Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[JustJohn]

Well...I'm not a true Cheesehead but I do live here in Wisconsin, about 4 miles east of Crivitz. I moved here from Philly 11 months ago, my wife is from Twin Bridges (her folks used to own the Tall Oaks store). I'm betting a few Up North people know exactly who I'm talking about. So I'm new to the pleasures of managing a flock of chickens. I had no idea how much fun these birds are, not to mention the range of personalities.

I have a problem with a bird in the flock. I have always been one to root for the underdog, in this case the underchicken. She was free, took her with us when we purchased a couple of more young hens as my confidence and skills increased. It's a young Frizzle and it's missing many of it's feathers. There are no pin feathers coming in, as of yet anyway. My first question is....what can cause this, second question is how to solve it. If a solution fails I have to find a way to provide real heat for this poor bird during the winter. Which brings it's own issues. The others will be trying to vie for that warmth but economics doesn't allow for me to heat the entire coop to 60 degrees. I want to provide an area so the bird has heat, but companionship as well. This problem is what caused me to find this site. I went searching and here I am! Of course I'll be looking for my answers for myself but will happily accept information, advice and experience from the members here.

Welcome

and when it comes to being a cheesehead, It is never too late to see the light and the way.

It is my understanding that frizzles don't do well in the cold with all their feathers on.

sorry I couldn't help more.

 

[vickiw]

Well...I'm not a true Cheesehead but I do live here in Wisconsin, about 4 miles east of Crivitz. I moved here from Philly 11 months ago, my wife is from Twin Bridges (her folks used to own the Tall Oaks store). I'm betting a few Up North people know exactly who I'm talking about. So I'm new to the pleasures of managing a flock of chickens. I had no idea how much fun these birds are, not to mention the range of personalities.

I have a problem with a bird in the flock. I have always been one to root for the underdog, in this case the underchicken. She was free, took her with us when we purchased a couple of more young hens as my confidence and skills increased. It's a young Frizzle and it's missing many of it's feathers. There are no pin feathers coming in, as of yet anyway. My first question is....what can cause this, second question is how to solve it. If a solution fails I have to find a way to provide real heat for this poor bird during the winter. Which brings it's own issues. The others will be trying to vie for that warmth but economics doesn't allow for me to heat the entire coop to 60 degrees. I want to provide an area so the bird has heat, but companionship as well. This problem is what caused me to find this site. I went searching and here I am! Of course I'll be looking for my answers for myself but will happily accept information, advice and experience from the members here.

HI ErSwnn!

can't help you as much with the feathering issue as some much more knowledgeable gurus on here. As for the heat there are several options. personally I use an electric, oil filled heater (looks like the old steam radiator that used to be in houses) anyway mine has a setting that kicks it on at 35o and off at 45o. I use mine on the worst nights only. For your little girl you might want to look into something called a "Sweeter Heater". It's made right here in WI and just might work for your girl. She could snuggle up to it but still
be able to be with her friends.

Welcome to our little coop!!!

 

[vickiw]

Quote: So did you get to FF ? I noticed there was an off brand for their powder Corrid I think was on sale the last time I was there. Cheaper then Corrid.

Anyway, I don't know if you know this but Dr Brown is not a Vet or Doctor. Somehow he just acquired the Dr title because he helps chickens and sells meds. Just thought I would share that with anyone else too that might think he is a Veterinarian.

Cocci sure is a weird illness. I've had chicks develop it that never hit real ground. So where did they get it ? Wonder if it can be carried in the feed ?

It supposedely lives in the soil so ???? I think you are doing the right thing treating just the two newer birds. Hope it works out for you with the two new Amigos. Oh wait aren't Amigos boys? Sorry for all the chicken swearing !!! LOL

Cindlady...... where was your husband yesterday.... driving around up nort ??? LOL Wow, that's pretty scary too. Does he ever fall asleep while he drives?

I think this week has been so interesting in so many ways, Unk are you ready to recap the month of August for us ??? LOL Let's test your memory !! LOL
Happy Labor Day Everybody !!!! Drive safe the FIBS are out !!! LOL jk.....
Hi Frenchie!!!
boy, hope you won't be ice skating on your pool soon!!!! Yep, I found the cheaper stuff over by the poultry feed. Gave me a headache figuring out the dose since I don't do it by the 50 gallon drum, geeesh!!! But I got it and got the babies started. In the feed, hmmmmm?

