NY chicken lover!!!!

[ChickPrincess]

Tab, sorry you're not feeling well. Sending healing thoughts your way!

Late afternoon yesterday, there was a raccoon crossing the road in front of our house. Went between our pine trees and the vacant land next door. Dh was able to get a shotgun shot in and GOT HIM, but didn't kill him first shot (too far away). Dh had only had time to grab one shell, so by the time I got another for him, the coon had disappeared. I'm sure off to die in the weeds. I felt bad, as I don't like to see anything suffer, so I wish he would've been able to finish him off, but at least we got him!

HERE IS A TRICK THAT I NOW USE WHEN CHICKS START TO ZIP AND STOP AND DIE. MY OBSERVATION HAS BEEN THAT WHEN THAT HAPPENS ITS USUALLY BECAUSE THE MEMBRANE HAS DRIED STUCK TO THIER FEATHERS. MY SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO MIST THE EGGS THAT ARE STOPPED ABOUT EVERY TWO HOURS.....BE CAREFUL TO GET THE EGGS WET BUT NOT DROWN THE CHICK INSIDE. YOU WILL SEE WHEN YOU MIST THAT THE MEMBRANE CHANGES TO DARK COLOR AS IT GETS WET. DOING THIS HAS IMPROVED MY SUCCESS RATE ALOT. WHEN I OPEN THE INCUBATOR TO MIST, I MIST AROUND THE INSIDES OF THE BATOR AS WELL WHICH HELPS THE HUMIDITY TO RECOVER VERY QUICKLY. AGAIN JUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET TOO MUCH WATER IN THE EGG OR THE CHICK WILL DROWN. I HAVE FOUND THAT CHICKS THAT HAVE ZIPPED A WHILE AND STOPPED, ALL OF A SUDDEN BEGIN AGAIN TO ZIP AND SOON HATCH. I HAVE SPRAYED LIKE THIS SOMETIMES AFTER NO FURTHER ZIP ACTIVITY FOR 10 OR MORE HOURS, ONLY TO HAVE IT FINISH AND HATCH IN AS LITTLE AS 15 MINS LATER.

Saved in my brain for future reference! Thanks!

The last few days I have had severe stomach upset-- to the point that I begged off of work on Thursday and today I napped for about 3 hours mid afternoon. I haven't made any more progress with my coop and that honestly makes me sad. I have the plywood and the vinyl sheet, I have to get hinges for the doors. Since half the shed is becoming coop (slightly smaller than 6ft by 10ft!) I'm making two doors, one on the left that opens to the coop and one to the right that will open to the storage area. I was thinking of doing them dutch style but I may not to save time. I could always take them down and cut them later if I really wanted them that way.

*sigh* here is to feeling better in the AM.

BRAT diet. Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. Feel better soon!

Hi Everyone!

I'm in the Smithtown (Suffolk County) area of Long Island, New York and was wondering if there is anyone near me? Thanks!

Genie

Welcome, Genie!

Welcome! I'm nowhere near you, but I'm sure others here are

Can anyone tell me how to disinfect wood? I was driving home from a movie tonight and on the way, found two barred rock hens huddled in the road in the rain. I stopped to be sure they weren't hit, and they weren't, but they're terrifyingly skinny and there was no house with a coop anywhere in the area, so I brought them home and, for the night, tossed them in an extra run I had built FAR away from my flock that I use to house chicks until I get my abandoned tool shed A.K.A the quarantine area set up for them tomorrow. I want to be able to use that run, though, and I want to be sure it's safe before I put any chicks anywhere near it, JUST in case. What can I use to disinfect the wood? Outward appearances indicate the birds are healthy besides their undernourishment, but one can never be too careful!

Also, I'd love to worm them with DE too, while I'm at it. How do I do that? Just mix it in with their food, or is there a certain amount they need to get or anything?

They will probably bounce back quickly after having a few decent meals, poor things! Def keep them quarantined awhile. Personally, AFTER they gain a little weight back and are a bit stronger, I would give a round of Eprinex (2 doses, 2 weeks apart). Kill any worms or lice or anything they may have. Last summer, some of my hens had visible roundworms and I tried the DE route, which did not work for me. I used it everywhere. On the floor, on their poops, in their food. Didn't help. I still use DE to help keep things dry, but don't count on it to cure. Just my experience.

Talking about a big chicken egg.

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/grd/3732050449.html

ROFL! Try scrambling THAT one!

Good Lord! It's snowing.

I feel like throwing a tantrum.

 

[Cooped Up Chick]

Hi Everyone!

