- Apr 24, 2014
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We are new to chickens hence the name I chose. I wanted to have chickens when I was growing up and now my son decided to get chickens. What wonderful creatures they are. We started out with 5 hens. My son build the coop with a friend that has chickens. Last Saturday we had a terrible accident to occur with one of our dogs, very playful and curious...saw something inside the coop that she wanted. She pushed in an unstable door that struck the heating lamp which unintentionally started a fire. Two silver laced Wynedotte's made it out. One ran and hurt herself getting through the fenced in back yard and the other was on fire as she ran towards our home and dropped over dead at my daughters feet. I put out the fire with help from neighbors and my son and daughter. We found the other three huddled in a corner of the coop. The fire traveled very fast and it was extremely hot. They didn't have a chance. I lost my New Hampshire white hen which had silver lace like tips on her wings and two Red Rhode Island chickens in the fire. We have torn down the coop and are rebuilding.
I am telling you this so that I can give some background on the amount of knowledge and time I have. The chicks were around 4 weeks old when we got them and had them for about 2 weeks. We are down to one silver laced Wynedotte. When I found her in the wooded area behind our fenced yard, she is injured on her right leg or foot area. I don't know what to do. It took a few days for her to stand. She stands on the leg but tends to roost a lot or maybe I should say, sit a lot. She holds the leg out behind her suspended in air and sometimes checks it with her beak after she brings it forward so she can extend and move the leg. I hope it is just a sprain or maybe a ligament? She does limp now. Also, she started eating again the day after the fire. I know she was frightened and probably distraught on losing four of her "family" members of the flock. They were all around the same age and they stuck together when we let them open range. The other Silver Laced Wynedotte was like her twin. They were inseparable. I am concerned for her and afraid she might die if she is alone for long. We got these chickens as a way of receiving fresh eggs and turned out that we also made them pets and we grew attached very quickly, so, we are all heartbroken. Can you give me pointers on what to do about her leg or foot? Is there anything I should do or should I leave her alone? I have considered a local vet? I'm frustrated... FYI We will be obtaining more chickens soon.
UPDATE:
We have CHICKENS!!!!
We rebuilt the coop and now, we have chickens! They are around 6 to 7 weeks old so when we introduced our current chicken which is a silver laced Wynedotte, they were accepting. I kept them inside the house, in the box the first night, just to see if they would pick on her because she was still limping. It was amazing how they were so accepting of her. They have not picked on her at all. Just what I would call "normal" chicken behavior, Like, stepping on each other trying to get to a worm... kinda thing. So, morning after we got the new babies, we put all of them outside in the "new" coop. They took to it wonderfully. Everyone seems happy! Yesterday, we gave them free range time in our area we have torn up in our backyard for a garden we haven't finished plowing. Lots of worms were found with eating grass and dirt and bugs and scratching the dirt. I love my happy, happy chickens! Last night, they did exactly as they have the past few nights... huddled together and of course, fussed at each other on where they were going to sleep and which chick each wanted to be next to. This morning, the ladies were up and at 'em and happy to be eating bits of apple along with their regular food.
I'm loving this!
I am telling you this so that I can give some background on the amount of knowledge and time I have. The chicks were around 4 weeks old when we got them and had them for about 2 weeks. We are down to one silver laced Wynedotte. When I found her in the wooded area behind our fenced yard, she is injured on her right leg or foot area. I don't know what to do. It took a few days for her to stand. She stands on the leg but tends to roost a lot or maybe I should say, sit a lot. She holds the leg out behind her suspended in air and sometimes checks it with her beak after she brings it forward so she can extend and move the leg. I hope it is just a sprain or maybe a ligament? She does limp now. Also, she started eating again the day after the fire. I know she was frightened and probably distraught on losing four of her "family" members of the flock. They were all around the same age and they stuck together when we let them open range. The other Silver Laced Wynedotte was like her twin. They were inseparable. I am concerned for her and afraid she might die if she is alone for long. We got these chickens as a way of receiving fresh eggs and turned out that we also made them pets and we grew attached very quickly, so, we are all heartbroken. Can you give me pointers on what to do about her leg or foot? Is there anything I should do or should I leave her alone? I have considered a local vet? I'm frustrated... FYI We will be obtaining more chickens soon.
UPDATE:
We have CHICKENS!!!!
We rebuilt the coop and now, we have chickens! They are around 6 to 7 weeks old so when we introduced our current chicken which is a silver laced Wynedotte, they were accepting. I kept them inside the house, in the box the first night, just to see if they would pick on her because she was still limping. It was amazing how they were so accepting of her. They have not picked on her at all. Just what I would call "normal" chicken behavior, Like, stepping on each other trying to get to a worm... kinda thing. So, morning after we got the new babies, we put all of them outside in the "new" coop. They took to it wonderfully. Everyone seems happy! Yesterday, we gave them free range time in our area we have torn up in our backyard for a garden we haven't finished plowing. Lots of worms were found with eating grass and dirt and bugs and scratching the dirt. I love my happy, happy chickens! Last night, they did exactly as they have the past few nights... huddled together and of course, fussed at each other on where they were going to sleep and which chick each wanted to be next to. This morning, the ladies were up and at 'em and happy to be eating bits of apple along with their regular food.
I'm loving this!
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. Wow, it sounds like you have been through so much but have perservered. I'm happy to see that one made it out and continues to thrive amongst her new friends. Good luck with all you babies. 
and Welcome To BYC! Very sorry about the fire and loss of most of your first flock, glad that Phoenix is doing better, she is one tough girl. Good luck with the new chicks and hope everything goes well.
