My neighbor kids just came over and said "one of your chickens is out" I was a tad freaked because I thought I had counted everyone when yard time was over. So I come out and they have RIR with a twine tied to one leg. I pick up the hen and realize it is not mine, I figured the kids had tied the string on it until they could come get me, but no they said that was how they found it. I have her in solitary and she was very happy to have the twine removed and something to eat. She looks terrible... her head is almost totally bald, and she has bald spot on her wing too. My husband says, "we aren't keeping her....right?" but even if I find the owner, how do I give her back to someone who ties her up by one leg? I am TRYING not to be judgmental, if someone saw my poor beat up Bertram they would think I was running a chicken fighting ring....
Judge away! Who ties up their chickens? NOT good. I hope you can take care of her and help her recover from her ordeal but I know how difficult this would be since you have your own flock to consider. She looks like a sweetie though and certainly deserves better.
It's possible that she was in good condition when she got lost and then poor health / mites / lice caused the feather loss and some dummy tied a string on her leg...who knows. I've seen worse when I worked at an animal shelter, often little kids were involved. So it is a tough call on whether or not to look for the original owner. I'm glad she's with you now .
Good save! Stick to a 30 day quarantine and then give her a home if you have the room. In my experience rescued animals always pay back the kindness threefold.
I put up one sign on our street with her picture and phone number... we'll wait and see what happens. I have her in a large bin with food and water and bedding... is it ok to give her free range time while my girls are locked in the run? I don;t want to endanger my flock with unknown disease, but I also want Rhodie to be happy and healthy. Right now she just seems content to rest in her bin...
I probably wouldn't let her free range, she may wander off, or range right up to your coop if she sees the others. Maybe make her a temporary paddock with some garden fencing so she can get out, but still be quarantined?
