My sickly guy is back in the loft. As days went on he became notably restless in isolation so I reunited him with the group.
STILL not 100% in terms of walking or flying around, he stumbles or trips a bit here and there. Certainly more than any of the others. But he has taken flight with the group a handful of times. Not long. But when I let them out he happily flies up into my hand for treats, flies across the yard to and fro with ease, and he’s clearly glad to be able to roam again. My main concern now is the hawks, because he will be extremely easy pickings being obviously weaker than the rest. Maybe an aviary candidate if the condition doesn’t improve. He’s my favorite, so I’d hate to deny him the freedom he’s enjoyed for some years now but he is very much hawk bait right now.
Either way, at this point he has successfully fought his nest box back from the other cocks and is working on a new batch with his hen. I’ll be replacing them with wooden eggs so he can continue to build up body condition, but I’m glad to see him behaving and feeling better overall, even if his mobility is still somewhat effected.
STILL not 100% in terms of walking or flying around, he stumbles or trips a bit here and there. Certainly more than any of the others. But he has taken flight with the group a handful of times. Not long. But when I let them out he happily flies up into my hand for treats, flies across the yard to and fro with ease, and he’s clearly glad to be able to roam again. My main concern now is the hawks, because he will be extremely easy pickings being obviously weaker than the rest. Maybe an aviary candidate if the condition doesn’t improve. He’s my favorite, so I’d hate to deny him the freedom he’s enjoyed for some years now but he is very much hawk bait right now.
Either way, at this point he has successfully fought his nest box back from the other cocks and is working on a new batch with his hen. I’ll be replacing them with wooden eggs so he can continue to build up body condition, but I’m glad to see him behaving and feeling better overall, even if his mobility is still somewhat effected.