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I am so sad, having pets is so much fun but also so much heartache at times.

Can I ask after Anna today? How is she doing?
She’s doing much better, she is still recovering from whatever it is, and I think the antibiotic is doing some good. She can see to eat and navigate around. I think her upper beak is getting a little too long, and hoping being outside she’ll be wiping it and filing it down. She is still gaining strength, she is not at full speed yet, and even cheeps a baby cheep still, she needs taking care of, she feels vulnerable it seems and with good reason. But she has been flying places for the last three days, faster than walking, when she gets left behind by the others.

I’m taking all the Spuds up to the vets tomorrow afternoon for a check up, & maybe a scolding by the vet! I don’t know which vet we’ll see. But hopefully we’ll get on the same page again. Ida has a respiratory infection going on and I am not treating her yet. She was panting briefly while perched today, I offered water in case she was hot and she didn’t want it, and I’m suspecting it’s the infection. Whatever she has Tedi might be getting it too, she sneezed and her voice sounds a bit hoarse. Ida sounds the worst though. I am thinking it might be a good idea to treat them both too, but want / am willing to confer with the vet first.
 
And I have some sad news. Had a call from the down below neighbor while I was in the shower early this afternoon. His pup (several months older than Sherlock) came up with a dead chicken. I went out to look around. Found feathers looking like possibly Cheetah. Found Cheetah under the Russian olives with Tuff, Havoc, Shan, Chia, and Enigma. Headed down to check the body. It was Zulu. Couldn't tell what killed him. Possibly the dog, possibly the other roos due to presumptive behavior. Ok, keep an eye out see if catch the dog chasing the chickens. Headed back up. Just above the fork in the track, found Nox. Headed back down to let the neighbor know. His pup is the culprit. He's charging up a shock collar for the pup and is planning on being out with the pup hence forth. We will see how that goes. At this point, I don't know how I feel. The boys started sounding all clear as I was taking Sherlock for another walk after clean up. Pear was doing some lookout duty with Cuckoo watching another direction.

Last pic of Nox, taken this morning. View attachment 3652048Fly high, darling. Now I'm in tears.
:hit :hit

Oh no not Zulu and Nox 😢

Gosh how tragic 😢😢😢😢😢

I fear I would not be so civilized with your neighbour if this were me 😟
 
I am so sorry. I have been in your shoes several different times this summer with a coyote and 2 separate dogs. I pray your neighbor takes responsibility and contains and trains the pup. I would be worried, killing 2 means the pup had fun and will always be a danger in the future.
That's why I'm keeping a wary eye on the pup. I did learn the neighbor shot a skunk recently. Good riddance on that point. He's pretty sure there's at least 1 more around, though. The neighbor has been a good neighbor, keeping an eye out for predators. He was just a pissed as I was when the "stray" dog (new to the area) came through and killed so many a couple of years ago. His wife is in a nursing care facility due to a stoke almost a year ago. The pup is a much needed newish companion, so I'm hoping this gets him investing more time in training.

We've also lost birds to foxes, but it's been awhile for them.


Hopeful for belly rubs
20231004_172024.jpg
Sorry, boy, I'm working on dinner. Not touching until the enchiladas are in the oven.

Last pic of Zulu
20231001_074344.jpg
(With Quartz and Cumulo).
 
I've been keeping busy with the rest of the chickens today. I also dug Butters a grave, next to Peanut, who is next to the two little Spuds that died. I laid Butters in the corner of the run where she liked to rest. Popcorn and then Hazel came by, they stood and pecked around, then they both rested near her for a long time.

Later I saw them dustbathing there.

I decided to spend the afternoon working in the run and I would think about whether to have an autopsy done.

I think not. Even if it could determine the cause of death, I'm not sure how helpful it could be to me going forward. So I will bury her after I post this.

I've been digging and hoeing and hauling and got another section done, plus half the entrance to the adjoining run is prepared more or less.
View attachment 3651965
View attachment 3651966

Spuds on my shoe (Tedi) and lap (Ida) right now. Okay now just Ida.
View attachment 3651969
She just went into alert mode because Hazel just came by, and Popcorn is lurking too.
View attachment 3651968

Stern Queen Hazel, who cunningly surprises the Spuds when they least expect it. She is a master and conserves her effort. Even if she just stands and stares from a distance she is scary. If she is suddenly in view 15 feet away when a Spud flys and lands somewhere, that sends the Spud running while screaming.
View attachment 3651990

The Big Bad Wolf (Popcorn), a molting terror. Not much strategy, just terror. See and pursue. Then casually rest and forage, maybe in their direction, maybe not. See and pursue at will.
View attachment 3651991

Earlier the Spuds foraged near the back of the house. They are getting some fluff! Anna is getting her muscles and coordination back from her illness. It seems she is about a week behind the others in growth / development now. Her eyes are finally starting to turn color and are greenish instead of the blue, whereas the others are pretty yellow now.
Anna
View attachment 3651987

Her feathers and fluff just seem late. She may end up being smaller. But she's got spunk and way more energy now than she had. She is flying to join the others if she gets left behind. Ida hangs with her at rest, so she is not left out. But Ida and Tedi are equal in abilities and faster and stronger. Anna on the left.
View attachment 3651975

On the back of my chair on a perch strapped to it. They preened and Anna needs a quick nap. She needs more rest than the others, she is not all well yet. I'll bring them in now.
View attachment 3651978
View attachment 3652010
I was trying to put this picture in too of the Spuds foraging in the outer run but my phone was freezing up
1696462141528.jpeg
 
That's why I'm keeping a wary eye on the pup. I did learn the neighbor shot a skunk recently. Good riddance on that point. He's pretty sure there's at least 1 more around, though. The neighbor has been a good neighbor, keeping an eye out for predators. He was just a pissed as I was when the "stray" dog (new to the area) came through and killed so many a couple of years ago. His wife is in a nursing care facility due to a stoke almost a year ago. The pup is a much needed newish companion, so I'm hoping this gets him investing more time in training.

We've also lost birds to foxes, but it's been awhile for them.


Hopeful for belly rubsView attachment 3652066Sorry, boy, I'm working on dinner. Not touching until the enchiladas are in the oven.

Last pic of ZuluView attachment 3652067(With Quartz and Cumulo).
Gosh I am just so saddened by all this. Such a sad day for you and CB.
 
She’s doing much better, she is still recovering from whatever it is, and I think the antibiotic is doing some good. She can see to eat and navigate around. I think her upper beak is getting a little too long, and hoping being outside she’ll be wiping it and filing it down. She is still gaining strength, she is not at full speed yet, and even cheeps a baby cheep still, she needs taking care of, she feels vulnerable it seems and with good reason. But she has been flying places for the last three days, faster than walking, when she gets left behind by the others.

I’m taking all the Spuds up to the vets tomorrow afternoon for a check up, & maybe a scolding by the vet! I don’t know which vet we’ll see. But hopefully we’ll get on the same page again. Ida has a respiratory infection going on and I am not treating her yet. She was panting briefly while perched today, I offered water in case she was hot and she didn’t want it, and I’m suspecting it’s the infection. Whatever she has Tedi might be getting it too, she sneezed and her voice sounds a bit hoarse. Ida sounds the worst though. I am thinking it might be a good idea to treat them both too, but want / am willing to confer with the vet first.
At this point I would be inclined to ensure they all received antibiotics, I would be too paranoid to not treat them. Hope the Vet can give you a clear answer on what they are sneezing for.
 

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