Chicken found alive after 1-2 months of being trapped

[picklestheduck]

Just found this thread and read all 14 pages!!!!! Wow Blondie, what a brave girl!!!!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

This thread is amazing!! Such an inspiring story. We're all rooting for Blondie!!

 

[MROO]

You could name the blackist chicken you have Blondie if you want. It's only a chicken. Then when people ask why you did that, just tell them it's opposite day

A friend of mine had a draft horse rescue that stood 18.5 hands at the withers. For the non-horse-educated, that's over six feet from the ground to the top of his shoulder blades. His name was "Tiny!"

 

[BlueBolete]

2 week update:
Tomorrow will be 2 weeks!
Here’s a 15 sec video of Blondie to see her progress

She’s been going out to her pen every day. I’ll let her out if I’m outside with her, like in the video. She still can’t walk great, but she doesn’t stumble as much. She loves being outside though! She’ll walk a few steps, then sit down and peck. Then she’ll try standing for a few seconds, then she sits. So she’s slowly exercising herself and getting stronger.
She feels a little heavier too! So she’s slowly gaining her weight back.
I’m not sure when I’ll move her out of the bathroom at night. I’m nervous to put her in the coop with the other chickens bc they may beat her up, plus it’s getting down into the 30’s at night, and she doesn’t have much fat on her yet to help her stay warm. What would you do? Just keep her inside until she’s a bit stronger and bigger?

 

[Folly's place]

Very soon, get her out there in a fenced off area in the coop, so she can reintegrate gradually. Maybe she had a buddy, or a nice hen who can move in with her? I'd want her a bit stronger before having her with the flock, but start the process soon.
And she's making great progress! Remember, it's her down coat that will keep her warm.
Mary

 

[RoyalChick]

2 week update:
Tomorrow will be 2 weeks!
Here’s a 15 sec video of Blondie to see her progress

She’s been going out to her pen every day. I’ll let her out if I’m outside with her, like in the video. She still can’t walk great, but she doesn’t stumble as much. She loves being outside though! She’ll walk a few steps, then sit down and peck. Then she’ll try standing for a few seconds, then she sits. So she’s slowly exercising herself and getting stronger.
She feels a little heavier too! So she’s slowly gaining her weight back.
I’m not sure when I’ll move her out of the bathroom at night. I’m nervous to put her in the coop with the other chickens bc they may beat her up, plus it’s getting down into the 30’s at night, and she doesn’t have much fat on her yet to help her stay warm. What would you do? Just keep her inside until she’s a bit stronger and bigger?

Goodness that really is a lot better than the last video. So wonderful.
At this stage she has been gone from the flock for a long time so I think I would treat it like a new introduction with some supervised ‘see no touch’ visits gradually increasing in length until they all seem used to her and then try popping her in at night. Might take a few weeks and you can build her up in the meantime. Do you have a scale you can weigh her on to track progress? Could you rig up a run area for her where the others can see her but are separated by chicken wire?
Such an amazing story. It brings me joy.

 

[RoyalChick]

Very soon, get her out there in a fenced off area in the coop, so she can reintegrate gradually. Maybe she had a buddy, or a nice hen who can move in with her? I'd want her a big stronger before having her with the flock, but start the process soon.
And she's making great progress! Remember, it's her down coat that will keep her warm.
Mary

Yes, that.

 

[kurby22]

Oh she looks so much better already! I’m so happy that she’s progressing so well! Thank you for keeping us updated.

 

[bruceha2000]

What would you do? Just keep her inside until she’s a bit stronger and bigger?

Amazing progress from a "should have been dead" chicken!

I think you should let her sleep with you, so she stays warm
Just kidding of course but I agree on building up both her weight and strength and setting up a no touch integration pen.

 

[MROO]

2 week update:
Tomorrow will be 2 weeks!
Here’s a 15 sec video of Blondie to see her progress

She’s been going out to her pen every day. I’ll let her out if I’m outside with her, like in the video. She still can’t walk great, but she doesn’t stumble as much. She loves being outside though! She’ll walk a few steps, then sit down and peck. Then she’ll try standing for a few seconds, then she sits. So she’s slowly exercising herself and getting stronger.
She feels a little heavier too! So she’s slowly gaining her weight back.
I’m not sure when I’ll move her out of the bathroom at night. I’m nervous to put her in the coop with the other chickens bc they may beat her up, plus it’s getting down into the 30’s at night, and she doesn’t have much fat on her yet to help her stay warm. What would you do? Just keep her inside until she’s a bit stronger and bigger?

Just look at her GO! Definitely get her weight and strength up before sahe goes back with the rest of the flock. Until then, she seems to be doing well on your inside/outside routine.
When she's ready to be outside for longer periods, try a rabbit hutch. I have a large one, complete with a bedding-filled nest box, that fits right up against the run. I've used it as a hospital box, a broody den and see-no-touch chick integration, but it would work for a lasy like Blondie, too.
Keep up the great work ... and thanks for keeping us posted. It gives us heart when we face what looks like an impossible situation, ourselves. They sure are tough ol' biddies!