Recent content by dawnjerrene

I really don't want to put this month old chick down. I stink at killing birds. She got stuck between a tree and the fence outside (they just went out day before yesterday to live in the coop). She was fine, just cold, so I brought her into the house to warm up, set her on the stairs next to my...

7 out of 9 chicks died in that batch. The 2 which lived are big and strong. I'm guessing it was an issue with the hatchery. No other chicks had any issues. Odd, isn't it? OTOH, we lost a hen to a prolapsed oviduct today. Never had that happen before.

Four chicks are now dead. The rest seem to be okay, but my kid is a wreck. We've had birds for more than ten years, and we've never lost a chick until this. I'm a bit of a nut about sanitation, but it has always worked, until this! 7 of these chicks are for my oldest girl. She has no place for a...

I bought 9 Blk Australorps last night. As of an hour ago, two are dead, and two are in a separate brooder under their own light, splay legged and weak. Been giving electrolyte/sugar water. They're not acting interested in food. What do I try next?!

TY for reminding me I had electrolyte powder stashed away. I'd completely forgotten. Our little one didn't make it through the night, but we are administering electro-fluids to two others who are also acting wonky. They're snuggled down in my 13 year olds lap, warm and cozy. Haven't gotten food...

After reading all these posts I am amazed, at your awesome hen, but also at your tremendous heart. I'm curious, however, as to why no one has suggested comfrey for use on the exposed shoulder wound. Comfrey is well-known for its rapid healing effect, and has been proven to help rebuild not only...

I am surprised nobody has mentioned Buff Orpingtons. Did I miss that comment? Buff Orps are great pets, and pretty good egg layers as well. My little girls have had a number of them over the years, all named Sunshine and Daisy. Friendly and docile would be my description of them. For my part...

Just got 14 more chix today. One is acting odd, rolling its head down toward its chest, falling over. The rest all seem fine. Any ideas on what or why it's doing this? I'm scared to pur it in with the others. Help?

I'm betting she meant 'location'. Chickens may have breasts, but they never lactate. I'll be giggling for awhile over this one.....

This happened at bedtime, when my 8 year old daughter was helping put them into their pen. The bird fluttered out of her hands, and landed badly. It has its leg pulled up against its body, and can't/won't put any weight on it, at all. It won't even extend the leg.

I am pretty sure our little Buff Orpington pullet has a broken right leg. I put a popsicle stick splint on it (not very well, I'm afraid). She is not able to put any weight on it. Will it heal? We've never had a bird break a leg before. I'm in dire need of some advice. I really don't want to...

This is a side-view of the same bird. Do male EEs grow wattles at all?

Is it possible there is anyone still watching this thread? I am looking for a 2nd opinion on whether or not one of our pullets is, instead, a cockerel. I don't know if EEs routinely grow a larger comb or wattles, so I am seriously confused. As you can see, there isn't any comb or wattle growth...

Thank you. That's what I was afraid of. My neighbors will be simply overjoyed (not). Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I appreciate it.

Is it unusual for a hen to go broody during the summer? We have a Buff Orpington who is over the moon happy, sitting on a clutch of eggs in the shed. We've never had fertile eggs before this, and probably won't again. The neighbors hate our rooster. :( I've heard you can douse them in a tub of...