The road less traveled...back to good health! They have lice, mites, scale mites, worms, anemia, gl

[Bulldogma]

I'd prefer it if excessive mention of zombies not be a part of this good thread, if you don't mind. I appreciate the attempts to have fun...but fun about evil things is where I would like to draw the line. I'm not on board with this one.

No problem - didn't realize it would seem offensive or flippant or I would not have posted it. Would you allow me to ask a serious question, though with a non-apocalyptic slant?

If you were snowed in for a few weeks, what would you want to have on your farm and why? This IS something I'm quite curious about - regardless of the reason for being temporarily cut off from the world. This past summer we lost power for over a week due to a wind storm. There were things we had that we didn't need, and things that we needed but hadn't thought about. I think a lot of us would like to hear your take on it, and I'll edit the other question if it will let me.

 

[Beekissed]

No problem - didn't realize it would seem offensive or flippant or I would not have posted it. Would you allow me to ask a serious question, though with a non-apocalyptic slant?

If you were snowed in for a few weeks, what would you want to have on your farm and why? This IS something I'm quite curious about - regardless of the reason for being temporarily cut off from the world. This past summer we lost power for over a week due to a wind storm. There were things we had that we didn't need, and things that we needed but hadn't thought about. I think a lot of us would like to hear your take on it, and I'll edit the other question if it will let me.

Sure thing! When you edit? Please let them know that you all can do this in another thread if you like and post the link in this one, so that they can move all that over there?

I think what you are wanting to know is how does one keep chickens going? I can discuss my methods on that, if you want.

Or is it how does one keep humans going during an interruption of power and resources~~~ because that is a mongo big topic and over on the sister site forum, SS, they have thread after thread~even one about zombies, if you want~about preparation for disaster. That might be a more appropriate place to have those questions answered.

Around here we prepare for such things as a part of life and always have...nothing special to it all. Out in the country we are always losing power and being cut off from the world~yep, for 2 wks and longer~ so generations have learned to become a little more self-reliant.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

I'm a "reader" more than a "poster", although I try to post once in a while to let you all know I am here too. I appreciate the chicken learning I am getting.

 

[aoxa]

Nah...that's just Stony's way.

He's been on the OT too long. Good thing you don't follow the OT, you'd be gettin' yer feathers ruffled all the time.

We call it like it is there and advise anyone who can't hang with the big dogs to just stay on the porch.



Bingo! We can talk more about that if you all would like. It is definitely a health concern and something that folks bandy about on what breeds to get.

Yes, I'd like to talk more about the frost bite. How to prevent it. I know moisture and cold air is the cause. Can it happen without moisture? If so, what temps would I have to worry about it?

 

[Eggcessive]

LOL - I just need a puffball that can put up with a whole lot of kid-love! My other chooks are pretty tired of being chased down and made to watch My Little Pony reruns... or just held while the kid studies for her next test. All my research indicates that a fluffy alien would be the best choice for my daughter.

Of course personally, I'm probably going to be getting myself a few BAs and WRs this spring... and possibly a few more SFH pullets if I can find some. Love my Swedes!

I have a couple of silkies, old english game hen bantams, and a little mille fleur d'uccle in with my big girls and roo. The mille fleur and one OEG banty fly up into my arms (or on top of my shoulder) when I go to the coop. Those two would make great kid buddies. The silkies scream bloody murder if I insult them by picking them up.

 

[KPenley]

Thanks Bee and Aoxa! My little roo started to get a bit of a dull look to the blade of his comb, and edge of a wattle, and I immediately went on a search for anything that could be "bugging" him. No sign of bugs or eggs. I also increased his pumpkin seed in case it was excess worms on the inside. After seeing Aoxa's pic of her hen I think it is early frostbite or chapping. We've had a few really wet days followed by a couple cold nights. I'll put in some extra dry bedding on top of the deep litter today.

So what do you all put on their combs, if you do anything, to protect them from frostbite?

 

[Bulldogma]

Sure thing! When you edit? Please let them know that you all can do this in another thread if you like and post the link in this one, so that they can move all that over there?

I think what you are wanting to know is how does one keep chickens going? I can discuss my methods on that, if you want.

I'm most interested in knowing about how to keep chickens going. I think you'd have some insight on that that the rest of us would be interested in.

I edited the other post before seeing this one and now I have to run... I'm going to leave it be. Just asks the question about the snow storm. I was just trying to illicit giggles with the other thing... it didn't work out to well - LOL!

 

[aoxa]

Thanks Bee and Aoxa! My little roo started to get a bit of a dull look to the blade of his comb, and edge of a wattle, and I immediately went on a search for anything that could be "bugging" him. No sign of bugs or eggs. I also increased his pumpkin seed in case it was excess worms on the inside. After seeing Aoxa's pic of her hen I think it is early frostbite or chapping. We've had a few really wet days followed by a couple cold nights. I'll put in some extra dry bedding on top of the deep litter today.

So what do you all put on their combs, if you do anything, to protect them from frostbite?

I also notice that FF gets caked on wattles. That is moist. Will it cause frostbite?
One for Bee

 

[armorfirelady]

Anyone else want to chime in on why you got your birds and why you chose the breeds you got? I'll try to work on it tomorrow to get some of these answers consolidated and see if I can come up with some advice on what breeds I think will be suitable...though there are many, many suitable breeds for any given purpose but I can give you some info about the breeds I have had and why.

Im several days late in reading posts. Busy doing remodeling at the house.

1. I got chickens for the eggs. Plus I am a country girl at heart.
2. I wanted meat for my table when they stop laying. Technically I cant have meaties but I asked the town inspector if he could tell the store bought chicken from my coop ones they are in the freezer? He just laughed. Ive processed hens in the past so I think when the time comes I should be fine.
3. I liked the idea of raising hens to give us eggs and for the compost for my gardens which in turns provides for us and the chickens

I have an acre lot so I have enough room for a small amount of birds. I joined here before I purchased the birds to get all the info I could. (to bad I missed the section about NOT buying a doll house coop lol) and then was blessed when I found the OT thread. But I have corrected some of the errors I have made and have plans to start making a hoop coop this winter & getting electric netting (copied your post about netting Bee- I swear u can read minds

) so I can move the coop around this summer.

I researched birds for months & got my partridge rocks because the info I got about them was they were cold hearty and good layers. Both things I wanted in hens. I ve learned so much more about them since then & I do love the breed. They are fun to watch & very interactive with me. But they are still chickens. No petting or sitting on laps for me. But I would like to expand my flock with a few birds this spring. It will probably be barred rocks if I can find them....I need a little color in my flock.

 

[stonykill]

Mornin' Stony! Been spending too much time with Al and me, haven't you???

I get you on the wasted space, though. Sometimes I'm in the mood, but sometimes not...this is a learning thread with a little social touch but I want to keep the slant on the learning side.

Nah...that's just Stony's way.

He's been on the OT too long. Good thing you don't follow the OT, you'd be gettin' yer feathers ruffled all the time.

We call it like it is there and advise anyone who can't hang with the big dogs to just stay on the porch.

lol, I found a home in the OT thread as I was a good fit....... before I hung out there. Thanks for making my point Bee. When I see this thread has updates I expect to see health issues, not nonsense. I bite my tongue often about the nonsense. I'm sure there are threads on BYC dedicated to nonsensical crazyness. I just avoid them.