Illinois...

[chickendreams24]

Hi all I've been fighting a nasty ear infection. I can finally think a bit better now. Thank you all so much for the prayers and well wishes for Connie and the family. I feel so terrible we can't be there but I'm glad she is surrounded by family friends her husband and church.

This has been incredibly hard for my Mom. Her and Connie grew up together and were practically sisters they then raised us kids as cousins, hence the "Aunt" title.

I feel for them all so much and it's so hard that the eclipse will now forever be associated with Daniel's death for my Aunt. It's so hard when losses are so sudden and there is no warning. This really shook my Mom.

The eclipse was wonderful here although I missed the moon covering the sun(although I saw the peak-which wasn't complete here of course.) because my doctor squeezed me in for the ear infection.

All the birds are doing great here and we've added another roost ladder= lots of space for all the juveniles that will be staying this year.

Our virucide cleaner for the Marek's finally arrived before Faraday40's visit after waiting far too long. So that's good.

The gophers are having a blast of the garden right now. Darn things are taking a bite out of every tomato before they become ripe. Ugh. Lol needless to say it's open season on gophers here right now.

I'm scared to say it but the rat problem is tentatively (fingers crossed) under control right now and we haven't lost any more birds.

My right ear infection is nearly cleared up but wouldn't you know I've now come down with it in the left ear. Called my doctor who told me it's likely due to my allergies. Ick. So now we'll treat that ear and try to get my allergies under control.

 

[chickendreams24]

No fox visits last night; however a skunk dropped by. He said "Hello" to our dog. I used up my last qt of H2O2 and am running low on baking soda, so I better get to the store today. That dog just doesn't learn! Washing a skunked dog certainly wasn't how I wanted to spend my Sat night.

On sad news, Darth Layer isn't looking good. She's molting & has a pale comb. For the past few days I thought the molt & absence of Brick put her into her into depression, but now I fear it's more. She's holding her head low & seems a little lethargic, so I separated her. DL is the "heart" of our flock. She's sensitive & always gets depressed every time a chicken leaves the flock. Normally, she just stops laying for a while. Because of this, I wanted to get rid of DL a couple years ago, but DD would not hear of it. DL is DD's fav orp.

Oh No! Not a skunk! At least he didn't eat skunk poo again lol hope he didn't get sprayed in the nose and mouth. Ick. Lol

As for Darth Layer I'm so sorry she's not doing well. How's her crop feel? Some of our girls and boys get feeling and looking pretty sorry for themselves while molting. Are you sure it couldn't just be that and Brick leaving? Is she eating or drinking at all I agree pull her and try to get some electrolytes and probiotics in her.

All of my OEGB(and a good deal of the rest of the flock) are currently molting and Minnie won't let me pick her up at all which is quite odd since she loves to be held normally.

I hope she recovers quickly. Thank goodness there haven't been any further sightings of the fox but don't let your guard down.

 

[Faraday40]

Updates:
No signs that the fox has returned. I've been having my male dogs, DS, & DH pee all over the backyard. Also I turn talk radio on at night & have 3 solar, blinky, red LED lights nailed around the coop.

The dog definitely got sprayed in the mouth. We removed the worst of the smell on Sat night & he wasn't bad on Sunday. However, the stink is returning & at its worst when he's licking, drinking, or eating. Last time this happened, it took several months for him to return to his normal level of stink. (He likes to roll in and eat poop, so he really only smells good right after a bath. ) How can such a pretty dog always smell so bad?

Darth Layer is still with us, but I am not optimistic. She looks miserable & is not eating/drinking on her own. i fear botulism or a fall. The kids said she fell out of a tree late last week but was running around with the flock on Sat. All of a sudden on Sunday morning, she looked like she only has hours left of life. I tube fed her a few times to see if it would help. No other chickens are acting sick.

I know she's depressed & molting, but her head is always down & she's not walking much. She's thin & pale. DD is feeling very sad. Darth Layer is her orig fav.

 

[cavemanrich]

Updates:
No signs that the fox has returned. I've been having my male dogs, DS, & DH pee all over the backyard. Also I turn talk radio on at night & have 3 solar, blinky, red LED lights nailed around the coop.

