Ribh's D'Coopage

[Ribh]

It is taking a long time. There are certain chicken complaints that seem to be very problematic. Crop problems are one and bumble foot is another. The other stuff like egg bound, common diseases, parasites and injuries have for me at least been relativley straight forward.
Injuries, some of which look horrifying and panic inducing have in general been coped with by myself and the chicken fairly well, right down to broken wings as long as the lungs aren't punctured. Crop problems it seems are almost always a symptom of something else so working out what needs treating can be difficult.
Coccida, worms, etc have for me been very easy to deal with as long as I have the right medication on hand and I see the problem before it gets to be a problem so to speak.
Some things like Dandy's and Tarn's paralysis took time but they self healed with the right nutrition and care. Bracket with her wry neck; it looked desperate but again, with the right care and time she sorted herslf out. I fairly convinced with Bracket for example that if I had gone the seperation and so called supportive care route so often advocated she wouldn't have made it.

You are a brilliant chickeneer & I am so glad to have had the benefit of your wisdom & advice.

 

[Shadrach]

You are a brilliant chickeneer & I am so glad to have had the benefit of your wisdom & advice.

Honestly, I'm not. I've just spent so much of my life here with them that I know them well and I've been in a position to see problems early.
Many people might get half an hour a day with their chickens. I'm lucky if I get half an hour a day withouut them.

 

[MaryJanet]

It surely is taking a long time to heal in this fashion. Interesting. It seems that for whatever reason the anatomy of the foot does not allow for great blood flow to the region so he can fight off the bacteria. This is probably why @Kris5902 Roostie is having such trouble.

Makes sense.

If the foot is all nerve endings, no wonder bumbles cause so much pain.

 

[Ribh]

Honestly, I'm not. I've just spent so much of my life here with them that I know them well and I've been in a position to see problems early.
Many people might get half an hour a day with their chickens. I'm lucky if I get half an hour a day withouut them.

Exactly! With the wet weather my chicken time has been cut drastically short. Any dry spell I get I'm out checking everyone over. Most people don't seem to bother. I learnt from you to use my time with them constructively.

 

[BY Bob]

It is taking a long time. There are certain chicken complaints that seem to be very problematic. Crop problems are one and bumble foot is another. The other stuff like egg bound, common diseases, parasites and injuries have for me at least been relativley straight forward.
Injuries, some of which look horrifying and panic inducing have in general been coped with by myself and the chicken fairly well, right down to broken wings as long as the lungs aren't punctured. Crop problems it seems are almost always a symptom of something else so working out what needs treating can be difficult.
Coccida, worms, etc have for me been very easy to deal with as long as I have the right medication on hand and I see the problem before it gets to be a problem so to speak.
Some things like Dandy's and Tarn's paralysis took time but they self healed with the right nutrition and care. Bracket with her wry neck; it looked desperate but again, with the right care and time she sorted herslf out. I fairly convinced with Bracket for example that if I had gone the seperation and so called supportive care route so often advocated she wouldn't have made it.

You do amazingly well. You have changed my thinking about separating them for certain and I thank you for that. Mostly patience and a conservative approach have kept me in good stead. Also not looking for zebras but recognizing the horse. And them of course all of the help I have received from everyone here.

 

[BY Bob]

He was mad because I ran out of soft food for him. They always have dry, but soft is a winter treat.

I told him he was quite "fluffy" and in fact did NOT need any wet food.

I've been telling Aurora the same. She is too fluffy. Others have been getting more treats than her and she does not like it. I hope she doesn't get too grumpy.

 

[BY Bob]

Exactly! With the wet weather my chicken time has been cut drastically short. Any dry spell I get I'm out checking everyone over. Most people don't seem to bother. I learnt from you to use my time with them constructively.

A large portion is knowing what is normal for them and then what looks off. Yes, they hide things well but if you really know them and how they behave, you can spot things early.

@micstrachan is someone who strikes me as excellent at this even though her time with her flock tribe can be very limited.

 

[Ribh]

Yes, they hide things well but if you really know them and how they behave, you can spot things early.

I've generally been able to spot things quickly. It's the next bit has often defeated me. I've not known enough about chicken illness & disease to identify things quickly, despite reading up a storm. Practical experience is everything! It has been a process of elimination & growing confidence. Just being able to syringe my girls is a huge step forward for me. Unlike most here I don't have a science or nursing background & most of it is an incomprehensible mystery so each small step is a huge gain.

 

[Ribh]

@micstrachan is someone who strikes me as excellent at this even though her time with her flock tribe can be very limited.

Yes! And MJ ~ actually most on these threads seem pretty good @ spotting things quickly.

This is one reason the wet weather is frustrating me. I need time with the Vorwerks to get to know their normal. Another few days & I will start integrating simply because they are much too big for the small coop & are anxious to get out into the run with the Big Girls. I need the small coop for the Littlies, though Oshina & Shuri are already bigger than Olivia. She has one fowl pox scab over an eye but otherwise seems fine so she is still with Titania in the Big Coop.

 

[BY Bob]

I've generally been able to spot things quickly. It's the next bit has often defeated me. I've not known enough about chicken illness & disease to identify things quickly, despite reading up a storm. Practical experience is everything! It has been a process of elimination & growing confidence. Just being able to syringe my girls is a huge step forward for me. Unlike most here I don't have a science or nursing background & most of it is an incomprehensible mystery so each small step is a huge gain.

You are definitely getting better. I can tell from how you discuss it now.