The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[speckledhen]

Looks like she has a sore back from her posture. If so she'll be better in a few days. A single dose of antiinflammatory might be a good idea, as long as she is eating and drinking normally. Just like kids they are, always getting dinged up somehow.

She won't stand up fully, as you saw. I tend to think Hector or maybe Apollo hurt her, most likely Hector. She ate a little, but isn't wanting much. I did pop a baby aspirin down her this morning so we'll see. At least, she doesn't have to jump onto a roost or be grabbed by her guy today. And there is a low wattage red reptile bulb over the cage for a small heat spot if she needs it. Hopefully, some rest will do her a world of good.

I ejected Dusty from the cage finally because her crop is just not working properly and being separated this long was not doing her any good, making her depressed. This way, Dusty can bully the underlings until her last breath. Any "normal" sour crop would have resolved itself by now, but since it is not, I think it's the dreaded system shutdown for that big old gal.


January just was not my month. Sigh.


ETA: 3:25 checked on Mary. She is laying down, eyes closed, panting, won't respond to me. The panting is a pain response, I'm sure. Could be Hector or one of the other girls jumped off the nest or the roost onto her. I hope she makes it, but my husband is not optimistic, looking at the way she's acting. And she is my best one of all the uphilljill pullets, too. (of course, she is)

 

[holm25]

Oh poor Mary. I have best wishes for her. Hopefully she gets better.


I am glad to hear Atlas is doing good again!

 

[speckledhen]

Oh poor Mary. I have best wishes for her. Hopefully she gets better.


I am glad to hear Atlas is doing good again!

Thank you, Isaiah. I really, really don't want to lose Mary, of all the birds I could lose. And, of course, I'm happy my buddy has improved. I guess it was something minor. Everyone else seems okay, though naturally, the elderly hens can go anytime. And Dusty, well, she's lived a full measure of years for a big Orpington hen.

 

[speckledhen]

Short video of Mary in the hospital cage, @1muttsfan see how she is not really standing up? Poor girl! I bet someone jumped on her from above.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Hmm, she's almost standing like my old buff Orpington hens does after she internally lays. Is her bottom swollen? Or is it all feathers? Poor girl.

 

[speckledhen]

Hmm, she's almost standing like my old buff Orpington hens does after she internally lays. Is her bottom swollen? Or is it all feathers? Poor girl.

She has been laying though, just a couple days ago, I know I got out 3 eggs from those 3 pullets in there. We checked the abdomen, and though it's a funny shape (my Druscilla's is like Mary's), it's pliable and soft. She is not straining as if egg-bound. Remember, she's only 32 weeks old and came into lay not that long ago, still lays pretty small eggs.

I've never had one begin internal laying at this age and never a heritage Rock, at least not so far. I think her abdomen looks like that because she is standing with her tail down and back arched. I'll have to check tomorrow if she's still with me. We'll glove up/lube up and palpate inside, though I did sort of check and saw nothing odd, didn't feel an egg back there.

 

[Wyatt0224]

That's so sad, I hope Mary gets better very soon. Hopefully a good nights sleep will do her good.

 

[speckledhen]

That's so sad, I hope Mary gets better very soon. Hopefully a good nights sleep will do her good.

I sure hope so. I'm very worried about her. She and Jill are my new blood. Thea would be, too, except for her wry tail issue. I notice that her back is shorter than the other two girls as well, but she is a real sweetie, comes running when you call her, loves to be picked up all the time. I can't lose Mary, just can't.

 

[1muttsfan]

I can see where one of those big lugs thumping down on top of you could cause some damage. Hopefully it is not serious, and she will feel better in a day or two. Her color is good, and she was at least moving around a little.

 

[GingersHuman]

Good news about Atlas, but Mary, oh dear! Keep us updated!