What did you do with your flock today?

[ChicksnMore]

That is a heck of a chicken habit. At $32-35 per 50lb bag here my dh would not be happy... and all that poop! Don't know how you do it @LTAY1946 , must be love .

I'm having some hard thoughts rolling around my head. My flock is too big. I need to thin it, but who goes...? Thinking my light B's but that would mean Spider should go with them... for them and him. Then I have my old ladies... The hard part of chicken keeping

Don't envy you flock reduction choices! It's something I'm only sporadically good at. Especially the old ladies. I still miss Granny and Nanny even though they only got names because they lived so long we couldn't remember how old they were. Tough choices but I know you'll make good ones for you and them.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Had to put down one of my hamburg boys due to wet pox. I've had him indoors for nursing for a bit now, but the growth in his throat just got too bad. I can't even remember how long it's been since I've seen a case of wet pox. Think I separated him fast enough...no one else has come down sick so far. The mosquitos are thick though right now. Still leaves me with two boys and they're the ladies favorites but sad anyhow. Poor little guy hadn't quite hit adulthood yet.

 

[Nomadicus]

My kids get to free range as soon as I can get to their coop doors. They have learned to get back in their houses when it storms and we may get a couple of thunderstorms today.

 

[Nomadicus]

After fresh feed and water I hung 3 more large galvanized feeders that hold 30lbs each. I don't worry now about being out with them so I an enjoy playing with Rocky a little more. Rocky is a large adult White Rock rooster that sees me as his body guard and also the big rooster with the feed and treats. Usually he gets a fresh slice of bread now about 4-5 mornings a week. Today was one of them. I so wish my wife could be outside and take some pictures of us. Rocky rode with me on the John Deere garden tractor while getting to the first coop stop. There he finished his treat and finally chose to get down and start hunting tender grass. He perched on the steering wheel and ate as we drove. Rocky is a rooster that I took in to rehome because he was trying to flog his former owner. He has been reconditioned and never tries that with any of us.

 

[Maddcatter]

I just brought home 350lbs of feed for the kids. 50lbs a day until some are gone to a new home either in the freezer or down the road somewhere.

I don't go through 50lbs a day... But I buy food a ton at a time. It lasts for a few months.

How many do you have going to a new home?

 

[kurby22]

Had to put down one of my hamburg boys due to wet pox. I've had him indoors for nursing for a bit now, but the growth in his throat just got too bad. I can't even remember how long it's been since I've seen a case of wet pox. Think I separated him fast enough...no one else has come down sick so far. The mosquitos are thick though right now. Still leaves me with two boys and they're the ladies favorites but sad anyhow. Poor little guy hadn't quite hit adulthood yet.

Oh no, I'm so sorry you had to go through that and make that decision. I have only dealt one time with wet pox and it sure is brutal and depressing. We haven't had as bad of an issue with mosquitoes this year thankfully, but OMG the flies!!! SOOO many flies. I am hopeful that you are right that you only have the one baby that got it and the rest are just fine!

I have been feeling super sad...when we were all down with COVID and couldn't check on the birds as often, I lost two of my perpetual broody hens that clearly overheated and didn't leave their nests enough. One of them was Goldie my Salmon Faverolle, and one of them was my sweet, sweet dedicated silkie Fuzzbert. I've had her since I first started chickens and I was just devastated when I found her. It's just so tough when they are so broody, every day is over 100, they started molting, and won't break and get out of their coops enough! We just couldn't manage with everyone down and sick. I literally didn't leave my bed for two days straight. Despite misters, and water, and shade, and electrolytes...if they won't care for themselves so much is on you to keep them alive! I just brought in Big Momma for two days inside because she's been broody and lost weight and her comb was paler than normal. She got a bunch of vitamins mixed in with eggs and egg shells, AC for a couple days, and some harassment from Aria (hugs and forced love) and she is back outside now looking much better. Orpingtons are much easier to break than silkies in my experience! They at least take some time off before going broody again...every time I tried breaking Fuzzy she just went right back. Blah.

@TropicalBabies I'm so sorry you have to consider thinning the flock! I cannot imagine you having to let go of Spider!! I hope you are able to find a way to keep him!

