Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[Cindlady]

Hi All!

Not going to respond to stuff, too tired.

Went to the Ren fair this afternoon. I was going to go alone, but Young Son thought his dad should go too. He said he talked to him about. YS said he'd get an extra ticket. OK if he's going , then maybe Neil (OS) would like to go. DH could push the wheelchair. OK, DH had to work until 2:00, should be home by 2:30. (I had planed on leaving myself, at 2:00 but now had to wait.) DH gets home at 2:45, decides van needed cleaning out to get everyone and everything in. Well, it need need cleaning, YS had been "scraping" with a friend and it had junk and trash in it. If everyone wasn't going I could have taken the car because it would have been just me and the walker. 3:15 we finally loaded up OS, his wheelchair, my walker, DH and me. DH drove

DH decides to take the "back way" as opposed to along the "I" ..... we got lost. What should have taken less than 30 min., turned into about 45.So it was almost 4:00 when we got to the gate. We did get lucky being so late though, nobody was at the both for the pay lot!

DH dropped Neil and I off and parked. We got our "will call tickets" and went to find the shop where YS works. They added and moved so much since I had been there last, I got lost. But we found it. They were real busy! YS tried to get DH and OS to watch a show next door but they didn't want to. I went to look around a little, came back and OS was at a shop next door and DH was on a bench near the shop.Even though they were busy, his boss kicked YS out to be with family for a little bit. We all caught the last show of "Barely Balanced" and DH laughed along! Good to see! I went to go look at some stuff and they headed back toward the shop. I caught up with them and it was close to closing and DH wanted to leave. Started head to the gate and I had to stop and sit a few times, they didn't wait for me!

So when I got to the gate I sat and waited, and waited. Finally I headed out and there was DH ready to call me

I was getting dark soon and we have a headlight out on the van so DH was paranoid about getting stopped. Went to stop at Burger King in Paddock Lake and the van over heated. DH forgot his insulin kit and was getting "on the edge"

yep time to hide! We did make it home OK, but next time I GO ALONE!

Oh,when I went to do night chores I found a dead pullet. This one showed no sign of illness yesterday

Night ALL!

PS.... my phone is sitting in rice.... It got soda soaked!

 

[Huntress78]

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.

Just wanted to say welcome! I'm from Crivitz too....in a town this small I guess that makes us neighbors.
Like others said your frizzle could be molting but I've read that some frizzles just have poor feather quality. When two frizzles are bred the resulting chick(s) could have brittle feathers or sometimes none at all. I'd keep an eye on her and if the feathers don't come back you will surly have to supplement heat....or keep her in the house. I have a frizzle that I'll be trying to keep warm this winter also....I might be looking into that Sweeter Heater.

 

[anastasia94]

What kind of duck is she? If you get the predator figured out I have call drakes, my mom has a bunch of different kinds and I know someone getting rid of khaki campbell drakes.

BlackBrook,
She is a Cayuga, but i would like to stick with pure Cayugas. I like their size and temperament. Thanks for the offer.

Ana

 

[babylady4]

First day of school!

Cannot wait to sent the cherubs off!

And then, off to school for myself.

Now if I could only kick them out of the bathroom long enough so I can get a shower......

 

[Terri O]

Good cool morning! I actually am wearing my slippers today. Got the laundry in, the dishes started (half done) and the lamb thawing for lamb stew tonight...I had a dream that I put barley in it (YUM) and I woke up so hungry...unfortunately the barley is a no go for me now but it sure was good in my dream! LOL.
Havent been outside yet so I cant give the "chicken report." The featherless ones inside are actually starting to get pin feathers on them! No one ever answered (that I saw) about those blue bred to blue Ameraucana chicks that didnt get any feathers. I posted a pic of them...they look like a plucked parrot with only head and flights. Ugliest thing ever. When I got the babies from Jim long ago his were all feathered nicely. The other birds from those parents are also nice. I wonder what pair made these two? Maybe the Colonel would be interested?

