Utah!

[iPickYupik]

Day old silkie vs month old serama.

My silkies that hatched last night. <3

 

[RJSorensen]

Sidewing I have never heated my large foul

nor my banties. But if it gets any colder I am going to do something for my DW's modern games. It is against my nature and how I was raised even, but I am just uncomfortable with they way they look and act. I know we knocked this question around in this thread a couple of months ago or so, and folks replied. Some did and some did not. I've been thinking on this variability since I saw it here in the posts. I have come to the conclusion that the difference, for the most part, is in the type of bird. Those with frizzle & sizzles whom don't have proper feathers to use to protect themselves from the cold, well I suppose they do need some help. Heretofore I have not kept any birds that I felt were fragile in the hard cold.

I have learned, over time, that when my thoughts and or practices don't line up with others, I need to keep an eye out for the reason. Having seen my long legged birds hunch up, I just don't feel good about what and how I am managing them. Heating is a nasty slippery slope by me. Once started I don't think you can go back, at least not in the same season. Birds acclimatize over time and if we interfere with this natural process, I think you could or would get sick birds by changing ones mind, mid season. My Modern Games are all young birds and won't be full grown until next April or there about. So where they do not have the full adult body mass yet, I think if we get into a nasty cold spell, I will most likely offer some abatement from the cold.

iPick your little roos are way cute, and nice score on the new yellow 'bator. I think birds in the garage might be ok, I got a chuckle out of you leaving your vehicle out, so the birds can be in. I think it a fine thing to watch out for our birds, I suppose there are others here whom would do the same. Does anyone here have experience with those Thermocube outlets? I've thought to give them a spin, should I need to go that way.

During the off season here, from December to Feb. or so, I have decided to try and keep a finger in this pie. When I log on and see the Idaho thread is above the Utah thread, I know that many of you actually do have lives aside from BYC.

I've got a hankering for chicks… I might have to come and visit those of you whom are thusly blessed with little peeps. And on a closing note to thebirdman, it was good to see you escaped the blessed Christmas bunny episode.

I thought you were a goner for sure!

Wild turkeys are pestering me again, 50-75 most every day. I wish the state would relocate some of them, we have enough thank you.

Best to all and yer birds,

RJ

 

[sideWing]

Super cute chicks iPick!

Sidewing I have never heated my large foul

nor my banties. But if it gets any colder I am going to do something for my DW's modern games. It is against my nature and how I was raised even, but I am just uncomfortable with they way they look and act. I know we knocked this question around in this thread a couple of months ago or so, and folks replied. Some did and some did not. I've been thinking on this variability since I saw it here in the posts. I have come to the conclusion that the difference, for the most part, is in the type of bird. Those with frizzle & sizzles whom don't have proper feathers to use to protect themselves from the cold, well I suppose they do need some help. Heretofore I have not kept any birds that I felt were fragile in the hard cold.

I have learned, over time, that when my thoughts and or practices don't line up with others, I need to keep an eye out for the reason. Having seen my long legged birds hunch up, I just don't feel good about what and how I am managing them. Heating is a nasty slippery slope by me. Once started I don't think you can go back, at least not in the same season. Birds acclimatize over time and if we interfere with this natural process, I think you could or would get sick birds by changing ones mind, mid season. My Modern Games are all young birds and won't be full grown until next April or there about. So where they do not have the full adult body mass yet, I think if we get into a nasty cold spell, I will most likely offer some abatement from the cold.

You won't hear me complaining about your animal husbandry. You bought or hatched them, you pay to feed them, and you have to scoop up after them. You can do exactly what you want with them in my opinion.

If I felt like I needed to heat I would do it in a second especially up where you are, it's so much colder than down here.

Too bad you can't harvest some of those turkeys and see how they taste.

