Illinois...

[ChicagoClucker]

AL's update- He is doing just fine. His comb is a little puffy and turning colors. He is eating, drinking and still mating anything within his reach. Well, I should say, hens within his reach. LOL.
Posted Al's pic on the poultry vet site, and the vet said he should be just fine. In case of open blisters to use some Neosporin without the pain reliever, or if it swells badly, he would need a script for some meloxicam. But he hasn't had blisters or large swelling, so I am relieved.

Made a run to the feed store today to stock up on feed for the next month. Did my usual rounds, looking at product, then over by the chicks, and checked out the incubators they have running with eggs hatching babies. Then William, the older gentleman that helps me all the time, walks by and said, Mary did you check out the chickens we have outside. BIG MISTAKE! Someone must have brought in their flock. There were a couple of big beautiful Buff Orps, Welsummer, a poorly laced, gold lace Orp, and this little Jubilee pullet and some Roos. I would have to say they were not hatchery birds, because of their size. All the birds were adults except the poor little Jubilee pullet, who was just getting pecked no matter where she went. I also think she has a bit of frostbite on her comb. I couldn't help myself. Hopefully rehoming all my extras will go quickly in a month or so. She is in the pet carrier snug and warm. She seems to be sleeping a lot, so she will be separated for 2-4 weeks, just to make sure. I need a name though, lets hear some ideas!

 

[chickendreams24]

I vote Gem and she's stunning! I'm so jealous!!!

 

[Faraday40]

For a name, how about "Mine"?

She's pretty.

 

[Faraday40]

We've got a miserable cold going through the family & I was really looking forward to an uneventful Sat. We almost pulled it off until I went to put the chickens away. There on the roosts was a bloody mess! Due to the amount, I thought I must be missing a chicken! I did a quick roll call & all were present. (Of course since I was in the run, the flock was circling me looking for treats.) I checked the roos for signs of battle, then one by one picked up the hens. Many had bloody, dirty feet from a combo of scratching in the mud, walking through the sand, then standing on the blood soaked roost. Finally, I found poor Firefighter. (Yes it's a dumb name.) She had ripped her back nail almost off. I brought her inside, cleaned up her toe, & bandaged it. Her belly was blood soaked, but I figured I can bathe her once the toe is a little better. Guess I now have a "house chicken."

My family was great about it. DH helped me wrap up then hold the bird. (He was napping & didn't even complain. You have to remember chickens are NOT his thing.) DD was my nurse to hand me the items from the animal 1st aid kit. DS took the big scary curious dogs into another room so the hen could relax. Afterward DD washed the floor while DH and I set up the hospital cage. DH also slipped Firefighter some mealworms after the ordeal. Then he whispers to her she may rest up inside, but she's not allowed to take any days off. LOL

Of course Firefighter happens to be my least favorite hen. She's 3 yrs old, a little skittish & doesn't enjoy being held. She was almost a stew but she's still a frequent layer. DH & DS won't let me get rid of her. We decided to wait until she molts. Her jumbo eggs often reach 3oz each but the shells are thin. Now they sometimes get those calcium bumps. (shell gland issue) Still, my boys fight over her eggs. She's definitely not anyone's choice for a house chicken, but I do not feel this injury is a cause to put her down.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

We've got a miserable cold going through the family & I was really looking forward to an uneventful Sat. We almost pulled it off until I went to put the chickens away. There on the roosts was a bloody mess! Due to the amount, I thought I must be missing a chicken! I did a quick roll call & all were present. (Of course since I was in the run, the flock was circling me looking for treats.) I checked the roos for signs of battle, then one by one picked up the hens. Many had bloody, dirty feet from a combo of scratching in the mud, walking through the sand, then standing on the blood soaked roost. Finally, I found poor Firefighter. (Yes it's a dumb name.) She had ripped her back nail almost off. I brought her inside, cleaned up her toe, & bandaged it. Her belly was blood soaked, but I figured I can bathe her once the toe is a little better. Guess I now have a "house chicken."

My family was great about it. DH helped me wrap up then hold the bird. (He was napping & didn't even complain. You have to remember chickens are NOT his thing.) DD was my nurse to hand me the items from the animal 1st aid kit. DS took the big scary curious dogs into another room so the hen could relax. Afterward DD washed the floor while DH and I set up the hospital cage. DH also slipped Firefighter some mealworms after the ordeal. Then he whispers to her she may rest up inside, but she's not allowed to take any days off. LOL

Of course Firefighter happens to be my least favorite hen. She's 3 yrs old, a little skittish & doesn't enjoy being held. She was almost a stew but she's still a frequent layer. DH & DS won't let me get rid of her. We decided to wait until she molts. Her jumbo eggs often reach 3oz each but the shells are thin. Now they sometimes get those calcium bumps. (shell gland issue) Still, my boys fight over her eggs. She's definitely not anyone's choice for a house chicken, but I do not feel this injury is a cause to put her down.

Poor Firefighter, hope she is ok. Just a guess but, did one of your children name her? Its kinda cute!

 

[Faraday40]

Poor Firefighter, hope she is ok. Just a guess but, did one of your children name her? Its kinda cute!

How did you know??? I let my son - who was almost 3 - name a chick. With her giant comb, I thought she was certainly a roo & would be moving out to a farm.

Lessons learned:
Don't name any chicks until 1.) they're at least 6 weeks old, AND 2.) you plan on keeping it! Some of our spring chicks didn't get proper names until fall.
Also, be very cautious about allowing kids to name chicks.
Why?
Well here are some past & present names:
Mr Dummy-pants
Roadrunner
Jealous #1 and his sis Jealous #2
and my all time fav....... Poopie Poo (She was supposed to be named Licorice but the stupid bird always pooped on us while being held.

We label our eggs with the hen's name + date. Problem: No one wanted to eat an egg with "Poopie Poo" written on it. Abbreviation "PP" didn't help much!)

 

[Faraday40]

Here's a pic of Firefighter in September. I think she has some Leghorn in her mix. She has only had 1 molt (less than 3 weeks off) in her life. In 2014, she laid 331 off-white eggs.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Here's a pic of Firefighter in September. I think she has some Leghorn in her mix. She has only had 1 molt (less than 3 weeks off) in her life. In 2014, she laid 331 off-white eggs.

Yes she sure does have leg horn in her. The names killed me Lol

 

[ChicagoClucker]

New addition is doing better today. Up and active, eating and drinking. And by the way, she is a major cuddler!

 

[Faraday40]

New addition is doing better today. Up and active, eating and drinking. And by the way, she is a major cuddler!

Good news.
BTW- This is how DD cuddles her jumbo orp rooster (Mr Dummy-pants).