Nick, if it's scabbed over just let Mother Nature handle it. She usually has the best touch with these things. But do keep your eye on the bird in question. Watch for any signs of infection, such as oozing of clear or white liquid from the scab. It could be an indication of infection. Also, if the leg becomes hot to the touch, or you see an angry red coloration around the wound, these could also be signs of an infection. Monitor and let us know how she does. She should be just fine.
Good news! Good news!!! Cosette laid her very first little egg today!
It's a beautiful sight to behold. Just a shade bluer than her mother's egg. I'll take some pictures of it tomorrow. I left the camera in the house after taking some pictures of Denny working on the ceiling in the great room and lofts, and I just don't have the ompf to get off my butt and go get it!
For now though, you'll just have to take my word for it. It's a lovely little egg! I'm so happy for her. She's a BIG girl now!
Which brings me to some sad news. It has taken me since Thursday to come to grips with this enough to relay the story to y'all. Lisette has passed on to the other side, with a bit of help from Denny, cuz God knows, I couldn't do it.
When I mentioned last weekend that I thought her only problem was that of undernourishment coupled with extremely cold temperatures, I honestly believed that.
Within a few days, as her disease progressed, it became apparent that this was not the case. Between my descriptions to Kathy, and her amazing talent at finding information on the net, we determined that it was surely a case of Marek's. Lisette did not improve, despite my best efforts to help her, still hoping against all odds that it wasn't actually Marek's. But I'm 99.9% certain now that it was.
And rather than see her suffer, knowing that it was utterly hopeless, I asked Denny to end her torment. She could no longer walk, hold herself up to eat and drink, and her sense of depth perception had been compromised as well, making it nearly impossible for me to even hand feed her. She had a great deal of difficulty in connecting with her food, even when I held it right to her beak.
She is with her Aunties now. May she rest in peace. I shall forever miss that sweet little face with her inquisitive and sparkling eyes. Surely, she was too precious for this world.
So Nick, when someone like Kathy advises you to pay the little bit extra to have a chick vaccinated at the hatchery, or to do it yourself if you're hatching out your own chicks, DO IT! You don't ever want to see this wretched disease first hand. Trust me on this one. It's heart breaking. And an ounce of prevention is worth a whole world of cure, especially if you are even remotely emotionally attached to your birds. I know that as for my flock, not another chick shall walk these grounds without the protection offered by the vaccination for Marek's at the very least. NOT ONE!
OK kiddiwinks, I'm just about as exhausted as one old woman can be. I think I'm heading to bed now. Y'all have sweet dreams, stay warm and I'll catch up to y'all in the morning. Nighty night!