I'm in the Smithtown (Suffolk County) area of Long Island, New York and was wondering if there is anyone near me? Thanks!

Genie

Welcome Genie, I'm not near you either, but wanted to say hi

So we suddenly lost our little week old white bantam two days ago. It was both of the kids favorite of course...

The only thing that indicated anything was wrong was it was cheeping loudly periodically, even though the temp was good (it wasn't choosing to be closer to the warm lamp or far away), it was feathering like the others, but didn't grow as fast in the week we had it, and had a bit of pasty butt which I kept cleaned... also, I thought strange, it was the only one that wouldn't lay down to sleep, always stood, but in my hand would lay down, so I know it could (that was why I thought maybe it was cold, again, it didn't choose to be in the warmest area of the brooder though). I did see it eating and all. I watched it nearly all day for clues to the loud cheeping... I had only last been watching it at the most 1/2 an hour before I found it laying down. I thought "oh good it is feeling better" but then I saw it gasping (I assume for air). Nothing helped (gently stroked it's throat in case something was stuck etc.) Died in my hands in only a few minutes.

 

[rancher hicks]

Welcome Genie, I'm not near you either, but wanted to say hi

So we suddenly lost our little week old white bantam two days ago. It was both of the kids favorite of course...

The only thing that indicated anything was wrong was it was cheeping loudly periodically, even though the temp was good (it wasn't choosing to be closer to the warm lamp or far away), it was feathering like the others, but didn't grow as fast in the week we had it, and had a bit of pasty butt which I kept cleaned... also, I thought strange, it was the only one that wouldn't lay down to sleep, always stood, but in my hand would lay down, so I know it could (that was why I thought maybe it was cold, again, it didn't choose to be in the warmest area of the brooder though). I did see it eating and all. I watched it nearly all day for clues to the loud cheeping... I had only last been watching it at the most 1/2 an hour before I found it laying down. I thought "oh good it is feeling better" but then I saw it gasping (I assume for air). Nothing helped (gently stroked it's throat in case something was stuck etc.) Died in my hands in only a few minutes.

I am sorry for your loss. Unfortunately we don't realize that hatcheries are the "puppy mill" of the chicken world. My first and only hatchery order yielded a runt Dominique. She was fine and all but was just smaller than her two sisters. One of which got sick and I had to put down since she stopped laying.

I suspect a genetic problem that you could not cure. Perhaps the chirping was that it was in pain.

 

[Cooped Up Chick]

I am sorry for your loss. Unfortunately we don't realize that hatcheries are the "puppy mill" of the chicken world. My first and only hatchery order yielded a runt Dominique. She was fine and all but was just smaller than her two sisters. One of which got sick and I had to put down since she stopped laying.

I suspect a genetic problem that you could not cure. Perhaps the chirping was that it was in pain.

Thanks Rancher, that is true about the hatcheries I suppose. Never thought of it that way before.
I was concerned about the chirping for that reason, if we had known for sure it was in pain, and not just temperature related, we (hubby) would have put it down. It only started the loud chirping maybe a day before passing. I've never lost a chick before, though I've only had them twice in my life.

 

[rancher hicks]

Thanks Rancher, that is true about the hatcheries I suppose. Never thought of it that way before.
I was concerned about the chirping for that reason, if we had known for sure it was in pain, and not just temperature related, we (hubby) would have put it down. It only started the loud chirping maybe a day before passing. I've never lost a chick before, though I've only had them twice in my life.

Mine was only a guess and of course we don't have X- ray vision, so how can we know for sure? I have no doubt you would have put it down , but I'm sure you're like me and like to give it every chance to survive.

If we have not all been there I suspect we will be at some time in our chicken keeping.

Take care,

Rancher

 

[Aria]

Afternoon all. Came home to a semi dreary day but let Little Man and his wenches out to freerange. His girls have been fiesty lately, jumping at each other and at him. Not sure why. I just yell at them to knock it off and they stop. Yesterday it was Stripe causing all the problems as she was going over and picking squabbles with Arwin and Eowyn so then Little Man comes running and he and Legolas start because they are both defending their women. Sometimes I think the girls are more problems than the guys are!

Dh gave the babies some scrambled eggs last night. They werent sure about it but did eat some. He had to give the divas grapes while they were in their run otherwise the terrorists would have had them all.. I swear I live in a three ring circus and the clowns run the show. Speaking of which, I have to go let the whiners out. They are better than dogs at knowing when I am almost home. They start in bawking before I am even parked in the driveway.

