Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[chickendreams24]

Big z that site didn't come up for me perhaps something wrong with the whatchamacallit (why can't I ever think of that word its like my kryptonite)

Welcome fellow newbies!

Okay all so my favorite Isa brown didn't lay today I thought she may be egg bound but I couldn't feel anything like an egg. And I almost think maybe her abdomen has fluid in it. Should I treat her like she has eyp or what. She's acting almost completely normal except for not laying today despite trying and trying . and she even sung the egg song. She's only 24 weeks. Any advice? Which should I try to treat her for? She's not massive or taught with fluid. I just don't want to lose her. I'm not sure how long it's been since she's layed. Wish I had a motion activated camera out there to seethose types of things.... Perhaps I need a trail cam
Despite the smiley emote I am very very worried about her and I need some help please.

 

[Firstchic]

Funny. Well, we got the thermal cube, altho, don't know why the name. Its a plug. Hope I got the right thing. Does not look like a cube at all....just two places to plug in cords. Hmmmm. We also bought a small heater, Infared, I think.....DS picked out the stuff. So, I got this chicken from the neighbor back in April, She had a bare butt then and still has a bare butt......I'm thinking that cannot be molting going on this long. Other than a bare butt she is fine, lays every day and acts like the rest of them. Don't like the idea of them loosing their feathers this late in the year. Have one Barred Rock that has just started to molt. Noticed yesterday she had tail feathers, today she did not. Whats the deal with chickens molting this late in the season anyway. Seems like they would do it earlier in the year so they would have a full coat by cold weather.l

 

[Celtic Chick]

Big z that site didn't come up for me perhaps something wrong with the whatchamacallit (why can't I ever think of that word its like my kryptonite)

Welcome fellow newbies!

Okay all so my favorite Isa brown didn't lay today I thought she may be egg bound but I couldn't feel anything like an egg. And I almost think maybe her abdomen has fluid in it. Should I treat her like she has eyp or what. She's acting almost completely normal except for not laying today despite trying and trying . and she even sung the egg song. She's only 24 weeks. Any advice? Which should I try to treat her for? She's not massive or taught with fluid. I just don't want to lose her. I'm not sure how long it's been since she's layed. Wish I had a motion activated camera out there to seethose types of things.... Perhaps I need a trail cam

Despite the smiley emote I am very very worried about her and I need some help please.

Deep breath now. Chickens don't lay eggs every single day. Depending on breed, it usually, and I use that term loosely, takes about 26ish hours for a hen to produce an egg (in her prime). As she ages, that will slow down. So once in a while, their bodies might take a break and have a day of rest. No need to start treating for anything just yet.

As for a coop cam, those outdoor security systems work great. You can even hook them up to your TV. Some of them will record to a DVR when they are motion activated. I think they are worth the investment. Although sometimes you will also see the ugly side to the pecking order, but not too much.

Firstchic, this is a thermo cube:

http://smile.amazon.com/Farm-Innova...F8&qid=1444971582&sr=8-1&keywords=thermo+cube

and to the Cheesehead thread Eric! Hope you like it here.
Sorry Bigz, that link didn't work for me either. But I agree with Bigz, Eric. A 7x7' or 8x8' coop would be ideal for 4 hens. Since a lot of birds do not like to go outside in the winter, they will need room to move around to keep unwanted behaviors from starting. Building your own coop is usually the best way to go so you get everything you want/need. 2 windows, 1 on each side, will help with a crossbreeze on the hot summer days. Insulating properly with good ventilation will keep from having to add supplemental heat in the winter. A poop board under the roosts will add some extra "floor" space and also make cleaning easier. Feeders & waterers take up space too if you plan on keeping them inside the coop in winter. And don't forget about running electric out to the coop if you plan on lights, heat or a heated water base to prevent the water from freezing. Hope this helps.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote: X 2
pretty much as I would have said it..
I would add, make the door large enough to get equipment in and out.. at least big enough for a wheelbarrow ..
and make the ceiling high enough so that you don''t bump your head while shoveling schmidt out.. and if you add bedding on the floor, remember, the ceiling gets closer with each layer..
suspend your nests from the wall or ceiling.. makes cleaning the floor much easier..
a feeder can be mounted to the wall also.. the water can easily be moved for cleaning..

If you decide to build, a concrete floor is nice.. also, run a row of concrete blocks around the perimeter to set your walls on.. put your door sill on top of the blocks also.. make the door swing into the coop.. by having the door raised, you will not be swinging the door into the debris inside the coop.. and by having the wooden walls raised, the wood will not rot from getting wet..

...........jiminwisc..........
.......jiminwisc........

 

[Cindlady]

Hi All!

Nothing to say....

Night All!

 

[Sclark73]

I had heat lastnight!!

 

[jvls1942]

Hi All!

Nothing to say....

Night All!

good night/morning

SC heat is good..

we do not turn the heat on in the bedroom,, I like it cold..

 

[chickendreams24]

@celticchick
Thanks for your reply, but I'm still worried. I swear she has fluid buildup in her body cavity. She's acting very good. But should she really have spent over an hour in the nest box yesterday without laying and then she switched nest boxes. Still no egg. I wouldn't be so worried if it wasn't for what I believe is the fluid buildup. That and the fact that idk the last time we got more than three of the medium brown Isa Brown eggs. But if you really think there's nothing to worry about I'll hold off. I did find yolky remnants on shavings in the nest box last night. I think it was a shell less egg someone ate, I'm hoping that was Lily's problem, but it also could have been a new layer.

 

[jvls1942]

@celticchick
Thanks for your reply, but I'm still worried. I swear she has fluid buildup in her body cavity. She's acting very good. But should she really have spent over an hour in the nest box yesterday without laying and then she switched nest boxes. Still no egg. I wouldn't be so worried if it wasn't for what I believe is the fluid buildup. That and the fact that idk the last time we got more than three of the medium brown Isa Brown eggs. But if you really think there's nothing to worry about I'll hold off. I did find yolky remnants on shavings in the nest box last night. I think it was a shell less egg someone ate, I'm hoping that was Lily's problem, but it also could have been a new layer.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it..
I had non layers spend lots of time in nest boxes.. roosters , too..
they are just being chickens..
Egg bound is sooooo very rare,, often misdiagnosed by byc'ers..
if you can feel the fluid build up by squeezing her,, STOP squeezing her.. eventually you are going to hurt her..

many people claim their chicken is egg bound,, and then they probe and prod until they find a broken egg inside the chicken,, the egg is more than likely broken by their poking around,,

maybe your chickens need some extra artificial light ?? You know, the days are getting shorter and they need at least 14 hours of light to produce eggs..
LED lights cost hardly nothing to keep on,,
I saw that Home Depot has them on sale .. 2 for $3.98.. I am going to check that out and stock up if it is true ..

..........jiminwisc..........

 

[corewassen87]

What time does everyone set they're timer to run the supplemental light in winter to help egg production?