Lois Pardee
In the Brooder
- Nov 7, 2018
- 1
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My name is Lois Pardee. I started with 4 2-day old hens about 6 years ago (2 Rhode Island Reds & 2 Ameracaunas). I've learned a lot from my chickens, and despite what a lot of people say, they're very intelligent. I read on this forum that they don't have the brains to be lonely. Don't let anyone kid you. They can also be very compassionate. Sometimes my hens separated into twos, and when they did it was by breed. When one of my Ameracaunas got sick, things changed. Since having Airedales, who need to be watched closely because they're so stoic, I watch my pets closely. My hen Spring would start to eat, but when others walked up, she backed away and waited for them to finish. Sometimes the other Americauna would peck at her. That's when we went to the vet. She had a breast implant to shrink the tumor, which did work for almost a year. I just didn't get her back to the vet in time, and it had started growing again and was too late to stop. Anyway, one of the Reds (her name was Red) stepped up to be her protector. If the other Americauna tried to peck Spring, she got pecked by Red. Soon no one bothered Spring. One day I was digging grubs for them, and three of them had had about 3 apiece. I kept trying to get one to Spring, but it would be quickly snatched away. She left the group and went to the back of the yard, as far away as she could get. I dug another grub, and Red grabbed it. Then she turned and walked back to where Spring was and dropped it at her feet and stood there until Spring finished it. The sight of it gave me goosebumps, and I thanked God for my compassionate hen. When Spring died, they knew and walked around crying all day. it took several days to get back in the swing of things. Then Red died about a month ago. She had a blocked crop, and we couldn't get it under control. Four days ago, I had to have Legs (the protector) put down. The vet said he never saw a chicken hide her illness so well and adapt to it so well that no one notice she had a problem at all. Less than a week before, I went out back, and she came running to meet me. Less than a week later, she couldn't get up on her legs. The vet didn't take an Xray because he felt it was fruitless. Whether she had impacted food/waste or petrified eggs or both didn't really matter because it was so solid that she would have to have surgery, and he felt she wouldn't tolerate it well because of her age. Right up to the end as she sat on my lap and on the doctor's table, it was hard to believe she was in such bad condition. She was alert and talking to us, checking out every the doctor did. But when sitting still with no one prodding her, she'd start to doze off, which is the way my others were at the end. Now Chubby is alone and lonely and keeps wanting to be in the house. My neighbor said her last hen died of loneliness, and I don't want that to happen. She doesn't like to wear a diaper, but if she'll tolerate that, I can tolerate her in the house. Wouldn't you know, I had 3 very sweet, precious hens and Chubby. Chubby pecks at people. When she wants something from me and I can't figure it out, she'll grab a chunk of skin on my hand or arm and shake her head back and forth; she'll take an actual bite out of me. Kind of sad I was left with the mean one, but I still love her and feel sorry for her. She just needs a lot of love. When she used to get mean, I'd pick her up and pet her, talk softly to her and tell her how much she was loved, and she'd settle right down. Now my question is, How can I help her?
We are glad you joined this flock!
Hi and welcome to BYC! That was a very moving story! I hope you can get her some new friends! Good luck!
