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

[speckledhen]

Now, Athena is acting weird. WTH is going on? She was sitting alone on the ground under a lawn chair when I went to put her group back in their barn pen. She went to the roost and fell asleep immediately while the others were still milling around, but when she stands, she keeps her left eye closed and acts, well, just really off. She is not bloated, no swelling in the eye or anything. Maybe someone just pecked her in the eye. I hope that's all it is. I'm ready for everyone who's going to just go.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Now, Athena is acting weird. WTH is going on? She was sitting alone on the ground under a lawn chair when I went to put her group back in their barn pen. She went to the roost and fell asleep immediately while the others were still milling around, but when she stands, she keeps her left eye closed and acts, well, just really off. She is not bloated, no swelling in the eye or anything. Maybe someone just pecked her in the eye. I hope that's all it is. I'm ready for everyone who's going to just go.

When I get a dumping like you are taking lately I just start hiding in the house. I understand wanting it all over, it's probably why we are quick to cull sometimes. I never have much luck having anyone improve, though a few have surprised me after I have counted them out. Sometimes I'm too negative. You need a good luck charm.

 

[speckledhen]

When I get a dumping like you are taking lately I just start hiding in the house. I understand wanting it all over, it's probably why we are quick to cull sometimes. I never have much luck having anyone improve, though a few have surprised me after I have counted them out. Sometimes I'm too negative. You need a good luck charm.

I think I just have to ride the wave until it's over. Sigh.

Remember June's bad prolapse and how we had her grave dug already? I mean, it was 5 days or so and she was not getting better, but finally, after a few soaks with a heavy epsom salts solution, she recovered. That open hole is still there, waiting for the next one just past where Piglet and Pooh are buried. So, sometimes, they get better and sometimes they don't. Of course, June will go out soon anyway, being 9 years old, but Ro is only 3 and Athena is just over a year old. Ro makes more sense than Athena, certainly, but still...3 years old is nothing.

Carly, my tiny D'Anver hen, is going to go very soon, too. She is having more frequent and stronger seizures, though she will still eat when you can steady her and give her something she wants like spinach or kale or like this morning, biscuit or tomato pieces. She won't eat her normal feed and can't drink water unless we syringe it into her beak. So, tomorrow, we need to look into euthanizing her if she doesn't pass overnight. I know for sure she won't get better.

 

[robhuncor]

Poor little Pooh, we all loved to hear about her and watch the videos. Thinking of you with all the troubles.

 

[MistyMountain]

Hey Cyn, I've been following, when I can figure it out, but not posting since the big switch over. Still learning, change is not something I enjoy.

So very sorry to hear about Pooh, knowing her time was limited does not make it any easier. I know you made every minute of her short life happy and comfortable. The same goes for your other hens-- so blessed to have you taking care of them into their old age!

I hope all of this passes quickly for you, that helpless feeling when you already know the end result is certainly not pleasant. I recently lost a 3 year old hen that I knew was slowly going down hill for a while. She had always been a thin hen and her egg shells were so brittle from day one. She was my first broody hen, though, and such a nice hen. You could toss her in with newbies or babies any time and she would assert her position, but then become friends and mother the youngsters. Its hard to see the good ones go.

It sounds like we would get along well in the TV Entertainment department--- you have named some of my favorite shows! I did binge-watch Downton Abbey recently. I refused to jump on the wagon while it was on TV, assuming it would not interest me. It took a few episodes, but I was hooked and fascinated!

 

[speckledhen]

Thanks, Michelle. Ro's poop this a.m. was green with what seemed to be urates mixed with yolk and I did notice that the runny poop in her fluff was yellowish yesterday, so maybe it is an egg thing going on with her. Whatever, doing all I can do and if it isn't enough, then she can't be fixed.

 

[1muttsfan]

Always discouraging to find yolk like that, but maybe she can pass it out.

 

[speckledhen]

Always discouraging to find yolk like that, but maybe she can pass it out.

I hope so.

On the Carly front, I am feeding her out of a peanut butter jar top and giving her water by syringe so she doesn't lay in it and stay wet. I had cooked some eggs with grits and oats, added a little plain yogurt, and put it in front of her. She tries to eat and completely flips over, cannot control her neck and body movements and has seizures when she tries. But, when I hold her in one hand, against my chest so her wings are secure and help her, she will eat and eat and eat, albeit her head moves in funny ways to throw her food back own her throat. She has an appetite! So, what on earth is going on? It was instantaneous, this condition, just like a sudden stroke, the way it started, but her seizures are getting worse, lasting longer. how on earth is she still alive, having started at just 17 ounces of normal weight? How much can her little 6 yr old body handle? Mary, do you think there is even a slim chance she can recover from this?

 

[1muttsfan]

It sounds like she has suffered damage to her brain, unfortunately recovery seems unlikely, but she could linger like this for a long time if you continue to provide nutritional support. Under normal circumstances she would likely quickly pass on from thirst, but it may be more humane to put her down rather than let her continue to just survive. Most animals, including people, when they die naturally, slowly become less interested in food and gradually just fall asleep and pass on. I don't think that is going to happen with her.

 

[getaclue]

Sorry about Pooh.