MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

Here's a photo of Janet's overgrown beak. Not a great photo, but it shows how awkward the tip is for eating. She has to reach for food at an angle.

 

[MaryJanet]

Moochy lives at my hairdresser's house and likes to come into the shop and say hiya to the clients, such a good boy

 

[ManueB]

Here's a photo of Janet's overgrown beak. Not a great photo, but it shows how awkward the tip is for eating. She has to reach for food at an angle.

View attachment 3653552

Blanche’s beak has also an overgrowth like this. (My ex-batt's have often their breaks growing or breaking awkwardly, usually they manage to more or less file it themselves back in shape, but I think she’s too weak to do that now). I’m really hesitant to file it a bit because i’m sure she will find it stressful. She eats mostly mash now, so it doesn't seem to really bother her, but maybe it's because of the beak that she doesn't eat the grains.
Are you taking Janet to the vet just because of her beak, or also for a checkup ?

Moochy lives at my hairdresser's house and likes to come into the shop and say hiya to the clients, such a good boy

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That is a dog with a lot of hair to live at a hairdresser . Though he looks well groomed !

 

[MaryJanet]

Blanche’s beak has also an overgrowth like this. (My ex-batt's have often their breaks growing or breaking awkwardly, usually they manage to more or less file it themselves back in shape, but I think she’s too weak to do that now). I’m really hesitant to file it a bit because i’m sure she will find it stressful.

I've got two reasons for not attempting Janet's beak at home.

The first one is that a couple of years ago she had a swelling in her face that had to be surgically flushed and the swelling may have damaged some of the delicate nasal bones in her face. I would not attempt anything that vibrates Janet's beak. I prefer the vet does it and, even then, under anaesthesia so she doesn't move during the procedure. I think she stopped shaping her own beak when she was so sick over winter and now it's not something she can re-shape herself. If it were another hen, sure, I'd give it a try!

The second reason is her stress. Like you, I'm worried it'll be highly stressful and maybe even painful. She's never had anything done to her beak that she hasn't done herself, so it would be a very new and scary situation for her.

She eats mostly mash now, so it doesn't seem to really bother her, but maybe it's because of the beak that she doesn't eat the grains.

Janet also can't manage grains and she's almost at the point of not managing mash either. So it's time to take action.

Are you taking Janet to the vet just because of her beak, or also for a checkup ?

We'll do both, I imagine. Seems a waste to take her to vet and not have a full checkup at the same time.

That is a dog with a lot of hair to live at a hairdresser . Though he looks well groomed !

She does his hair herself! Sometimes her kids colour his hair with chalk and he's almost always in a bandanna. He's such a lovely big boy. He's a Groodle (half golden retriever, half poodle).

 

[RoyalChick]

Here's a photo of Mary showing her recently injured eye.

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It's not the same as it always was, but it's healed.

And here she is checking her pocket for snacks. One never knows what one might find...

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The dawn sun hit her feathers at just the right angle for their green iridescence to flare up.

 

[MaryJanet]

It was a special photo

 

[RoyalChick]

It was a special photo

Definitely. Those clouds of feathers all green and black and fluffy. And good to see her eye so much improved.

 

[MaryJanet]

Double trouble on the nest.

 

[MaryJanet]

Janet on the threshold.

 

[Shadrach]

Janet on the threshold.

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Lovely picture.