I think you would be better off just figuring out how to encourage the presence of wild birds and bats to combat insects. In my opinion, chickens need the supervision of on-site humans, a guardian dog AND a rooster to combat predators in many rural and semi-wilderness settings.
My sheltie similarly is great with the chickens once they are bigger than chick stage (where he does want to play with them and needs to be discouraged).
He and the rooster scan the skies very effectively for predators and the sheltie can spot an eagle, hawk or falcon at a phenomenal distance...
I just noticed that under at least two of my hens' aprons, there is a loss of feathers and also in one case down under their aprons. Tried to find info on this with a forum search and can't seem to find this exact problem.
This seems to defeat the purpose of the apron, if it is rubbing off the...
She has a new name, Songbird, because she is almost always happily singing.
Yesterday I took off her plastic splint and the tendon had rolled off the correct spot, so I manipulated the tendon back into place and added just a (too-tight, as it turned out) vet wrap and tape covering to keep it in...
So ... last night I used a small wooden dowel and vet wrap to splint the leg, but it merely straightened the hock joint somewhat and didn't keep the tendon in place.
Today I experimented with a splint/brace made out of the plastic from the sides of a parmesan container (photos 3, 4, 5 and 6...
@2ndTink , I'm able to manipulate the tendon almost to the back of the hock with the leg pointed back, but it isn't locking into place.
Should I push harder?
And do I need to put Fourteen into a chick chair if I succeed or is wrapping enough ?
UPDATE:
I think I have the tendon temporarily...
Bingo @2ndTink . I looked at Fourteen under a magnifier. The enlarged hock is visible as well as the turned lower leg.
I believe I can feel a slipped tendon on the outside of the hock. I stretched the leg backwards and tried to gently manipulate it into place, but it wouldn't move with gentle...
Thanks 2ndTink, I took a look at the hock and can't tell -- I have macular degeneration. I may try again under a magnifier / bright light. Appreciate your thoughts!
(photos below -- skip ahead if this is too long!)
I have a 10-day-old Buff Orpington chick with an injured right leg. Not sure of its weight, but it is definitely lighter than its 13 buddies hatched the same day. It's a runt and nickname is "Fourteen."
BACKGROUND
This chick required some...
I got my first chickens, eight 1-day-old Buff Orpingtons, just about a year ago on 5/24/2023 from our local farm store. Right now, I have the original eight and 12 of their offspring, born 4/30 and 5/12.
I got Orpingtons after an acquaintance said they were the friendliest breed. (Also because...