Monday, October 11, 2010

Backache, Molting Chicken and Coop Plans

Morgan's downstairs bed is all washed and clean. And it even smells good thanks to fabric softener.

I was all dressed up in my work duds ready for work, and then my plans for working in the chicken coop came to an end when Kristine asked me to look at something on the computer screen. I leaned over to take a good look and yikes...

I can carry heavy loads of wood and other stuff around outside, but I have an achilles heel. I have done this to my back a few times. All I have to do is bend over a certain way and it's like I lost strength in moving and it hurts and puts me out of commission for a few days. I haven't had this happen for a long time.

My theory about how to handle back pain is... if it hurts don't move. So, I'm moving as little as possible.

I'm drinking tea, eating cookies and not making dinner. I did make the chickens some more cabbage treats.

That poor Light Brahma looks so bad. At least the feathers are starting to grow in on her neck. Morgan is out watching the chickens and wearing a prong collar with the prongs sticking out to help protect her neck from a coyote attack.

 Couldn't go out to work on the chicken coop, so I watched some YouTube videos. Some of the stuff I already knew, but I learned about chicken fowl pox and...

I think I will try adding more leaves and wood chips to the coop pen instead of more dirt. That is... as soon as I can get around. I guess I should look at this whole back pain thing as a good thing because I have come by some helpful info via the video I wouldn't have seen if I wasn't hurting. Sigh...

I've been trying to decide if I should cover part of the chicken pen with a tarp this year.  I do have a lot of straw around for the chickens to burrow in and keep warm.


There are 8 parts to this video.

I think it is interesting
to see how other people keep their chickens and care for them.

Morgan still likes to run through the chickens
and stir them up.
(October 11, 2009)

[1 egg today]

~:>
Smiles

11 comments:

Melodie said...

Bad backs are no fun! I hope yours is better soon! One of my turkey hens is molting right now...terrible looking..!

JoyceAnn said...

Hi Callie ~ Hope your back is better soon and you're able to get the work done on your chicken coop. The chickens look happy with their treat.


~ Peaceful Blessings ~

LindaG said...

Ouch! I did something like that one time to my back. It was pinched disc or something like that, the doctor said. It was after I'd had my third boy and all I did was get up from the couch and WHAM. OUCH for several days.
Maybe a hot shower would help?

Thanks for the link. I would never have thought to look on youtube for chicken information. And I agree, it is interesting to see how other people raise chickens. That's why I read so many blogs! :)

LindaG said...

P.S. Hope you feel better soon!

Verde Farm said...

So sorry about your back! Hope you are better soon. Nothing worse than a back ache.
Question for you: Do you ever use heat lamps in the winter to keep them warm? How cold do you think is too cold for no heat source?
Thank you :)
Amy

V.L. Locey said...

Hope you`re feeling better soon!

Inger said...

I'm sorry to hear you got hurt. You work so hard all the time that I hope you can enjoy a rest. I hope you will get better soon.--Inger

Lorilee said...

I'm sorry to hear about your back! I hope it gets better soon. Youtube is amazing. You can find just about anything on it!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Anonymous said...

So sorry your back is hurting. There seems to be a lot of half naked chickens from molting.

Teres

Kent Island Red said...

Hi Callie,
My husband's back goes out about twice a year and theres not a darn thing he can do about it but rest, rest & more rest. After about 3-4 days, he's back to normal. Go figure.

Don't they just look pathetic when they're molting? My white leghorn is molting like crazy now, and seeing all that pink skin underneath is just so creepy, isn't it? I'll be glad when it all comes back in!

diane b said...

Sorry not to have been visiting but I have been away for a few days. Sorry to hear about your back, I sympathise with you as I have a sore back too.