Winter is Coming! Checklists, tips, advice for a newbie

[aart]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/742274/freezer-camp-in-our-minnesota-coop-frozen-wattles-on-roo

I don't know if I've posted this here already...maybe I have...but this has lots of pictures of my frost bit roo from last winter. What to expect. Treatments I tried. Getting meds from the vet...etc Time line for healing really.

I still have my rooster and he finally crowed this morning for the first time in a long time...LOL. I hadn't realized that he hadn't for a while until I heard it. And I think it was because it was above zero this morning!!!

I appreciate, tho it fills me with dread too, your documenting this experience.
Luckily the couple of small spots of frostbite my 2 roos got on their combs a couple weeks ago (during one -10 degree night) appears now to have been superficial...and they didn't get any more from the past several days/nights of -7 to zero temps.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I think I did dread the process during the whole thing. So it probably really comes through in the writing. LOL. But now I look back on it and it was because I didn't know what to expect next, etc. I hope the thread helps you to know what things may or may not look like as it progresses. The not knowing was the worse for me...as I had very little idea on how to proceed. Now if I need to deal with it again I know what to have on hand when I need to get a vet involved...when I can just leave it be....etc. Old hat now. LOL But...yeah, no thanks.

 

[aart]

I think I did dread the process during the whole thing. So it probably really comes through in the writing. LOL. But now I look back on it and it was because I didn't know what to expect next, etc. I hope the thread helps you to know what things may or may not look like as it progresses. The not knowing was the worse for me...as I had very little idea on how to proceed. Now if I need to deal with it again I know what to have on hand when I need to get a vet involved...when I can just leave it be....etc. Old hat now. LOL But...yeah, no thanks.

Exactly!
It was part of the reason I didn't freak out, but was still concerned, when I saw dark spots on my roos combs.
I thought, OK, I know where to go if this gets bad.
It also made me make darn sure the one sequestered roo had a waterer that he wouldn't dip his wattles when drinking.

Not knowing is frightening, why I give you kudos for doing the documentation during a very difficult time and sharing it with others.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I'll tell you I felt very alone during that time for people directly around me. Kids...well you know they helped a bit but it was "mom's Job" and hubby no interest in the chickens. So it was you good people on BYC that really rooted me on. Shell3--still excellent friends with her--even got a sweet Xmas gift from London this year...

.... Choptank is always checking back on old Rog, Sourland was wonderful, Martha and Aussie. and aart...you too are on here supporting people all the time. It's what it's all about. Good Chicken keepers and supporters on here. Understanding when we are on a low point, and helpful and praising us when we do good. It's all for the better good of these fun birds we have as our hobby. That's the big picture.

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

I'll tell you I felt very alone during that time for people directly around me.  Kids...well you know they helped a bit but it was "mom's Job"  and hubby no interest in the chickens.  So it was you good people on BYC that really rooted me on.  Shell3--still excellent friends with her--even got a sweet Xmas gift from London this year... ....  Choptank is always checking back on old Rog, Sourland was wonderful, Martha and Aussie.  and aart...you too are on here supporting people all the time.  It's what it's all about.  Good Chicken keepers and supporters on here.  Understanding when we are on a low point, and helpful and praising us when we do good.  It's all for the better good of these fun birds we have as our hobby.  That's the big picture. 

That's why I love this site. Most people think I'm nuts for even having chickens, much less talking about them. I love getting on here and sharing my chicken stories with y'all, and listening to your stories. I learn something on here every day. Plus it's nice to chat with people who loves the chicken experience as much as I do!

 

[K Epp]

At lock up tonight I discovered one of my Welsumer roos has frost bite on his comb. It's on the back couple of lobs. I just read all of Rogers story and will keep a eye on this guy. I haven't named him because I was planing on rehoming him.

 

[coop-er]

That's why I love this site. Most people think I'm nuts for even having chickens, much less talking about them. I love getting on here and sharing my chicken stories with y'all, and listening to your stories. I learn something on here every day. Plus it's nice to chat with people who loves the chicken experience as much as I do!

^^^^^x2. GAfarmgirl I so agree-my husband keeps saying "there cannot be THAT much to read on that site" .....he has no idea!

 

[LadyCluck77]

I was able to grab my two leghorns today, and bring them in the house to treat the combs. I have photographed what it looks like so far to compare if it gets better/ worse in the next few weeks.

The cat food was of interest to Lady, who appears to have some frostbite on one of her wattles. I put neosporin on the combs of both her and Spike, the other leghorn.

Does anyone know if her tail feathers looking ragged are a bad sign?

 

[K Epp]

^^^^^x2. GAfarmgirl I so agree-my husband keeps saying "there cannot be THAT much to read on that site" .....he has no idea!

I get the same thing at my house too. I use to read all the time abd would get the why don't you read something educational. My answer was always I did that in college. Now its Are you reading about chickens again.... Now my answer is It's educational.... LOL. But when I ask if he wants to turn the game off and talk everything smooths out and I read about chickens.

 

[K Epp]

^^^^^x2. GAfarmgirl I so agree-my husband keeps saying "there cannot be THAT much to read on that site" .....he has no idea!

I get the same thing at my house too. I use to read all the time abd would get the why don't you read something educational. My answer was always I did that in college. Now its Are you reading about chickens again.... Now my answer is It's educational.... LOL. But when I ask if he wants to turn the game off and talk everything smooths out and I read about chickens.