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Post by pbandj714 on Aug 3, 2020 18:40:29 GMT -6
She had messy butt feathers yesterday but I stupidly thought it was diarrhea since it looked brown...but it must have been dried blood. Ugh, poor girl. Awewwww. So sorry. I know with small animals they have had success pouring sugar on prolapses. Shrinks the tissue back down enough that it can go back in. But hopefully you don’t have to deal with anything like that again. Poor lady. That's good to know. Thanks.
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rugger
Amethyst
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Post by rugger on Aug 3, 2020 19:21:53 GMT -6
I finally pulled together inspiration photos and sat down to sketch out what I want my coop to look like. I reallllly wanted it in the "center" spot of the garden area so I could build a tall, 4x4 cottage style coop from plans, but S really wants a tree there and also it's where the kiddie pool sits and where we use a fire pit. So, he won on placement. Which meannns, I have to custom build one.
But I sat down and made plans and I'm pretty happy with it. Now, to convince S we should start building it...
ETA: this would be for 4 chickens. We can't have more than 5, per City ordinance, and I don't want more than four. So, yes, it's small, but it's fitting for just the 4 hens.
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milano
Emerald
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Post by milano on Aug 3, 2020 19:56:58 GMT -6
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rugger
Amethyst
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Post by rugger on Aug 3, 2020 20:02:12 GMT -6
Thanks! Now I just need to figure out where to put the roost bars. I think it's going to be a mid-build decision
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rugger
Amethyst
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Post by rugger on Aug 3, 2020 20:52:33 GMT -6
Do chickens need a window in the coop? I know they need vents (I plan to put a couple on the back side, and maybe the left/door side as well). But do they need a window?
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Post by ovenrack on Aug 3, 2020 20:54:25 GMT -6
Do chickens need a window in the coop? I know they need vents (I plan to put a couple on the back side, and maybe the left/door side as well). But do they need a window? They will do better with light, IMO, and in winter when their laying is affected by daylight hours, a window will help in the dark winter.
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rugger
Amethyst
Posts: 5,768 Likes: 14,536
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Post by rugger on Aug 3, 2020 20:56:56 GMT -6
Do chickens need a window in the coop? I know they need vents (I plan to put a couple on the back side, and maybe the left/door side as well). But do they need a window? They will do better with light, IMO, and in winter when their laying is affected by daylight hours, a window will help in the dark winter. Good info, thank you! I will plan for a window
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Post by pbandj714 on Aug 5, 2020 10:11:09 GMT -6
Okay, my neighbor's chickens have me worried. 5 of the 7 have laid eggs since the passing of one of them 2 days ago. I know they can get depressed and need to reestablish their pecking order after a death, so NBD there. But now today I went out and one is missing a bunch of feathers on her neck. Another has a really dirty-looking patch of feathers on her chest that some of the others are pecking at. And one just looks sad and tired and stood in the same spot the whole time I gathered eggs, watered, and chatted with them. Are they just going through some shit because of the loss?? Are they sick?? My gosh, I did not know feeding the neighbor's animals would be so damn stressful. HALP.
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milano
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Post by milano on Aug 5, 2020 10:48:53 GMT -6
Okay, my neighbor's chickens have me worried. 5 of the 7 have laid eggs since the passing of one of them 2 days ago. I know they can get depressed and need to reestablish their pecking order after a death, so NBD there. But now today I went out and one is missing a bunch of feathers on her neck. Another has a really dirty-looking patch of feathers on her chest that some of the others are pecking at. And one just looks sad and tired and stood in the same spot the whole time I gathered eggs, watered, and chatted with them. Are they just going through some shit because of the loss?? Are they sick?? My gosh, I did not know feeding the neighbor's animals would be so damn stressful. HALP. My chickens never seemed to go through any mourning period when one passed. Did they leave you a small cage in case you needed to separate one? Are you able to pick up the ones that are geting pecked and investigate? That is a lot of stuff all at once to be happening.
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Post by pbandj714 on Aug 5, 2020 10:53:30 GMT -6
Okay, my neighbor's chickens have me worried. 5 of the 7 have laid eggs since the passing of one of them 2 days ago. I know they can get depressed and need to reestablish their pecking order after a death, so NBD there. But now today I went out and one is missing a bunch of feathers on her neck. Another has a really dirty-looking patch of feathers on her chest that some of the others are pecking at. And one just looks sad and tired and stood in the same spot the whole time I gathered eggs, watered, and chatted with them. Are they just going through some shit because of the loss?? Are they sick?? My gosh, I did not know feeding the neighbor's animals would be so damn stressful. HALP. My chickens never seemed to go through any mourning period when one passed. Did they leave you a small cage in case you needed to separate one? Are you able to pick up the ones that are geting pecked and investigate? That is a lot of stuff all at once to be happening. They did not. The only directions they left us were to collect eggs, feed, and water. I don't think they've even responded yet to MH when he let the guy know one died. I don't really know if I've even seen them handle the chickens, usually they just herd them back to their area if one gets out. If I can climb into their fenced run, I could try to pick them up...just don't know if they'll let me.
