Théo and the chickens des Sauches

[BDutch]

I have diclofenac cream, the NSAID that we use most often for tendinitis here, but I don't like using it and keep it for extreme cases. I think the amount of pain is a useful indicator of how things are evolving !

If possible I would like to ask a physiotherapist. They know so well what you should do with these kind of pains. Last time I had a problem in my shoulder the physiotherapist was glad she saw me in an early of a what could become a larger problem. It was over within a week with 2 massages and instructions (exercises and how to use the arm).

It was really funny today that the smaller pullets got huge mud shoes- piou-piou and Annette could barely walk.

Here everything is soaked. But the run and our garden is fine.

We did some pruning a month ago and gathered the branches who probably fit in the machine to make wood chips we like to scatter in the run. But the branches are so wet we can’t chop them in the machine. And next week they expect more rain again.
Glad we raked many fruit tree leaves right after most of the leaves had fallen. I don’t like to handle soaked leaves. What fel later can rot to improve the soil.

 

[ManueB]

If possible I would like to ask a physiotherapist. They know so well what you should do with these kind of pains. Last time I had a problem in my shoulder the physiotherapist was glad she saw me in an early of a what could become a larger problem. It was over within a week with 2 massages and instructions (exercises and how to use the arm).


Here everything is soaked. But the run and our garden is fine.

We did some pruning a month ago and gathered the branches who probably fit in the machine to make wood chips we like to scatter in the run. But the branches are so wet we can’t chop them in the machine. And next week they expect more rain again.
Glad we raked many fruit tree leaves right after most of the leaves had fallen. I don’t like to handle soaked leaves. What fel later can rot to improve the soil.

A physiotherapist would be a great idea, but getting medical care is not as simple in rural France as in the cities. I would likely not get an appointment before six weeks at best. And the way it works here is that you need to be prescribed physiotherapy by a doctor first, so that would make it even longer . I am confident it's improving now, but it could be something that bothers me again.
Getting rain is good at this time of year ! We also grind the branches, but I didn't dare use the laurel branches for the chickens or the garden- I was afraid the laurel tree might have toxic or very potent components.
*****
It was slightly raining again today, but apart from the ex-batt's and Chipie most of the chickens came out. Piou-piou laid normally, so I was relieved. The smaller and the younger pullets spent the day scratching in the mud . Gaston chased Théo around the garden for a bit. At some point Théo came inside the coop to shelter ; when Gaston saw him, he made unhappy grunts, hesitated a bit, and left to join the pullets back in the garden.

But at three the wind started blowing and quickly became very strong. At four all the chickens were roosted, and it had turned into a storm.

I still took Lilly inside to tend her foot, she was rather worried with all the noise the wind made banging in the chimney. I took again some squishy white stuff out of her bad foot, I made quite a deep hole, but she didn't seem to be hurting like in the beginning. I finished my twelvth vet wrap roll today . Good thing you can buy cheap chinese copies online...

My partner is driving the bus back from Nice tonight, he called to say it was all right, until the last part of the drive ; he should be home around eight in an hour so I hope it doesn't get worse.

No chicken, just a damp morning fog.

Gaston and Annette. He has a hard time keeping up with her, she is always wanting to explore!

Lilly

Laure

Nieva got out somehow today. Normally she is one of the chicken who stays inside the chicken yard.

Gaston chased Théo...

Who ended up staying in the run while Gaston joined the younger pullets in the garden.

Lulu ! I saw Gaston mate her for the first time ever yesterday, so maybe she will lay soon ? She has yellow ears like Laure.

 

[BDutch]

I would likely not get an appointment before six weeks at best. And the way it works here is that you need to be prescribed physiotherapy by a doctor first, so that would make it even longer

This is not funny !
Don’t be jealous, but in the Netherlands you can make an appointment with a physiotherapist without consulting a doctor. Free of extra charge for 7 , 14 or 22 consults/treatments. The number depends on the health insurance one bought.
People who need more with a chronic problem even get weekly support if the insurance agrees with the medic advice. This is because the health insurances realised the physiotherapists often prevent people from becoming chronic patients.

Btw: It seemed I was wrong about Wilders. He claims he wants to help the poor. But what he does or has been doing (voting in parliament) indicates he doesnt. And now, after the elections his true nature reveals more and more.
It seems there is only one other substantial party that is willing to form a kabinet with his party. Together they only have 44 of the 150 chamber members in total. He needs 76 for a majority to govern.

 

[ManueB]

The number depends on the health insurance one bought.

I dont have an health insurance. I rely on our public social security.
***********
A beautiful day ; the weather people expected a lot of wind and there wasn't any ! Love it when they get it wrong this way round, the opposite happens much more often.

The chickens were very happy to enjoy the sun again and as I noticed before, they enjoy the grass a lot more when it has just rained.
This morning Gaston spent some time with Lulu showing her all the "good" spots to lay ... But she didn't make her mind up. Should happen soon !

Nougat did not sleep in the nest last night. I checked on her before I went to bed and after waking up that she hadn't fallen off the roost, and she was all right. However tonight she went back in the nest.

