INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Faraday40]

What happened I can't find the post, but am half asleep too. Hope everyone's ok.

The sad news is that my Bielefelder (Hen Solo) died. She seemed fine in the am (getting underfoot as usual) & even laid an afternoon egg. I didn't spend much time outside, so I got worried when she wasn't on the roost at night check. I found her body in the run. When I inspected, I maybe saw signs of prolapse (vent looked weird / popped & slightly swollen abdomen). I just didn't see it earlier & feel terrible about losing her. Is it normal for a hen to die so quickly? I didn't see or feel any broken bones, feather damage, blood, etc.


Because I didn't have a male, I decided to sell all my Biele pullets in October/Nov. I kept Hen Solo because when the buyers came, we just couldn't part with that goofy, big pullet. The bieles were our primary source for eggs since my orp pullets are taking their own sweet time developing & all our hens are molting.

In addition, this year is especially hard because of my mom's death. She died in April, but Christmas was such a big deal for her. She really enjoyed giving gifts, decorating the house, & having huge family celebrations. Personally, I have to avoid shopping now because every time I pass a Christmas display, I tear up. My heart aches to see my mom again, to hug her, to share our day to phone calls, or even email pics. She was suddenly taken without warning. (She had a cold & stopped breathing when something block her air. The paramedics revived her but the moment without O2 was too long. Her heart & body were very strong, but her brain was unresponsive.) So now I miss her more than I could ever imagine. Sometimes, I wish I could speed up time & just skip Christmas this year. I'm simply taking the attitude that Christmas will come & go whether I am ready or not. So on top of all my personal sadness, losing my comical Hen Solo didn't help.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Quote:
I'll be keeping your family in my prayers. The holidays are a very hard time to be working through emotional stuff. And you are right it can be any kind of a reminder that brings up all of those emotions again. Amazon shopping might be the way to go this year for you. Prices are about the same as the stores. If you have prime shipping it can be cheaper too as you don't have to spend money on gas. Last year I did most of my shopping on Amazon at the last minute and gifts were showing up on the 23rd and 24th. it was great. Only a day to make sure the children did not get into the presents under the tree.

 

[Faraday40]

I'll be keeping your family in my prayers. The holidays are a very hard time to be working through emotional stuff. And you are right it can be any kind of a reminder that brings up all of those emotions again. Amazon shopping might be the way to go this year for you. Prices are about the same as the stores. If you have prime shipping it can be cheaper too as you don't have to spend money on gas. Last year I did most of my shopping on Amazon at the last minute and gifts were showing up on the 23rd and 24th. it was great. Only a day to make sure the children did not get into the presents under the tree.

Thank you.

I told my family that I could not do shopping this year. Instead, I made some simple crafts & foods. When it was time to harvest the garden, I made many favorite recipes and froze the meals. Add a bottle of sparkling grape juice, freshly baked bread, & a plate of cookies = a celebration meal (& our Christmas gift.) I have a young son who is eagerly awaiting Santa, so I've been shopping online for the kids. I'm getting through it & like I said, Christmas will come & go whether I'm ready or not.

 

[jsummers]

I have all sorts and type of cages, dunno. Come over and look, but that doesn't sound familiar. Anything you need is yours to borrow don't buy something yet..
It displays awesome in firefox, looks great!

no kidding, its sure a lot more cheerful

Thanks! Same here you know!I'm looking for something like this so if you find anything super cheap let me know!

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Quote: Ok that helps me get a better idea for sure! Will show this to hubby, he goes to the auction on occasion. I don't have anything like that tho.

 

[daskhan]

Thanks! Same here you know!I'm looking for something like this so if you find anything super cheap let me know!

Mine is similler doesn't have the stand or loops on top... Also charge your phone lol

 

[Indyshent]

Needing some info on bumblefoot and would like to know what you all make of my gal's prognosis.

Saphira is a big BBW hen. I purchased her as a day-old poult at a RK in March of this year. She always had somewhat enlarged feet, but after she went to live with @jchny2000 , we noticed her feet getting much larger. I took her back to get a better look because my earlier attempts had not revealed anything particularly interesting (in the months before she found another home). I've noticed her weight gain to have halted or even receded in the past two months (probably due to her difficulty getting around).

After soaking in Domeboro and Epsom salts, the telltale black scabs on the bottoms of her feet were more than apparent. They're about one inch by one half-inch long. Hock joints are swollen and her feet are so swollen they look more like hooves. Slight pressure via syringe often results in bleeding well before the needle is deep enough. Her feet are quite warm to the touch, and the scales have been pulled apart by the swelling in some areas. One "scab" in particular is exceedingly deep, and I had to take kitchen shears to it to try to find living flesh (eventually found some, but still haven't gotten rid of most of the "scab", which seems to have a lot of compacted dirt and necrotic tissue in it). Her feet are a bit stinky and bleed profusely if any hole is made deep enough for antibiotics to be administered.

I've been unable to find isotonic saline for use as a irrigating agent (but my DH did bring home two lovely Fleet enemas, because saline's saline, right?

) . I'm going to have to find another vessel to soak her feet in, too, because the tote I used last night has holes in it. Saphira's way too heavy (and unruly) for me to lug up a flight of stairs to get her to the bathtub, unfortunately.