I know you have sense of humor so the following should give you a chuckle. SWITCH TALK RADIO TO A LOOP OF THIS SONG. Should keep fox away, or at least send a message.

BTW..... I just feel that your TLC will get Darth Layer thru alright.

 

[cavemanrich]

No signs that the fox has returned. I've been having my male dogs, DS, & DH pee all over the backyard. Also I turn talk radio on at night & have 3 solar, blinky, red LED lights nailed around the coop.

I know you have sense of humor so the following should give you a chuckle. SWITCH TALK RADIO TO A LOOP OF THIS SONG. Should keep fox away, or at least send a message.

BTW..... I just feel that your TLC will get Darth Layer thru alright.

 

[Faraday40]

No signs that the fox has returned. I've been having my male dogs, DS, & DH pee all over the backyard. Also I turn talk radio on at night & have 3 solar, blinky, red LED lights nailed around the coop.

I know you have sense of humor so the following should give you a chuckle. SWITCH TALK RADIO TO A LOOP OF THIS SONG. Should keep fox away, or at least send a message.

BTW..... I just feel that your TLC will get Darth Layer thru alright.

I suppose I should add to the playlist:
Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive

I just spoke with my next door neighbor & she was relieved to know about the radio. She laughed & said that she kept hearing "little voices" when she went out back with her recycling.

 

[cavemanrich]

I suppose I should add to the playlist:
Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive

I just spoke with my next door neighbor & she was relieved to know about the radio. She laughed & said that she kept hearing "little voices" when she went out back with her recycling.

"little voices" when she went out back with her recycling
I AM ROFLM(heine)O....

 

[chickendreams24]

"little voices" hehehehehe
Okay my side hurts with that one guys priceless!

 

[Faraday40]

With great sadness I must tell you that our beloved Darth Layer (aka Darthy & DL) passed away today. She has always been a flock favorite and a sensitive, loyal, loving bird. She is now at peace and joins her sister Cuddles.

Who knew that this fun "science experiment" would give us a flock & change our lives?
Although we've had many chickens, Darth Layer, was something special.


She perfected her art of Photo-bombing. (Taught by Precious who is still our undefeated champ.)


Darthy was one of the original "treat monsters" and ALWAYS one of the 1st hens to come running when called. She loved to jump up into the air to catch a high flying treat. She also always had a look about her - like she had a secret. Although most people think of me as an owner of impressive Lav orps, it's the black iridescent shine of DL's feathers that was truly impressive. And of course the name: Darth Layer has its own share of great stories.

​

We have a white hen: Princess Lay-a, so when a black orp hatched, we joked about how it was the opposite, so we nicknamed it "Darth Layer." We always joked how she used "the force" to make us give her treats and sang the Imperial March (Darth Vader's tune) whenever we shared a funny story about her.
(Clucking: Bawk, Bawk, Bawk, Ba Ba Baaa-wk, Ba Ba Baaa-wk....)
BTW- Cookie also hatched with Darth Layer. We didn't intend to keep a bantam with LF, but she had a lot of spirit and stayed close to her sister & protector: Darth Layer. DL's sidekick, Cookie, later earned the nickname - "the Bantam Menace" and we no longer worried about little Cookie getting bullied.

Below: Cuddles, DL, & Cookie when they 1st saw snow & were not impressed. They didn't leave the run until it all melted.

​

Most importantly, Darthy was the heart of the flock. When chicks grew older & left by their mama, DL would look after them to make sure they were OK and ease their transition. When roos would be rehomed or hens sold to new homes (even if a bully) DL would notice & get depressed. She stopped laying for 6 months when her other sister & buddy, Cuddles, died. Darthy enjoyed snuggles and her favorite person was my DD.

DD is now crying & will be for several days. When school started DD plastered her locker with multiple chickens pics - many are of Darthy. Her teacher requested each child bring in a photo from the summer for a class project. She brought in a pic of herself with 2 silkies & DL in her lap. That is how I will remember DL= snuggled up in DD's arms while reading a book, watching TV, or relaxing under her tree.

RIP my sweet Darth Layer.

 

[evelynchicks]

Hey everyone,
Im Mandy,

and im in central illinois. Ummmm im about 20 miles east of Peoria!!

Hi! where is Mandy? I live in Libertyville, IL