2018 Newbie Chat!

[CannedMonster]

OMG guys! Agatha has a terrible wound on her abdomen!

She wouldn’t come down from the roost this morning.
I went in there and picked her up and put her on the floor.
She was limping so I picked her up again to check her feet.
When I lifted her I felt something weird on her abdomen. Like something crusty on her feathers.
I was able to turn her over on her back and saw this horrible wound!
It’s on the right side between her keel and leg.
I took her in the house to the bathroom and sprayed it really well with Veterycin.

I feel so bad!!

She hid it so well but I should’ve known any bird that wants to stay on the roost should be checked out.
She’s been fluffed up for a couple of days but not all day.
She moved around with the flock yesterday and was eating and drinking.

I hope I caught it in time!
I do have photos but I don’t want to gross anyone out.
I separated her in a dog crate and gave her food and water.
She’s still outside where the flock can see her.

I did figure out how she did it.
We had wrapped the dog crate in chicken wire just in case we needed to put any of the chicks in there.
Unfortunately there were sharp edges sticking up.
Well Agatha likes to explore and she’ll jump up on things.
She jumped on it a few days ago and there was a big commotion with the chickens.
We thought she had just fallen off or something.
Now I realize she had injured herself on it.
I removed all of the chicken wire from it ASAP.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

OMG guys! Agatha has a terrible wound on her abdomen!

She wouldn’t come down from the roost this morning.
I went in there and picked her up and put her on the floor.
She was limping so I picked her up again to check her feet.
When I lifted her I felt something weird on her abdomen. Like something crusty on her feathers.
I was able to turn her over on her back and saw this horrible wound!
It’s on the right side between her keel and leg.
I took her in the house to the bathroom and sprayed it really well with Veterycin.

I feel so bad!!

She hid it so well but I should’ve known any bird that wants to stay on the roost should be checked out.
She’s been fluffed up for a couple of days but not all day.
She moved around with the flock yesterday and was eating and drinking.

I hope I caught it in time!
I do have photos but I don’t want to gross anyone out.
I separated her in a dog crate and gave her food and water.
She’s still outside where the flock can see her.

I did figure out how she did it.
We had wrapped the dog crate in chicken wire just in case we needed to put any of the chicks in there.
Unfortunately there were sharp edges sticking up.
Well Agatha likes to explore and she’ll jump up on things.
She jumped on it a few days ago and there was a big commotion with the chickens.
We thought she had just fallen off or something.
Now I realize she had injured herself on it.
I removed all of the chicken wire from it ASAP.

If you notice she’s in pain put some aspirin in her water or at the very least an electrolyte to help boost her immune system. Chickens hide pain so well most don’t even notice they have an injured bird until it’s ceased living. Good on you noticing something wasn’t right!

 

[Anna Ranieri]

OMG guys! Agatha has a terrible wound on her abdomen!

She wouldn’t come down from the roost this morning.
I went in there and picked her up and put her on the floor.
She was limping so I picked her up again to check her feet.
When I lifted her I felt something weird on her abdomen. Like something crusty on her feathers.
I was able to turn her over on her back and saw this horrible wound!
It’s on the right side between her keel and leg.
I took her in the house to the bathroom and sprayed it really well with Veterycin.

I feel so bad!!

She hid it so well but I should’ve known any bird that wants to stay on the roost should be checked out.
She’s been fluffed up for a couple of days but not all day.
She moved around with the flock yesterday and was eating and drinking.

I hope I caught it in time!
I do have photos but I don’t want to gross anyone out.
I separated her in a dog crate and gave her food and water.
She’s still outside where the flock can see her.

I did figure out how she did it.
We had wrapped the dog crate in chicken wire just in case we needed to put any of the chicks in there.
Unfortunately there were sharp edges sticking up.
Well Agatha likes to explore and she’ll jump up on things.
She jumped on it a few days ago and there was a big commotion with the chickens.
We thought she had just fallen off or something.
Now I realize she had injured herself on it.
I removed all of the chicken wire from it ASAP.

Oh no, poor Agatha -- that is the trouble with birds they hide illness and pain so well but eating and drinking is always a good sign right? - well done for your quick thinking, you've given her a fighting chance - here's hoping you have caught it in time!

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Working at a feed store part time has its perks. Just went home with these bad boys for free! I’m going to hang them up in the coop for decor.

 

[CannedMonster]

Well Aggie is a bit confused as to why she’s in there but she’s handling it okay.
And sweet Emily comes up and lays down right by her sister to give her company.
Angus also comes to check on her and stay nearby for a while.

