Found a chick

[humblehillsfarm]

Update! Nugget is back from the vet! They were able to fix her wing so she only had to spend the night there instead of a week so it actually saved me a couple hundred bucks! The vet said they cut off the dead bone and put some bone wax on it and bandaged her up. They said she shouldn’t have a problem healing since she’s so young.

She definitely hates the bandage and has been having little freak out moments. She’ll be fine, dozing off, and then will suddenly remember where she is and starts screaming and trying to back up into a corner I’m not sure if it’s from the bandage restricting her movement or she’s just traumatized. Maybe a little of both? The wing is bandaged to her side with cohesive tape so it’s really throwing her balance off. She can’t really stand or walk on her own because of it. She’s also terrified of her water bowl? I can’t seem to get her to drink from it. No issues with the feeder or eating but it seems like she forgot how to drink from a bowl or something. That’s my main concern right now... she only took a tiny bit of water off my finger earlier. I also have antibiotics to give her through a syringe, so that should be fun. I read a few articles on how to do it but I’m nervous about the liquid going down the wrong tube. I might try to put it on a piece of bread and see if she’ll eat that. Any advice is appreciated!!

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Sorry these pics are sideways. Can’t seem to get them to upload the correct way.

I had a little chick that had to wear bandages. Freakout mode is normal and I promise she will survive and be well adjusted (or at least not have issues related to being bandaged). It's new to her and she will get used to it. Hopefully she heals quickly and smoothly!

 

[smopey]

Girl. Gold/Red Sexlink. Do you have any other chickens? If not, do you plan on keeping it?

I don’t have any other chickens and I’m not sure if I should keep her or not. I found a farm sanctuary that said they would take her if I decide not to. I would really like to keep her but I live in a rental right now and I don’t think I’m allowed to have chickens in our development. I’m looking to buy a house in the near future and plan on moving to an area where I can have chickens. Is a lone house chicken super frowned upon? It would just be for a few months (hopefully)

 

[smopey]

It isn’t good for the bird, so...yeah. They are definitely very social and love the outdoors.

It isn’t good for the bird, so...yeah. They are definitely very social and love the outdoors.

That’s what I was afraid of I definitely want her to have the best life possible. She’s super sweet.

 

[smopey]

Have you asked any of the neighbors or anything if they’re missing a chicken? Do other people near you have chickens? A chick that young likely wouldn’t have wandered far. I think you should look locally first to see if anyone is missing one before giving it away. Although it is possible it was dumped. But I would look around first.

I did. None of our neighbors have chickens. I’m pretty sure an animal or another bird got to her and dropped her because she has some injuries and dried blood under her wing. I can see her little wing bone popping out I’m bringing her to the vet tomorrow to get her looked at.

 

[smopey]

Yeah. Poor girl. The sanctuary, does it have chickens already?

Yes, they have 3.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I did. None of our neighbors have chickens. I’m pretty sure an animal or another bird got to her and dropped her because she has some injuries and dried blood under her wing. I can see her little wing bone popping out I’m bringing her to the vet tomorrow to get her looked at.

Oh no! That’s terrible! Poor thing that’s so sweet of you to take her to a vet though.

 

[smopey]

Maybe you could work something out with the sanctuary. See if once you move and get a coop setup they will let you have her back?

I thought about that too! But I wouldn’t want to disrupt her life again once she got settled and made friends. I just hope I can find a house soon!

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Maybe you can get it at least one buddy?
I'm glad they are treating it.

Wow! I am sorry! Ignore my big long reply I made earlier tonight. I had not caught up. I am amazed at you. My advice would still stand but you are serious about owning chickens I see. Just get her a buddy and you are in the chicken business for sure but not to make money cause you are already in the hole. You are doing good to find a vet who actually sees chickens. I can’t get them to do that where I live. They are above that or below that I think. Vets in the southern United States don’t seem to think treating backyard flock chickens are worth their time yet but I think before the next decade is over that will
Change due to the number of ByF owners growing and growing. Good luck
With your baby and if I can offer any help
To you feel free to message me anytime on here. I am about asleep right now. I can type better usually. Have a great night and best of luck with her surgery. Let us know how it comes out.

 

[ShrekDawg]

She’s not an Orpington because they’re usually way lighter than that and also don’t have white on them like this bird does. Plus she appears to have orange legs and orps have pink/clear.

 

[smopey]

Wow! I am sorry! Ignore my big long reply I made earlier tonight. I had not caught up. I am amazed at you. My advice would still stand but you are serious about owning chickens I see. Just get her a buddy and you are in the chicken business for sure but not to make money cause you are already in the hole. You are doing good to find a vet who actually sees chickens. I can’t get them to do that where I live. They are above that or below that I think. Vets in the southern United States don’t seem to think treating backyard flock chickens are worth their time yet but I think before the next decade is over that will
Change due to the number of ByF owners growing and growing. Good luck
With your baby and if I can offer any help
To you feel free to message me anytime on here. I am about asleep right now. I can type better usually. Have a great night and best of luck with her surgery. Let us know how it comes out.

Thank you for your honest advice! I appreciate the input. I’ve always wanted to raise chickens but put the idea on the back burner until I had my own house. This is definitely not an ideal situation but I’m eager to learn and give this chicken (and future chickens) the best life possible. I live in Pennsylvania and was surprised to find there are quite a few vets who work on chickens around here. That was definitely a concern of mine when I was thinking about having them; I wanted to be sure I had a reliable vet who could treat them because I’ve owned “exotic” pets before and know how stressful it can be to find a vet who knows what they’re doing and doesn’t charge an arm and a leg (apparently $600 is cheap for chicken surgery ). I’m grateful for the internet and forums like this where I can learn the ins and outs of raising chickens! You’ll definitely be seeing me around here more often