The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

I am very fortunate that I have central air. It is on more than I would like, but, Joe can't stand any type of heat when he is home. He would put air on the chickens if I let him.

 

[aoxa]

I am very fortunate that I have central air. It is on more than I would like, but, Joe can't stand any type of heat when he is home. He would put air on the chickens if I let him.

Central air is amazing. We were debating whether or not to do a regular heat pump or just a mini split. The heat pump guys said that we can get by with a mini split during the winter, and I seriously doubt it. I'd rather a regular heat pump, but they are really expensive.

I'd like to have something that will keep the house warm when we are feeling too tired to keep the fire going.. plus it is cold as heck in the morning in the winter with the wood fire.

Really you don't save much with wood now. It's renewable though.

 

[armorfirelady]

Delisha- it's so hot and last week they were panting horribly. I was going thru my hen first aid kit and found the electrolytes so i figured why not? It's going to be hotter this week. Lots of frozen veggies, ice water and dust bathing spots for the hens. Plus I got a new hen in place of George so that is stressing everyone out when they are already cranky with this heat.

As for a/c I don't like it. I always get sick when I sit in it. I actually wear a sweatshirt to work its so cold. My house is about 75 with ceiling fans to circulate and window fans to pull the heat out. Thank goodness for good insulation.

Poor new hen is having a rough time. She just wants shade and Edie has decided to be a menace again and the new hen is twice her size. Hopefully they all get over it soon in this heat. I am half tempted to let everyone in the veggie garden to cool off under the pumpkin leaves and giant sunflowers and potato leaves

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Does anyone else find the mites more of a problem with all of the rain that has been happening? None of mine have had any mites since I started with the chickens 2 years ago. But the one game hen broody I have, with 2 week old chicks in the chicken tractor,....has been miserably wet these past two weeks or more. And now yesterday, I noticed one of her leg scales was sticking up. I didn't catch and examine her, but I did give her the last of my wood ash. She dove right in, and showed the chicks all about it also.
I have to check on her today, to see if it has helped her leg any. She didn't act like it was bothering her, but it couldn't be a good sign.
I also found a flea on my arm yesterday. Inside the house. We have no inside pets, cats or dogs.
Everything is being driven inside due to the water just standing all over the place around here.
BDM...great article by the way. I checked it out also.

 

[delisha]

I know many of you put new birds in with your flock..
please understand the risks you take when doing so.
The risks are not worth it in my opinion unless you have the theory the fit survive and if they die or wipe out my flock it was meant to be.
Nothing wrong with that theory.

 

[delisha]

Does anyone else find the mites more of a problem with all of the rain that has been happening? None of mine have had any mites since I started with the chickens 2 years ago. But the one game hen broody I have, with 2 week old chicks in the chicken tractor,....has been miserably wet these past two weeks or more. And now yesterday, I noticed one of her leg scales was sticking up. I didn't catch and examine her, but I did give her the last of my wood ash. She dove right in, and showed the chicks all about it also.
I have to check on her today, to see if it has helped her leg any. She didn't act like it was bothering her, but it couldn't be a good sign.
I also found a flea on my arm yesterday. Inside the house. We have no inside pets, cats or dogs.
Everything is being driven inside due to the water just standing all over the place around here.
BDM...great article by the way. I checked it out also.

The moisture is going to do many things that normally would not happen. Good job on keeping on top of it and offering wood ash.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

Thanks delisha. I am learning a lot reading in this forum, mostly. Lots of experienced flock owners with great and timely advice. My experience is ending up to be mostly trial and error. Hopefully more trials than errors.

I looked at her leg,was going to take pictures....and it started raining again. The one scale, at the bottom of her left ankle, still looks slightly raised. But I do not expect immediate results. I'll examine her ankle later on in the week if it looks different.

 

[midnightroo]

Armor, sorry you had to take George back. Sounds like you are close enough you could visit. He is beautiful and the second picture made me laugh.


Hot and humid here as well. 105 real feel right now and it hasn't gotten to the hottest part of the day. Plus later this week they are calling for 96+ without the humidity. Sorry for those of you without a/c. I don't like it too cool, but there is no way I could sleep well at night with these temps during the day.

Off to go change water and check on the chickens. Stay cool everyone

 

[delisha]

I just changed out water for the second time myself today. Added cold water to the pools. It is almost 100 with the heat index and humidity. I am glad it is rare to have days like these. If it is in the 90's we all suffer. Tomorrow will be much better and back to rain and heat on Thursday.

 

[aoxa]

I just changed out water for the second time myself today. Added cold water to the pools. It is almost 100 with the heat index and humidity. I am glad it is rare to have days like these. If it is in the 90's we all suffer. Tomorrow will be much better and back to rain and heat on Thursday.

If the nights didn't cool down like they do here, I know it would be a lot more difficult for the birds to take the heat during the day.

Our nights are in the 50's and 60's. Tonight it will be in the high 70's.