The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[TeaChick]

I think the comb is looking good. it is dry. I'm dreading the cold for this poor boy. I rigged up a heat lamp this morning that aims at the roost where he sleeps. I'll plug it in when it gets to -20. It barely warms my hand when I put my hand where I think his head will be. Might even be imagining the warmth - it is a good 3 feet from the roost. but, it can't hurt.
Here he is today:



and


I am watching the nostrils since a woman in minnesota had a rooster die a few weeks ago, his frostbitten and swollen comb covered his nostrils and froze to them. There are so many people this year with frostbite and frozen toes on their chickens. It has been unusually humid this winter, usually we have a dry cold, but with this high humidity....and that is outside and not in the coop.

I stirred up the litter this morning and it just feels a bit damp. I try not to track snow in the coop, but when it ikeeps snowing, it happens.

Thanks for the update!!!
Winter's been humid down here too, for whatever that's worth to you Northern folks.

 

[lazy gardener]

That's not right.. not right at all.. I have never seen temps that cold in my entire life. You win the terrible weather contest.

Haven't heard much about global warming recently, have we????

Definitely not. I would see them, as there aren't any places for them to hide in the barn. Also, my chickens are vultures. They would kill any rodents. I have seen them torture a rat and a vole more than once.

It's lessening since I have been feeding them more. I had two eggs eaten this morning. On Tuesday I had every egg eaten in the bottom boxes. That is where my morning eggs are laid. I got 14 eggs in the bottom boxes today, so on Tuesday I could have very well missed out on a dozen eggs because they were eaten.

Can't blame the meat kings now Vicki.. They aren't in that part of the barn. I moved Big Bertha because the boys were abusing her.

It's ONLY the eggs in the bottom nesting boxes that are being consumed. I really should block them off...

What about putting curtains up over the bottom boxes? Out of sight, out of mind!

 

[aoxa]

Haven't heard much about global warming recently, have we????

What about putting curtains up over the bottom boxes? Out of sight, out of mind!

Yeah where is that Global Warming they keep promising us?

 

[Pozees]

Anyone want to play guess the Silkie genders?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/845134/silkie-help#post_12547298

 

[FridayYet]

Yeah where is that Global Warming they keep promising us?

It's here in So Cal! It was 79 degrees yesterday and most of my plants don't know what season it is. Luckily the lettuce is looking great, even though I had to turn up the watering.
We desperately need some rain and snow for the mountains.
Harvesting lots of lemons and limes these days, the grapefruit is getting big, but the tangelos are still pretty sour. (They look great but need another month or two on the tree.)
Hope those of you in the cold country make it safely through this next cold wave!

 

[armorfirelady]

Wow I'm jealous I would love to be able to pick fresh fruit from trees in my yard

I've been looking at land for sale. I've seen a lot in MN and all I keep thinking about is the temps they are having now.......I don't mind the seasons but milder ones are what my old bones need

 

[lalaland]

My chickens have been laying really well. We haven't had power in a week at our house. Not sure when it's coming back on. We've been told every day since last Sunday it would be restored. The chickens miss their heated water dishes, as do I. It's at least warmer today so the dishes won't freeze during the day.

you have my sympathy! are you able to stay in your home or have you had to shelter elsewhere? keeping my fingers crossed you have power soon!

 

[delisha]

Quote: x2..I could not live here with out power..well i could..but I would not want to. The fireplace is as old as the house and unreliable.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

Always wondered if those electronic mice thingies would hurt the chicken's ears.

X2

 

[maryhysong]

Yeah where is that Global Warming they keep promising us?

I think they've started saying Climate Change. But here in the desert it is getting warmer. I am in the foothills and this summer saw 115 degrees for only about the second time in my life here. On the other hand we've had about the second or third mildest Dec ever. Just barely a skim of ice on the waterers in the morning. 20 years ago it snowed on Thanksgiving and then every couple weeks through Easter. The last few years it barely snows in Jan/Feb and not nearly enough rain in any season.