What did you do with your flock today?

[ForFlocksSake]

Supposedly there's an old law in Arizona making it illegal to keep a donkey in the bathtub. Really makes you wonder how that came about.

Phew! Glad I don't live in Arizona!

 

[ForFlocksSake]

What? How can they regulate that? That's the silliest law I ever heard of. Who in the world thought, "Gosh, you know what we need to outlaw? Feeding scraps to chickens instead of the mulch pile. We can't have any privileged chickens around here!" I mean, seriously, that was even a thought in someone's head? SMH

Don't quote me, and someone correct me if Im wrong, but I think this law had something to do with Mad cow disease and other diseases that could potentially spread to humans. There was a big problem with that in parts of the UK and it the laws were made to make sure backyard keepers and farmers weren't spreading it to poultry.

 

[featherhead007]

Yesterday I set up the see/don't touch outside nursery for the babies. The weather has been so nice, up in the mid-high 70's during the day. They're 2 weeks now so im hoping to get them out for some field trips later this week. Im nervous about the transport part. I have a cat carrier to take them back and forth, but actually gathering them without risking one getting free is going to be tricky. They're terrified of me and make health checks hard enough as it is.

My big girls are getting sweeter by the day. Funny how they used to be flighty and suddenly as they started coming into lay they've gotten almost affectionate. They come right to me and let me pet them. Even my white leghorn who basically became untouchable once I put them in the run comes up to me for pets.

Well...all except my buff orphington. I don't know what her deal is. She's 25/26 weeks old, barely red in the face and will not let me near her. She will peck at my hand if I even try. I had no idea buffs could be so slow to mature. hoping she gets sweeter when she comes into lay (which im beginning to think might be never). I always read they had a reputation for being super friendly. So far mine is not living up to that. Meanwhile my RIR is basically a lap chicken which ive heard is out of character for the breed.

Next up to lay will be my Easter Egger. she's been red in the face for a couple of weeks now. I check twice a day waiting for my colorful egg. im impatient but it also has added so much excitement to my days.

My late great buff O would sneak up behind me and peck me on my bum, while I was sitting in my chair watching the others. (Terms of endearment I think )

 

[featherhead007]

Phew! Glad I don't live in Arizona!

Yeah, you may keep your donkey in the bathtub!

 

[Nomadicus]

One night at work a coworker had a booklet on plumbing laws of old. One in the early days of the US in one of the colonies it was illegal to own a bath tub because it was illegal to remove all your clothes at once.

 

[ForFlocksSake]

One night at work a coworker had a booklet on plumbing laws of old. One in the early days of the US in one of the colonies it was illegal to own a bath tub because it was illegal to remove all your clothes at once.

Well now my donkey is breaking all sorts of rules!


*I don't actually have a donkey. Sadly. Because I would love a donkey.

 

[PopoMyers]

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.

My friend had a hen reappear after a few weeks AWOL, with a whole group of new chicks. Maybe she's brooding somewhere.

 

[fuzzi]

Phew! Glad I don't live in Arizona!

Bet your donkey is glad, too...

 

[PopoMyers]

She sounds like she is improving so much! Go Ginger!
Have you started physio with her yet?

Chickens can tolerate temps of 0°C so theoretically no, but personally I'd gradually get her used to the lower temps. If and when she's ready (which could take months yet and therefore will be much colder). Given what she's going through, I'd do it over a couple of weeks, extending her time outdoors each day. She's going to need integrating back with the flock anyhow.
I wouldn't let her sleep in the coop until she's fully acclimated and you're certain she's able to roost all night.

I think she is getting all her physio by jumping up and down in the sling, and flapping whenever I carry her around, which she is doing more of. She is eating and pooping more times a day. Finally have a sling setup where her poop drops below without getting her fluff dirty. Have washed her quite a bit. It's good that sunflower seeds have selenium, so it will help with the absorption of her vitamins.

 

[featherhead007]

Well now my donkey is breaking all sorts of rules!


*I don't actually have a donkey. Sadly. Because I would love a donkey.

It’s hard to keep clothes on a donkey anyways!