Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[BlueBaby]

I found Hoppy today in an awful state, it looks like the boys were rough with her. She usually puts them in their place, but has been looking a little down the last couple days. I thought it was mostly weather related because of her leg (it always bothers her when the weather changes). She was looking ok yesterday, a little slower than normal, but otherwise fine. We had some rain last night and this morning she was laying in the corner of the tractor, sodden, and has clearly been jumped on by at least one of the roosters. She is drinking a little with help, but so far has refused scrambled eggs and meal worms. I’ve got her resting in my laundry basket, and if she is looking ok in an hour or two I will walk down and borrow some baby aspirin from my mom for her. She likes the big coop, so it not a problem for anyone but the cats...

Sunday evening we lost the sick girl to either the red tail hawk or one of the eagles. From the looks of the feathers it was a quick end, she was taken while sunbathing.

My next update on Hoppy, and whoops! I didn’t post my first comment so I’m justgoing to add this on. I have successfully gotten her to eat her egg and mealy worms, with a tin of salmon! (Thanks for that tip @rjohns39 ) she is sleeping a lot, and based on my feeding experience she seems to be blind in her right eye now. The eye itself is fine she just doesn’t have sight in it. Her left leg is obviously re-injured or paining her greatly at the least. I think I may have a house chicken for a while.

I noticed that when I had the Australorp's over here, if a hen decided that it was too hot and she just wanted to sit, she made a good stationary target for the rooster, because she wasn't getting up to get away from him. So, he would continue to keep on doing it to her every few minutes. I have to put her in a dog crate to give her a break from him. Good thing that I didn't have more than one rooster, because I think that they all would have done that to her.

 

[Kris5902]

I noticed that when I had the Australorp's over here, if a hen decided that it was too hot and she just wanted to sit, she made a good stationary target for the rooster, because she wasn't getting up to get away from him. So, he would continue to keep on doing it to her every few minutes. I have to put her in a dog crate to give her a break from him. Good thing that I didn't have more than one rooster, because I think that they all would have done that to her.

Seriously considered a one way trip for Cass and Dean this morning, but I think there is more to it than just the boys... she’s my girl I rehabilitated after the kids dropped her and broke her leg. She had a great summer last year free ranging with Sammy. I’m hoping I can get her back on her feet again. She has now eaten her second scrambled egg of the day. I’ve also got some chick starter and nutridrench for her morning omelette. I don’t want her to eat too much too quickly. I think she hasn’t eaten much for a few days, and am now thinking the vision impairment may have happened several days ago, and that she was just hiding it from the flock. She hadn’t been ranging as far during tractor moves for a while, and I usually would put her into it first at the new location.

 

[BY Bob]

I found Hoppy today in an awful state, it looks like the boys were rough with her. She usually puts them in their place, but has been looking a little down the last couple days. I thought it was mostly weather related because of her leg (it always bothers her when the weather changes). She was looking ok yesterday, a little slower than normal, but otherwise fine. We had some rain last night and this morning she was laying in the corner of the tractor, sodden, and has clearly been jumped on by at least one of the roosters. She is drinking a little with help, but so far has refused scrambled eggs and meal worms. I’ve got her resting in my laundry basket, and if she is looking ok in an hour or two I will walk down and borrow some baby aspirin from my mom for her. She likes the big coop, so it not a problem for anyone but the cats...

Sunday evening we lost the sick girl to either the red tail hawk or one of the eagles. From the looks of the feathers it was a quick end, she was taken while sunbathing.

My next update on Hoppy, and whoops! I didn’t post my first comment so I’m justgoing to add this on. I have successfully gotten her to eat her egg and mealy worms, with a tin of salmon! (Thanks for that tip @rjohns39 ) she is sleeping a lot, and based on my feeding experience she seems to be blind in her right eye now. The eye itself is fine she just doesn’t have sight in it. Her left leg is obviously re-injured or paining her greatly at the least. I think I may have a house chicken for a while.

I'm very glad she ate something for you. It won't be that bad to have a house chicken. In fact I bet you will enjoy it.

 

[Kris5902]

I'm very glad she ate something for you. It won't be that bad to have a house chicken. In fact I bet you will enjoy it.

So far even my curmudgeon cat that detests the Chickens has been tolerant of her, of course this is also Hoppy’s third stay in the big coop. I can hear her tummy rumbling, and keep checking on her, I’m sure it’s quite annoying as she’s just trying to sleep.

 

[drumstick diva]

Hi Kris, BYC has had a huge increase in new members. Sure could use more folks to greet them. Hint, hint, Kris and everyone else.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Seriously considered a one way trip for Cass and Dean this morning, but I think there is more to it than just the boys... she’s my girl I rehabilitated after the kids dropped her and broke her leg. She had a great summer last year free ranging with Sammy. I’m hoping I can get her back on her feet again. She has now eaten her second scrambled egg of the day. I’ve also got some chick starter and nutridrench for her morning omelette. I don’t want her to eat too much too quickly. I think she hasn’t eaten much for a few days, and am now thinking the vision impairment may have happened several days ago, and that she was just hiding it from the flock. She hadn’t been ranging as far during tractor moves for a while, and I usually would put her into it first at the new location.

I'm very glad she ate something for you. It won't be that bad to have a house chicken. In fact I bet you will enjoy it.

Well done Kris getting her to eat.

It must feel like a spa day for Hoppy. Breakfast. lunch and dinner dished up to her in the big coop! I can just see you making nappies for her so she can stay in there with you.

 

[rjohns39]

Good morning Kris

Glad you got her to eat.

 

[BY Bob]

Well done Kris getting her to eat.

It must feel like a spa day for Hoppy. Breakfast. lunch and dinner dished up to her in the big coop! I can just see you making nappies for her so she can stay in there with you.

Why would you want to go back to the run where others trample you. Not cool folks. Not cool.

 

[Kris5902]

Well, Hoppy is still in the house but doing better, standing on her own to eat and poop, and enjoying the pampering. I have mostly finished the new “coop/tractor/chickshaw” for Sammy and his group, but the weather has been awful today. I’m about to go out for meat bird feeding #2 water refresh, and I’m going to have to do a dreaded “bedding refresh” in the brooder for them. They were supposed to go outside today into Sammy’s meat tractor, but with the chilly wet weather, “move out day” has been once again postponed.

 

[MaryJanet]

Well, Hoppy is still in the house but doing better, standing on her own to eat and poop, and enjoying the pampering. I have mostly finished the new “coop/tractor/chickshaw” for Sammy and his group, but the weather has been awful today. I’m about to go out for meat bird feeding #2 water refresh, and I’m going to have to do a dreaded “bedding refresh” in the brooder for them. They were supposed to go outside today into Sammy’s meat tractor, but with the chilly wet weather, “move out day” has been once again postponed.

I'm glad Hoppy's getting better!