 

[frmboyinthecity]

Sidewing I have never heated my large foul

nor my banties. But if it gets any colder I am going to do something for my DW's modern games. It is against my nature and how I was raised even, but I am just uncomfortable with they way they look and act. I know we knocked this question around in this thread a couple of months ago or so, and folks replied. Some did and some did not. I've been thinking on this variability since I saw it here in the posts. I have come to the conclusion that the difference, for the most part, is in the type of bird. Those with frizzle & sizzles whom don't have proper feathers to use to protect themselves from the cold, well I suppose they do need some help. Heretofore I have not kept any birds that I felt were fragile in the hard cold.

I have learned, over time, that when my thoughts and or practices don't line up with others, I need to keep an eye out for the reason. Having seen my long legged birds hunch up, I just don't feel good about what and how I am managing them. Heating is a nasty slippery slope by me. Once started I don't think you can go back, at least not in the same season. Birds acclimatize over time and if we interfere with this natural process, I think you could or would get sick birds by changing ones mind, mid season. My Modern Games are all young birds and won't be full grown until next April or there about. So where they do not have the full adult body mass yet, I think if we get into a nasty cold spell, I will most likely offer some abatement from the cold.

iPick your little roos are way cute, and nice score on the new yellow 'bator. I think birds in the garage might be ok, I got a chuckle out of you leaving your vehicle out, so the birds can be in. I think it a fine thing to watch out for our birds, I suppose there are others here whom would do the same. Does anyone here have experience with those Thermocube outlets? I've thought to give them a spin, should I need to go that way.

During the off season here, from December to Feb. or so, I have decided to try and keep a finger in this pie. When I log on and see the Idaho thread is above the Utah thread, I know that many of you actually do have lives aside from BYC.

I've got a hankering for chicks… I might have to come and visit those of you whom are thusly blessed with little peeps. And on a closing note to thebirdman, it was good to see you escaped the blessed Christmas bunny episode.

I thought you were a goner for sure!

Wild turkeys are pestering me again, 50-75 most every day. I wish the state would relocate some of them, we have enough thank you.

Best to all and yer birds,

RJ

RJ, I agree with SideWing. I think your animal husbandry sounds very reasonable and outstanding.

What part of Cache Valley do you live in? The state has started doing some fall turkey hunts in some of the problem areas, and there are quite a significant area in Cache Valley. In fact, I had a tag this fall and have already harvested a turkey in the Nibley area. And if you're in a place where they can be hunted, I'd be more than happy to come try to chase them off in the spring and the fall going forward. I have tasted the wild turkey, and they are amazing.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Sidewing I have never heated my large foul   nor my banties. But if it gets any colder I am going to do something for my DW's modern games. It is against my nature and how I was raised even, but I am just uncomfortable with they way they look and act. I know we knocked this question around in this thread a couple of months ago or so, and folks replied. Some did and some did not. I've been thinking on this variability since I saw it here in the posts. I have come to the conclusion that the difference, for the most part, is in the type of bird. Those with frizzle & sizzles whom don't have proper feathers to use to protect themselves from the cold, well I suppose they do need some help. Heretofore I have not kept any birds that I felt were fragile in the hard cold. 

I have learned, over time, that when my thoughts and or practices don't line up with others, I need to keep an eye out for the reason. Having seen my long legged birds hunch up, I just don't feel good about what and how I am managing them. Heating is a nasty slippery slope by me. Once started I don't think you can go back, at least not in the same season. Birds acclimatize over time and if we interfere with this natural process, I think you could or would get sick birds by changing ones mind, mid season. My Modern Games are all young birds and won't be full grown until next April or there about. So where they do not have the full adult body mass yet, I think if we get into a nasty cold spell, I will most likely offer some abatement from the cold.

iPick your little roos are way cute, and nice score on the new yellow 'bator. I think birds in the garage might be ok, I got a chuckle out of you leaving your vehicle out, so the birds can be in. I think it a fine thing to watch out for our birds, I suppose there are others here whom would do the same. Does anyone here have experience with those Thermocube outlets? I've thought to give them a spin, should I need to go that way.

