BJ roo update re: bulge upper left chest - photos of my recovered boy!

[jjthink]

Thank you, thank you all, for your good wishes for BJ.

Below are some photos of BJ now, in contrast to the photos earlier in this thread, when he was in pain and 'crooked'. Apparently he developed an inflammation associated with calcification in a disk in his neck and with anti-inflammatory it simmered down and his normal shape returned. It took ~2 weeks to get to the bottom of this problem and he suffered during that time (he had to, given his sad look then and his lack of activity). I wanted to share his story so that if anyone experiences similar symptoms with their bird, they may be able to engage the proper treatment sooner and spare their feathered friend as long a wait.

Here are some photos of BJ this week, feeling and looking so much better since taking the meds. Here is his proud beautiful self!

BJ is no longer distorted, as can be seen from the view from behind (as compared to the earlier photo in this thread, where he was way out of whack)

He's even able to enjoy dust bathing again, something he was unable to do when he was "distorted". It's been so wonderful and does my heart good to watch him have fun! Of course, he will only do this while I stand there watching hen Ellie for him, as he is ever the responsible guardian.

 

[Chickenaddict]

Awww sooo glad and happy for you and bj, he is one gorgeous boy!!

 

[speckledhen]

BJ is so handsome and healthy-looking, Judy. You take such great care of your birds.

 

[Zookeeper9000]

Judy he is looking so handsome glad he is doing so well after all you guys have been through last year. How is Ellie doing haven't seen a pic of her in a while now.

Keep up the good work.

 

[Demeter]

good to see he is doing better!

 

[wolfie]

Glad he is better now Bj could be the lighter verison of my roo Speckledhen told me about this post and gave me a link look for your self:

 

[SpottedCrow]

Beautiful boys, folks...
Judy, I am so glad that BJ's back to normal...

 

[jjthink]

Awwwwwww....thank you so much!!

Elfie - wow, yes. Amazing resemblence, aside from your roo being a few shades darker! And comb variation. Thanks for sharing the photos. Do you know what kind of roo he is? When BJ first arrived out of nowhere years ago, he was with a roo that looked much like yours and BJ, the green tail feathers being quite memorable. Sadly, Johnny was not to live as long as BJ has. They were inseparable buddies.

Jean, thanks for asking about Ellie. She appears to have recovered from her near death experience from the attack by the neighbor's dog in December and is now having the time of her life, exploring and slurping ENORMOUS worms out of the ground. Here's a pic from last week - BJ protecting her while she does her sleuthing!

JJ

 

[wolfie]

Someone told me in What Breed or Gender section that he might be a Jungle Fowl mixed with game but still don't know

Have you ever hatched eggs from him just curious because I want to see pics of the chicks and how theylook when they are older.

heres the thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=146333

 

[jjthink]

I never have, but I often wish I had because his disposition is so beautiful (I have never attempted to hatch anything except for crazy ideas

) . When barred rock sweetheart Annie died suddenly last July, I thought about seeing if I could find someone to try to hatch the remaining eggs on hand but I didn't know anyone and my focus was on helping BJ with his grief and finding him a friend. Enter Ellie.

Thanks for that thread link - sounds like your fellow is a really nice guy too.

BJ and his buddy Johnny (also a sweetie) showed up out of nowhere maybe 8ish years ago now (losing track of time..). In the mid-90's 2 others showed up looking much the same (I found them homes after 4 months of effort, as I had absolutely no chicken accommodations back then). Interesting how over time 4 similar looking roos showed up at my house!They seemed to come from the direction of wooded/farm areas. No one I contacted knew of anyone missing chickens (in retrospect, few would admit missing "extra" roosters who may have been kicked to the curb).

BJ has been an exemplary guardian and friend to Ellie, Annie before her, and Betty before her, never ever abusing them and always succeeding in winning their undying affection. Johnny was an exemplary guardian to BJ - they were best buddies. There is something very special about these roos and I do wish I knew more about their origin.
JJ