I am so saddened. As I write this I want to cry. Bad news warning.
I'm still working on finishing up the pens that got delayed because of all the rain and snow.
So the cochin babies have been in a cage at night, and running free during the day.
Well a few days ago, when I went to put them up one of my 4 roosters was missing. I looked everywhere, and I was so upset.
Well this morning I go to let them out. And one of the wouldn't come out of the cage.
I looked and to my horror his foot is completely gone. He has just a mesy bloody stump. I had the cage surrouned by plywood. But there was a little 1 inch gap, which I thought would be fine. It's been like that for weeks, and they surely aren't stupid enough to lay there. A possum seems to have reached through and pulled out his leg, and bit it off.
I rushed him into the house. He looks fines overall. Not acting weird. He hops along, eats drinks.
I was going to put him out of his misery. But I just haven't decided yet. He still looks so normal.... I cried my eyes out about him. And there he sits in a box on my table now. Awaiting my decesion.
Then. I go out ot visit with my remaining 4 babies a few hours later after I went and did some errands.
And the best rooster is gone. Just gone. In broad daylight. He was a nearly perfect MFC pattern, and so sweet. I'm bawling my eyes out about him now too.
Of all the dirty rotton luck. I went from 4 roosters to 1.
I scooped up the remaining 3 birds, and just stuck them in with some other babies that are a few months older. I didn't want to do it. Because I didn't want them picked on. But being picked on is so much better than being eaten.
I am here crying. The only rooster left is all red. No pattern on him. Not spotted at all.
I am so hurt and upset, and feeling so guilty. They've been free ranging and sleeping in the cage for weeks and all the sudden I lose three in like 2 days. I don't even have any pictures, because I've been so busy. I miss my poor little birdies. Wah.
What should I do about stumpy as I now call him. I was going to do the deed. But as I peeked in at him, he looked so sad at me. He seems so fine... I just don't know. Even if I save him he will be another useless rooster. But sheesh. I practicly already run a farm full of outcasts and cripples so why not. He is beautiful too. Not typical MFC. But in my opinion cuter. I can give him a bath and put on some bedodine. Maybe give him a shot of Pen One? How much shoudl the dosage be?
(Matthews NC 29720)
