Spice’s Story (caution; super sweet may cause tears)

TesoroSena · Nov 2, 2023

We hatched out some of our favorite silkie’s chicks, going for five but ending with four. We call them Spice, Brookie, Peaches, Strawberry Shortcake, shorty for short

. The smallest one, Spice, developed a severe case of split leg. We adjusted her cast/splint every day, until we had to leave to see family. When we came back her split leg was worse, beginning to turn backwards. Despite our efforts her foot turned completely backwards and became useless. Because of her foot she became very stunted and is half the size of her bantam siblings. Spice had to learn how to walk using her wings for balance, she had to learn how to carefully squeeze herself into the feeding frenzy between 13 meat-birds as well as her siblings. She also had to learn to trust us humans as her caretakers to help her do the things she couldn’t. She had to learn to come to us when she needed help to get up the ramp to her home at night, to come when she couldn’t get her own food, to let us warm her when she was cold. She turned out to be such a sweetheart and we all love her very much! Come along to hear more of her adorable adventures and stories, and I appreciate any comments or questions!
Here are some pics of Spice:!

View attachment 3674590
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Brookie is the brownish one the two white ones on the side are Peaches and Shorty and the grayish one at the back is Spice

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These

are to see the size differences
Have a great day!!!!!

Fluffy_Moth_With_Silkies · Nov 2, 2023

TesoroSena said:
We hatched out some of our favorite silkie’s chicks, going for five but ending with four. We call them Spice, Brookie, Peaches, Strawberry Shortcake, shorty for short . The smallest one, Spice, developed a severe case of split leg. We adjusted her cast/splint every day, until we had to leave to see family. When we came back her split leg was worse, beginning to turn backwards. Despite our efforts her foot turned completely backwards and became useless. Because of her foot she became very stunted and is half the size of her bantam siblings. Spice had to learn how to walk using her wings for balance, she had to learn how to carefully squeeze herself into the feeding frenzy between 13 meat-birds as well as her siblings. She also had to learn to trust us humans as her caretakers to help her do the things she couldn’t. She had to learn to come to us when she needed help to get up the ramp to her home at night, to come when she couldn’t get her own food, to let us warm her when she was cold. She turned out to be such a sweetheart and we all love her very much! Come along to hear more of her adorable adventures and stories, and I appreciate any comments or questions!
Here are some pics of Spice:!

View attachment 3674590
View attachment 3674591
View attachment 3674594
Brookie is the brownish one the two white ones on the side are Peaches and Shorty and the grayish one at the back is Spice

These are to see the size differences
Have a great day!!!!!

That's such a cute story! I saw a splay food chick once, and the hatcher took it to their own farm. It was a silkie as well. I feel bad for the little chicks, not getting to even participate in the pecking order. Anyway, great story!