The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[lalaland]

Well...I hurriedly changed my feed set-up before leaving for work this morning and caused a pretty good case of frostbite on Mister's wattles. I'm kicking myself.

I am the "Queen of Prevention" (An ounce of PREVENTION is worth a pound of cure") and have "religiously" been very careful to provide restricted opening waterers and ff bowls. Something just went wrong with this set-up change and I'm not 100% sure what right now. I do know it is directly related to how that feed is set up and I need to figure it out.

I changed it to a different warmer source as I think it will keep the feed thawed better. And I thought it would keep the wattles out like the other setup did. But something is not working right. I guess I need to observe but now I'm back to work I can't watch him in the morning to figure it out.

I'm with you on not treating the frostbite.
I've noticed Boosters wattles look just fine now, and previously they were edged in yellowish white - so maybe mister will be fine in a few days.
Boosters comb, thats another matter. More of it is turning black, but it still hasn't swollen or gotten blistered that I can see.

I have an icelandic pullet with frostbite on her comb, I'm pretty sure it is from the water as she is always at the waterer and when the water isn't ful, she almost turns her head upside down. it isn't bad.
This is the first year I've ever had any frostbite!

I am hoping for above 0 tomorrow..I am already tired of winter and the cold..I am happy for the deep freeze..we need it.


I am on a stop smoking program...I really want and need to stop smoking..I am delighted I have not injured any animals or humans so far..My wonderful DH is doing the program with me.

Delisha, I'm wondering if the lack of nicotine is affecting your thinking

.....did you say you were happy for the deep freeze? Just joking, and I don't mind a deep freeze but this has been going on way way way too long.

way to go on the stop smoking program. you can do it!

I've been pondering checking chickens hips...haven't figured that one out and will have to wait for your video.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Hey, whatever happened to the thread starter here? Does Bulldogma ever post here anymore? I haven't seen her.

You can find her often on the Swedish Flower Hen thread. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/375288/swedish-flower-hen-thread/7270#post_12611469

 

[trinoc]

Not sure if there is a better place to post a couple of questions but this is really the only thread I read regularly and trust the responses you all have to offer.

I have a hen that is molting. Since I've only had chickens for 3 weeks this is my first experience with molt. She looks so pitiful that I hurt for her. Also, she is a favorite of the rooster so the previous owner had put an apron on her. Now the apron is hanging on only one wing and it just looks so uncomfortable but she doesn't trust me enough to let me close to help it off of her. Should I leave it or should I try and force myself onto her to get it off? I don't want to traumatize her more but if it's not good to leave it on her during a molt or while it isn't on properly then I should get it off. She does seem to be tugging at it so I don't think she's really enjoying it. The temps are pretty cold but warming up over the next few days....will be below freezing at night but in the 40's during the day.

Also, the rooster is walking around w/ one eye closed! What's up with that? And he doesn't crow. I've heard him once and that's it. He acts fine. I am a little afraid of him so I can't honestly say if his eye has always been closed (always being the past 3 weeks...haha) or if this is new.

Thanks!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Trinoc - others will chime in here. But if you decide to do anything with the chickens, your best bet is to wait till dark when they are on the roost. Go in with a flashlight and you can take them right off the roost to do whatever needs to be done easily.

Now that doesn't mean that they will just sit still...but you'll be able to catch them without trauma since they won't run away in the dark.

 

[Scott H]

You can have your way with her after dark....take the apron off or fix it when you pluck her off the roost.

 

[Scott H]

Hey, whatever happened to the thread starter here? Does Bulldogma ever post here anymore? I haven't seen her.

You can find her often on the Swedish Flower Hen thread.  https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/375288/swedish-flower-hen-thread/7270#post_12611469

Wasn't looking for her, lol, just wondered why she gave up on this thread that she started.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Oh...and while you're at it, take that rooster down and examine the eye. Someone else had a rooster with some kind of infection in the eye today and it froze the eye shut. They got him and washed it out with saline solution then put some of the vetricyn ophthalmic solution in it. Then dried it well so that it wouldn't get frozen.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: Wasn't looking for her, lol, just wondered why she gave up on this thread that she started.

Did you get my pm.... ??

 

[trinoc]

Oh...and while you're at it, take that rooster down and examine the eye. Someone else had a rooster with some kind of infection in the eye today and it froze the eye shut. They got him and washed it out with saline solution then put some of the vetricyn ophthalmic solution in it. Then dried it well so that it wouldn't get frozen.

Like I said, I'm a little afraid of him. My mom was mauled by a rooster and he nearly killed her. That story leaves me a bit apprehensive. So, after dark I can take him off the roost...how do I hold him and work on his eye? Is he likely to get aggitated? Should I stay in the dark coop and work w/ flashlight? What's the best way to "contain" him? I know...I sound like such a novice...I am!!

You can have your way with her after dark....take the apron off or fix it when you pluck her off the roost.

Is one or the other preferable or either is fine?

 

[Scott H]

 

 

Hey, whatever happened to the thread starter here? Does Bulldogma ever post here anymore? I haven't seen her.

You can find her often on the Swedish Flower Hen thread.  https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/375288/swedish-flower-hen-thread/7270#post_12611469

Wasn't looking for her, lol, just wondered why she gave up on this thread that she started.

Did you get my pm.... ?? 

Yep..after I posted...sorry...don't want to get banned.