Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

So today was in the low 20's and we had snow. I let the chickens out for a little bit figuring that they are smart enough to go in the coop if they are cold. I went to lock them all up not long ago and noticed our rooster has a little bit of frostbite. Swollen, darker tips of comb and wattles. I put him in the house to warm up and put petroleum jelly on him. I put him back in the coop as I don't know what else to do and all the girls are fine, even the ones with larger combs. I'm not sure how much I should worry about it. How is he going to do in the worst of winter? Ugh

He will most likely lose the points of his comb by the end of winter. Unfortunately, it's basically inevitable here for boys with big straight combs :confused:

I had to work with my flock a bit today in the cold. I wasn't happy about being out there (though neither were they!) Quite a few of them haven't been here long enough to understand that they need to go in the run where it's completely covered in plastic if they're cold. Even more didn't understand that the big side door of the coop will no longer be open every day with the cold weather here. They have to learn to go back in the coop through the pop door in the run now and not the big side door. Even though every single one of them knows how to get out through the pop door, apparently, climbing the ramp and going in is more difficult. I have a feeling that I'll be training them for at least the next week at bedtime :barnie
 
I know Veteran's day isn't until tomorrow but I doubt I'll be able to get on much since I'll be busy with my own Veteran :) So I wanted to say Happy Veterans Day to any Vets out there and family members!

My son was asked to sing the National Anthem at a school event honoring veterans the other day and while we couldn't see him from where we were, we recorded him singing. We're very proud of him!

 
Molt can be so rough! It hit my turkeys hard this year....but I took pictures lol

Cuddles

View attachment 1183148 View attachment 1183149

Sweet Pea

View attachment 1183150 View attachment 1183153

Princess

View attachment 1183151 View attachment 1183152

Oh my goodness Sweet Pea! :hit

@chickachickayea Ummmmm WOW!! What a set up you have going on. We’ve yet to build an outbuilding with storage space. As it is, all bedding, feed, ect is stored in the basement and garage. After seeing your space, it’s obvious to me that we need to change our ways.

It is still a work in progress! Work, life and weather are a triple whammy, I tell ya!

So today was in the low 20's and we had snow. I let the chickens out for a little bit figuring that they are smart enough to go in the coop if they are cold. I went to lock them all up not long ago and noticed our rooster has a little bit of frostbite. Swollen, darker tips of comb and wattles. I put him in the house to warm up and put petroleum jelly on him. I put him back in the coop as I don't know what else to do and all the girls are fine, even the ones with larger combs. I'm not sure how much I should worry about it. How is he going to do in the worst of winter? Ugh

Two of my girls have big wattles and combs, best to be vigilant with Vaseline and plastic wrap your space (but leave some areas open for ventilation) Best of luck! :hugs

Not ready for winter!! Frozen waters ugh. Took the flock fresh water this morning. And gave them some warm oatmeal. I have some girls molting and I want them to stay warm!!
Same boat here... The wind is what's most bothersome! My Pepper is molting at the worst possible time, I even considered a little hen sweater or saddle!

Stay warm everyone!
 
Hope everybody is surviving this super cold blast of a weekend!

I think I have to give two of my Ameracaunas a "haircut" around their eyes. Their beautiful puff looks like it is obstructing their vision. Silly girls!



WP_20171110_17_39_47_Pro.jpg
 
Hope everybody is surviving this super cold blast of a weekend!

I think I have to give two of my Ameracaunas a "haircut" around their eyes. Their beautiful puff looks like it is obstructing their vision. Silly girls!



View attachment 1184295

She is a cutie...we have trimmed for vision also, and the birds were fine with it. Helps them finding food and for predator detection.
 
View attachment 1181923
Not something I wanted to open up the coop to this morning... Flock was cooped up yesterday due to weather and me not feeling well. My Pepper has plucked herself so much that she has bald spots around her chest and neck. :( I'm watching her preen and feathers just keep falling out. So they will be out for as long as I can manage today. *deep sigh*

We are currently putting their new converted shed-coop and larger run together and I'm really hoping we can get it done this weekend. They'll be so much happier with the extra space and cozy shed.
View attachment 1181925
View attachment 1181926 View attachment 1181927

Looks like she is molting! Our coop was full of feathers as well. I think we had about 6 chickens molt this year. Poor babies!

Your new coop looks fantastic! Did you build or buy the shed?

He will most likely lose the points of his comb by the end of winter. Unfortunately, it's basically inevitable here for boys with big straight combs :confused:

I had to work with my flock a bit today in the cold. I wasn't happy about being out there (though neither were they!) Quite a few of them haven't been here long enough to understand that they need to go in the run where it's completely covered in plastic if they're cold. Even more didn't understand that the big side door of the coop will no longer be open every day with the cold weather here. They have to learn to go back in the coop through the pop door in the run now and not the big side door. Even though every single one of them knows how to get out through the pop door, apparently, climbing the ramp and going in is more difficult. I have a feeling that I'll be training them for at least the next week at bedtime :barnie

The cold is the worst! Thankfully his tips aren't dark anymore, just a little swollen, and the temperatures should return to the 40s this week.

Oh my goodness Sweet Pea! :hit



It is still a work in progress! Work, life and weather are a triple whammy, I tell ya!



Two of my girls have big wattles and combs, best to be vigilant with Vaseline and plastic wrap your space (but leave some areas open for ventilation) Best of luck! :hugs


Same boat here... The wind is what's most bothersome! My Pepper is molting at the worst possible time, I even considered a little hen sweater or saddle!

Stay warm everyone!

Our coop is under our deck, so I think I will tarp off the entire space below the deck to provide them with some shelter from wind and snow all winter.

Hope everybody is surviving this super cold blast of a weekend!

I think I have to give two of my Ameracaunas a "haircut" around their eyes. Their beautiful puff looks like it is obstructing their vision. Silly girls!



View attachment 1184295

We have one cheeky girl like that, should we be trimming her feathers?
 
Hope everybody is surviving this super cold blast of a weekend!

I think I have to give two of my Ameracaunas a "haircut" around their eyes. Their beautiful puff looks like it is obstructing their vision. Silly girls!



View attachment 1184295

I usually do the same for my silkie hen!
:D

Looks like she is molting! Our coop was full of feathers as well. I think we had about 6 chickens molt this year. Poor babies!

Your new coop looks fantastic! Did you build or buy the shed?



The cold is the worst! Thankfully his tips aren't dark anymore, just a little swollen, and the temperatures should return to the 40s this week.



Our coop is under our deck, so I think I will tarp off the entire space below the deck to provide them with some shelter from wind and snow all winter.



We have one cheeky girl like that, should we be trimming her feathers?
I bought the shed and built all the "chicken accessories" inside. :lol:

I trim my silkie's head puff when I can tell it is obstructing her view just to help her out a bit. She's quite poofy right now! :love
IMG_20171112_094241.jpg
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom