Violet's only companion died today - and it's freezing

[yogamebird]

I'd bring her into the house except we have two large dogs - one of whom tried to have Violet for lunch last summer! She's a survivor. But I know she is lonely. I heard her distress calls before I even got to the coop this morning.

 

[LipsChicks]

I know they are chickens but I can't help but think of them as feeling, loving beings. I'm not a kook even I sort of sound like one. I really feel they need a little something in this extreme cold. As long as it doesn't get so warm that she'd really suffer if the power went out, it just seems necessary especially with her suddenly not having the warmth of her companion. And of course chance of fire but you know that.

 

[yogamebird]

Well after pushing pulling and shoving, I got the dog crate down two flights of stairs and into the garage. I laid a nice bed of straw down and went to get Violet. I can't catch her! I tried laying a path of her favorite cheese and she followed me part way, but ran back to her coop. It's so cold here (below 0 with the wind chill) I had to come in. The make-shift heater my husband made is generating a little heat - she seems to like to rub up against it - but her water is frozen solid. I'm about to go back out there and give her fresh water. Any hints on catching chickens would be highly appreciated.

 

[LipsChicks]

Depends on where she is. Is she loose outside or in a run? I use a fishing net. If they're outside for the run I try to set up something to trap them in a corner. Where does she sleep? You may have to wait until its dark. They really don't see well in the dark. My last resort is to pay my little nephews ( ages 6 and 7) 5.00 per chicken they catch. They use fish nets.

 

[JanetMarie]

I know they are chickens but I can't help but think of them as feeling, loving beings. I'm not a kook even I sort of sound like one. I really feel they need a little something in this extreme cold. As long as it doesn't get so warm that she'd really suffer if the power went out, it just seems necessary especially with her suddenly not having the warmth of her companion. And of course chance of fire but you know that.

You do not sound sort of like a kook. Chickens do have feelings, people just don't see it unless they spend time with them. I think a lot of BYC people see the feelings chickens have, otherwise there would not be such concerns about their well-being.

 

[N F C]

You do not sound sort of like a kook. Chickens do have feelings, people just don't see it unless they spend time with them. I think a lot of BYC people see the feelings chickens have, otherwise there would not be such concerns about their well-being.

x2

 

[deacons]

I'm not sure what part of CT you're in, but I'm in SW New Hampshire, and the Agway we go to in Keene, NH was advertising Rhode Island Red pullets for sale just a couple of weeks ago. You might give them a call and see if they are still selling them: (603) 357-5720. It would probably take you roughly 1.5 hours to get up here via I-91 from the Hartford airport area.

I think the dog crate/garage set up seems like good sense in this extreme cold. Hopefully it's going to warm up a little this weekend (20*F will feel luxurious!).

Sorry for your loss. The first winter I had chickens, I had just a pair since I lost 2 of the original 4, and those two kept each other warm enough all winter. Even now, I have a flock of 8 total, but those two original girls are definitely a two-some and run the flock. I believe they do get bonded.

 

[yogamebird]

Thanks again to everybody for you sympathy and suggestions. I feel strongly that these animals have feelings and I know Violet is grieving.

Violet has survived the coldest night of this cold snap. The mild heating hack we set up seems to be working. The dog crate is still in the garage but unused.

We've found a source for Red Star Hens about an hour and a half from here (we're not far from NYC.) We have to decide whether and how many to get.

Now my concern is integrating - it's going to be well below freezing for the foreseeable future. The girls always want to stay in the coop on these kinds of days. How do you keep chickens separate in a 4' x 7' coop? Any suggestions?

 

[LipsChicks]

I'm sure I'll get flack for this but I'd just toss them in with her in the late evening. Just make sure the new ones are as used to the cold as Violet is. I've done that before and luckily didn't have any problems. Sometimes, if you're like me, we over think things.

 

[yogamebird]

I really appreciate everybody's help. We have located some hens about an hour from here. Our next question is how many to get. I think that just one would be easier to integrate as it, too, will need to huddle for warmth. Then in the spring, we can get two more. Any thoughts?

Violet has made it through the worst of the cold snap. She's gobbling up meal worms like a champ but not eating her cracked corn or layer feed.