[kooringa]

When the weather is so cold, it is advisable to cover the chickens comb and wattles with Vaseline every day to stop them getting frost bite, the comb going black and falling off.

Has anyone had experience of this I wondered?

[kooringa]

I have looked it up on the Omlet Forum and most seem to think that it is a good idea.

My chooks combs did feel a bit 'crunchy' when I did it, so I am going to continue to be on the safe side.

I don't fancy them turning black and falling off!

It is a bit of a palavar though, with a squirming chicken in one arm and a tub of vaseline balancing on the top of their run, and only one free hand!  All at 7am in the morning if freezing frost!

They are worth it though.  An hour later I went out there and they had laid 2 large eggs for me.

 

[John]

.... All at 7am in the morning if freezing frost!

They are worth it though.  An hour later I went out there and they had laid 2 large eggs for me.

 

I think you'd need to give me a bit more than 2 eggs to get out in the frost at 7am.!   I reckon you spoil 'em.

[kooringa]

Is that a bit of the green eyed monster talking?  You'd be spoilt if you laid eggs and ate leftovers I am sure! [/code]

[kooringa]

I forgot to mention - I created and planted up a flower bed in front of their pen so that they had something nice to look at!  Ungratefull little hussies started to peck at the clematis through the chicken wire. :shock:

[John]

I bet you read them a bedside story as well!

[kooringa]

No just sing them a lullaby - joke!

When are you getting our hen house?

[John]

I was looking to start around April time - My sister is giving me her ark and I think she will have her new super house built by then.(I hope)

If not, I have plans to build one from Katie Thear

I must admit to hoping the bird flu thing will have resolved by then , some of the other plotholders are concerned. John's biowar lab.

[kooringa]

Coo you are going to be so busy, be sure to keep us updated on your diary page won't you.

All seems to be quiet on the flu thing, I keep reading DEFRA guidelines and looking up the forum sites.

So which will come first, the green house or the chicken house?

[John]

Well not much of anything is happening at the moment due to the weather!

I think the greenhouse will be first as I need it earlier. I can't really hassle my sister (come on, give it to me!) but I can ask

And, yes, I'm keeping up with the diary,- in fact I'll be putting an entry up in a few minutes.

[kooringa]

I am off to read it - hope you literally meant a minute!

[John]

I'm sorry - it took longer as dinner was served.

[kooringa]

By you?

I read it, I had no idea I was chatting to a VIP

[John]

Val's pasta last night - yummy.

The NVS thingy is very interesting. Although I'm not into show growing, there are tips for ordinary growers. I think there should be a show section for organically grown - although I suppose it would be impossible to check.

The show growers could probably teach NASA a thing or two. I've never been in a greenhouse with underfloor heating before. Banks of lights to simulate 14 hours daylight.  Special racking to support the leaves and so forth.

I may pop a web site up for us (the national's site could be improved, IMHO)

Watch this space!

[Laverne88]

(wonders if there's a market for little half-moon shaped felt hats!)

(eat yer heart out Alan Sugar!)