I thought Kara was sleeping a lot this morning and this afternoon she looked definitely unwell. It looks like a laying issue because she had a penguin pose, her vent was pulsing and she kept eating ground eggshells. Poor Kara the bully hasn't got back on track since she had the first laying problem. The first three months she laid big beautiful brown eggs every day, and they haven't got back to the same colour, size and texture now. And I guess the schock from the attack did not help. I expect that she will pass a soft shell egg during the night at best.

Mélisse

Kara dustbathed with Gaston and Laure early in the morning so she was probably still all right then.

Théo's head when Gaston comes near.

Annette just before she flies over the netting and Gaston follows her.

Théo standing watch while Piou-piou lays.

Kara probably already feeling off later this morning.

Molting ladies squeezing in the first ray of sun that comes in the coop.

Merle aka little devil, tiny indian or Geronimo looks quite the punk now.

Lilly and Nieva. The bumblefeet girls.

 

[BDutch]

Enjoy your PFM ManueB, the moderators choose one of my pictures for a the funny quotes contest. But I had won a similar prize for another weird contest.

Maybe you like the idea to change ‘crossing the road’ to ‘up in the mountains’ or whatever you like.

 

[RoyalChick]

I dont have an health insurance. I rely on our public social security.
***********
A beautiful day ; the weather people expected a lot of wind and there wasn't any ! Love it when they get it wrong this way round, the opposite happens much more often.

The chickens were very happy to enjoy the sun again and as I noticed before, they enjoy the grass a lot more when it has just rained.
This morning Gaston spent some time with Lulu showing her all the "good" spots to lay ... But she didn't make her mind up. Should happen soon !

Nougat did not sleep in the nest last night. I checked on her before I went to bed and after waking up that she hadn't fallen off the roost, and she was all right. However tonight she went back in the nest.

I thought Kara was sleeping a lot this morning and this afternoon she looked definitely unwell. It looks like a laying issue because she had a penguin pose, her vent was pulsing and she kept eating ground eggshells. Poor Kara the bully hasn't got back on track since she had the first laying problem. The first three months she laid big beautiful brown eggs every day, and they haven't got back to the same colour, size and texture now. And I guess the schock from the attack did not help. I expect that she will pass a soft shell egg during the night at best.

Mélisse
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Kara dustbathed with Gaston and Laure early in the morning so she was probably still all right then.
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Théo's head when Gaston comes near.
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Annette just before she flies over the netting and Gaston follows her.
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Théo standing watch while Piou-piou lays.
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Kara probably already feeling off later this morning.
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Molting ladies squeezing in the first ray of sun that comes in the coop.
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Merle aka little devil, tiny indian or Geronimo looks quite the punk now.
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Lilly and Nieva. The bumblefeet girls.
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Merle

 

[ManueB]

Enjoy your PFM ManueB, the moderators choose one of my pictures for a the funny quotes contest. But I had won a similar prize for another weird contest.

Maybe you like the idea to change ‘crossing the road’ to ‘up in the mountains’ or whatever you like.

Thank you very much !
You like contests and you seem to be good at winning them .

 

[ManueB]

Kara was in the nest this morning when I opened the coop and stayed in there for almost three hours. She had already laid, I checked. She laid a normal egg and she wasn't better after, so my first idea of a laying issue wasn't confirmed. I looked her up all over again and found she has a swollen squishy abdomen. Penguin stance, pulsating vent constantly, crop is normal and no bad smell from her beak and overall, and she poops less than usual (but also ate only about a fourth of what she usually does). I think maybe ascites, which is not good whatever the cause. I’ll call the vet clinic tomorrow to see if we can get an appointment this week. I looked again for any wounds I could have missed from the attack and found nothing ; and for parasites since I saw two baby louse on her two weeks ago, but found none (i’ve been treating her since). Her vent is clean though some of the feathers underneath are soiled ; her poops are not good, but they never have been ; and she is one of the only hen that I am positive doesn't have tapeworms.

 

[MaryJanet]

I dont have an health insurance. I rely on our public social security.

Me too. Australia has quite good publicly-funded healthcare, but it doesn't cover physio, optical, and dental, so I pay for those myself when I need them. The health insurers offer "extras only" coverage, but it's still unnecessary if you can pay for your medical services as you go. No doubt it helps some people who are on very tight budgets.

 

[MaryJanet]

Kara was in the nest this morning when I opened the coop and stayed in there for almost three hours. She had already laid, I checked. She laid a normal egg and she wasn't better after, so my first idea of a laying issue wasn't confirmed. I looked her up all over again and found she has a swollen squishy abdomen. Penguin stance, pulsating vent constantly, crop is normal and no bad smell from her beak and overall, and she poops less than usual (but also ate only about a fourth of what she usually does). I think maybe ascites, which is not good whatever the cause. I’ll call the vet clinic tomorrow to see if we can get an appointment this week. I looked again for any wounds I could have missed from the attack and found nothing ; and for parasites since I saw two baby louse on her two weeks ago, but found none (i’ve been treating her since). Her vent is clean though some of the feathers underneath are soiled ; her poops are not good, but they never have been ; and she is one of the only hen that I am positive doesn't have tapeworms.

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Oh no, poor Kara. I hope you get an early appointment with the vet. Are you thinking online or face to face? I would be tempted to try for face to face, but maybe I'm overly cautious.