Good morning from Costa Rica! Yes, I've been a lurker. Many of the posts don't apply to me as I have different seasons and issues here, but much information has been useful. I've used BYC information on treating illnesses, mites, worms and treat feeding. What I've learned both here and as a former avian zookeeper gave me the confidence recently to 'operate' on a hen that was attacked & badly injured by a cat or opossum. If the attacker had grabbed her on the other side, she would have lost her crop and her life. Had to remove about 2 square inches of skin & used hemostatic powder to cover the flesh & stop blood loss. She lost a lot of feathers. She has a 5 week old chick...Fortunately, I keep a good supply of medical and veterinary items, and had a big crate. I got wire fencing to section off a portion of the yard without totally isolating the pair from the rest of the flock. She's doing very well so far, but since she's a low-ranking hen I'll reintroduce her slowly. At this point she doesn't trust me, so I can't show the wound, which is now stable after a week (thanks to the powder!) but also coated with fine, clean dirt. Chickens are tough...I can't send photos because I'm not good at tech and she doesn't want to be touched! I tried to check her, but she panicked and I don't want her reopening the wound.
I did have one very strange thing happen that I posted about but was dismissed by a member. One of my hens expelled her oviduct. I know what an oviduct is and was hoping that someone would have experience with this, but was told it must be parasite. She didn't lay after that. Recently, another hen expelled a portion of oviduct and began laying eggs without shells. When she began eating them, I had to let her go yesterday... It was tough; she was my sweet favorite. Because my Spanish isn't great and chickens aren't valued except for food here, I've not been able to get any information on such a condition if there is any.
All my chickens (9) are free-range on 500 square meters of enclosed tropical garden. Plenty of insects and grass. They can all be handled as I start touching the chicks from day 1. I love having chicks and provide occasional flock-starters and dinners to local folks, as well as eggs. It's a mixed flock with local, Orpington and Isa Brown blood. I hope to add a couple more Isa Browns once conditions are right.
Thanks for getting me out of my shell (so to speak)!!