The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
I'm not trying to integrate them...that's not the problem. I'm trying to get my "lower" adult girl to be able to walk around freely and eat and drink. It's the older hens that make like miserable for her.

When its warmer they all run together. Only reason I separate them is to keep the little ones from being banished outside in cold weather.

 

[TeaChick]

If it is bad, I'm calling in a snow day.

6 years ago I had an accident in my driveway from similar conditions. I backed out of my garage and put on my brakes so I was going slow, but it was pure ice. I slid right into my landlord's car and did $900 in damages.

I still think it's her fault. She was supposed to shovel and keep up with salt and sand, but I still had to pay out of pocket

Well, that's unfair at least!

 

[lazy gardener]

I have one of those big mixing tubs also. The girls will now scratch around in it, but I have yet to see them actually bathe in it. I don't think I have the sand/soil deep enough to satisfy them. When I throw scratch or sprouts around for them, I also throw some in their tub.

 

[TeaChick]

I have one of those big mixing tubs also. The girls will now scratch around in it, but I have yet to see them actually bathe in it. I don't think I have the sand/soil deep enough to satisfy them. When I throw scratch or sprouts around for them, I also throw some in their tub.

I have noticed that my chickens won't really do any two things in the same place. For instance, they won't rest where they usually bathe and they won't eat where they usually rest. Maybe, yours don't want to eat where they bathe, maybe throwing food in there is throwing them off a little????
IDK; I'm sure someone with way more chicken experience than me will have a better answer. I want to be corrected if I'm wrong.

 

[chicalot]

@chicalot

I know some folks that would bring a bird inside if they were in that condition.  I may just be one of them but I've never had to decide that before. 

The fact that she's molting and was wet too would weigh a lot to me.  Especially if she were by herself shivering.  Yep.  This hard-stance, no heat in the coop person would probably bring her in and a buddy with her.

The other consideration, however, is that once she's in, you may need to keep her in for a long time depending on when your weather warms up enough to put her back out without total shock to the system.  I probably wouldn't re-introduce her out until it was closer to 30 degrees. 

Unless...you have some kind of "half-way" area where you could keep the temps warmer but not as warm as indoor temps - say around 25-30 like in a garage or enclosed porch...then it wouldn't be such a shock to the system to re-introduce her (them) to the cold.

All this is just an opinion and should be taken as such

Im considering bringing her in but I sure dont have a diaper. I would have to cage her. It'll be back up in the 30s in a couple of days. I just took water out and 6 of them were huddled in a corner with her. She got a drink when I held it up to her but she's too low in the order otherwise. Im considering a heat lamp .. didnt want to go there either. Poor poor miserable chickens.

 

[aoxa]

I'm not trying to integrate them...that's not the problem. I'm trying to get my "lower" adult girl to be able to walk around freely and eat and drink. It's the older hens that make like miserable for her.

When its warmer they all run together. Only reason I separate them is to keep the little ones from being banished outside in cold weather.

Oh sorry I missed that... Yes, I think your plan will help. If she forms a bond with the three young ones, they can help her feel more at ease once you do integrate.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Thanks! So you don't think that will make her more alienated from the rest of the adults?

I wish I could put the 2 lowest adults in but the other one makes a beeline right for the younger kiddos and bites them.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
I'm not trying to integrate them...that's not the problem. I'm trying to get my "lower" adult girl to be able to walk around freely and eat and drink. It's the older hens that make like miserable for her.

When its warmer they all run together. Only reason I separate them is to keep the little ones from being banished outside in cold weather.

I would move the lower ranking TWO birds over so no one is lonely. Then see what happens. Since they are already at the low end, separating for a day or even less than 24 should not put them lower in the ranking order if you decide to move them back. There might be the issue of collecting eggs if you don't have a nest in with the 17 week olds.

I just saw your post about the biting, maybe one of the roosters could be moved in with the lowest chicken to give her a known friend. If she is timid by nature being by herself might be more scaring than the top order older hen.

 

[aoxa]

Thanks! So you don't think that will make her more alienated from the rest of the adults?

I wish I could put the 2 lowest adults in but the other one makes a beeline right for the younger kiddos and bites them.

If the others alienate her, she will have the new 3 to go to. They will let her in. She will be their queen.

 

[TeaChick]

If the others alienate her, she will have the new 3 to go to. They will let her in. She will be their queen.

Now I know how to become queen!!!