Thank you all for the kind words and advice.
I’m going to post in the emergency forum to see if any experienced peeps have additional advice on wound care.
I’ll post the wound photo there too.
Thankfully she’s a NN so she’s not heavily feathered on her belly and the feathers she does have cover the wound from dirt and flies.
I’m going to the vet with our cat tomorrow morning for her vaccinations and I’ll show him the photo of Aggie’s wound and ask what he thinks.
He will see chickens so if he feels it needs his attention I will bring her to the vet.
I’m not sure what he can do because the wound is a few days old now and I don’t think he can stitch it but we’ll see.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Today was the first day we put our new birds out in the garden while the others free ranged - Our little chick named Roo, can fit through the bars of the holding pen and I didn't have enough chicken wire to cover the whole pen so I used what little chicken wire we have to make a little secure patch for the Roo. Roo's mum Lilah, spent most the time in there with Roo but decided to fly out into the garden a few times, however she barely moved from her baby.

The drakes are a little afraid of the newbies and other than taking the odd inquisitive peek, they tend to keep away from them. Up until earlier today the little duck on the left (Aurora) was a big problem, trying to attack Roo but then Lilah gave her what for and now she leaves them alone - the little duck on the right (Midnight) has to be watched closely, shes seems to be getting very frustrated at not being able to get at Roo and for some reason Lilah hasn't yet had the courage to give her what for, I think its because Midnight always sneaks up on Lilah and catching her unawares scares the crap out of her but hopefully Lilah will put her in her place soon. Our head chicken (Pedro) has had a few goes at Lilah and has come off worst so shes been quite sullen the last couple of days, shes also been acting up by not following our regular routine of going into the run for the last treat of the day before bed time, so I have just been leaving it out as usual and letting the ducks eat it.

After a while Lilah had everyone moved away from Roo, and took the opportunity of finding some tasty bits for herself and for Roo (who is still inside the fenced off patch)

You may notice a bathtub on the right of the picture next to the two kiddie pools, this is Aurora and Midnight's favourite, where as the drakes prefer the kiddie pools, well we've had to empty it and turn it upside down for now because earlier our other hen (Jellybean) was following a trail of chick crumbs and had unintentionally gotten too close to Roo at which Lilah dived on her, scared her so much she flew in a blind panic straight into the bathtub, such was her panic that she couldn't navigate the brick steps inside the tub, and had to be fished out of the tub by my daughter and we are not prepared to risk any of our flock drowning - the kiddie pools are such that all the birds (except Roo) can stand up in them. I felt sorry for Midnight and Aurora they're really missing it but I figured a little hardship until everyone learns to get along won't harm anyone. Lilah is very strong, however she is such that as soon as the assailant, intruder, or unwelcomed backs off she ceases the attack, which I very much appreciate and like - Although she has so far on every occasion over powered Pedro and Jellybean, I don't think it is the last we've seen of them trying to show her whose boss, so I think they may have to take a few more whoopings before they realise she isn't going to back down, however Lilah shows no sign of wanting or trying to take over the flock, she merely stands her ground, so hopefully the flock won't feel so threatened as the days go on.

 

[CannedMonster]

Today was the first day we put our new birds out in the garden while the others free ranged - Our little chick named Roo, can fit through the bars of the holding pen and I didn't have enough chicken wire to cover the whole pen so I used what little chicken wire we have to make a little secure patch for the Roo. Roo's mum Lilah, spent most the time in there with Roo but decided to fly out into the garden a few times, however she barely moved from her baby. View attachment 1518210
The drakes are a little afraid of the newbies and other than taking the odd inquisitive peek, they tend to keep away from them. Up until earlier today the little duck on the left (Aurora) was a big problem, trying to attack Roo but then Lilah gave her what for and now she leaves them alone - the little duck on the right (Midnight) has to be watched closely, shes seems to be getting very frustrated at not being able to get at Roo and for some reason Lilah hasn't yet had the courage to give her what for, I think its because Midnight always sneaks up on Lilah and catching her unawares scares the crap out of her but hopefully Lilah will put her in her place soon. Our head chicken (Pedro) has had a few goes at Lilah and has come off worst so shes been quite sullen the last couple of days, shes also been acting up by not following our regular routine of going into the run for the last treat of the day before bed time, so I have just been leaving it out as usual and letting the ducks eat it.

