Théo and the chickens des Sauches

[RoyalChick]

I just need a solution for when the chickens poops in the bath, which seems to happen almost everytime after five minutes. Maybe I should have two basins ready in case the worse happens

FWIW my solution to that issue is that the vessel I soak her feet in is quite small so that both front and back end of the chicken are not over the soaking water.
I am using a saucepan (and no, I have not explained to her what a saucepan is normally used for - no need to upset her unnecessarily!)

 

[lightm]

Blanche does look poor in that picture.

 

[ManueB]

FWIW my solution to that issue is that the vessel I soak her feet in is quite small so that both front and back end of the chicken are not over the soaking water.
I am using a saucepan (and no, I have not explained to her what a saucepan is normally used for - no need to upset her unnecessarily!)

Yes, good point ! I do have smaller cast iron pots with enamel bottoms I could use. They are just really heavy so I couldn't carry them full of water with one hand only!
How is Babs bumblefoot evolving ?
I also hope you are feeling somewhat better.

Blanche does look poor in that picture.

Yes. She has ups and downs, today was better, but there’s no doubt she’s dying at her own pace. One certain sign is that she is not eating the scrambled egg or mackerel I make for her anymore; she’s always been an incredible glutton. In a way I find it almost comforting, she’s the first of our ex-batt that won't be dying with reproductive disease. And we really thought she would be the first to die after Vanille. Since the hawk attack at Christmas she’s been holding on, but never completely well.
I hope Honey gets better.
*****
Cannelle's bumblefoot seems almost healed. Still some swelling over the foot but the scab is very small and dry and there’s nothing under. We’ll catch Alba off the roost later.

A big part of the day was Petit Blanc acting hormonal cockerel and then being chased by the hens. He succeeded again in mating Chipie by surprise but then she got back at him. Piou-piou and Merle also both attack him. Léa seems a bit scared however. I told Amelia that she could likely take which cockerel she choses in two weeks to a month. If she wants Pied Beau we’ll probably wait a bit more as he’s still acting like a baby.

Gaston keeps jumping over the netting to go pick some grapes !

The four pullets hiding from the cockerels

Gaston and Cannelle

Kara goes to lay

Blanche and Chipie. Another sign she’s dying, she didn't try to kill her sleeping so close.

Blanche looking a bit better.

Léa also remembers very well how to get to the grapes

After Petit Blanc mated Chipie she explained to his siblings that she was not one to be messed with.

I am master of the universe.

 

[BDutch]

Blanche and Chipie. Another sign she’s dying, she didn't try to kill her sleeping so close.

Is she? Are you sure? Maybe she is not dying but just not sparkling like she was before the accident. I have the feeling its a chronic condition and she will never cure. But that something else as dying.

I notice some change in behaviour with my eldest too. Ini mini isn’t paying isn’t alert as she used to. She is often alone and doesn’t keep up with the younger hens. When I open the gate to free range she and the pullets are always the last to come out.
Another change is that Ini mini is no longer my superior hen. Black and Kraai took over that role. Black is okay to eat together with her but Kraai isn’t that nice to her.

I find it sweet that Ini mini took the role of a grandma. She is the only one who seems to care for the two pullets. But tonight she preferred to sleep in the coop extension again with her nieces (Black & Pearl) and flock mates (Kraai & Katrientje). Janice prefers to roosts alone in the small coop with the nest-boxes.

Ini mini did look sick when she was moulting, but the worst has passed and she look a lot better now. Next thing to do is to trim the the point of her beak again. I couldn’t do that when she was moulting because it hurts if the feathers are coming through.

 

[lightm]

I hope Honey gets better.

Thanks. She still eats and plays a little. I am afraid that she is internally laying because no passing of the soft shell and no more egg laying either for 2 days.

 

[ManueB]

Is she? Are you sure? Maybe she is not dying but just not sparkling like she was before the accident. I have the feeling its a chronic condition and she will never cure. But that something else as dying.

