Backyard Chickens?
- Thread starter Dragonborn
- Start date
Thank you!!
Chickens are fine outside in the cold. The temp is not the problem it's the acclimating. Going from warm to cold is a shock to the system and can make them sick.
Shavings are actually better. Straw can cause bumble foot. My friend lost one of her hens to bumble foot.
Very painful and can be fatal.
WiglWerm
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Almost looks like totally different comb styles....seems from the silkie images I pulled up they can have many different styles of combs, so don't give up hope!!!
Wow they really are growing and those Silkies look so soft.
Our friend has an outdoor wood boiler like ours so he added a line out to his chicken coop to keep it heated. It's a great idea, but not many people would have them unless they live in a climate like ours.
Wow that's amazing! Around here a bucket of water would be frozen solid within an hour so you'd have to be constantly out there swapping it out without some sort of heat source.
Our friend has an outdoor wood boiler like ours so he added a line out to his chicken coop to keep it heated. It's a great idea, but not many people would have them unless they live in a climate like ours.
WiglWerm
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I have always used hay in the laying boxes and sometimes in the runs and never had any problems with bumblefoot. I heard it was caused by splinters from the roosts ect. But I did receive a grown hen from a neighbor that had it. Had to cut out the plug, bandage it and give a shot of antibiotic. Healed up nicely. Wait till you have to do your first surgery MishcasMomma! Chickens are fun!
WiglWerm
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I have a heated water bowl that saves me in the winter. If not for that they would be sucking ice cubes! LOL
It can be from splinters also from straw. Anything that can cut or bruise the foot.
Some say that is cruel and unusual punishment. The key is to catch it early and not put roost more than 18" off the ground.
WiglWerm
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As unpleasant as the procedure is for me, I am always mindful that if I do not treat them, they will suffer. When the alternative is pain, death from the infection or euthanasia, I opt for treating my birds myself.
This is my opinion. Of course the KEY is prevention.
This is my opinion. Of course the KEY is prevention.
I understand. I saw a lady get kicked off a chicken forum because she was operating on her hens. People got down right nasty to her.
I haven't had to deal with bumble foot. Learned a few lessons from my friend and now have soft surfaces and low roost everywhere.
So being heavily padded with pine shavings and a roost only about 3-4 in off the ground should be ok?
WiglWerm
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I would also recommend having a small pen that you can put sick or injured ones in to separate from the others. They have a tendency to peck each other to death if they have any injuries. Also if they get a respiratory infection (which is one of the few reasons I lost birds) they need to be separated as it spreads like wild fire. I always kept a bottle of tylan 50 and some needles available. It's an antibiotic you can get from tractor supply. It can be spread by sparrows, they do visit the pen occasionally.
Yep, should be fine. I agree on having a separate place for sick or injured birds.
how far away would they need to be to keep from spreading it?
If you don't had electric out there @MischasMomma how can you keep water for them in the winter? I was thinking so much about the heat that I forgot about the darn water! Freezing temps can be a pita, huh? ugh.
No electric in the shed :-( dang I don't think things through very well, do I? I guess a heated waterer would be electric wouldn't it lol... I'm over here like "duh, heated waterer" when the duh is really on me!
Even with horses!!
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