My Ivy.. Latest Relapse...She's Gone

Cyn!! Such GREAT news!!! I know I haven't been around much lately, but when I opened up my email this evening and saw an update, I was just soooo thrilled!! Yaaay Ivy! And Yaaay to you too Cyn!! I'm with Chicago1...I feel like I know your girls from all of your posts. Which is why I'm just so happy to hear that Ivy has turned the corner and is making headway to a full recovery. I'll still keep my fingers crossed for her until I hear from you that she's laying again. That to me would indicate a full recovery.

Fern is looking great too! She really has grown since the last pictures. Gotta love these Barred Rocks! Such a chicken-y looking chicken!

Thanks for posting an update Cyn. If this didn't pull me out of my funk, nothing would!

Hey, Serrin, Happy Thanksgiving! I realized you have not been around in awhile. Hope this did lift your mood! I lost another girl during her molt yesterday, but it cheered me up a bit, seeing Ivy looking more like her normal self again. She's a fighter, that one!

Hi Cyn! to you and Ivy! I'm glad to see this thread and update today. Paris has been doing well, but didn't look exactly right to me yesterday. She was eating, but not quite as normal as I'd like. Several things were *off*. Then, she roosted in the nest box last night. I was thinking I wouldn't put her through another course of antibiotics, but seeing your thread makes me think maybe one more time...

It is so hard to know when to continue and when to let nature take its course. You are so in tune with Paris that you see things before someone else would. That's the way I am with my girls. Even DH, who is quite the chicken whisperer, doesn't always catch the cues when I do. Ivy is doing great right now and it really floored me when I realized that she was really recovering again. Will let you know when and if she begins laying again. That is the real test, I'd say.

May Ivy live long!

Yes, I have been waiting to see Paris lay again, but she hadn't done that yet. Still, everything else was great. Full crop, normal poop, tail up, scratching and free-ranging. Yesterday, things started to change again. I'm catching it earlier and earlier, but dread putting us both through it again.

That's probably one of the most difficult things about keeping chickens...or any other pet for that matter...when is it time to say enough is enough, and let them go?.... It's about the only thing I ever dread about keeping any animals. But, I'd far rather face those few times and the grief that comes with it, than to never know any of them at all. Life without animals in it is NO life for me!

Cyn, I'll try to come around a bit more...I've been missing you and stories of your girls big time! Things have just been ridiculous around here. And ever since the attacks from that rotten neighborhood mutt, I've not been letting the girls out as much. And when I do, I feel like I need to stand watch over them. Thankfully, what with winter settling in pretty good now, they're not all that inclined to be out and about anyway. It's real easy to get them all back in with the enticement of just a handful of lettuce leaves! If it's green, they come a running! .

Let me know, won't you please, if Ivy or Fern is in the mood to produce some chicks next spring. I'd really love to add a few of your birds to my flock if that is at all possible. And of course, I'd be delighted to pay you for them and the efforts to get them here. I can't think of a single soul whose birds I'd want more to add to my flock. And, since we've lost two in recent months, and probably more through attrition before spring arrives, I'm sure there will be more than enough room for new additions.

OK, time to get back to work on the house.....someday...or lordy!! someday, this blasted house will be DONE

Cyn I am so glad she is doing well sadly I have a hen that I am afraid is in the same situation as your girls she is not a hatchery girl but a 2year old Black Copper Marans hopefully she will make a miracle recovery like Ivy. I am just giving her food and water and keeping her comfortable. She has gone from probably about 6 pounds down to 3 or 4 pounds in about two months. She isn't laying but it really doesn't look good. I hope this is Ivy's last problems and I hope she gives you some more beautiful beautiful daughters! Fern is very nice looking.

Henry

Henry, so sorry to hear about your hen. Seems that is the age when they can start laying internally or develop ovarian infections. If she was mine, I'd separate her out to a warm place and give her penicillin injections for 3 days, which is what we did both times that Ivy was ill with reproductive stuff. Then give her warm, high protein food. Hope she makes it!

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Thanks all do that when I get home right now I am away but hopefully she will make it. Its so sad she went from being the prettiest and biggest hen I own to the smallest and she lost her spot in the pecking order when the new Black Ameraucana began their coup.