Esmeralda and Buffy...2 best friends

[Carchick]

Well, as I'm writing this story, I have tears in my eyes. It's a story about Buffy, a Buff Orpington and Esmeralda, a Australorp. Both birds have been with us for about 8 or so years. They came from 2 different homes but have bonded over the years. Buffy lost her eyesight in 1 eye years ago from a rooster attack, yes he was rehomed. Even though she can see in 1 eye, she walks around in circles not knowing where shes's going or how to get anywhere. At night she has a part of the inside coop wired off that is just for her since she would get picked on if she didn't. Her food and water has always been put in the same place so she can find it. When she would go outside, which is a huge fenced in area, she always had to be separated from the other birds because they peck at her badly. She can always see them and vice versa. So one day as I'm putting Buffy outside, Esmeralda came running out with her two. I kept my eyes on them for a long time to make sure everything would be ok. There were about 2 times Esmeralda pecked her lightly on the head if she was by her food, but nothing bad at all. Over time, they always hung out together and if something was getting noisy, Esmeralda would run over to her and stand as in to protect her. When they are put up at night, Esmeralda would be in the coop and Buffy somewhere outside since she couldn't figure out how to find the coop. Well, the last couple of nights, they both have made their way in and roosting for the night. I didn't know how that happened until just tonight. I was down at the coop giving Esmeralda some medicine. I layed her in my lap and she rested there for awhile. When she got down she ran over to Buffy, stood by her and then nudged her. Buffy would move. Esmeralda nudged her again now towards the coop and Buffy went. She nudged her again stop for a few seconds to rest and gather her breath, and then do it again, and again until she got her over to the coop and Buffy went in. So that is how she's has been getting into the coop at night. I had no idea that birds would do anything like that for each other. Esmeralda just picked up on it that her sister needed special help. I recorded part of it. The reason why this is upsetting is because I don't know how much longer Esmeralda will be with us because she has been fighting off worms and I'm not sure what else now. I'm giving her another round of Valbazen and other things to fight it off. Before she was losing weight and then when treated, she bounced back for about 2 weeks and as of lately now having a hard time breathing and still fairly light. I'm doing my best trying to get her better and no there are no Avian doctors around here. Anyway, I wanted to share my story about these 2 precious birds who have a very special bond. I can keep you updated to let you know how's she's doing and if you would like to share your stories, please do.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Heart warming friendship, if only us humans could learn from animals Call your feed store, perhaps another type of wormer would work "better"? Breathing maybe another issue, I have no clue but I'm sure BYC members will be responding. See if Esmeralda will eat some plain yogurt & maybe ACV with the Mother in their water (1T/gallon). Hope she pulls through, Buffy would be lost & confused without her. Keep us posted on her condition.