Okay, I got one for you--Bagged Chicken up date

[woodmort]

I don't post in this section often since I usually don't have problems that I can't handle but I had a new one today that I thought might interest some.

Background first: I buy straw by the bale and store it in my machine shed since there isn't room in the fenced in corner of the coop where I keep the feed barrels. Periodically I will fill an old 50-lb. BOSS bag with straw and take it to the coop so I have some handy to replenish the nest when the birds kick the old out. Yesterday I took down a new bag full, filled 3 of the 4 nests but there was a hen in the 4th so I figured I'd wait till today. I tossed the half filled bag into the corner behind the bin were I keep the BOSS and went about doing the rest of my chores. Later I came down to shut the birds in for the night and found they had managed to push the door between the coop and the feed corner open and a couple were in there picking up stuff that got spilled. I shooed them out and closed up the door.

Today, after collecting eggs and feeding, I grabbed the bag of straw and went to fill the 4th nest. I thought the bag was a little heavy. I took out a couple of handfuls of straw and the bottom layer moved. One of my Black Stars was in there under the straw and, apparently had been there since yesterday afternoon. I grabbed her, pulled her out and she didn't look too good. Whether it was the confinement, lack of oxygen or what but she had a hard time walking and her feathers were a mess. In short she looked like a very sick bird will look. I immediately tossed some BOSS to the other birds to keep them from mobbing her but I'm not too sure she's going to do well for a while. If nothing else I suspect she's cold and dehydrated. I'll keep you posted. Guess it just goes to show you need to watch your birds because you never know what kinds of trouble they will find themselves in.

The last time I had anything like this happen was when our kitten jumped into an open clothes' hamper and it shut him in.

 

[dianaross77]

Well that's just terrible! It's a good thing you found her when you did. She probably exhausted herself trying to get back out. We had a cat go missing once. We thought she had gotten outside. When we finally did find her, she had gotten behind our jetted tub before my FIL had put the access panel back on. It's a good thing she meowed back when we called her. It was like kitty sonar! I hope she recovers, poor thing.

 

[dawg53]

Sounds like your Black Star tried to play hide and seek, with dire consequences. I hope she recovers...good luck!

 

[PatS]

Maybe some diluted gatoraide if you have some? I made some dehydration solution for my recently found chicken with a qt. of water, 3 teaspoons of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and baking soda, and she seems to be doing well.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Similarly, I found a hen that had jumped into a half bag of pine shavings up on a shelf and it had flipped over, trapping her inside. It was a hot July day and I just happened to find her that afternoon, barely walking and very hot. I hosed her down with cool water and watched her for a few hours. She began drinking and finally got back on her feet. I really think she was close to death. Fortunately she recovered and is still kicking!

So glad you found your girl in time.

 

[woodmort]

When I went to shut the birds up for the night--expecting to find a body-- everybody came running so I couldn't tell which one had spent the day in the bag so, apparently, she survived her ordeal and is back to normal. Just goes to show that some chickens are tougher than some people give them credit for.

 

[7L Farm]

Good deal!! Glad she made it.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[Rocky Top Chick]

That's why I count them every night, but I only have 21.................you never know what they are going to get themselves into.