charly1979 Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 We have a covering of snow but this is the first snow for my Pekins, is there anything I need to be doing (other than keeping water defrosted etc) I'm a bit worried about Clarabel as she has little ground clearance. We don't have a WIR I'm hoping she will shelter under the cube or trampoline ?? Will be fun to see my 4 newbies reaction to snow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I wouldn't worry about them; I just keep mine in the run when it snows as they're not keen on going out in it. They are fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charly1979 Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 All 7 refuse to come out will have to put food in the cube pampered little feathery tikes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Hi, my bantams didn't even want to come out of the cube this morning, but the run seemed dark with all the snow on the roof. If they are FR the only thing I would check that their feathery feet haven't iced up, you can dunk them in some warm water, if mine have had muddy feet before I just pat them dry with paper roll, just dry them enough so they don't go to bed with wet/icy feet. Hopefully they will be sensible and shelter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 My pampered pekins are fine in their run on the wood chip! Well now that the're used to it (we did have strops to begin with!) Dry feet and fluffy knickers!!! I would say a covered run for really bad weather would be very useful especially for Annie and Clarabel!!! Mine are stir crazy to get out of their run though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Mine's staying put in the WIR. Mind you, she's like that in rain too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tannerta Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 One of my Pekings is so small I have been concerned about the cold, rather than the snow. I discovered the fine snow can get in through little cracks in the house, that I was unaware of until the snow came. Once they have retired for the night I scoop them up and pop them in a nice warm box in the shed. Here they can generate heat for each other and they appear not to mind. I have two hens, one of which is way below size, although she eats like a Ganet. She protects the food dish like a bird of prey (when I write this it occurs to me I could change the shape and size of the feeding dish, then they could have an end each), by spreading her wings around so that her companion cannot get at it, yet she is very undersized (the other one is a good size and good example of her breed). The problem one has a very pale comb. She also has scaley leg, that is not responding to treatment. She is very scruffy, poor feather growth. She did lay eggs back in the summer. Can anyone tell me how I can get her weight up and improve her appearance. I have considered separating them in case she has an infection, but I know chickens need company. I am wondering if she could have worms, given her appetite and poor appearance. She is also very thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charly1979 Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Im by no way an expert but would definately give your girls a worming treatment, flubenvet is the best I have used, you can either buy the pre treated pellets or the powder if you use the powder I found it best to mix it into the pellets with some olive oil or cod liver oil. Also when any of my girls look a bit under the weather I add a tonic to their water I have various ones I mix between Lifeguard and Apple Cider Vinegar. I did have a big problem with scaly legs last year I bought a spray for them but that didnt seem to work that well, there are loads of differnt ways to treat it and after speaking to my vet I would every 3-4 days bathe their legs in warm water and smidge of hebiscrub, I use an old soft toothbrush to give them a good clean then dry them and once dry a huge dollop of vaseline on their feet. After a while it improved and my girls seemed to finally enjoy their treatment. Not sure though if thats a 'spring time' treatment due to the weather we are having now . Luckily my 2 Pekins have climatised to the snow and have been happily scratching through it today not sure they will be so brave tomorrow if we get more of the white stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tannerta Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Thank you for your advice, Charly1979. I am giving them tonic, more frequently for madam skinny. I will get on with the worming and continue with Scaly Leg spray until spring, then will try the vaseline treatment. I have scrubbed her feet way back, she improved and then the problem returned. She enjoys being handled, so it is no problem treating her. I do wonder if I should trim her feathery feet and, if I do, will those feathers regrow. Worming may be difficult, because they definitely don't like the pellets, and are quite fussy eaters. I believe I can put a liquid form on bread, which I don't give very much, but which they do seem to enjoy. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charly1979 Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 No probs Not sure about the feather triming Annie and Clarabel are my 1st Pekins Mine can be fussy but if you just give them the feed and only the feed they soon give in and eat it (well at least mine did) I did find they prefered it mixed with the olive oil but when given the medicated pellets they had no choice I didnt give any treats until treatment was finished but I do understand how stubbirn our girls can be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Hi Tannerta I have a weaker chicken and I now split food into several containers so she can get at one perhaps you could do that also I was told to dip whole leg in vegetable oil to cure scaly leg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