During the off season here, from December to Feb. or so, I have decided to try and keep a finger in this pie. When I log on and see the Idaho thread is above the Utah thread, I know that many of you actually do have lives aside from BYC.   I've got a hankering for chicks… I might have to come and visit those of you whom are thusly blessed with little peeps. And on a closing note to thebirdman, it was good to see you escaped the blessed Christmas bunny episode.   I thought you were a goner for sure!

Wild turkeys are pestering me again, 50-75 most every day. I wish the state would relocate some of them, we have enough thank you. 

Best to all and yer birds,

RJ

RJ--I am with you on the wild turkeys, AND wild pheasant. They are in abundance this year especially. They make the neighborhood dogs go crazy all day long, fliting in and out of our fenced yards. And eat my garden. If we have this many further in where I am, I bet you have a ton! They come through that field behind, toward you. The pheasants sit on my fence in the morning and the males "crow", the only bonus is it covers some of the noise coming from my own yard haha

 

[rcstanley]

Sidewing I have never heated my large foul

nor my banties. But if it gets any colder I am going to do something for my DW's modern games. It is against my nature and how I was raised even, but I am just uncomfortable with they way they look and act. I know we knocked this question around in this thread a couple of months ago or so, and folks replied. Some did and some did not. I've been thinking on this variability since I saw it here in the posts. I have come to the conclusion that the difference, for the most part, is in the type of bird. Those with frizzle & sizzles whom don't have proper feathers to use to protect themselves from the cold, well I suppose they do need some help. Heretofore I have not kept any birds that I felt were fragile in the hard cold.

I have learned, over time, that when my thoughts and or practices don't line up with others, I need to keep an eye out for the reason. Having seen my long legged birds hunch up, I just don't feel good about what and how I am managing them. Heating is a nasty slippery slope by me. Once started I don't think you can go back, at least not in the same season. Birds acclimatize over time and if we interfere with this natural process, I think you could or would get sick birds by changing ones mind, mid season. My Modern Games are all young birds and won't be full grown until next April or there about. So where they do not have the full adult body mass yet, I think if we get into a nasty cold spell, I will most likely offer some abatement from the cold.

My silkie did OK last winter with no heat, but she had plenty of regular feathered friends to snuggle with and the winter was mild. I'm interested to see what you end up doing because my daughter likes those modern games, but I don't want to heat.

Are your modern games roosting yet? if they're still sleeping in a pile, you might see if you can make a box for them covered on the inside with one of those emergency heat reflecting blankets to help keep them warm at night. Between the blanket and the lower ceiling, it should keep the temperature up. I saw on a thread somewhere someone did something like that to brood chicks with no additional heat (not in the winter though). Of course if they're like my two young birds, they don't like anything that isn't their own idea.

My young frizzle, "the Bieb", seems to be doing OK in the cold, better than his regular feathered sister. This winter I put up some of that plastic they make signs out of up on a corner of the run to block the wind. I figure if it gets too bad they can huddle there or in the coop.

 

[eggsbert]

One of our Australorps (Jamie) decided it was a good idea to hop the fence and get in with our dogs. Unfortunately for her, our little murder beast of a dog was back there and got a hold of her. Luckily, my room is located right beside their run and I heard the commotion right away and got there before our dog killed her.

However, she did get bit on the face. She has a single puncture in her earlobe. I brought her in and cleaned her up but I'm worried about putting her back outside. Hopefully she'll be okay out there.

Why Jamie? Why did you think this was a good idea?

EDIT: I can bring her back inside for the night if anyone thinks it would be necessary. Our dog is small so the wound isn't bad.

 

[fowlerfam]

We are in Springville. I think one of our hens is a rooster (

) so we will have to get rid of her. Anyone want a rooster? She's a really beautiful buff orpington. My daughter though is heartbroken to lose "her"- we originally got 4 little chicks that were all supposedly hens from Thanksgiving Point last June. 2 of them already turned into roosters, and we gave them to a farmer up in Lehi, now it looks like there will be a 3rd that will have to find a new home too. So sad! We only have a little black hen left. Really really really crossing my fingers it stays a hen! No eggs yet, and my kids have been checking for them every day and tending them in hopes they'll start laying soon. Sorry for the sob story- so sad to take care of them and grow fond of them these past 5 months, only to have to give them away because we can't have roosters here in Springville. I am thinking Thanksgiving Point is not the place to buy baby chicks if you want hens. I heard IFA stores usually have a higher rate of them all being hens. If anyone nearby is giving away a young pullet that will lay eggs eventually, I would gladly take it off your hands! My kids are great with the chickens and we would give it a happy home .