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milano
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Post by milano on Aug 5, 2020 11:26:40 GMT -6
My chickens never seemed to go through any mourning period when one passed. Did they leave you a small cage in case you needed to separate one? Are you able to pick up the ones that are geting pecked and investigate? That is a lot of stuff all at once to be happening. They did not. The only directions they left us were to collect eggs, feed, and water. I don't think they've even responded yet to MH when he let the guy know one died. I don't really know if I've even seen them handle the chickens, usually they just herd them back to their area if one gets out. If I can climb into their fenced run, I could try to pick them up...just don't know if they'll let me. Well first of all remember that these are chickens. They are one of the least hardy animals there is and you are doing your neighbor a favor by watching them so I don't think any heroic efforts are necessary here. However, if you can grab one and look closer it would be helpful to know what they are dealing with. Maybe some kind of pest infestation? Mites or something? Do their combs all look red and healthy? The fact that the one died and several others are now acting off makes me think it could be something that is affecting all of them in some way.
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Post by pbandj714 on Aug 5, 2020 12:20:42 GMT -6
They did not. The only directions they left us were to collect eggs, feed, and water. I don't think they've even responded yet to MH when he let the guy know one died. I don't really know if I've even seen them handle the chickens, usually they just herd them back to their area if one gets out. If I can climb into their fenced run, I could try to pick them up...just don't know if they'll let me. Well first of all remember that these are chickens. They are one of the least hardy animals there is and you are doing your neighbor a favor by watching them so I don't think any heroic efforts are necessary here. However, if you can grab one and look closer it would be helpful to know what they are dealing with. Maybe some kind of pest infestation? Mites or something? Do their combs all look red and healthy? The fact that the one died and several others are now acting off makes me think it could be something that is affecting all of them in some way. I know, that part is hard for me to remember because I've only ever had dogs and cats, who I would basically die for. So this is such foreign territory. Just walked over again. All their combs are nice and red. The depressed one was out and about, chattering and drinking water. MH said maybe she didn't get any sleep like him from the neighbor's dog barking all night. LOL The one with the dirty chest looked less dirty, so maybe it was just dirt?? I have no idea. We're going to clean out the coops tonight but I'm pleasantly surprised with how they looked just now vs a few hours ago.
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milano
Emerald
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Post by milano on Aug 5, 2020 12:23:20 GMT -6
Well first of all remember that these are chickens. They are one of the least hardy animals there is and you are doing your neighbor a favor by watching them so I don't think any heroic efforts are necessary here. However, if you can grab one and look closer it would be helpful to know what they are dealing with. Maybe some kind of pest infestation? Mites or something? Do their combs all look red and healthy? The fact that the one died and several others are now acting off makes me think it could be something that is affecting all of them in some way. I know, that part is hard for me to remember because I've only ever had dogs and cats, who I would basically die for. So this is such foreign territory. Just walked over again. All their combs are nice and red. The depressed one was out and about, chattering and drinking water. MH said maybe she didn't get any sleep like him from the neighbor's dog barking all night. LOL The one with the dirty chest looked less dirty, so maybe it was just dirt?? I have no idea. We're going to clean out the coops tonight but I'm pleasantly surprised with how they looked just now vs a few hours ago. That is good! I would just keep on keeping on then.
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Post by violajack on Aug 5, 2020 19:47:29 GMT -6
This little lady now has two days worth of eggs tucked up under her. Quail aren't suppose to go broody, it's supposedly been bred out of them, but here she is. I'm intrigued and will let her keep the eggs for now to see where this goes. She's been trying to collect eggs for a while, but I've been taking them when she gets up. I've decided to let her keep them and see how long this goes. Our incubator just went into lock down, so we're about to have some babies here one way or another.
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milano
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Post by milano on Aug 5, 2020 20:36:13 GMT -6
I finally got a picture of all my ducks today! I sat out there for awhile and they all came up to hang out. The smallest black one (the one in the middle closest to me) is the one that was having seizures, she has a really weird quack and is a little different. I'm not sure what is up with her but she eats and drinks and swims and stays with the others so maybe she is just a unique little duck. Her name is Buzz Lightyear (courtesy of M). The other 3 are Woody, Rosie Posie and Aria. Woody is the biggest duck I have ever seen (he is a drake) and is too slow to get much going on with the ladies. Which is good because if he was a dick he would have been sent on his way. Anyway, they are delightful.
