Pipd's Peeps!

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Well, Dawson headed to his new home today! I'll miss the big guy, but I'm happy to be down another mouth to feed. Sounds like he'll have a good time with a knowledgeable keeper and a flock of ladies all to himself. I hope he behaves himself for them!

The guy asking about Russell has ghosted me, it seems. He asked how far away X place was from Y place, I answered honestly, that it's ~30+ minutes away, and then added I'm perfectly willing to meet closer to Y place if that was better for them, and... nothing. So I guess he's no longer interested.





In other news, along with Dandelion, I'd been putting Neela out with the broodies as well. Well, two days ago they pecked open her head wound again. Poor darling! It had healed over and was no longer even scabbed, just missing some feathers. Now there's a small opening again, not nearly as big as last time, but definitely an issue. I guess she's just not going to be able to go back into the main flock. I'm not sure where to put her now, though, as she really can't live in a tiny hospital pen in the house all her life, and I'm already tapped out on space...

 

[Crazy Maizie]

He's handsome, I'm sure he will do well with his new flock.

What type of chicken is Neela? I wonder why they are singling her out?

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Neela is a Blue Orpington. She's the one who's had leg issues for about half a year now, though, so that's got to be why they are singling her out. I really thought I was going to have to put her down because she couldn't get to her feet a few months ago. Then she started standing again, albeit shakily, and has been gradually regaining strength in her legs until she can now stand and walk around pretty normally. I wouldn't have put her back out there unless I was sure she was on her feet again, but I guess she's still weak enough in the legs that she can be chased down and pecked, ugh!





And, surprise! I just got back from dropping off Russell to his new owner now! The guy who seemed to have ghosted me messaged about two hours ago and said he was on his way through the area and could pick him up, so I went for it. An additional rooster down today, and a coop completely open once Rosey finishes integrating into the main flock!

Now, I've got to go close coops and hit the hay--I'm beat!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Glad to hear that your guys found homes.

Apparently the heat of yesterday was a bit much for Maizie. She's never been one to like the heat. But, yesterday she was panting so much that I put her in our building which has air conditioning. She felt pretty warm last night and when I went out, she was on her back. I checked her, made sure she drank a bit of water, then put her back in the coop. She really wanted to roost and I watched her attempt to jump on the nest box and fall off landing on her back. I helped her up and put her on the nest box (which is close to the roost) - but in her condition, I was afraid she would fall off and not be able to right herself. So, I put her in the cooler building. I checked on her this morning and shes doing well - chatty like normal. She still lays. I almost wonder if she's got some sort of arthritis.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

It was quite stifling yesterday, wasn't it? That really does sound like She Who! She struggles to perch so she sleeps on the floor in the corner of the coop, and as you know she gets stuck on her back sometimes as well. She's completely fine otherwise, goes out to free-range and scratch around, etc. She hasn't laid an egg for a couple years now if I remember right, but she is about 10 years old now, so no big surprise there. Maybe it is some sort of arthritis! I've never been able to come up with a solid reason other than she's just so old.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Well, I'm going to give her something for pain and inflammation when I get home. But, I saw on the camera a little bit ago the ducks harassing her (they fly over to the chicken side - naughty ducks). So, I had my husband check on her and she was on her back again. I had him put her back in the building for now so that she can just relax. I'm going to set her up in her own space. Hope the supplements work and if not, probably time to make a decision.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

Whatever decision you come to, just know you did everything you could have for her.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

My hubby said that when he went to get her she rolled over and got up herself. He still isolated her, but he's no chicken man. I'm surprised he carried her as far as he did.
She had laid an egg and was talkative when I got home. I had her out in the yard for a bit while doing chores. I gave her an herbal pain med (T relief pet pain) and turmeric. She's eating, but not really doing much as far as walking very far. Of course, when I went to pick her up she tried to dart away from me
She's 4. I looked back through my pics of when I first got her. She was silly from the beginning, so yeah it will be a sad day when the day comes. I'm tougher now than when I lost my first bird.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

That's good that she got herself to her feet, and that she's still laying normally and talking! Hopefully her pain meds will get her moving like normal, too!





Slight update on Dandelion, the poor thing can't catch a break. We're past the 3-week mark with no prolapse now, but now she's acting like she might be egg bound. I haven't felt in her vent to be sure (I'm a little afraid to mess with that end of her and end up causing prolapses again), but she's got her vent feathers spread open with her vent looking kind of puffy, and she's hunched and standing like they do just before they lay. I'm going to push extra calcium and see if that helps, but I'm not sure if there's anything else I can do beyond that if she can't pass this egg on her own.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Not the best pic it's from my ring camera, but all the older ladies are hanging together this morning.