We were just ahead of the southern migration going into town but the southbound lane coming home was nothing but vehicles as far as you could see!!! North bound? Hmmm, there was us, a truck we could see about a mile ahead and some headlights we about a mile behind us.

One poor soul was trying to turn south onto 45, I hope he packed a lunch

 

[babylady4]

Hey, nothing wrong with not being a true "cheesehead"..... There are many on here who are not.


Welcome and good luck!

 

[vickiw]

Oh, saw something "lovely" yesterday. My girls have been rototilling my herb garden for me for several days now. Anyway, yesterday I was in there clearing out all the old rhubarb leaves (my rhubarb gets huge) and uncovered a vole. The poor thing was trying to hide in the roots but was clearly visible so I knew it was only a matter of time. I didn't want to watch the carnage and my work was done so I got out of there. Sure enough I look out my kitchen window and here comes my snake killer, Soup, running across the yard with the vole dangling from her mouth with Noodle in hot pursuit!!!

They disappeared under my wagon so I can only imagine what happened next. In a couple minutes Noodle reappeared with what looked like a leg sticking out of her beak and Soup strutted away looking very proud of herself!

Frenchie - BTW the youngers are the "3 Amigas" not amigos. They are all very female troublemakers!

 

[vickiw]

 

[delisha]

Well...I'm not a true Cheesehead but I do live here in Wisconsin, about 4 miles east of Crivitz. I moved here from Philly 11 months ago, my wife is from Twin Bridges (her folks used to own the Tall Oaks store). I'm betting a few Up North people know exactly who I'm talking about. So I'm new to the pleasures of managing a flock of chickens. I had no idea how much fun these birds are, not to mention the range of personalities.

I have a problem with a bird in the flock. I have always been one to root for the underdog, in this case the underchicken. She was free, took her with us when we purchased a couple of more young hens as my confidence and skills increased. It's a young Frizzle and it's missing many of it's feathers. There are no pin feathers coming in, as of yet anyway. My first question is....what can cause this, second question is how to solve it. If a solution fails I have to find a way to provide real heat for this poor bird during the winter. Which brings it's own issues. The others will be trying to vie for that warmth but economics doesn't allow for me to heat the entire coop to 60 degrees. I want to provide an area so the bird has heat, but companionship as well. This problem is what caused me to find this site. I went searching and here I am! Of course I'll be looking for my answers for myself but will happily accept information, advice and experience from the members here.

Welcome to the group!!

I have silkies and they winter well..

It sounds like your girl is moulting pretty bad or she is old and not replacing her feathers. Laying eggs is hard on a chicken and they do so much better if they stop laying during moult. Saying that, there are a few things you can do that are safe to add heat to one or two birds that do not cost a fortune and you can use a small area. It pays for itself in one year on electricity if you used to use the heat bulbs. You can go to bed at night and not worry about fires and that is worth more than money.

The brinsea. I have one and I will invest in another one soon. It is very economical and only heats the top when they touch it. It does not work as is for LF,(They can't fit under it) but it is perfect for silkies and chicks.
http://www.brinsea.com/

 

[Sclark73]

Does anyone know if you can directly give Corid via mouth and if so what the dose would be? I know its 2ml per quart of water but trying to see if it will act faster administered directly.

 

[delisha]

I usually do not give any drugs..however i recently gave corid when I came home from the picnic. The ones that looked off (sleepy and cold) I just mixed up a batch 1 tsp for 1/2 gal water and dribbled in two tiny drops in each birds mouth. With the remainder I added 1 1/2 gallons of water and put in all of my containers and treated everyone for 5 days. (correct dosage is 1/2 tsp per gallon) Two weeks later I retreated with sulfa. They all seemed good after first treatment by the third day. The re treatment was recommended by my vet on the next stool sample. I was adding electrolytes to my one waterer and I was not supposed to. I also treated my birds for the first time for worms. I think the system was compromised from the corid. However it can happen to any bird. I was supposed to retreat for worms, but my next test was clear, so I never did.

 

[Sclark73]

Thanks Delisha.

Are LF Cochins a hard breed to raise? I've had nothing but trouble with this batch I bought. Started out with 12, down to 4 atm but looking like I'll end up with 2 if they don't pull around here quick. I've only had bantam cochins and they seem to be pretty hardy.