Chicken Feed Hazards

[ClareScifi]

SpeckledHen,

I meant to ask how long Zane lived? By the way, I love the name "Zane" for a rooster! How cute! What was his disability?

Clare

 

[speckledhen]

Zane was injured at 18 weeks old and had permanent tendon damage in one leg, which was stuck in a bent position. He had no movement of the foot at all, no pain, just one good leg and his wings to use as crutches. He had his own special cage inside the Orp coop so he could see other birds, had his Ameraucana girlfriend, Gypsy, who visited him every few days and was generally a cheerful fellow.

Zane died a couple of weeks ago, suddenly and unexpectedly, of a heart attack, at the age of 4 yrs 3 mths old. He is the only rooster who ever was able to eat something other than layer feed, at least from the time of his injury onward.


I find it interesting that your vet mentioned a tendency toward pendulous crop. I've never known a rooster to have that, only hens, especially Orpingtons.

You can read a bit about Zane's history here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/631894/our-beautiful-zane-is-gone-rip-my-angel-with-barred-wings

 

[ClareScifi]

Oh, what a beautiful boy your oh-so-zany Zane was, Speckled Hen! How I love that photo of him atop that man's head! It made me giggle. Only super special roosters will fly onto your head like that, the secure ones who know they are truly loved and wanted, so your boy was certainly a lucky and contented one! Thank you for giving him such a wonderful life!

Have you ever noticed how it's usually our very favorite pets who meet with unexpected and untimely deaths? Strange how that is so often the case... I'm so sorry.

I dread the day I find my boy dead. I can't imagine how awful that will be. I don't know whether he is part B.O. or not, but I have suspected he might be. I try to treasure every second with him, because you just never know.

Thanks so much for sharing Zane's story with me! It made my day. Man, I hope I have my boy for four years. That would be marvelous!!! I lost my sweet Barred Rock girl at just 17 months, so I am very nervous.