After a while Lilah had everyone moved away from Roo, and took the opportunity of finding some tasty bits for herself and for Roo (who is still inside the fenced off patch) View attachment 1518258
You may notice a bathtub on the right of the picture next to the two kiddie pools, this is Aurora and Midnight's favourite, where as the drakes prefer the kiddie pools, well we've had to empty it and turn it upside down for now because earlier our other hen (Jellybean) was following a trail of chick crumbs and had unintentionally gotten too close to Roo at which Lilah dived on her, scared her so much she flew in a blind panic straight into the bathtub, such was her panic that she couldn't navigate the brick steps inside the tub, and had to be fished out of the tub by my daughter and we are not prepared to risk any of our flock drowning - the kiddie pools are such that all the birds (except Roo) can stand up in them. I felt sorry for Midnight and Aurora they're really missing it but I figured a little hardship until everyone learns to get along won't harm anyone. Lilah is very strong, however she is such that as soon as the assailant, intruder, or unwelcomed backs off she ceases the attack, which I very much appreciate and like - Although she has so far on every occasion over powered Pedro and Jellybean, I don't think it is the last we've seen of them trying to show her whose boss, so I think they may have to take a few more whoopings before they realise she isn't going to back down, however Lilah shows no sign of wanting or trying to take over the flock, she merely stands her ground, so hopefully the flock won't feel so threatened as the days go on.

Sounds like everyone is working it out.
Be careful with the chick with any sort of deep water.
Even when it gets older it still won’t know how to help itself.
My friends chickens occasionally drown in her stock tanks even though she puts out multiple waterers for them.
After you let them get to know each other this way for a week or two you can begin to let Roo out with Lilah (great name!) and she will protect it.
Watch your ducks though!

 

[CannedMonster]

I’m SO worried about Agatha.

I showed the photo to the vet and he said it looks like a dog bite to him.
I should’ve never let my dog share food with them!
He gets jealous.
I’m afraid she’s going to die!
The wound is so large and horrible.
I’ve been spraying it with Veterycin but I had to try to clean it better.
By the time I learned she had the injury it had feathers stuck inside of it.
I cut some of the feathers and pulled some out. They were stuck.
The vet said to cut any dead tissue.
I had to cut a strip of flesh that was barely hanging on.
I used scissors that I had disinfected with alcohol. It did bleed some but not a lot.
I sprayed more Veterycin.
I gave her a little bread and she ate it like she was starving.
I don’t think she’s eating her regular feed.
I’m going to have to get creative.
Maybe I’ll try some sardines...

Emily comes up to the deck and lays down by the crate to keep Aggie company.

God I pray she recovers!!

 

[Anna Ranieri]

Sounds like everyone is working it out.
Be careful with the chick with any sort of deep water.
Even when it gets older it still won’t know how to help itself.
My friends chickens occasionally drown in her stock tanks even though she puts out multiple waterers for them.
After you let them get to know each other this way for a week or two you can begin to let Roo out with Lilah (great name!) and she will protect it.
Watch your ducks though!

Oh no! I'd never be able to live with myself if that happened - I don't think I'll use the bathtub anymore, at least with the kiddies pools the chickens can stand up the water barely comes up to their butts.
The way I feel at the moment, I think its going to be a very long time until I brave letting Roo free range with that lot! - Midnight is my biggest worry, I just need Lilah to brave giving her a smack or two, Midnight isn't strong at all, but she's sneaky, she gets Lilah by the element of surprise and it works in making Lilah too scared and too confused to fight back - Midnight is only 10 weeks old Lilah could do her a lot of damage if she wanted to - not that I want her to - just need Lilah to realise that.
At a guess, how long do you think it might be until I can sleep them in the same hutch? Although the hutch is one hutch, it is two floors so I can let the chickens (or the ducks) out first, I'd probably hoof the ducks out of the run first and then let the chickens out in the run for a while. I'm hoping to encourage a split between the two flocks but at the moment Pedro and Jellybean are still sticking tight with the ducks.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I’m SO worried about Agatha.

I showed the photo to the vet and he said it looks like a dog bite to him.
I should’ve never let my dog share food with them!
He gets jealous.
I’m afraid she’s going to die!
The wound is so large and horrible.
I’ve been spraying it with Veterycin but I had to try to clean it better.
By the time I learned she had the injury it had feathers stuck inside of it.
I cut some of the feathers and pulled some out. They were stuck.
The vet said to cut any dead tissue.
I had to cut a strip of flesh that was barely hanging on.
I used scissors that I had disinfected with alcohol. It did bleed some but not a lot.
I sprayed more Veterycin.
I gave her a little bread and she ate it like she was starving.
I don’t think she’s eating her regular feed.
I’m going to have to get creative.
Maybe I’ll try some sardines...

Emily comes up to the deck and lays down by the crate to keep Aggie company.
View attachment 1518394
God I pray she recovers!!

Ohhh Hun, what an awful time for you both - Would it not be worth taking her to the vet, I mean couldn't he do something for her? I know its very hard with birds, especially chickens but he might be able to do something? Shes proved herself as being a fighter and with you in her corner you're giving her a fighting chance.
Bless little Emily - I read in your other post that Angus has visited too - bless them both, lil darlings <3
I'm with you in praying she will recover xx
Do you have any antibiotics for her?