Finally, February 22, the chicks had arrived at Atwoods. I was so excited. Our brooder was ready for them. Arkansas required that we buy 6 chicks whereas our city, Arkadelphia, required that we max at 4. We bought the 6, but we had no idea what bread they were at the time. Eventually, we learned that we had purchased one Delaware (left) and 5 Buff Orpingtons. They were so cute and so small.
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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When I was a little girl, I had some relatives who had chickens. I love to feed them, find the eggs, and play with them. I always wanted a few chickens of my own and at age 67, I now had a chicken coop given to me by my husband for my Christmas present. I could hardly wait until March to get my chicks.
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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The chicks had their brooder, floor covering, food and water. I felt they needed some stimulating entertainment, so I bought them a toy. Don't all babies need toys? When I put their toy in their box, it was run for your lives into the corner as far as you can get from that THING.
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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The day after Ruby passed away in my hands, this little gal became listless. She didm't walk much, but sat with her feet curled up, rocking on her haunches. We started all of them on antibiotics. I discovered that if I left the area, she would try to find me so I encouraged her to walk, but the next day she was worse. I had separated her from the other chicks. I didn't know if she was contagious or if they would try to do her in.
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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Introducing Ruby, the first to get her cone. Two named, four more to go. The chickens love to play four games in their box: Keep Away, (Have something in your mouth and run around the box trying to keep it away from the other chicks. Other chicks decide to play and chase you. If another one gets whatever, chase that one.), King of the Hill (Fly to the top of feeder and be yanked off by Diva Della), Statue (See who can be the stillest the longest.) and Follow the Leader (If one does eats, drinks, plays, the others must join in as well.) Being girls, they also love diamonds. They work so hard to steal mine. March 28, 2015, We lost Ruby this morning. Don't know why. RIP, Ruby.
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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I would take out three chicks from the box everyday for visitation and for them to get a change of scenery. Diva Della had more visitations than others because she was the only different one. After I had put the second Orpington back in the box, I would not know who had been out or in of the box.
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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It's hard to take pictures and illustrate what you are doing. I gently held her up to where she stretched her toes out and then I would set her down in a standing position. For days i had to help her balance. She would wobble, flap her wings, sit down, curl her toes and try to balance herself on her haunches.
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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I knew she was not eating and drinking so I found that little coffee measures filled with food and medicated water filled the need. I would feed her every 2-3 hours during the day. I could get her to stand a little while, but not for long. I tried to exercise and massage her legs gently. I named her Goldie. I made a sling for her to sit in and stretch her legs as well. The next day she would not stand at all. Had I exercised her too much? Was it the illness? I did not know, but I slacked off on the exercises.
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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Then something special happened on April 4. I decided to get her a little piece of bread. The sight of the twist tie excited her so that I was afraid I would drop her, so I put her down. She grabbed the twist tie and RAN! She was playing the Keep Away from my Worm" game. She played with it and flicked it off the table. Thankfully, she didn't try to get it. She is not up to par with her sisters yet, but she is definitely progressing.
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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After she ate and exercised, she would rest on my chest. Then she started improving. She was standing longer. frequently standing with one foot on top of the other. I started having visitations with her sisters. She did fine so I left her there for them to inspire movement. She tried to walk to me taking only a couple of steps, but she kept stepping on her own feet. I practiced walking her. The next day she took 5-7 steps several times to reach me and try to get on me. She was much improved.
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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The chicks took a few days vacation in Texas while we were looking for a house to move too. They rode in their box with water and food. They were very well behaved clucking and chirping very softly. When we came back, I needed to take Diva Della's weekly picture. I picked her up, she flapped her wings and crawled to my shoulder. I tried to get her, but she moved to my back. I ended up going into the house to get my husband's help to get Diva Della off my back. I have decided maybe she is a little too big and active for little visitations and in-house photo opts. We have had a few warm days so I have taken all of them out to the Run to play and do what chickens do. They LOVED it!
- Cajunfilly
- Apr 6, 2015
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