RareAvis
In the Brooder
- Oct 18, 2016
- 62
- 8
- 28
Hi,
I've been lurking a bit and have been reading everything I can get my hands on, including the wonderfully informative posts here on this forum.
I am not under-read, this I know. I am still confused.
Sadie is about 12-13 weeks old, my first chicken.
She was given to me at about 8 weeks; she was literally headed for the stew pot.
I am now in love and invested.
I don't know how much detail to go into... should I go straight to another forum topic... emergencies {not emergent, but I think qualifies as an ongoing medical emergency} or raising baby chicks?
At core is Sadie's left claw/leg.
I've been working very closely with a vet; we've had it splinted, bandaged, on and off again. Chickens here are commodities... treating her is a rare event and my vet has been wonderful but we're making it up as we go along. She could not walk at all when I first laid eyes her; somewhat improved but not nearly enough. My hope is to one day reintegrate her into a small, much loved, ten-strong flock of layers and a rooster that a neighbor keeps; partially free range during most days; I'd get to continue to be involved and visit, should she want that; I'd also have the rare opportunity to introduce her slowly; to try to beat the odds: succeed in reintegrating her simply out of sheer willpower, putting in the hours, pure devotion; just so she can be a chicken again one day, and for the remainder of her days; live with a flock; have a family; but most importantly: I want her to be happy.
I'm committed either way: I adore her and will keep her with me if this is what she or nature chooses. She loves me and is very attached, as am I, I simply can't imagine a chicken being happy in perpetuity as an indoor pet, all alone. Yes: we spend a LOT of time outdoors. I'm trying to teach her or help her not forget how to be a chicken. We dig and worm and walk and stump and free range and scratch and sun and dustbathe. The good news: a very large property, lawn, woods, a river and meadows; most: perfect for chickens.
Right now I'm scared for her wellbeing.
She was attacked at about 6 weeks or so by a canid; had her in his mouth like she was a popsicle; many in her flock died. Her foot hung limply underneath her. I was worried about sepsis/nerve damage or necrosis so I whisked her to the vet. This, thank goodness, not an issue.
She had not been vetted. Semi-wild born.
Hybrid: frizzle/other: black with white spots: feathers look striped at individual level. Age and every detail not too reliably sourced. Still fledging out, if that's correct; looks like a mature chicken {to me} in photos. I've never met one "up close & personal."
Vet now thinks Gout may be at root of issue. Diagnosis unconfirmed. I absolutely suspect a nutrient deficiency; have from the beginning; and I have been a mother lioness in trying to address this. I am so attentive it's nuts, I just may be doing the wrong things. I've rescued animals from kittens {conditions ranging from near-starvation to prolapsed anus to worse} to senior dogs; all have thrived. Every one. I do not charge when I rehome these {youngling} critters, I do it for love. I have never had a bird in my life, even in a peripheral way: this is a huge black hole in my understanding, though I read about and keep up-to-date on the latest research into bird cognition; particularly corvid, but others; I wrote a tiny piece about chicks being aware of amounts i.e. counting, the numberline and basic math, once; my knowledge does not extend to chickens or their health or wellbeing.
I am afraid for her.
Bandage off; foot not turned in/under; but she is not putting pressure on it: PT not working: she does not appear to be getting better. Would not survive in a flock or unaccompanied.
She has a fantastic spirit. She wants to live. She wants to rock. She loves life. She hencrows, too; not every morning, most; I have theories about this, too; not central to her case...Or?
She HATES chicken feed and always has. Every kind. Backstory to this.
I have a background in nutrition but I'm a chef, not a practitioner. BS/culinary nutrition J&W. Strong science skills. I know NOTHING about chickens, alive, that is: I am trying to wrap my head around this and I need help.
I am very nerdy in a lot of ways: If there is anyone who can help me analyze this down to the nitty-gritty so I can experience my moment of, "Eureka!" and understand how to help her?
I'd be absolutely indebted.
I'm happy to provide more detailed info/photos/answer Qs: I thought I should start here, just the most basic, relevant details.
I've written somewhat more widely on her/our journey/my concerns on another online community; not chicken based; and in all candor the chicken group on that platform, tho high in members, is not very helpful; or, has not been to me.
My next wonder-if-this-is-a-good-idea-route: try fermenting feed; add brewer's yeast to her diet... maybe full-spectrum B in child's droplets?
Help, please.
Thank you,
A worried Mother Hen... committed like you wouldn't believe, trying new things everyday...concerned, aware that though I read a TON I do not know anything about Sadie's issues.
I am scared for her, and for her chance to have a life, let alone a healthy one.
