The New Flock 2021: Back to Basics

[oldhenlikesdogs]

So sorry Cynthia. This time of year is stressful on birds, and us keepers.

 

[speckledhen]

So sorry Cynthia. This time of year is stressful on birds, and us keepers.

It is. I don't like having to go out multiple times each day in frigid or snowy weather. We're down to 21 birds total with 4 of those being very old so I expect more to pass on soon.
Our temps are like spring now--they're saying 72* on Saturday-- but in a few days, that's over. One day forecasted at 66/35, then the next day, it's supposed to be 45/15 and the next 38/19. Those huge swings are so hard on my ailing ones.
Bash scrabbled over to the door so he could watch everybody go in and out of the barn. He is too weak to stand, but we keep finding him moving a couple of feet over from where he was. This morning, I held him up and he voluntarily drank water for the first time in days. His comb is so purple. At least he'll have a few days where he's not cold. By then, he may be gone or I'd think so. I didn't expect him to be the way he is for so long already, but he's a strong guy and is hanging on.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Those are huge swings in temperature. At least here my birds grow in a thick coat, and it's good for the whole winter. Yours probably don't get as thick and suffer more when it gets colder. Here it's fall when I see birds passing if they're going to because that's when we get those big shifts.

Bash has been a good, and handsome boy, and he will be greatly missed. Hopefully your weather holds, so his last few days or weeks will be less uncomfortable on him.

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you, my friend. I hope your birds fare well this winter. Wishing you a safe and peaceful 2026, Lisa, and everyone who frequents our thread! What a great group of people you are!

 

[1muttsfan]

Heart most likely. We know he has a big one.

Merry Christmas chicken friends!

 

[speckledhen]

Heart most likely. We know he has a big one.

Merry Christmas chicken friends!

Yeah, poor old guy. He's my baby and my husband adores him.

 

[1muttsfan]

I flew over the North Carolina mountains this afternoon and thought about you Cyn, wondering which of the roads I was looking at led to your home. We crossed the border halfway between Alabama and South Carolina, I know that's your area.

 

[speckledhen]

64/74 goes from NC into TN. I'm just south of that road in the NC section. If I knew you were there, I'd have waved, LOL!