What did you do with your flock today?

[ValerieJ]

Changed Hops set up today. Still trying to find a safe, out of incubator, food and water always there, way to keep him. He's definitely getting stronger but having water there all the times been a challenge so far. He keeps falling into it and thinks it's scary stuff. He's getting there though. He can get up on his one leg for short spells now as long as he has something to lean against. And he's eating well. Just need to convince him to drink water. He'll sleep in the incubator still for now, but trying him with a heat lamp today. View attachment 3686605

Try putting some rocks in his water so he doesn't get all wet when he falls in. I do that with all my young chicks. Also the small chick waterers work.

 

[ValerieJ]

I love hearing about the old hens way past laying . Your flock and young roo sound delightful!

I love the old hens the most. They are so chill and don't put up with any guff from anyone. They don't go after anyone either. My wise old ladies.

 

[PopoMyers]

Try putting some rocks in his water so he doesn't get all wet when he falls in. I do that with all my young chicks. Also the small chick waterers work.

I repurpose a hummingbird feeder. Leave the flower lid off, and the water tray is the perfect size. I hang mine up to be at their shoulder level, and dip their beak in until they get the idea. Sounds like he wants to survive, and so glad he's getting stronger.

 

[PopoMyers]

Today was bath day, especially since she was kicking and spinning around in her box, and on top of the poo she made last night off of the pad, which she had kicked to one side.

Trimmed her beak, as it was a bit hooked, and she is flapping and kicking more, stronger neck, as it does not wry much now. Still hopeful for her balance to return so she can be back with everychick. She prefers the sling over lying down, and complains some when she has to. It's only been a day over 2 weeks. Found one of those brown stink bugs in my house, and she ate it with gusto.
Here's a question. If and when she is ready, would I need to gradually expose her to the lower temps, and over what period of time? There is a temperature difference, daytime about 15-25 F, nights about 25 - 35 F.

 

[fuzzi]

I made bone broth from chicken drumsticks that were in the freezer over a year.

Bones and gristle were tossed.

Meat for sandwiches and meals went in a bowl, put it in the refrigerator.

But the soft stuff that isn't meat was offered to the flock.

They weren't sure about this new food at first, but grabbed the tidbits and ran away to check them out without interference. THEN all the chickens returned and cleaned the plate!

I also scrubbed the 5 gallon cup waterer, which was slightly green on the inside.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Today was bath day, especially since she was kicking and spinning around in her box, and on top of the poo she made last night off of the pad, which she had kicked to one side.

Trimmed her beak, as it was a bit hooked, and she is flapping and kicking more, stronger neck, as it does not wry much now. Still hopeful for her balance to return so she can be back with everychick. She prefers the sling over lying down, and complains some when she has to. It's only been a day over 2 weeks. Found one of those brown stink bugs in my house, and she ate it with gusto.
Here's a question. If and when she is ready, would I need to gradually expose her to the lower temps, and over what period of time? There is a temperature difference, daytime about 15-25 F, nights about 25 - 35 F.

I keep a large parrot cage with a heat lamp outside on the porch. Any birds moving from indoors to out in the winter start there. It's like an adult sized brooder so they can move in an out of the heat. If the indoor/outdoor temps are a huge difference then the lamp stays on 24/7 at first. If mild difference during the day but bigger at night, then I just turn the heat lamp on at night. I give them a week, then start reducing the time the lamps on every few days while keeping an eye on how they're doing. They readjust pretty quick.
Sounds like she's doing great

 

[RedwoodCoastChick]

I'm missing a pet hen.

Ohhhh, no! Has she resurfaced yet? Hope she's okay and was just being an elusive little stinker...

 

[RedwoodCoastChick]

I was out running errands on this gusty, rainy day until dark. So glad I decided to check on the chooks when I got home even though they've all been faithfully trooping into the coop long before the auto-door closes at dark, for MONTHS now, even with the much-shorter days.

I slogged through the soggy yard and dang if FIVE of the 8 girls weren't all huddled against the side of the coop in the rain, all forlorn, having "missed curfew"! The naughty pullets were so dark-drunk I had to open the big access door and pick them up, one by one, and place them inside, where they hunched rather blearily like, "Where am I? What just happened?" After I checked for late eggs they were STILL sitting on the coop floor, so I ended up placing each sleepy, passive girl on her regular roosting spot while the 3 "good girls" grumped at being disturbed.

Why on earth they decided to be tardy on such a rainy day, I've no idea. And the Queen was one of them! Poor leadership, Miss Pauline! Good thing for y'all I'm obsessive about checking on you at night!

 

[Shetland lover]

I love the wooden holders. They just take up too much counter space. Your eggs are so pretty!

Thank you! The girls work so hard for me and I don't even like eggs all that much.
I have sacrificed a lot of space to use it and I have precious little to start with! As no-one is laying right now, it's propped up against the wall. I've not regained any space though! I've just managed to fill it with other things

 

[Nomadicus]

Ohhhh, no! Has she resurfaced yet? Hope she's okay and was just being an elusive little stinker...

No and I'm afraid that she's gone. I've looked all around where she might have gone off to nest in secret. No sign of her coming in for feed. I just have no idea what could have slipped in and took her with out a trace. No feathers left behind at all.