Recent content by HollysFlock

Here are some updated photos of the wound beneath her tail. The weird yellow bit sticking is skin - I considered cutting it off as it's simply hanging there, but I figure it'll probably die and fall off which might be less traumatizing. That is provided that the puncture wound actually heals...

It took two hours to clean her up. I didn't realize how dull my scissors were until I tried to trim feathers and fluff. Good grief! I flushed with betadine/water, packed with triple antibiotic ointment, and placed gauze over the antibiotic ointment to prevent recontamination while I finished...

Thank you, dawg53! I was disheartened when I discovered the wound near her vent as well. A nice figure 8 suture would close the deepest puncture on her side easily - I might try that this evening. Do you think it would be better to leave the wounds open to air, or cover with gauze? I'm...

She also has a puncture wound below her tail, but above her vent. Given I only have two hands, I had trouble holding her and investigating that. Above: wound below tail, above vent Above: two superficial wounds on saddle Above: Deeper wound on side. Thigh muscle visible, appears intact.

Hello all, I just got home to discover that one of my australorps (~11 months) is missing nearly all of her tail feathers and has at least three wounds on her back end. I'm guessing she was attacked by some bird of prey given the spacing of the injuries. Two of the wounds involve just the...

Thank you again for your reassurance, gander007! Your words are what I often tell my students, but forget to tell myself. I found the thermometer in your pictures online and will purchase it. Any recommendations for a hygrometer?

gander007, thank you so much for your encouragement! I am so grateful for the knowledge and support of the folks here, you do an amazing job of helping us newbies. The chick with one eye finally opened the other eye for the first time today (4 days old), which is beyond crazy! I thought this...

Hello all, I set 20 eggs in an older Hova-Bator Thermal Air Flow incubator that was given to us because it's original owner no longer owns chickens. I'd like to share my experience in the hopes that someone can confirm my suspicions and provide guidance if I am incorrect. I have a mixed...

We use Agrid3 Bait Chunx in a tamper-resistant Rodent Cafe box. The Agrid3 is essentially a huge dose of vitamin D - it kills the mouse or rat, but should not harm whatever eats the mouse or rat. The bait chunx allows you to put the bait on a stick inside the tamper-resistant Rodent Cafe, so...

You know, this is an excellent idea! My current dog was from a rescue, and that's certainly how I would prefer to get any future animals. I didn't intend to get a dog in the first place, but she was cowering in the corner of the no kill shelter, simply terrified of the dogs and humans. I...

chicknshrimp, I overlooked your comment earlier. I'd love to have a guard dog someday, but for now I have an arthritic shar pei/pit mix - she may look scary, but that subsides when you realize how slowly she moves. Our next dog will be a working dog. Glad you were able to find your solution.

thomasboyle, thank you for sharing your story. I'm glad to hear that electric netting has kept your birds safe. I'm still not sure how I'll manage to put that up in my current location, but I guess I"ll have to figure something out. Having a bobcat in the area also likely explains the...

Yes, my apologies! I had absolutely no clue we had bobcats here and I was so fixated on the silly barn cat I'd accidentally caught (and just paid to neuter) that it didn't occur to me to look further into this until it came from more than one person. It seems we don't have many in my area, but...

Since you both stated cat/bobcat, I did some more research. Apparently there are bobcat where I live - I had no clue and so thought my only options of that size were fox and coyote. We do have tons of coyote, and I feel pretty sure that's at least what took my last three given their close...

Yes, I'm going to borrow some from a friend, but it'll be several days before I can arrange for that. Thank you for your help!