Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Probably an Xray is the only way to know for certain. Sweet baby...

I know. Poor baby. I may call and ask a vet if it’s worth bringing her in, at least to find out.

 

[TOMTE]

Yes, and Bridge is almost nine. I don’t know if I want to risk anesthesia. I might bring her in for an opinion, though. She also has what seems to be a cyst just above her crop.

Wow, so she's no spring chicken! I hope at the very least she can be made comfortable.

 

[Ponypoor]

I have been reading a BYC thread on how cold is too cold. It is an old, old thread but has lots of contributions from people in places where they have below 0°F for days on end and don’t use heat.
I am feeling a bit braver.
I am going to try the umbrellas and put the oil-filled radiator in the broody jail so I am ready but I am going to observe behavior before turning on extra heat.
Once again Piglet moved away from the heat panel in the middle of the night as did Pooh shortly after dark. Calypso (who has the least feathers) stayed by the panels as did Tassels who has enough fluff to keep everyone warm if she chose!
An addition to the plan is to wrap the metal bracket that Sylvie is using - I thought I would use that rug underlay that grips. I cannot believe sitting on bare metal in those temperatures is sensible! And I will close the pop door so they are confined inside the house. Normally I leave it open so they can go out into their run whenever they choose.

Current situation. Piglet has moved far from the panels. Pooh and Sylvie are way over on the other side with Sylvie on the bracket which is bare metal. Only the two black chickens are staying by the panels.
On this pic you can see the overhang of the brooder/hospital box which is where I can set up a daytime warming station. Will be cozy under there with a small oil-filled radiator (I have several and can lend the Princesses the one that I use under my desk to keep my toes toasty).
View attachment 4028204

They should be fine, just keep an eye on them for huddling and not scratching around and eating/drinking. Those or signs of cold stress.

The ones I worry about are Mr and Mrs LC, Clyde and old Red. The others are feathered well, but those 4 are vulnerable to cold stress. Red hangs out under the heater as does Mrs, but Clyde and Mr are out with the main gang so they are on their own.

 

[featherhead007]

Not so.


https://www.communitychickens.com/the-mediterranean-breeds/

The white faced Spanish is the oldest of the Mediterranean breeds, predating 1600. The Penedesencas and the Empordanesas lay brown eggs ("almost black in young pullets").

Also, breeds like the Scots Dumpy have been around for almost 1000 (yes, that's one THOUSAND) years. They have a straight comb (floppy in hens) and aren't Mediterranean body type.

https://chickenandchicksinfo.com/scots-dumpy-chicken-breed-info/

Same with Dorkings. They're another ancient breed, brought to Britain by Julius Ceasar. Also have floppy combs in hens and do NOT have a Mediterranean body type, despite their Roman origins.

https://globalcrystalpoultry.com/product/dorkings-chicken/

https://livestockconservancy.org/dorking-chicken/

Leghorns are relatively new in comparison. From the Tuscany region of Italy, derived from light breeds. Unless Italy has records predating this, nothing is really known about them before early 1800s, when they were first exported.

 

[SimpleJenn]

What other breeds could possibly have a massive Mediterranean comb other than Mediterraneans? Princess has to be a mix cuz Sussex don't sport floppies. The Med's do.

English Sussex hens CAN have floppy combs

 

[featherhead007]

Yep. I used towels attached with ball bungees and do wash them periodically. I do it for anti-slip, but I supposed it’s also a little cozier on bare feet. However, we don’t approach the how cold is too cold temperatures here. We get frost sometimes, but frozen waterers is never a concern here. It would never happen.

Never say never Michelle!

 

[featherhead007]

English Sussex hens CAN have floppy combs
View attachment 4028252

Now that’s a suspect!

 

[SimpleJenn]

Hoping to get eggs from the boys I rehomed last summer. Especially trickster and lil blue

 

[featherhead007]

Hoping to get eggs from the boys I rehomed last summer. Especially trickster and lil blue
View attachment 4028254
View attachment 4028255

Should I say it?… yes I’ll say it.
If you are waiting for those “boys”
To give you eggs, you will be waiting a long time!

 

[SimpleJenn]

Should I say it?… yes I’ll say it.
If you are waiting for those “boys”
To give you eggs, you will be waiting a long time!

Hey now
They have wives to provide eggs
Should have expected you to sass about it