The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[aoxa]

Hi everyone! It's been about 100 years since I was here last! I hope everyone is doing well and that everyone is looking forward to a nice Christmas. I've been following Justine and Leigh on Facebook but just haven't gotten back over here!

Thought I'd share my early Christmas presents: They are getting along swimmingly with the chickens, and they sleep under the chicken coop (completely ignoring the nice shelter my husband built for them!)

You can follow Delisha too! https://www.facebook.com/englishorpingtons

Oh and love the muscovies. I really want some again.. They were my favourite duck breed.

 

[aoxa]

ok, everyone, COVER YOUR EYES....don't look its gonna be icky

here's poor booster this morning at 4 am:

He will lose most of that comb, but he will heal. It does not look infected, which is good.

He also does not look too bothered by it, and is standing tall.

 

[armorfirelady]

ok, everyone, COVER YOUR EYES....don't look its gonna be ickyhere's poor booster this morning at 4 am:

Poor guy. It looks painful but he looks more upset of being women up

I like LM have been trying to think of something that could be on it but not cause more harm with adding more moisture that could cause more frostbite. Maybe tomorrow I can search google for what people who climb in the artic use to treat or prevent it but would be animal safe. All I keep picturing is a chicken hat with wattles on it lol

 

[aoxa]

Poor guy. It looks painful but he looks more upset of being women up

I like LM have been trying to think of something that could be on it but not cause more harm with adding more moisture that could cause more frostbite. Maybe tomorrow I can search google for what people who climb in the artic use to treat or prevent it but would be animal safe. All I keep picturing is a chicken hat with wattles on it lol

If you want to save their combs, really the only thing to do is keep the coop right around 32F...
And to do that you have to heat.. which is risky for many reasons.

It's what some show people do for their single combed breeds.

 

[TeaChick]

Can't quote on mobile. Sorry.

@ Lala:
Thank you. No, I didn't post it, just put it in the spoiler. Didn't know that doesn't show up for some.

I had to cull Beauty. Her wings were sagging. She had given up. Couldn't make her suffer.

 

[TeaChick]

@ Kassaundra:
Thank you.
Yes, I did.

 

[lalaland]

Lala....You know, this frostbite thing is a dilemma to me.

I just read Gail Damerow's info on frostbite and she states some things to do. But I'm still not sure.

The idea of putting oil or vaseline, etc., is something that seems to be done as a preventative - not after the fact. She talks about thawing the comb (and tells how to do it) then putting on some Neosporin and separating them until it can heal so the other birds don't pick on it and make it worse.

But I'm still conflicted about the whole thing and what to - or not to - do.

That whole scenario seems to speak of bringing them out of the elements and keeping them inside. In many areas, that roo would have to stay in all winter...

I think if my guy was looking that bad, I might try talking to an avian vet somewhere and seeing if they recommend anything.

Someone over on the IN thread put bag balm on their roos after they had some black spots and this morning one of them has a totally black comb. She is upset feeling that she made it worse - and it may very well have. That speaks to me of the loss of the whole comb and the liklihood of gangrene setting in...and it is very disturbing to me.

I really learned the most from that thread on a frostbitten roo's comb that I posted the link to earlier. I am watching and sniffing to see about gangrene. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for dry gangrene - black, dry, falls off.

I did read that some people swear by bag balm before the cold - thicker and gooey, more protection than vaseline supposedly.

Lala poor boy, looks like he will lose most of that comb.

yup, and its too bad because he had quite the spectacular comb. I think he will lose some of his wattles too.

Poor guy. It looks painful but he looks more upset of being women up

I like LM have been trying to think of something that could be on it but not cause more harm with adding more moisture that could cause more frostbite. Maybe tomorrow I can search google for what people who climb in the artic use to treat or prevent it but would be animal safe. All I keep picturing is a chicken hat with wattles on it lol

Ann bancroft used somsething called warm skin, a very thick skin grease. but not sure at this point whether I should apply anything. I am watching. If I feel like it needs something, I'm thinking coconut oil or nustock. nustock maybe if it seems infected.

If you want to save their combs, really the only thing to do is keep the coop right around 32F...
And to do that you have to heat.. which is risky for many reasons.

It's what some show people do for their single combed breeds.

Yeah, his comb is definitely not for this climate.

I am wondering a little about pain, I think I read somewhere about aspirin for chickens. I will get daylight time tomorrow to observe him.

thanks everyone. I'll keep you posted.

 

[TeaChick]

@ Lala:
Sorry about your roster!
I don't know anything about frostbite.
(((hugs)))

 

[Leahs Mom]

lala - could you post the link to that thread again?

 

[TeaChick]

Okay, bear with me here.
Haha. I guess that's dumb with as much as you guys have beared with me thus far.

I have sinus trouble, so I have to blow my nose a lot. I have an ointment made of coconut oil and essential oil of eucalyptus, camphor, and, I think, lavender. Anyway, it helps heal the skin fast, the oil helps keep moisture where I want it, and it literally works overnight, 2 nights in a row for severe.

If I did anything, I would put coconut oil pin that comb. But I don't know anything about frostbite.


Edited to correct spelling (I was mobile, my phone spells worse than I do lol)