Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[ChickenAl]

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Suzanne, unfortunately, Jack is not doing all that well. He had not eaten today. The vet rehydrated him during the day and he did not eat at the vet either. Things are not looking good at this point. He's home tonight again and in bed with my wife. We may have to make the awful decision soon. We don't want him to suffer.

 

[ChickenAl]

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George, sorry to hear you had such a rough day. With animals you just never know what their vehavior will be. Instinct, and the power it has with the pecking order is difficult to deal with for us humans. We always want them to behave as we think they should. I am sure, in time, they will be able to be integrated with the flock.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.


Al

 

[ChickenAl]

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Suzanne, I'm sorry, I didn't even say how I can feel for you having to pack up your friends personal items. It is a sad reminder, and I'm sure her husband and daughter will have an emotional moment when they arrive.

Good that you have Friday off to catch a break.

The thermometer is a good idea to see how much heat is retained from sun warming and chicken body heat. Let us know how that works when we get a night that gets close to freezing temps.

 

[ChickenAl]

Roberta, how are you feeling today? Did you make it through the workday alright?

 

[stoopid]

Thanks for asking, still feel like crap, now my coworkers are starting to cough...."It must be allergies". Nope, you just better hope you don't get what I have.
I can start a trend, and have the whole dealership shut down for Thanksgiving week!

I know this sounds cold, but am thinking if it starts to get to freezing up by you, maybe figure out where you want to bury Jack now, so you won't have to deal with that later on. I have heard horror sories about peoples beloved pets dieing in the middle of winter, and not having anywhere to store the body until a proper burial after the thaw.
Sorry, I'm just wierd like that. I guess it's happened too many times to me. Luckily I have a freezer in the garage that....ugh, enough.

George, good luck with the babies.

Suzanne, it's cool that you can give advice now! Just a few months ago, you were our rookie!

 

[mjuenem]

Quote:
Suzanne, I'm sorry, I didn't even say how I can feel for you having to pack up your friends personal items. It is a sad reminder, and I'm sure her husband and daughter will have an emotional moment when they arrive.

Good that you have Friday off to catch a break.

The thermometer is a good idea to see how much heat is retained from sun warming and chicken body heat. Let us know how that works when we get a night that gets close to freezing temps.

I used one all last Winter and they work great. Piece of mind to know what the temp is in the coop without going out in the harshest weather. I will say though when the weather really turned cold, the battery in the sensor unit in the coop wasn't working right. I finally replaced it with a lithium battery (about $10 for four of them AAA size) and the problems went away. Lithiums are unaffected by cold temps (unlike normalk AA and AAA batts.)

Mark

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Roberta, keep on top of whatever it is you have. Don't want it turning into a serious problem. Drink plenty of fluids.

More than likely we will do a cremation. Did that for another one of our dogs. We do have a cat buried in the back along with a few assorted small rodents and bird pets the kids had when they were up. This is such a difficult decision but after reading enough about kidney failure in dogs I am afraid it is one we cannot avoid much longer.

I have my brain MRI roday at 10:00. Just another test in the continuing saga of my health issues. Today, I woke up with the carpal tunnel numbness almost completely gone in my right hand. I think the meds for the arthritis are working to give me unsuspected relief from that chronic problem. Would be a hoot if after over 10 years it disappeared without surgery.

 

[smkchick]

Mark, thanks for the tip. The unit said to use either alkaline or lithium and of course we had alkaline so that's what I went with. I'll have Inspector Gadget pick up some lithiums.

We're ready to hook up the light in the coop and program the timer. Any suggestions about extending daylight? Earlier morning or later evening? Or both?

Roberta, great plan about shutting down the dealership. Germ warfare. Gotta love it!

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Suzanne, I'm sorry, I didn't even say how I can feel for you having to pack up your friends personal items. It is a sad reminder, and I'm sure her husband and daughter will have an emotional moment when they arrive.

Good that you have Friday off to catch a break.

The thermometer is a good idea to see how much heat is retained from sun warming and chicken body heat. Let us know how that works when we get a night that gets close to freezing temps.

I used one all last Winter and they work great. Piece of mind to know what the temp is in the coop without going out in the harshest weather. I will say though when the weather really turned cold, the battery in the sensor unit in the coop wasn't working right. I finally replaced it with a lithium battery (about $10 for four of them AAA size) and the problems went away. Lithiums are unaffected by cold temps (unlike normalk AA and AAA batts.)

Mark

Mark, thanks for the tip on those lithium batteries. I saw one of those thermometers for 20 some odd bucks at Harbor Frieght. Think that's where I'll get mine.

 

[ChickenAl]

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I've heard it best to add the light in the morning. Then again, how would the chickens know what the hour was? Might have to get them a clock or wristwatches...