The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[Leahs Mom]

It's so hard to know if they are experiencing much pain since they try to hide that so well. I imagine it's really hard for you to watch her right now. I know it would be for me.

 

[1muttsfan]

The best you can do for her is just what you are doing. She wants to be normal and can't quite make that happen, but I doubt she would eat or try to move around if she was in distress.

 

[speckledhen]

The best you can do for her is just what you are doing. She wants to be normal and can't quite make that happen, but I doubt she would eat or try to move around if she was in distress.

Thanks, Mary. I agree that if she was in a lot of pain, she wouldn't be making as much effort, but it helps to hear you say it.

 

[getaclue]

I too was thinking mini-stroke when you mentioned her being weak on one side. Stroke is different than heart attack, so her color may be fine. I'm not exactly an expert, especially when it comes to things like that with chickens, but it sounds about right.

 

[speckledhen]

I too was thinking mini-stroke when you mentioned her being weak on one side. Stroke is different than heart attack, so her color may be fine. I'm not exactly an expert, especially when it comes to things like that with chickens, but it sounds about right.

As usual, with chickens, we go by what we see, compile all the evidence and draw a conclusion or several possibilities. We've had strokes happen and the hen die overnight, then Meg with her episodes, one of my original Buff Orps appeared to have a stroke, then there was the little Belgian D'Anver hen who I thought may have had a stroke, but she kept seizing over and over again, etc, etc. Georgie's onset was very sudden. At roost time, she was her normal self, but the next day, she didn't get up and let me rake around her and, then the weakness on one side. Whatever, it is what it is and she's a very old hen, especially for a Delaware, whose origins were meat birds. She isn't a hatchery girl, either, so her genetics are probably closer to the original Delaware than the ones we see out of places like McMurray and Ideal. Just a guess, really. She's been a great hen, a big personality and a huge part of the flocks. You just coudn't ignore Georgie! She's still the only one who will come up the stairs and onto the deck to look for us, out of all the old hens who were with Isaac so the Deck Crew is on its way out.

 

[speckledhen]

As I'd hoped, the storm was a non-event. Lots of flakes, no real sticking, but the temps are diving tonight. Check out the temps starting on Tom's b'day, Feb 3! It just is the craziest winter, up and down and wet, but so far, I don't think we've had an inch of snow at a time.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Looks like you're having a heat wave to me

1F here right now heading down to -19 tonight.

@speckledhen
How do you hang your heat lamps so that they're safe? Do you have any photos?

 

[Leahs Mom]

PS: I know folks say that the birds need to acclimate to the temps, but how do you acclimate when it's 42 one day and -17 the next?

 

[speckledhen]

Looks like you're having a heat wave to me

1F here right now heading down to -19 tonight.

@speckledhen
How do you hang your heat lamps so that they're safe? Do you have any photos?

They're all different. Some have the cords wound through the fencing, some have clips plus bungees, etc.

 

[getaclue]

I've been looking all over the internet for safer, and more affordable heating solutions. Things like SweeterHeater might be ideal, but are far too expensive to buy in the sizes, and quantities needed for multiple coops. I still keep going back to the idea of the nest type boxes with seedling mats, and insulation, with hay on top, and the thermostats.