sit right next to each other anyway....very "you're in my space, move over" kinda birds.

 

[ag29ande]

 I am sorry for your trouble. Is there no family to help you til you're healed?  

Was it expensive to clear the land and dig the pond?  I just said to DW that we need to figure a way to make this land pay for itself.  

I'm not sure I'd like to clear all the big trees but if all the saplings were gone it would be nice.   

Oh yes, family is helping! I just think its a bit unfair to them.... I feel a little guilty, they are my hobby after all. But you do for family! But in all fairness I do need to downsize and do so me culling, otherwise the coop is going to be too tight this winter.

When all was said and done we spent about 3k for the dozer, gas, and operator. My sisters Father in law operated the bulldozer ($20/hr) the bulldozer was $1700 for the week (40 hrs).

 

[smazourek]

Another bird might solve the problem...BUT you are over thinking it. Do you have a box you can fill with shavings or straw for her to sleep in? My bantie survived the winter without a roost partner. (Roosts are too high for her and her summer partner took to roosting with the rest of the flock) My birds roost in the rafters and, for the most part, don't sit right next to each other anyway....very "you're in my space, move over" kinda birds.

Thank you, I absolutely can make her a deep bedded box to help keep her warm. Great to know that will do the trick!

Ag29ande- No More Silkies! I got three chicks hoping for pullets and got two roos that are not very nice, between them and worrying about the pullet I don't want any more.

 

[LuvMyChicks1491]

I am sorry for your trouble. Is there no family to help you til you're healed?

Was it expensive to clear the land and dig the pond? I just said to DW that we need to figure a way to make this land pay for itself.

I'm not sure I'd like to clear all the big trees but if all the saplings were gone it would be nice.

When all was said and done we spent about 3k for the dozer, gas, and operator. My sisters Father in law operated the bulldozer ($20/hr) the bulldozer was $1700 for the week (40 hrs).

That is more then I was thinking it might be. When we were getting our septic tank worked on last year we talk to the guy who is a friend of the family and asked him how much he would charge to clear our 4 acres that are wooded. Making sure that he would leave the big trees. He told us that he would charge us no more then $500. I guess it pays to know someone. My BIL wants to fill in his pool. We told him that if he helped pay for us to get a pond dug that he could have all the fill to fill in his pool.. He said no. Oh well.

 

[rancher hicks]

Another bird might solve the problem...BUT you are over thinking it. Do you have a box you can fill with shavings or straw for her to sleep in? My bantie survived the winter without a roost partner. (Roosts are too high for her and her summer partner took to roosting with the rest of the flock) My birds roost in the rafters and, for the most part, don't sit right next to each other anyway....very "you're in my space, move over" kinda birds.

I have a BR that never roosted and I think she's got problems because of it. I've dusted her area and her. Wormed her and all that thinking she might have mites or something. Lately I've taken to putting her up on the roost at night and she seems to not know how to hold on.

Point being unless you want to change out the bedding each day letting her sleep in the box is not a good idea. Chickens unload at night and they'll be poop each morning.

I didn't get Silkies cuz I'd read that didn't roost, but apparently I was wrong? If you choose to keep her I'd just put her up on the roost each night.

Though I do let my Frenchy sleep in a box since she's my fav.

 

[Sweetpea3829]

Thank you, I absolutely can make her a deep bedded box to help keep her warm. Great to know that will do the trick!

Ag29ande- No More Silkies! I got three chicks hoping for pullets and got two roos that are not very nice, between them and worrying about the pullet I don't want any more.

LOL,

I'm in need of a silkie pullet. At least 2 of my three are cockerels and the jury is still out on the 3rd one. Though I'm leaning towards cockerel for that one, too, because Marquisella says so, lol.

Where are you located? PM me if you need to rehome and you're within an hour of Keuka Lake.

 

[Sweetpea3829]

Most of my silkies roost...but I have them separated from the large birds and I had my husband install a roosting bar down low. The newest silkie refuses to roost with the other birds, but I think that might be because he/she is new to the flock.

 

[Glasshen]

Safe trip, Lynzi. I am sure your flock will have lots to tell you on the ride.

 

[melbu23]

Good morning ya'll. It has been some time since I have posted in here for many reasons. (long vacation overseas, work, new pc....)
Hope ya'll have been well in the meantime.
As for an update here, my 20 meat birds are in the freezer and although they turned out small, I am happy with my first time partially free ranged meat birds =). I am looking forward to doing it again next year.
Now I am waiting for my 6 egg layers to start laying. (1 buff orphington, 3 Americana's,and 2 production reds. They are all around 20 weeks old now so hopefully I will see an egg soon.

.
Today I am hoping to buy some straw bales for the coop for the winter and clean it out to get nest boxes ready. The weather may delay cleaning the coop as it is currently raining. Lets hope things clear up.
I'll post some updated pictures soon

Have a wonderful day ya'll!

 

[rancher hicks]

Good morning ya'll. It has been some time since I have posted in here for many reasons. (long vacation overseas, work, new pc....)
Hope ya'll have been well in the meantime.
As for an update here, my 20 meat birds are in the freezer and although they turned out small, I am happy with my first time partially free ranged meat birds =). I am looking forward to doing it again next year.
Now I am waiting for my 6 egg layers to start laying. (1 buff orphington, 3 Americana's,and 2 production reds. They are all around 20 weeks old now so hopefully I will see an egg soon.

.
Today I am hoping to buy some straw bales for the coop for the winter and clean it out to get nest boxes ready. The weather may delay cleaning the coop as it is currently raining. Lets hope things clear up.
I'll post some updated pictures soon

Have a wonderful day ya'll!

Try to barter for the straw. I trade chicks or pullets for my hay. Since I hatch my own anyhow.

It's raining and cold here and I've turned on the heat already. Brrrr!!