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

[Rachel'sFlock]

So, no problem keeping livestock water flowing in the event of a hard freeze, then?

It would have to be a freeze harder than we even get, here, to be of concern.
In this event, I would thaw one waterer in the house and put the other one out. Then, switch them out. Fortunately, there are only 20 birds(soon to be 16).
I have considered this possibility, but it is sort of far down on my list of issues. I live in what is considered a 'temperate rain forest'. If the climate changes to the point it starts freezing hard here on a regular (or irregular basis) we are going to have some other muuuuch bigger problems than how to keep chook water liquid.

 

[Beekissed]

Best answer all day long.

 

[Mumsy]

So, no problem keeping livestock water flowing in the event of a hard freeze, then?

Are you asking me? Or the general readership? No. I have no problems keeping water flowing in the event of a hard freeze. I live in a temperate climate. Even if an artic blast came down out of the North I can heat my home with a wood burning stove. I can melt ice over that or I have a large dual burner propane camp stove. The only livestock I have right now is fifteen chickens. No worries.

 

[mrsamplias]

Best answer all day long.

 

[Beekissed]

The origins of the question came up on the OT. Then it slid into what folks did a 100 years ago to keep livestock fed and watered without electricity as a convenience. I had been on another forum where they were off grid and wanting to know how to keep water liquid for animals when they were gone all day at work.

Seemed to be an issue for folks...then there was sort of a prepping for a disaster, real or fictional, thing happening...so I wanted to ask if folks had any concerns about that on this thread. Then we just sort of fell down a rabbit hole...still climbing back out to the coop and questions about breeds and health.

 

[mrsamplias]

Quote:
You must be a good cook.
L

Sometimes my experiments come out very tasty, sometimes not so much. My DH and sweet children are just over the top kind and supportive. The bread that I baked yesterday (and I baked three loaves) was all burned on the bottom. Those goofy people just cut off the bottom, and sliced it right up. My really wacky middle son decided that the burned bottom was delicious and he ate it all up. They are so encouraging. It makes it easy for me to keep trying new recipes, pans, styles, etc.

 

[Mountain Momma]

The origins of the question came up on the OT. Then it slid into what folks did a 100 years ago to keep livestock fed and watered without electricity as a convenience. I had been on another forum where they were off grid and wanting to know how to keep water liquid for animals when they were gone all day at work.

Seemed to be an issue for folks...then there was sort of a prepping for a disaster, real or fictional, thing happening...so I wanted to ask if folks had any concerns about that on this thread. Then we just sort of fell down a rabbit hole...still climbing back out to the coop and questions about breeds and health.

Well my chickens did not have feather pads last week, but this week they have pronounced ones. I know this because I checked them after Bees bird autopsy and today they are nearly bursting a bump in that saddle area. not all of them, but the Plym Rocks for sure and some of the ones I think might be New Hampshires. My two that have a molt going on in that area dont seem to be as 'bumpy' as the others but even some of my Americaunas bumped right up almost over night. Such a visible change in such a short time....L

 

[Mumsy]

Seemed to be an issue for folks...then there was sort of a prepping for a disaster, real or fictional, thing happening...so I wanted to ask if folks had any concerns about that on this thread. Then we just sort of fell down a rabbit hole...still climbing back out to the coop and questions about breeds and health.

I also frequent other forums and it's interesting how often these discussions come up. We are living in uncertain times. People are voicing legitimate concerns. Except for sudden events like earth quake or something falling out of the sky, it seems prudent to plan. Owning livestock forces us to add to the list of what to plan for. Nothing deep about that. Common sense.

 

[Melabella]

Just went out to the barn to check on the horses, one of them didn't eat up which NEVER happens here. Want to be sure colic or twisted gut isn't in my future. All is well, she is resting and eating her hay, no fever and her gut sounds are fine. Passed two piles of manure since I was last there, all is well. I've been fighting something for the past few days, and I shook and shook with shivers. It is getting COLD.

I have a rooster question Bee.

My flock is 20 weeks, 5 months I should say now. One of the 10 of them turned out to be a roo, which at first I thought was a bad thing, but now thanks to you Bee, I realize should be a very good thing. I am learning as I go, and constantly wander away from the chores of the day and find myself walking to be near my gang and observe and learn about chicken behavior and body movement. Funny how I know every single movement from my horses, and what they are feeling or reacting to, but with a new animal, I am at ground zero again.. I look forward to the day that my chicken knowledge is automatic, just like it is with my horses.

Back to the question I have. How can I be sure my Roo is a "good" roo? I don't necessarily mean good as in respective to humans, I mean as a good leader of his flock. I have this image of all the good roosters you all talk about here. One that looks out for the girls, dotes on them, brings food to them, is a strong protector and leader. I have two girls that seem to be rather independent. One of my BR's and one of my Red Sex links always are a bit away from everyone. I am sure if we ever have an attack, they will be the first to go. Does a good Roo stop this from happening? The BR that is on her own a lot also seems to challenge him and stare him down. They stand off and do the chest bumping thing. Is she my chicken feminist, not wanting to bow to a man? I have noticed no mating behavior yet so I don't know if he is a good breeding rooster or not. So far, my image of him is sort of a nerdy type who really doesn't seem to be having much control over his girls, or that they are necessarily crazy about him either. Maybe it is far too early to tell, and he is too young? Oh, BTW,,he is a Colombian Wyandotte just FYI.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Melabella

 

[Beekissed]

We usually take opportunities to catch water in heavy storms in anything big we have handy so that we'll have water for washing in and for watering livestock/pets. It came in real handy this past year when the power was out for almost 2 wks in the hottest part of the summer. We had caught large trash cans full of water, a wheelbarrow full up near the animals and also several buckets.

What I was trying to explain on this other forum was that, 100 years ago, people would water their animals morning and evening and only as much as they could drink right then. They also fed warm mash and gruel feeds that provided moisture as well. Just like what we are doing right now... and that goes a long way towards providing their hydration needs for the day. Back in the day they also fed pumpkins and other gourds, root crops, stored fruits and such from the cellar.