Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[Shadrach]

I meant am I in the clear as to not have to watch my entire flock die painfully. Also, I do not plan to get and/or breed any more chickens.

I hope so. I don't think you can ever be sure because of the nature of the disease. I hope they all live a comfortable life into old age, but I think only a liar or a fool would tell you you are in the clear.

 

[Shadrach]

Is a misting system a possibility?

Not really. 360 days of the year are fine. It's usually wind, ths year it's been the sun so far. It's all over for now.

 

[MaryJanet]

Not really. 360 days of the year are fine. It's usually wind, ths year it's been the sun so far. It's all over for now.

Ok well, there's always the option of more shade once you can turn your time and other resources to it.

 

[no fly zone]

I hope so. I don't think you can ever be sure because of the nature of the disease. I hope they all live a comfortable life into old age, but I think only a liar or a fool would tell you you are in the clear.

Just been so worried about my flock. It would break my heart to lose them like that, especially Skeksis.

 

[Shadrach]

Just been so worried about my flock. It would break my heart to lose them like that, especially Skeksis.

Yep, I know.Chickens dying is just something one has to accept and come to terms with in one way or another if one is going to do it for any length of time and care about the creatures.
All you can do, once you've got some, is to give them the best life you can.

 

[GregnLety]

Just been so worried about my flock. It would break my heart to lose them like that, especially Skeksis.

Praying for the best for you and your flock. Broke my heart to bury that young hen earlier this week.

 

[ManueB]

Lety and I argue over letting them free range. I prefer it especially for the hot days. There's bushes, trees, plants, buildings and machines they can use for shade. She thinks that if they're out in the sun they'll expire more quickly. I try telling her the chickens know the cool spots. For example, I often block the kennel door open when the dogs are outside. The chickens will go in there and cool off and snack on the dog food.

I agree with you. It's best to give them the choice, especially for chickens that are used to coping with such heat.
Unless their coop is very well ventilated I also believe that when they are confined they generate body heat- like you may be fine in a room but if ten people come in it gets really hot.

The downside, with the temperatures you have now like over 100 degrees, is that keeping the chickens confined make it possible to give them ice buckets, and to check on them regularly whereas you wont find out a chicken is having a heat stroke if it's hiding under a shrub.

I followed @Perris's way yesterday and let's the chicks cope with another thunderstorm instead of locking them in. They did take shelter, though at the last minute, and not in the best of places, and they were a bit scared, but that will teach them.

Regarding how different breeds fare in warm and cold temperatures, I'm not sure it counts as much as the type of environment the chickens and their ascendants have been raised in.

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

Whew! I've had a crazy past 10 days or so and had many many pages to catch up on.
Glad to hear most people have come through the heat wave alright, I've been watching the news about it and hoping the chickens would all be OK.

I've had my in-laws visiting, then the memorial and spreading ashes for my mum who died last year, which necessitated more family members visiting. Oh and I quit my job! Quite the emotional rollercoaster around here.

In chicken news, the little cockerel who got to stay has taken full advantage of his ability to crow without competition. We have called him Squeaky as a temporary name. Droplet is still broody, I've not given her any real eggs, hopefully she gives up without having to be broken. She's eating and drinking and generally keeping herself healthy.

It's been raining a lot here so I haven't got any fresh chicken tax, but here is a landscape of the bay where we put my mums ashes out to the ocean. It was a beautiful and not raining day!

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Chippy! I wish I could accurately describe just how amazingly soft her feathers are. View attachment 3192441View attachment 3192442View attachment 3192445View attachment 3192448View attachment 3192449

One word to describe softness, I think I would use Cashmere.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good morning one and all!

82 partly sunny 80 % humidity feels like 100 rain off and on.

Have a great day!