Advice needed for Rescued Hen

[DottiesMum]

Good Morning Granny Hatchet, yes I know of Ivermectin (seen it advertised on tv), so will visit a local farm store to get some. Myself and hubby have been wondering what we can do to help the other chickens out there, yes sure people stop and feed them but they get no water, I am trying to think of some way that they can have secure access to some perhaps a container that I can get hubby to secure in some way, he travels past there every day now with his new job so topping it up wouldn't be a problem. Other than what water they get in winter time through rain or the dew in the morning, summer must be really hard for them out there.

I was perhaps a little dramatic about Dottie 'freezing' with fright, the weakness of her body would of come into it as well, is just such a shame that the others out there run off like crazy into the bush when a person starts too get close. It is so stupid that folk think it's 'cute' and a local 'attraction', neither words are appropriate to describe their life out there.

I have arisen this morning and Dottie is fully upright and giving herself a clean, so we are winning, glee and joy

It is spa day for her today, I was thinking of washing her everyday but did not want to over stress her little body so settled for every other day which I hope has been the right decision, she clearly trusts me though as she gives me no struggles when washing and handling her. It is pouring with rain here this morning so being out with her in our front garden isn't possible, our kitchen floor will have to surfice and maybe she will walk a little for me. Still like everything baby steps will lead to giant leaps of improvement.

I am a little miffed as to why I have called her Dottie, the name just came out, no thinking about a name, just slipped from my lips in a most natural way, which I suppose can happen.

Thanks heaps Granny for taking the time to send me your suggestions, it is so heartwarming to know that people are so ready to help with advice and guidance.

My Sincere Regards
Elaine

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I can see right away we are going to be great friends !!! The chickens go into a coma type sleep at night. Perhaps there are a few young men that wouldnt mind going for them with a flash light ? I would love the opportunity myself.....

 

[Granny Hatchet]

Maybe someone could dig a hole as well and line it with some heavy plastic and weigh the edges down with some rock? Nature would take over from there. I have to wonder though if there is one there already. without water they wouldnt of lasted this long.
I am glad Dottie? Is doing better. wonder how old she is. if you may be rewarded with eggs.

 

[DottiesMum]

Hi Bantam Fan, thank you for your welcome, I used to have a lot of contact with Bantam's as a child when I was partly raised on my Aunt & Uncles Farm, they didn't have many chickens but heaps of bantams, all black ones, that was in Wales and many many years ago now.

I too am glad I joined BYC, it is wonderful to know that people are so completely willing to help with guidance to help our feathered friends, I often think that people should have a lot more reverence and respect for hens as they do give us one of the world's most nutritious foods. We donate NZ$3.00 every month to help SAFE in their efforts to help the hens that are kept in factory farms, we do the same by text donation for pigs that are factory farmed as well. I know it isn't a lot but I am unable to work (due to health), would love to give more but hopefully a little goes a long way.

Again sincere thanks for your welcome, I will keep BYC updated as to Dottie's progress, but we are winning, yippee, so cool.

Elaine

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I am making too many posts . I cant think of every thing i want to say right away.

I would stop the baths. She doesnt need all that and it probably tires her more. If she still has bugs you can put sevin dust on her, DE in the coop or where ever she is staying and even the Ivermectin. you can put a tiny bit under her wings where there is no feathers and /or feed it to her pea sized amount is recommended for oral use although it is almost impossible to over dose them with it.

 

[DottiesMum]

Hi again Granny, yes we wonder about that as well, we cannot see anywhere though where they get larger access to water, maybe there is somewhere they run to within the bush area (quite dense) that they get to. I know hubby would find your suggestion no problem and will discuss it with him tonight.

We think Dottie is between two and three months old, her comb is very small but she is definitely not fully grown, we had our first rescue hen two years ago, Dayna but at least someone did the right thing and submitted her to the SPCA, she was smaller than Dottie and roughly two months old. Dayna is the leader of our flock now, and a very benevolent leader she is, she keeps all the others in line in a very diplomatic manner, it has been amazing to see her grow up, she is a Red Shaver.

Right is time for me to get Dottie organised for her spa day, but thank you so much for your advices.

Kind Regards
Elaine

 

[DottiesMum]

Sorry Granny, I just caught up with your last post, so I will cancel the wash for today, thank you for all the thinking you are doing in helping Dottie.

I will dust DE under her wings though, the nits are no longer crawling over her back for the world to see.

Thank you.

 

[DottiesMum]

Will have a big chat with hubby about the chickens that are out there, I have thought also to maybe have a chat with our local SPCA about the situation, they take in unwanted chickens (when people have the decency to take them there) perhaps it is time to highlight the plight of those that are dumped out there, in fact yes yes it is, I will do that today.

Thank you so much Granny, I am very touched that we share complete compassion for such awesome creations, as all BYC members do, this is really amazing, best decision I have made in a long time to join BYC.

Warmest Regards
Elaine

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I am happy as well. Tons of very smart chicken people here (not me) LOL + tons of other critters and fun and games as well. !

 

[DottiesMum]

Hi Granny, I have just finished speaking with the SPCA, they apparently get a huge number of calls about the chickens that are left out there. The SPCA goes up there to catch them every few weeks, five were caught yesterday, but then some more ignorant humans come along and add to the population, perpetuating a never ending cycle. Apparently there is a water trough that those chickens can get to on the other side of the bush backing onto farmland, and there are loads of caring people that go out there and feed them with appropriate food, so they are not completely forsaken. Between the SPCA and the Local Council though there is nothing else they can do as chickens are not covered in law. My own opinion is that every animal should be covered by laws of protection. I really hate it when people say 'dumb animals', no animal is dumb, in fact it would be us humans that are as we are not making anywhere near enough effort to understand them.

I have doused Dotty with DE this morning, she then did a full stand up on her feet with a big stretch and flapped her wings, GO DOTTIE, and when I put her on the kitchen floor she walked straight towards where our cats feed bowls are, now that's what I like to see some fighting back, joy. She is busy giving herself a preen right now, little by little her character will begin to shine through, she has some strength now to allow her to do so, whew.

I can't seem to say thank you enough for your concerns and assistance, from so very far away my heartfelt thanks.

Kindest Regards to You.
Elaine