 

[kurby22]

You guys…why??

 

[TropicalBabies]

Oh no, I'm so sorry you had to go through that and make that decision. I have only dealt one time with wet pox and it sure is brutal and depressing. We haven't had as bad of an issue with mosquitoes this year thankfully, but OMG the flies!!! SOOO many flies. I am hopeful that you are right that you only have the one baby that got it and the rest are just fine!

I have been feeling super sad...when we were all down with COVID and couldn't check on the birds as often, I lost two of my perpetual broody hens that clearly overheated and didn't leave their nests enough. One of them was Goldie my Salmon Faverolle, and one of them was my sweet, sweet dedicated silkie Fuzzbert. I've had her since I first started chickens and I was just devastated when I found her. It's just so tough when they are so broody, every day is over 100, they started molting, and won't break and get out of their coops enough! We just couldn't manage with everyone down and sick. I literally didn't leave my bed for two days straight. Despite misters, and water, and shade, and electrolytes...if they won't care for themselves so much is on you to keep them alive! I just brought in Big Momma for two days inside because she's been broody and lost weight and her comb was paler than normal. She got a bunch of vitamins mixed in with eggs and egg shells, AC for a couple days, and some harassment from Aria (hugs and forced love) and she is back outside now looking much better. Orpingtons are much easier to break than silkies in my experience! They at least take some time off before going broody again...every time I tried breaking Fuzzy she just went right back. Blah.

@TropicalBabies I'm so sorry you have to consider thinning the flock! I cannot imagine you having to let go of Spider!! I hope you are able to find a way to keep him!

I'm so sorry Kurby, you must be heart broken... and even guilt ridden with loss. Those are big hits but we know you do all you can and much, much more than most all.
When you are that sick, all you can be is sick. I'm glad things did not get worse for you and family and glad you are on the upswing. Take it easy still ♡♡♡ be good to yourselves.

Ya... Spider. He really favors the lights, they are his girls and I think it may be more cruel to separate him from them than it would be to part with me... We have lots of good chicken people with beautiful spots. IF I part with him, it will be one of them. IDK, I have had this thought for the last year and not acted so I expect I will chicken out. Maybe if figure something else out.... ♡

Ya know, with only 10 chickens down the hill... the flies are not bad .

These work pretty good for me. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GRSQ2QU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Hope the blinking heat breaks soon for us all.
Us today
Us yesterday ♡

Starting to smile ♡

 

[TropicalBabies]

You guys…why??

Hot wire

 

[kurby22]

I'm so sorry Kurby, you must be heart broken... and even guilt ridden with loss. Those are big hits but we know you do all you can and much, much more than most all.
When you are that sick, all you can be is sick. I'm glad things did not get worse for you and family and glad you are on the upswing. Take it easy still ♡♡♡ be good to yourselves.

Ya... Spider. He really favors the lights, they are his girls and I think it may be more cruel to separate him from them than it would be to part with me... We have lots of good chicken people with beautiful spots. IF I part with him, it will be one of them. IDK, I have had this thought for the last year and not acted so I expect I will chicken out. Maybe if figure something else out.... ♡

Ya know, with only 10 chickens down the hill... the flies are not bad .

These work pretty good for me. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GRSQ2QU?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Hope the blinking heat breaks soon for us all.
Us todayView attachment 3622594
Us yesterday ♡View attachment 3622603
Starting to smile ♡

Thanks, the guilt and shame weighs pretty heavy on my chest and heart. I hate letting them down and I start second guessing if I should even own chickens--but I also know that I just could not have done more in that situation. I simply could not function.

That is a great picture I can't believe you aren't out of the fire risk yet! Hopefully there is no more fire in Hawaii's near future. Yuck.

Those fly traps are the only thing that keeps them at bay here as well. I just can't hang enough of them it seems! Sigh. Between the flies, the heat, the constant broodies, the deaths, the rats and the fox...I'm a bit burned out on chickening this summer. I could use a reprieve...I cannot wait for the heat to go away. We are supposed to hit 100 again tomorrow.

Well I hope that you "chicken" out and decide to keep him! But if not, I trust you will find him the perfect home.