 

[daskhan]

Needing some info on bumblefoot and would like to know what you all make of my gal's prognosis. 

Saphira is a big BBW hen. I purchased her as a day-old poult at a RK in March of this year. She always had somewhat enlarged feet, but after she went to live with @jchny2000
, we noticed her feet getting much larger. I took her back to get a better look because my earlier attempts had not revealed anything particularly interesting (in the months before she found another home). I've noticed her weight gain to have halted or even receded in the past two months (probably due to her difficulty getting around). 

After soaking in Domeboro and Epsom salts, the telltale black scabs on the bottoms of her feet were more than apparent. They're about one inch by one half-inch long. Hock joints are swollen and her feet are so swollen they look more like hooves. Slight pressure via syringe often results in bleeding well before the needle is deep enough. Her feet are quite warm to the touch, and the scales have been pulled apart by the swelling in some areas. One "scab" in particular is exceedingly deep, and I had to take kitchen shears to it to try to find living flesh (eventually found some, but still haven't gotten rid of most of the "scab", which seems to have a lot of compacted dirt and necrotic tissue in it). Her feet are a bit stinky and bleed profusely if any hole is made deep enough for antibiotics to be administered. 

I've been unable to find isotonic saline for use as a irrigating agent (but my DH did bring home two lovely Fleet enemas, because saline's saline, right? ) . I'm going to have to find another vessel to soak her feet in, too, because the tote I used last night has holes in it. Saphira's way too heavy (and unruly) for me to lug up a flight of stairs to get her to the bathtub, unfortunately.  

Only thing I can really think of is scaly mites but idk really doesn't sound to close in relation

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

Needing some info on bumblefoot and would like to know what you all make of my gal's prognosis.

Saphira is a big BBW hen. I purchased her as a day-old poult at a RK in March of this year. She always had somewhat enlarged feet, but after she went to live with @jchny2000 , we noticed her feet getting much larger. I took her back to get a better look because my earlier attempts had not revealed anything particularly interesting (in the months before she found another home). I've noticed her weight gain to have halted or even receded in the past two months (probably due to her difficulty getting around).

After soaking in Domeboro and Epsom salts, the telltale black scabs on the bottoms of her feet were more than apparent. They're about one inch by one half-inch long. Hock joints are swollen and her feet are so swollen they look more like hooves. Slight pressure via syringe often results in bleeding well before the needle is deep enough. Her feet are quite warm to the touch, and the scales have been pulled apart by the swelling in some areas. One "scab" in particular is exceedingly deep, and I had to take kitchen shears to it to try to find living flesh (eventually found some, but still haven't gotten rid of most of the "scab", which seems to have a lot of compacted dirt and necrotic tissue in it). Her feet are a bit stinky and bleed profusely if any hole is made deep enough for antibiotics to be administered.

I've been unable to find isotonic saline for use as a irrigating agent (but my DH did bring home two lovely Fleet enemas, because saline's saline, right?

) . I'm going to have to find another vessel to soak her feet in, too, because the tote I used last night has holes in it. Saphira's way too heavy (and unruly) for me to lug up a flight of stairs to get her to the bathtub, unfortunately.

I finally remembered reading about preparation H for treatment. Anyone else recall reading about that that?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/303829/vet-suggestion-for-non-invasive-bumblefoot-cure

I know its also used for prolapsed vents, and saved a couple of my birds last spring.. I know my just trying to look at 1 foot was totally hopeless by myself. I was able to pin her down but holding the foot, and working on it was just not something I am strong enough to do. She is so big! She has dropped weight having so much room to roam. The three girls follow me all the way up to the pasture to see the cow, donkey and goats every day. Then all the way over to the wooden shed the guinea live in, lol. Thats 440 yards twice a day alone.
I know bottom line it depends on if its went into her bones. Infection into the marrow is rarely treatable, and that was my biggest concern.

 

[Indyshent]

I finally remembered reading about preparation H for treatment. Anyone else recall reading about that that?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/303829/vet-suggestion-for-non-invasive-bumblefoot-cure

I know its also used for prolapsed vents, and saved a couple of my birds last spring.. I know my just trying to look at 1 foot was totally hopeless by myself. I was able to pin her down but holding the foot, and working on it was just not something I am strong enough to do. She is so big! She has dropped weight having so much room to roam. The three girls follow me all the way up to the pasture to see the cow, donkey and goats every day. Then all the way over to the wooden shed the guinea live in, lol. Thats 440 yards twice a day alone.
I know bottom line it depends on if its went into her bones. Infection into the marrow is rarely treatable, and that was my biggest concern.

Please, please, please, don't be in the bones! Going to have to get oragel and Preparation H, and more bandages, apparently. Been watching some icky, painful videos about treating bumbles, but I haven't seen a case as bad as this in any of them.

Saphira was beating me and DH up a long time last night as we were trying to treat her. She's so huge and strong, that doing any kind of procedure on her has been really difficult. Love this girl, so she (and all the other sickies I've been treating lately) have been worth me dropping on my birthday money on antibiotics and other medical stuff for them. Just hoping she gets better. She's such a sweet girl.