I notice some change in behaviour with my eldest too. Ini mini isn’t paying isn’t alert as she used to. She is often alone and doesn’t keep up with the younger hens. When I open the gate to free range she and the pullets are always the last to come out.
Another change is that Ini mini is no longer my superior hen. Black and Kraai took over that role. Black is okay to eat together with her but Kraai isn’t that nice to her.

I find it sweet that Ini mini took the role of a grandma. She is the only one who seems to care for the two pullets. But tonight she preferred to sleep in the coop extension again with her nieces (Black & Pearl) and flock mates (Kraai & Katrientje). Janice prefers to roosts alone in the small coop with the nest-boxes.

Ini mini did look sick when she was moulting, but the worst has passed and she look a lot better now. Next thing to do is to trim the the point of her beak again. I couldn’t do that when she was moulting because it hurts if the feathers are coming through.

Ini mini is old, by chicken standard. I think it's wonderful in a way for us to see a chicken growing slower and tired from old age and turning into a grandma because so many of them die young from disease or predators. But of course for the chicken old age must come with some unpleasantness, as for humans.
Remind me why do you trim her beak ?
I never touched my chickens beak even if half or them are a bit broken, because I am scared to do worse damage than good.

Thanks. She still eats and plays a little. I am afraid that she is internally laying because no passing of the soft shell and no more egg laying either for 2 days.

Any chance that she is beginning a molt ? Or that she could be slowing down laying ?

The soft shell still has a chance to come out after a few days although it means a higher risk of infection I suppose. I’m saying this because I have seen bits of shell passed as long as five days after the yolk. I don't remember if you are doing it, but maybe it's worth dosing her with calcium on top of antibiotics.

 

[BDutch]

Remind me why do you trim her beak ?
I never touched my chickens beak even if half or them are a bit broken, because I am scared to do worse damage than good.

Her beak has grown pointy and too far out. At a point where it isn’t easy to use it properly for everything. There is enough opportunity to file her beak on a coarse stoop tile in the run by herself. Or use the whole terras for that purpose when they are free ranging, but Ini mini doesn’t. The other chickens often trim their beaks a bit after eating. I only use a file, no scissors or other tools.

Shad told me such pointy beaks are a common problem with old chickens.

It has to wait another day. She sneaked into the run with the pullets going to fetch a file. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to lock them all up so easily for the evening.

 

[lightm]

Any chance that she is beginning a molt ? Or that she could be slowing down laying ?

The soft shell still has a chance to come out after a few days although it means a higher risk of infection I suppose. I’m saying this because I have seen bits of shell passed as long as five days after the yolk. I don't remember if you are doing it, but maybe it's worth dosing her with calcium on top of antibiotics.

She finished a molt a month ago so I think no to your question.

It is informative to know what happened with your ex-batts. Thanks. Yes, she is getting a calcium tablet everyday. Today she seems more active than yesterday. A normal person wouldn't have thought a thing but we know because she is slightly off from her usual self. Normally she is the chicken arrive first at treats/dinner, following you around, eating in the middle of bowl, very aggressive and good at getting any food.

I think she will be fine this time, but I feel the reproductive issue is slowing building up.

Honey
(I think I want to print this photo)

 

[RoyalChick]

She finished a molt a month ago so I think no to your question.

It is informative to know what happened with your ex-batts. Thanks. Yes, she is getting a calcium tablet everyday. Today she seems more active than yesterday. A normal person wouldn't have thought a thing but we know because she is slightly off from her usual self. Normally she is the chicken arrive first at treats/dinner, following you around, eating in the middle of bowl, very aggressive and good at getting any food.

I think she will be fine this time, but I feel the reproductive issue is slowing building up.

Honey
(I think I want to print this photo)
View attachment 3625343View attachment 3625342

That first photo is wonderful. You could crop it just a little so it was a bit more tall and thin just like she is standing.
Should be nively framed and up on your wall.

 

[lightm]

That first photo is wonderful. You could crop it just a little so it was a bit more tall and thin just like she is standing.
Should be nively framed and up on your wall.

Totally agree!!

I am such a lazy person and procrastinator though... But this is high in my list. I want to pick at least one for each sweetie.