MJ's little flock

[Shadrach]

My girls have grown very close to me when they are sick. Things are different afterwards. It changes your relationship. I swear Gucci was always excited to see me regardless of what would then happen.

I've found the same and it's not just a matter of having spent more time with them. They are different but they'll trust you more next time they are in trouble.

 

[LozzyR]

Sorry if you already said, but did you get the poo examined for coccidiae and worm eggs? Most vets should be able to do it for you even if they won't see chickens and it shouldn't be very expensive.

No, I haven’t asked for a fecal float for a while. And they had put the price up quite a bit the last time I did one.

 

[ManueB]

I hope you are ok MJ .
I think if it's only that, having learned to to crop feed is a very useful skill, and should the need arise again, it will certainly give you confidence to have done it before.
Would you mind sharing what the tube you used looks like ? It turns out Kaytee is easily available here, with other brands.

I've found the same and it's not just a matter of having spent more time with them. They are different but they'll trust you more next time they are in trouble.

My experience with sick or wounded hens is limited, but I've found this to be true. However I also encountered an exception with Caramel. She absolutely dreaded being handled when she was sick the first time and she had taken to roosting in places we couldn't reach her to avoid been taken off the roost at night. She was scared just seeing us walk by her. It was very sad and in the few months of life she had left she never really trusted us again.

 

[MaryJanet]

Would you mind sharing what the tube you used looks like ?

It's a 10cm stainless steel tube with a bulbous blunt end to go into the bird and the other end goes onto the syringe. I cleaned it in boiling water fresh from the kettle after each feed.

I'm glad you asked when you did, because I can't wait to get rid of it. It triggers too many sad memories.

 

[RoyalChick]

I hope you are ok MJ .
I think if it's only that, having learned to to crop feed is a very useful skill, and should the need arise again, it will certainly give you confidence to have done it before.
Would you mind sharing what the tube you used looks like ? It turns out Kaytee is easily available here, with other brands.

My experience with sick or wounded hens is limited, but I've found this to be true. However I also encountered an exception with Caramel. She absolutely dreaded being handled when she was sick the first time and she had taken to roosting in places we couldn't reach her to avoid been taken off the roost at night. She was scared just seeing us walk by her. It was very sad and in the few months of life she had left she never really trusted us again.

Bernadette is also an exception Now she can walk she has no interest in being picked up by me again!
Rather she deploys all sorts of fancy footwork to throw me off and to prove that she is fully healed.
She is a Messi fan and studies his feint moves closely.

 

[MaryJanet]

Bernadette is also an exception Now she can walk she has no interest in being picked up by me again!
Rather she deploys all sorts of fancy footwork to throw me off and to prove that she is fully healed.
She is a Messi fan and studies his feint moves closely.

She has astounding footwork!

I think these two deserve a post.

They've had lots of play time today in case they need cheering up.

Today Edie was practicing her adult voice and squeakily joined in Mary's egg song.

I trust this means she really is a pullet and not a cockerel. If not, please tell me so I can start making plans.

 

[ManueB]

She has astounding footwork!

I think these two deserve a post.

They've had lots of play time today in case they need cheering up.

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Today Edie was practicing her adult voice and squeakily joined in Mary's egg song.

I trust this means she really is a pullet and not a cockerel. If not, please tell me so I can start making plans.

Thank you so much for the picture of the tube, and I'm sorry for bringing up sad thoughts.

I'm not sure about Eddie, my roosters both answered the egg songs by making similar sounds when they were younger, so I don't think it's sufficient to prove male or female. I'm not able to say. There are plenty of skilled people on BYC to sex younger ones, you would need to get closer pictures of hackle and saddle feathers.

 

[MaryJanet]

Thank you so much for the picture of the tube, and I'm sorry for bringing up sad thoughts.

No worries at all! I'm sure you could get one from a vet supplies place. I've thrown it out now, to fade from my mind.

Hmmm I guess I'll just have to wait until Edie either crows or lays an egg.

But I don't think her feathers are very pointed.

 

[RoyalChick]

No worries at all! I'm sure you could get one from a vet supplies place. I've thrown it out now, to fade from my mind.

Hmmm I guess I'll just have to wait until Edie either crows or lays an egg.

I used a flexible catheter rather than a rigid needle.
Both work fine, but the catheter is intended for human use so may be more readily available.

 

[MaryJanet]

Pegsy is broody. As far as I can tell, she's been on the nest all day.

I don't think sitting is good for her because she needs to eat at least a little of her special liver-supporting diet every day and that's not feasible when she's left to her own devices. I really shouldn't have let her sit last year.

So I've been relying on the red marauders to get her off the nest at the end of the day, then she comes out of the run for a quick bath and snacks. During which I shut the run and wait patiently until she roosts with her friends for the night.

It shouldn't take long to dissuade her, but who knows what the little rascal has in mind?