fuzzi's Chicken Journal

[fuzzi]

I froze all the squash and beans I picked Wednesday through yesterday. I put 9 bags of beans, 7 of squash in the freezer, but still have the squash that I picked today!

 

[fuzzi]

No chicks, yet.


I slid a couple eggs out from underneath her, two in front, no sign of pipping.

Naomi is definitely in full broody mode...I had to bump her beak with a chunk of watermelon before she became aware of it, and then gobbled it up. I saw her broody near the food and water, so she's getting nourishment.

To be continued...

 

[fuzzi]

I went out to the coop after dark, but I did not disturb Naomi, just listened. No chick noises.

I realized I had the perfect opportunity to examine Tamar and her wing, so I picked her up, and tried to gently extend the wing. It didn't move. I ran my fingers underneath her wing. In the "armpit" I felt a raised area, like a lump, spread out a couple inches. It was firm, not a soft lump, not like it was swollen. It was dry, too, no discharge that I could detect, and no "off" odor on my fingers after I had stroked the area.

I guess she injured the joint, and now it's frozen.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I went out to the coop after dark, but I did not disturb Naomi, just listened. No chick noises.

I realized I had the perfect opportunity to examine Tamar and her wing, so I picked her up, and tried to gently extend the wing. It didn't move. I ran my fingers underneath her wing. In the "armpit" I felt a raised area, like a lump, spread out a couple inches. It was firm, not a soft lump, not like it was swollen. It was dry, too, no discharge that I could detect, and no "off" odor on my fingers after I had stroked the area.

I guess she injured the joint, and now it's frozen.

I'd check under that wing if possible, just to see what the lump is. Dry with no discharge sounds good though.

Hoping for babies in the morning

 

[fuzzi]

I'd check under that wing if possible, just to see what the lump is. Dry with no discharge sounds good though.

Hoping for babies in the morning

Maybe a silly question , but how would I look under her wing without turning her upside down? I read here never to turn a chicken upside down, something to do with aspiration?

 

[NanaK]

@Wyorp Rock may say different so wait for her reply but this is my understanding.

I read here never to turn a chicken upside down, something to do with aspiration?

I think upside down refers to holding a chicken by it's feet with the head straight down toward the ground. This makes it harder for them to breath.

Maybe a silly question , but how would I look under her wing without turning her upside down?

I have put chickens on my lap and rolled them to their back or side to look under their wings. My chickens roll to their backs dust bathing all the time.

Good luck with the hatch and Tamar's wing.

 

[Molpet]

Maybe a silly question , but how would I look under her wing without turning her upside down? I read here never to turn a chicken upside down, something to do with aspiration?

If the crop is full, is when the aspiration can happen. Usually they talk about this with sour crop.

 

[fuzzi]

If Tamar's wing is frozen permanently I might make a ramp for the roost. Poor gal.

 

[fuzzi]

I'd check under that wing if possible, just to see what the lump is. Dry with no discharge sounds good though.

Hoping for babies in the morning

@Wyorp Rock

I caught Tamar despite her objections and Silas' indignation. A couple of her feathers came off in my hand as I held her wing.

Her "armpit" area is still dry, no smell, so maybe this is old drainage? It looks swollen, but not soft/hot swollen, just firm swollen.

It doesn't look good, does it?


Under her other wing it looks normal.

 

[fuzzi]

No chicks. This afternoon I pulled all six eggs out from underneath Naomi. No pips, nothing. I won't tell my sitter that it's his fault if they don't hatch...I don't know that it is, and I wouldn't even if it was clearly due to his actions. Stuff happens (or not).

Maybe Zack's not getting the job done.