Thank you again.
I've reached a point of desperation....
~RA
I've been lurking a bit and have been reading everything I can get my hands on, including the wonderfully informative posts here on this forum.
I am not under-read, this I know. I am still confused.
Sadie is about 12-13 weeks old, my first chicken.
She was given to me at about 8 weeks; she was literally headed for the stew pot.
I am now in love and invested.
I don't know how much detail to go into... should I go straight to another forum topic... emergencies {not emergent, but I think qualifies as an ongoing medical emergency} or raising baby chicks?
At core is Sadie's left claw/leg.
I've been working very closely with a vet; we've had it splinted, bandaged, on and off again. Chickens here are commodities... treating her is a rare event and my vet has been wonderful but we're making it up as we go along. She could not walk at all when I first laid eyes her; somewhat improved but not nearly enough. My hope is to one day reintegrate her into a small, much loved, ten-strong flock of layers and a rooster that a neighbor keeps; partially free range during most days; I'd get to continue to be involved and visit, should she want that; I'd also have the rare opportunity to introduce her slowly; to try to beat the odds: succeed in reintegrating her simply out of sheer willpower, putting in the hours, pure devotion; just so she can be a chicken again one day, and for the remainder of her days; live with a flock; have a family; but most importantly: I want her to be happy.
I'm committed either way: I adore her and will keep her with me if this is what she or nature chooses. She loves me and is very attached, as am I, I simply can't imagine a chicken being happy in perpetuity as an indoor pet, all alone. Yes: we spend a LOT of time outdoors. I'm trying to teach her or help her not forget how to be a chicken. We dig and worm and walk and stump and free range and scratch and sun and dustbathe. The good news: a very large property, lawn, woods, a river and meadows; most: perfect for chickens.
Right now I'm scared for her wellbeing.
She was attacked at about 6 weeks or so by a canid; had her in his mouth like she was a popsicle; many in her flock died. Her foot hung limply underneath her. I was worried about sepsis/nerve damage or necrosis so I whisked her to the vet. This, thank goodness, not an issue.
She had not been vetted. Semi-wild born.
Hybrid: frizzle/other: black with white spots: feathers look striped at individual level. Age and every detail not too reliably sourced. Still fledging out, if that's correct; looks like a mature chicken {to me} in photos. I've never met one "up close & personal."
Vet now thinks Gout may be at root of issue. Diagnosis unconfirmed. I absolutely suspect a nutrient deficiency; have from the beginning; and I have been a mother lioness in trying to address this. I am so attentive it's nuts, I just may be doing the wrong things. I've rescued animals from kittens {conditions ranging from near-starvation to prolapsed anus to worse} to senior dogs; all have thrived. Every one. I do not charge when I rehome these {youngling} critters, I do it for love. I have never had a bird in my life, even in a peripheral way: this is a huge black hole in my understanding, though I read about and keep up-to-date on the latest research into bird cognition; particularly corvid, but others; I wrote a tiny piece about chicks being aware of amounts i.e. counting, the numberline and basic math, once; my knowledge does not extend to chickens or their health or wellbeing.
I am afraid for her.
Bandage off; foot not turned in/under; but she is not putting pressure on it: PT not working: she does not appear to be getting better. Would not survive in a flock or unaccompanied.
She has a fantastic spirit. She wants to live. She wants to rock. She loves life. She hencrows, too; not every morning, most; I have theories about this, too; not central to her case...Or?
She HATES chicken feed and always has. Every kind. Backstory to this.
I have a background in nutrition but I'm a chef, not a practitioner. BS/culinary nutrition J&W. Strong science skills. I know NOTHING about chickens, alive, that is: I am trying to wrap my head around this and I need help.
I am very nerdy in a lot of ways: If there is anyone who can help me analyze this down to the nitty-gritty so I can experience my moment of, "Eureka!" and understand how to help her?
I'd be absolutely indebted.
I'm happy to provide more detailed info/photos/answer Qs: I thought I should start here, just the most basic, relevant details.
I've written somewhat more widely on her/our journey/my concerns on another online community; not chicken based; and in all candor the chicken group on that platform, tho high in members, is not very helpful; or, has not been to me.
My next wonder-if-this-is-a-good-idea-route: try fermenting feed; add brewer's yeast to her diet... maybe full-spectrum B in child's droplets?
Help, please.
Thank you,
A worried Mother Hen... committed like you wouldn't believe, trying new things everyday...concerned, aware that though I read a TON I do not know anything about Sadie's issues.
I am scared for her, and for her chance to have a life, let alone a healthy one.
Thank you again.
I've reached a point of desperation....
~RA
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