 

[lizardandchicks]

One of our Australorps (Jamie) decided it was a good idea to hop the fence and get in with our dogs. Unfortunately for her, our little murder beast of a dog was back there and got a hold of her. Luckily, my room is located right beside their run and I heard the commotion right away and got there before our dog killed her.

However, she did get bit on the face. She has a single puncture in her earlobe. I brought her in and cleaned her up but I'm worried about putting her back outside. Hopefully she'll be okay out there.

Why Jamie? Why did you think this was a good idea?

EDIT: I can bring her back inside for the night if anyone thinks it would be necessary. Our dog is small so the wound isn't bad.

We had a small dog get in our back yard back in April. A small dog, mind you. It instantly killed 3, and a fourth was severely injured. We kept her in our garage in a little bucket (20-10-4 inches) full of nesting material. It sounds mean, but all she wanted to do was sit there anyway, so we had a small area blocked off for her if she did want to get up for food or water or whatever. I don't know how severe your Jamie's injuries are, or where, but you might want to do something similar. Sadly we ended up losing that hen 2 days later, when the vet was getting ready to put her under surgery. Gave her the gas, turned around to put gloves on, came back, and she had found rest.

 

[the-bird-man]

Sidewing I have never heated my large foul   nor my banties. But if it gets any colder I am going to do something for my DW's modern games. It is against my nature and how I was raised even, but I am just uncomfortable with they way they look and act. I know we knocked this question around in this thread a couple of months ago or so, and folks replied. Some did and some did not. I've been thinking on this variability since I saw it here in the posts. I have come to the conclusion that the difference, for the most part, is in the type of bird. Those with frizzle & sizzles whom don't have proper feathers to use to protect themselves from the cold, well I suppose they do need some help. Heretofore I have not kept any birds that I felt were fragile in the hard cold. 

I have learned, over time, that when my thoughts and or practices don't line up with others, I need to keep an eye out for the reason. Having seen my long legged birds hunch up, I just don't feel good about what and how I am managing them. Heating is a nasty slippery slope by me. Once started I don't think you can go back, at least not in the same season. Birds acclimatize over time and if we interfere with this natural process, I think you could or would get sick birds by changing ones mind, mid season. My Modern Games are all young birds and won't be full grown until next April or there about. So where they do not have the full adult body mass yet, I think if we get into a nasty cold spell, I will most likely offer some abatement from the cold.

iPick your little roos are way cute, and nice score on the new yellow 'bator. I think birds in the garage might be ok, I got a chuckle out of you leaving your vehicle out, so the birds can be in. I think it a fine thing to watch out for our birds, I suppose there are others here whom would do the same. Does anyone here have experience with those Thermocube outlets? I've thought to give them a spin, should I need to go that way.

During the off season here, from December to Feb. or so, I have decided to try and keep a finger in this pie. When I log on and see the Idaho thread is above the Utah thread, I know that many of you actually do have lives aside from BYC.   I've got a hankering for chicks… I might have to come and visit those of you whom are thusly blessed with little peeps. And on a closing note to thebirdman, it was good to see you escaped the blessed Christmas bunny episode.   I thought you were a goner for sure!

Wild turkeys are pestering me again, 50-75 most every day. I wish the state would relocate some of them, we have enough thank you. 

Best to all and yer birds,

RJ

thanks. i am so thankful i dodged that bullet lol. good luck with your decision on heating or not. something you could do is make your birds a warm mash of sorts for dinner to help warm them at night. just dont do it too hot so they dont get burned. or maybe get them some socks lol