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Post by violajack on Aug 7, 2020 17:10:33 GMT -6
You guys! We have a quail chick! I can't believe this worked. This is so amazing. I'm in awe of nature.
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Post by violajack on Aug 8, 2020 7:10:39 GMT -6
There was still just the one chick when I woke up this morning. Then, less than 30 minutes later, N wakes up and goes to see it, and comes to tell me there are now two. Sure enough, another one is out. They're so fast. I hope I'll be able to see one hatch, but you have to be there at juuuuuuust the right time.
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tj
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Chickens!
Aug 8, 2020 17:25:46 GMT -6
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Post by tj on Aug 8, 2020 17:25:46 GMT -6
So my rooster attacked me 3 times yesterday. The first time I put my foot up and he did that karate kick thing, hit my shoe, and walked away. Second time I did give same as did he. (Followed both times by me spreading my arms and flapping and growling at him that I’m the alpha chicken and he can go to hell.)
The third time, his razor thingie on the back of his leg got caught in my shoelace and ripped off. But he still managed to slice my shin. We were both dripping blood. I feel so freaking awful, I was just trying to protect myself. He seems like he’s going to be fine, just one less razor.
The kids have taken to leaving him penned while they gather eggs and scatter scratch. Then letting him out from outside the fence. Part of me thinks this is a great compromise. Part of me thinks it isn’t fair for him. But part of me also knows that it isn’t fair for the kids or for me to get attacked or be afraid of getting attacked every single day.
Tell me what to do.
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milano
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Post by milano on Aug 8, 2020 18:01:30 GMT -6
tj if he hasn't figured it out by now, he isn't going to. Add beer can chicken to your meal plan next week and don't feel guilty.
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Post by ovenrack on Aug 8, 2020 19:26:00 GMT -6
^absolutely.
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tj
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Chickens!
Aug 8, 2020 19:35:12 GMT -6
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Post by tj on Aug 8, 2020 19:35:12 GMT -6
No one is going to shame me for essentially ripping a digit off my roosters foot?
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Speedy
Sapphire
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Post by Speedy on Aug 8, 2020 19:40:37 GMT -6
No one is going to shame me for essentially ripping a digit off my roosters foot? Nope. He deserved it
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milano
Emerald
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Post by milano on Aug 8, 2020 20:36:54 GMT -6
No one is going to shame me for essentially ripping a digit off my roosters foot? Did you do it on purpose while laughing maniacally? Then nope!
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Post by violajack on Aug 9, 2020 6:44:07 GMT -6
tj, sorry about your rooster. Don't feel bad about the injury though, he decided to take on a much bigger rooster (you, repeatedly) and suffered an injury, not your fault. On a slightly happier, but not quite, note: I have three quail chicks in the brooder, and two more trying to hatch. I've had to start helping as they're trying to come out the wrong part of the egg and are a day late now. 5 chicks would be nice, and they're all so cute, but it's a lousy hatch rate. I think I know what went wrong through and I can do better next time.
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Post by ovenrack on Aug 9, 2020 16:32:25 GMT -6
Teej, unless you're raising them in the house while (cloth!) diapered, chickens are NOT the same as pets. I'm sorry, but they're not.
They can be assholes and unless you're an ethical vegetarian, I think letting him have a nice long life until now is enough. Also, if you had another animal in your life who repeatedly attacked you and made you bleed, what would you do? How about a squirrel?
You're justified.
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milano
Emerald
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Post by milano on Aug 9, 2020 18:34:44 GMT -6
Teej, unless you're raising them in the house while (cloth!) diapered, chickens are NOT the same as pets. I'm sorry, but they're not. They can be assholes and unless you're an ethical vegetarian, I think letting him have a nice long life until now is enough. Also, if you had another animal in your life who repeatedly attacked you and made you bleed, what would you do? How about a squirrel? You're justified. Yeah pretend the rooster is a dog. And just because it's smaller doesn't mean it can't do serious damage. Especially to your kids because they are lower to the ground. M got spurred just above her eye and it was so damn close to her eyeball. I already told you what happened to that rooster.... but it scared the shit out of me.
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Post by niko8083 on Aug 17, 2020 8:05:42 GMT -6
Elsa says good morning!
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tj
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Chickens!
Aug 17, 2020 8:19:11 GMT -6
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Post by tj on Aug 17, 2020 8:19:11 GMT -6
Well. We have a bully. One of our black stars is picking on the Americaunas. Mostly on Cindy Lou, who has almost zero tail feathers left.
We cull the bully right? Bc if we cull Cindy Lou, the bully will just pick on someone else right?
Ugh.
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Post by ovenrack on Aug 17, 2020 8:21:53 GMT -6
I stick my bullies in a dog crate within the run for a few days. With water and food.
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Post by ovenrack on Aug 17, 2020 8:23:20 GMT -6
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