Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[fluffycrow]

It saddens me greatly to read that Henry is not feeling himself. I have not known him for long, but I have grown very fond of him. He is simply perfect when it comes to caring for his hens. If it is his time to go, I am happy to know that his last few years with you have been great, and he's leaving behind a legacy. Goodbye to a beautiful, strong rooster, whose daily activities made our days a little brighter

 

[Shadrach]

It saddens me greatly to read that Henry is not feeling himself. I have not known him for long, but I have grown very fond of him. He is simply perfect when it comes to caring for his hens. If it is his time to go, I am happy to know that his last few years with you have been great, and he's leaving behind a legacy. Goodbye to a beautiful, strong rooster, whose daily activities made our days a little brighter

He's not dead yet!. It's supposed to get warmer tomorrow. That will help.

 

[fluffycrow]

He's not dead yet!. It's supposed to get warmer tomorrow. That will help.

I am aware. I probably should have saved the goodbyes for when he does pass . Although what I said today will be what I'll say that day as well. I'm hopeful the warmth will help him feel better. Cold temperature is hard on old birds; especially older ones

 

[HiEverybirdy]

I think there are individual differences though. My bantam Merle has been unwell when it's below freezing, even as a pullet.

You reminded me there's nuance to the idea that younger birds are better with the cold. The young Sussex are happy, but the Langshans, Brahmas, and Marans were unhappy their first winters.

Not saying it's a breed thing. The Langshans and Brahmas had roundworms the beginning of that first winter, which might've affected their reaction to cold that year. These days Unquestioned Head Hen Brahma Donna regularly pops out in the snow to survey her kingdom with Stilton.

To @ManueB's point about individual birds, Frida the Langshan dislikes winter most of all. Their very first freeze, she was the bird who woke up with the lethargy and green poop that sent me running to the vet for the roundworm diagnosis.

Despite quick treatment and several winters in good health, Frida still pouts about the cold. Before the coop heaters, I'd occasionally bring her indoors to warm up. With the heaters, she's fine as long as she eats early and well, though she's the last to slink down the ramp in winter weather.

"I'm good here, thanks."

I do remember being impressed at the young Easter Eggers' winter mettle. Throwback to their first snow at 7 mos old, aww.

Meanwhile Marans Merle surveys the sideways snow and says "nope." He'll stay in the coop all day. Good plan, since his wattles almost bit the dust last year.

The high temperature this week was 34°F/1C, with the coldest night still ahead, exceptional for here. The biggest concern so far has been Andre's comb. A faint white band started to form on the back of it a few afternoons ago.

Last winter, we were able to save all but a few mm of one blade by whisking him indoors. Bachelor Andre liked the house, but On-Duty Andre wants none of it. I tried bringing him in the last hard freeze, and he crowed his head off and his comb started to droop. This time, I upgraded his heater instead, contorting myself in 25mph snow-wind with a [probably cold-induced] trippy ocular migraine to hang safety brackets.

According to the placement of poops last night, he approves of the heater, and his comb was better today. That's all the gratitude I need. I'm just worried about the 0/-18 temperatures in a few nights. He may lose a few blades this time

The Speckles just keep doing what they do. It snowed all day, unexpectedly. They couldn't find their feet in it by afternoon.

 

[Shadrach]

Two hours today. A couple of degrees warmer than yesterday and still getting sunshine.
Henry looked a bit happier this afternoon and I spared him the man cuddles.
Normal perching arrangement have been restored by the look of it. Due to be a further couple of degrees warmer tomorrow but the wind is getting up and that will push the real feel down and piss the chickens off. It will stay above freezing though and they can all shelter in the coop extension to get out of the wind.

 

[fluffycrow]

You reminded me there's nuance to the idea that younger birds are better with the cold. The young Sussex are happy, but the Langshans, Brahmas, and Marans were unhappy their first winters.

Absolutely. The serama pullets do not like the cold. If the temperature drops suddenly, they will be moody and inactive for the whole day; a lot more than the almost three year old Tsouloufates. The brahma are loving our weather. The 40°C was barely bearable for them

 

[MrsNorthie]

According to the placement of poops last night, he approves of the heater, and his comb was better today. That's all the gratitude I need. I'm just worried about the 0/-18 temperatures in a few nights. He may lose a few blades this time

I kept mine in the coop until temps went above freezing. They don't like being kept in, but the outdoor water was frozen. The night before, I put the feeder with plenty of extra food, in the coop and an extra waterer, to make sure they have plenty of breakfast to get them through until it warms up enough to turn them loose. Luckily, here, the freezing temps are not typical and don't last too long and the coop is pretty big and well ventilated so they can spread out a bit and be comfortable.

 

[HiEverybirdy]

Henry looked a bit happier this afternoon and I spared him the man cuddles.

Hahaha.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

Ex Batts good evening one and all

Tea is ready.

Temperature is in the 50s and falling.

Have a great day!

 

[Molpet]

Ummm sounds like this is who we have to blame for battery hens...at least in UK
https://www.poultrynews.co.uk/busin...tions-of-thornber-bros-an-industry-giant.html