Dont remember who posted pics of their new coop in progress but it looks great. I was wondering, however, why you want to cover the ceiling? More ventilation is better. Mine dont bother with the rafters as they prefer the nice wide roosts they have.

Aria--Geri have very nice silkies and she is great to deal with. My second breeding quad is from her. I hatched out the roo and one pullet and got 2 other pullets shipped from her. I do have 4 babies in the brooder from my first breeding quad and if they dont sell, I could grow them out for you. I think they are two roos and two pullets but you know how it is sexing silkies!

My heritage rir babies are growing like weeds and look so different from my hatchery terrorists. I definately have a roo and three girls so I am hoping for good things from them. Cant wait to see how they fully feather out. One of the girls is going to be a big girl. She is bigger than the rest but loves to hang out on my. I have taken to calling her Rose because she reminds me of Rose from the Golden Girls. Can anybody name the rest of them???

Gotta run and cook some venison for the cheeps. Its been around for a while so now that its defrosted I will cook it up and let them have at it. Good way to empty the freezer!

Amy, THANKS. Lynzi, has some beautiful Chicks. I got 2 black and 1gray 7 months old from a Lindsay in Foresport, near us. They are PRETTY. I don't want to breed, just want Silkies and
their eggs. I paid $8.00 for each of the Silkies. A very reasonable price and they are beautiful.
Would want to add 3 more Silkies to our flock. Would welcome yours. Regards, Aria

 

[Tough Old Bird]

Well I guess if they were great flyers and really motivated, they could get up there. Mine dont bother. Please remember that chickens can handle the cold weather as long as there is adequate ventilation and no drafts. It is when there is a buildup of humidity in the coop that you get problems like respiratory disease and frostbite. Mine live in a woods style coop that has and open front and sides and open windows up top. Here is a winter pic"

You can see them looking out the front window and you can kinda see their roosting bars in the back. No matter how cold it got, they were comfortable in the coop and I found it wasnt bad. We have a cookie tin water heater in it for the winter to keep the water just warm enough to not freeze.

My suggestion is to go back and read the threads on ventilation. I would rather have more than less because you can cover up if its too much but cutting holes during the winter trying to fix not enough is going to be a real pain! Hope this helps.

Hi Pharmchick - I remember this photo that you shared over the winter...just love your coop and set up. Thanks for the pointers, and yes -- I definitely want to make sure we have enough ventilation. I am a little worried about the tremendous winds we get here in the hills of Otisco, but we'll figure something out. The conundrum is enough ventilation without the drafts!!

Siding going up today, but boy! Is this whole chicken and chicken coop endeavor ever a lesson in patience!

TOB

 

[Tough Old Bird]

I was driving home from a movie tonight and on the way, found two barred rock hens huddled in the road in the rain. I stopped to be sure they weren't hit, and they weren't, but they're terrifyingly skinny and there was no house with a coop anywhere in the area, so I brought them home and, for the night, tossed them in an extra run I had built FAR away from my flock that I use to house chicks until I get my abandoned tool shed A.K.A the quarantine area set up for them tomorrow. I want to be able to use that run, though, and I want to be sure it's safe before I put any chicks anywhere near it, JUST in case. What can I use to disinfect the wood? Outward appearances indicate the birds are healthy besides their undernourishment, but one can never be too careful!

Also, I'd love to worm them with DE too, while I'm at it. How do I do that? Just mix it in with their food, or is there a certain amount they need to get or anything?

Wow, it's amazing how you, being a "chicken person", were in the right place at the right time to help these two birds. I've always said that God puts these needy creatures in the path of someone who can help! I think it's great that you stopped to help.

I hope they'll be OK. Sorry I can't help you, but someone here will, I hope. Keep us posted. It's going to be in the 20's tonight, so good thing you found them when you did.

TOB

 

[mderby48]

I can't stand to hear this poor lonely chick cheeping its head off. Its not only sad but frustrating as I have tried everything to quiet her and nothing works. She wont eat wont drink I don't even think she sleeps! I wish I had time to get her friends today. There never seems to be enough time for anything.

 

[Lynzi777]

I can't stand to hear this poor lonely chick cheeping its head off. Its not only sad but frustrating as I have tried everything to quiet her and nothing works. She wont eat wont drink I don't even think she sleeps! I wish I had time to get her friends today. There never seems to be enough time for anything.

Sounds like she definitely needs some friends. Is there anyone close to you that may have some chicks available? I don's think it really matters how many days they are apart from yours, at such a young age I don't think she would get picked on by chicks that were a week or two older. At this point she just really needs some other chicks around.