Recent content by smudge

I don't have a picture. I'll try to get one later. She came to me with a mighty mite problem, and I've gotten rid of the worst of that problem (which is good, because I ran out of benedryl for myself). And I think feather lice as well. At least, I suspect those masses I've been pulling off...

I thought the preening gland was supposed to exude clear oil. I've received a problem girl whose gland looked a bit dirty. I cleaned it up and massaged it and orange gunk came out. Is that concentrated preening gland oil, or does she have an infection? BTW, I've observed this girl preen but...

It happens. My daughter's all-time-favorite hen died suddenly at age 4. I recall giving the girl a once over, commenting to her how nice her comb color was and how soft her feet were, and how much healthier she looked than the younger birds... and the next morning she was dead (heart attack?)...

As the owner of the paracord swallowing chick, *I'm* still amazed! The biggest danger is a blockage, I think, and some fibers "stick"/felt more than others. Keep us updated either way. <3

Have you tried networking with anyone in the Long Island Chickenkeepers Facebook group? This seems to be a common problem. (I'm east of you - the rules are different when you get past the end of the LIE.)

Sorry it's taken me so long to reply... Annabell seems to be doing fine, although she's a bit of a loner. I've been pairing her up with my 6 year old Buff Orpington, Lucy, who's been a bit out of sorts since her best friend died on Easter. (from...

Update: she's made it to 6 years old. She is the only one of my original 6 who is still alive!

My June hatched Light Brahma/Fayoumi cross pullet started hatching last weekend, so I suspect your full Fayoumi should be at any time. However, if your's is anything like my Fayoumi hen, she might be hiding her eggs. The first eggs from my Fayoumi hen I ever found was only because of my Light...

Annabell laid her first egg Saturday morning, just before her trip to see Santa! I told Santa she'd been a good girl. Hopefully that will help anyone who encounters a similar problem. Apparently eating paracord is not automatically fatal. Who knew?

How sad. I've been able to keep my oopsy Light Brahma roo - he's very safe with people, even toddlers.

Sorry for not updating! Annabell seems to be doing fine. She hasn't passed the paracord, but she has stopped crinkling - when I put my ear to her side she sounds normal. Of course, she's also much bigger! I'll try to take a photo later this week.

The black and white one's legs and feet are the wrong color to be an Australorp. Australorp chicks have darker legs and feet.

I'm horrible about tracking size, but I did try taking your suggestion and weighing her the past few days, and she's put on an ounce per day. She's still smaller than her hatch mates, I think.

We've decided to call her Annabell, since my daughter suggested calling her Ann the day before this happened, and the paracord was tied to a bell. (If I were really punny I suppose Anabell would be apt.) She's a Light Brahma (roo) x Fayoumi (hen). Another photo of her:

Well, she's still with us, and still curious about far too much. Her rate of food consumption has spiked up a lot in the past few days - maybe she's getting ready for a growth spurt. I've noticed a crinkling sound (kind of like a muted cellophane) from inside her in the intestinal area/...