I've had chickens with huge wounds caused by ??? I think the other chickens and thought they would never make it. I sprayed blue kote on the gaping wound and it healed perfect. The wound was not bleeding though.
I think if it is bad enough it should be stitched if the alternative would mean culling or increased risk of contamination. Let's face it... no matter how clean you keep a coop or hospital pen chickens don't listen when you tell them to not pick at their wounds !!! lol

Another thing they are saying, at least for horses is to not flush an open wound with hydrogen peroxide. I can understand that but it is always still tempting to use it.

I have known about that peroxide thing for a while. We always used it when we were kids. My Mom said the bubbles were the infection being cleared out. We always put it on regular skin too and it bubbled like crazy...we thought our whole bodies were infected! I guess it eats healing and healthy tissue also and that is why they dont want you to use it any more.
I havent had to stitch a chicken but have stitched a dog. With the chickens I just flush as well as I can and cover if possible and let it heal from the inside out. Their skin always seems too fragile (or missing) to cover the wound.
I had one attacked years ago that I could hear the wind going in and out of her lungs through a large hole in her back--didnt flush that one! I put a hen saddle on her and it healed to her back closing the wound, Eventually she got it off and I couldnt tell that she was even hurt! Yes, they are miracle healers for sure!

First day of school!

Cannot wait to sent the cherubs off!

And then, off to school for myself.

Now if I could only kick them out of the bathroom long enough so I can get a shower......

Ah...the first day of school...I remember those days. Always seems cool on the first day...it should be 80-90 next week! I kinda miss taking first day pics....I wonder if BigFam is jumping off of her porch doing acrobatics this morning?
Have a good one! TerriO

 

[Hens and Roos]

Morning

it is so quiet in the house this am, kids are back to school.....it will take me a while to get back into a routine without my helpers!

Terry O- have you tried posting on the breed thread about the chicks and see if anyone can help you out

Waiting for a friend of ours to come pick up their 2 dogs we watched over the weekend and trying to get the house picked up.

Made our last batch of pickled beets yesterday afternoon- ended up with 11 qts.

 

[Angiebubs]

DD14 off for the first day of school!!! I am home sick today....also trying to get this chicken sickness figured out. Called vet 45 mins from here and plan on taking Latte in for a necropsy. First I need to find someone local to draw blood, so I can take a sample in for testing to see exactly I am battling here. And of course-vet that was useless locally cant draw blood, the 1st pollurum tester I called, doesnt have supplies for drawing blood, the main contact for polk county 4h that would have a list of people-her phone is disconnected!!

Still trying to find someone that can draw blood. The Barron vet that is part of the state lab testing, doesnt want a sick chicken coming onto the grounds and leaving again....understandably-so still searching here-wish me luck. I just want to know what I am dealing with, if this means a future closed flock only, if this is even treatable etc.

 

[cuties]

Morning all! Vaca is over. I am sad to be back at work!
I am sorry for everyone having issues with sick babies :-( I haven't any advice to offer. As I am still learning. Quack sneezed a little the other day. I started cold medicine right away. I feel bad, as I was going to allow all ducks to begin free range soon. But now they will have to wait. I treated them all. They were together, so I figure better safe then sorry!
First day back. Scott says syd was very brave. And blake says he will be a good boy lol syd has really been growing up. While I've been vaca, I was up by 7am at the latest every day. There was a couple days she was up before me. She had all chores started! I told her she is really working her way toeard a horse! She turned 7 yesterday ♡

big bday party this sat. And blakes 4 next Friday! They sure are growing!!!!

Jim, how are the birds? I remember reading of some troubles :-( poor guinea hen. All that worl for nothing.still have pea chicks? I have a friend keeping her eyes out for one. But she is all the way I mauston by my sis.



Did I mention how bad it sucks after vaca?!

 

[Sclark73]

Well sadly I was correct, both cochins dead this am. Now daughters D'uccle has bubbly eye and in quarantine with Ms.Peepers as something got ahold of her and tore a piece of skin about 3" under her one wing. They've been doing so good after the problems I had this spring I thought my troubles were over. Seems so hard to ever think positive.

 

[Bigfamily4me]

You know for all Jim's complaining no one reads his posts, I read them. I also notice when he doesn't post. I also notice when he's trying to be like Frebchie and take up the entire page. Those ones crack me up!

No jumping off the steps this years. I'm drinking instead. Orange juice and coconut rum. Now I'm i'm tired and want nap .