My neighbors think I’m crazy, but so what! I can sit out in my yard and talk to my chickens anytime I want ! They give me some strange looks, but they’re also curious about them too. 

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You know, RC, you are a glutton for punishment! ( I love my black chickens...series of photos ended when one to a chunk out of my finger!You all know I have a thing for black chickens, so this was a very special moment for me.
Tassels and Calypso. The sequence ends when Tassels takes a chunk of my finger.
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Moral of the story: Check your totesA oversight on my part last night could have ended up with a tragic end. When it was time for everyone to start going to roost I went out and let Poppet have some free range time with me. I noted that Momma Hen had one of the speckled sussex's with her scratching around the hill heading towards her roost tree. Poppet sleeps in a big tote that has a lid and the entrance blocked at night. It is big enough that if I cannot get out first thing in the morning to let her out she has room for a food and water dish and plenty of space to move around. I put poppet up after about 30 minutes and then started doing a head count and a round up making sure everyone is where they are supposed to be. Everyone but one speckled sussex was accounted for. It is dark by this time and I looked everywhere. I thought I saw another chicken beside Momma Hen in her tree that was not the leghorn. I assumed she joined her in the tree. As normal dad let the chickens out of the coop this morning before he went to work. He does not let Poppet out knowing I will come do it. Between a dizzy spell for me and grandma being nauseas this morning I was a little late getting out there. It was about noon when I went out to let her out of the tote. She bolted out which is slightly abnormal. Normally she takes her time coming out of the tote. A few seconds later I realized why she bolted. Out pops Spot, last nights missing sussex. I never thought to check the tote last night looking for her. She never tries to go inside. I gathered Poppet up and inspected every inch of her, no injuries other then being a little wet from her water dish. Spot did not leave the coop immediately either, she wanted to hang around and eat more of poppets food. Same food everyone else has, but I guess Poppets is better. I sat Poppet down and Poppet ate with her. Spot did not peck her at all. Her sister Dottie was evil to her last week. After a few minutes of eating Spot decided it was time to go rejoin her siblings and left the coop. I will now triple check each night before I put Poppet in her tote that she does not have company. If Dottie had been locked up with her I fear I would have had a much different ending.
I agree that she is an 'old soul' She was matronly and responsible even as a young pullet. One of the things I loved about herBabs? Funny, when I look at her eyes I see an old soul.
Not an old lady like me - but back to the dawn of time.
There is something special about Babs.
But she is over a year old so I expected her to molt this season.
I hope she doesn’t get totally naked just as everything gets really cold!
from now on yes, check them, and then check them again.Moral of the story: Check your totes
@ChicoryBlue i am happy to share the details of the private lab. But I go along with what others have said and would probably not test or treat at this stage.Maybe @RoyalChick could suggest what to test for, and you could do swabs and send to a private lab. It is relatively inexpensive, and no avian flu reporting worries.
It might give you a bit of piece of mind? But then again, it might be inconclusive, and give you nothing but a bill.![]()
What can I say? I am besotted!You know, RC, you are a gluten for punishment! ( I love my black chickens...series of photos ended when one to a chunk out of my finger!) Only you, RC, only you!!!!
They are lovely, though!And I love Tassel's inquisitive look - just before she tried to get herself some proteis!
She does. She went through some bumblefoot and was nursing a chicken back to health the last I heard, but that was a while ago.Hello Lozzy, hello, blazinga! Does she still have chooks?
Yes that’s her. Not sure if she deleted her account or has been made inactive.Hello Blazinga! Did she delete her account, I can’t find her in a search. Is she still drawing? If I’m thinking of the right person, she did some great chicken pictures!