I have good news and bad news today folks. But first, I want to thank all of you who held out hope and prayers that GeeGee would return yesterday morning safe and sound. It meant the world to me. Thank you!
And that brings me to my bad news. DH found GeeGee late yesterday morning, tucked under a low hanging branch of the big pine tree that is near the coop enclosure. He said she looked as though she was simply sleeping under the branch, with head still tucked behind her wing. I walked past her no less than six times between Saturday night and Sunday morning, in my search for my sweet little mama girl. I never saw her, nor heard her. If she had only come to the pump house door as her sister Little Tira did, she would maybe still be with us. But alas, she didn't, and I am now heartbroken. She was too young by half, but I know that, short as her life was, it was a good and full life. Rest in peace my sweet little friend. I shall miss you forever.
OK, so, I did say that I have good news too. Tira has made a complete recovery!
She was actually getting rather perturbed at me last night for not paying attention to her fast enough, and rewarded my impudence with a few well placed thumps to my ankles! She had resumed eating and drinking with a vengeance by Sunday morning, as though nothing were ever wrong with her. Her poo was even looking more like what I am accustomed to seeing from her.
When I returned her to her favorite roost in the coop last night she made due homage to Chief and then made a quick leap down to the floor and then back up one level to the nest boxes. There she snuggled herself down onto one of the decoy eggs and happily clucked away for about 20 minutes, before finally tucking her head behind her wing and settled with a contented sigh for the night. I fully expect to see her running the show out there this morning!
Thank you again my friends, for your support and understanding.
Y'all are worth more to me than all the gems and gold in the world!
Reba is pretty much the same today. She cannot stand up fully, pants with wings hanging out. She got a 2nd dose of penicillin and man, she really hates those shots more than any other bird! She yells her head off! She is eating and drinking and pooping, but no improvement in her condition. She is lighter weight than normal, we can tell, in spite of her bloaty tummy. Reba is a chunky hen normally. I was so hoping that she would make it to her 6th birthday with Sunny. Poor Sunny! She has no one else she was raised with other than Reba and I know she'll be so lonely without her friend if we lose Reba first.
Amy I am so sorry about GeeGee that poor dear. I am glad to hear Tira is better and back in with Chief. I know he was happy to see her again, Lancelot is always happy to see his girls if they have been isolated for any reason.
Tons of changes going on around here and major chicken shuffling is afoot. As I slowly get everyone moved into their new coops and begin shuffling things around in the big coop. Still much to do before the snows start hitting and I just turned in a Final last night just in time to start a new class today oh woppity do.
Laura thank you for the beautiful card, it truly made my day.