The Front Porch Swing

[OHhappychicks]

Here is a link to a source of chicken saddles with wings ...

http://www.hensaver.com/FAQ.html

The one I made with nothing more than needle, thread, scissors, flat elastic, and an old pair of jeans was the very simple kind ... with tighter wing elastic, it never came off and was all cotton/breathable, didn't get too dirty, and it looks as good as new after a couple months of constant use. It was held away from the wound by the hen's feathers ... so the wound could heal.

I'd be worried about plastics or synthetics. Honestly, I'd be worries about duct tape type things. But I'm curious about using them for a saddle.

Thanks for that info! You made the simple kind am I reading that correctly? How did you measure? Across the back and around under the wings?

 

[lindz8504]

I am heartbroken. Our yorkie was hit by a car this evening. He was my first child, and we are devastated. The neighbor's dogs (not the huskies) were across the road and Zauk and Ratchet went running after them. I opened the door to holler at them and Parker ran out, across the yard and into the road. I heard the car and screamed at him to stop and come back but he didn't. They hit him and I screamed and ran out there barefoot. They stopped and got to him first but I screamed at them not to touch him. I picked him up and he took about 3 gasps and was gone. It was a couple of teenage boys and they were upset about it. Even offered to dig a hole but I told them that the hubby would do it. My kids are so upset. My husband got home to all of us bawling. He turned grey when I told him that Parker was hit. He took him and built a box to bury him in and dug the grave. I still feel like someone punched me in the gut.

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

I am heartbroken. Our yorkie was hit by a car this evening. He was my first child, and we are devastated. The neighbor's dogs (not the huskies) were across the road and Zauk and Ratchet went running after them. I opened the door to holler at them and Parker ran out, across the yard and into the road. I heard the car and screamed at him to stop and come back but he didn't. They hit him and I screamed and ran out there barefoot. They stopped and got to him first but I screamed at them not to touch him. I picked him up and he took about 3 gasps and was gone. It was a couple of teenage boys and they were upset about it. Even offered to dig a hole but I told them that the hubby would do it. My kids are so upset. My husband got home to all of us bawling. He turned grey when I told him that Parker was hit. He took him and built a box to bury him in and dug the grave. I still feel like someone punched me in the gut.

So so sorry to hear this Lindz My heart goes out to you and I welled up just reading your story

We have a small Maltipom (Maltese/Pomeranian) boy and I know how heartbroken I would be if something happened to him. I'm sure you gave Parker a wonderful life and he would tell you that if he could do so ! God Bless you and your family and I'll be praying for you tonight

 

[lovingmyhens]

I am heartbroken. Our yorkie was hit by a car this evening. He was my first child, and we are devastated. The neighbor's dogs (not the huskies) were across the road and Zauk and Ratchet went running after them. I opened the door to holler at them and Parker ran out, across the yard and into the road. I heard the car and screamed at him to stop and come back but he didn't. They hit him and I screamed and ran out there barefoot. They stopped and got to him first but I screamed at them not to touch him. I picked him up and he took about 3 gasps and was gone. It was a couple of teenage boys and they were upset about it. Even offered to dig a hole but I told them that the hubby would do it. My kids are so upset. My husband got home to all of us bawling. He turned grey when I told him that Parker was hit. He took him and built a box to bury him in and dug the grave. I still feel like someone punched me in the gut.

I'm so sorry lindz...no matter how many times we lose our pets, it just never gets easier.

 

[TexasLisa]

Lindz, I am so sorry.

Prayers are going up for your family and the two boys.

Lisa

 

[OHhappychicks]

I am heartbroken. Our yorkie was hit by a car this evening. He was my first child, and we are devastated. The neighbor's dogs (not the huskies) were across the road and Zauk and Ratchet went running after them. I opened the door to holler at them and Parker ran out, across the yard and into the road. I heard the car and screamed at him to stop and come back but he didn't. They hit him and I screamed and ran out there barefoot. They stopped and got to him first but I screamed at them not to touch him. I picked him up and he took about 3 gasps and was gone. It was a couple of teenage boys and they were upset about it. Even offered to dig a hole but I told them that the hubby would do it. My kids are so upset. My husband got home to all of us bawling. He turned grey when I told him that Parker was hit. He took him and built a box to bury him in and dug the grave. I still feel like someone punched me in the gut.

Oh, I'm so sorry. We've been there.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Thanks for that info! You made the simple kind am I reading that correctly? How did you measure? Across the back and around under the wings?

I didn't really measure much. I opened the simple side seam, then cut those even from the sturdy rolled side seam. The large side seam became the center line running lengthwise down the back of the hen.

These were large birds, so I made a generous length ... some of that got used up with folding the cut edge back to create a tunnel for the elastic (I folded it up, not under, so the smooth side was against the bird) ... and left the original hem for a finished tail end. The elastic tunnel was only a few inches across, but took more length than I thought it would, so I'm glad I cut it generous at first. Then I cut the crescents for the shape along the top (or rather front/neck end) line to shape around the wings, and attached the elastic. I did not shape the bottom edges to curve them ... it's a long, wide, rectangular apron. Not delicate and fancy like the ones at the link.

I made my elastic a pretty short/tight. One continuous piece clear across the saddle. It did twist around a lot and it did need adjusting, but it didn't come off.

Note, I only did this to protect the wound on her side. I have LOTS of bare-backed birds, and they don't get aprons. Sorry girls. The real fix is fewer males to female, or a better balance of males in the general population. So I'm considering another drastic rooster cull ... or segregation. I hate to see the hens like that. We have maybe 20 hens per male, but we culled the cockerels too late and damage had already started after they re-grew feathers from their super hard molt last fall -- our top cock got last years new tail pulled as it was re growing after the molt, and he is still tailless. It was cockerelpalooza here until Christmas. Not good. And now we have one extra cockerel the for some reason isn't getting culled, and another younger roo ... the younger ones cause competitive mating ... so the hens still get too much attention. The older males are pretty gentle and they have happy harems ... until a cockerel jumps the hens.

 

[sarahsunshine]

Did the prior owners have dogs or cats in the house? If so, the fleas were starving until your poor dog showed up. BUFFET! If this is the case, you need to bomb the house. Has to be done twice. Once to kill the live fleas and a second time after the bazillion eggs hatch.

I've not heard of chickens getting fleas.


Bruce

Only outdoor cats that I know of. It's funny, 2 weeks ago I gave our mutt a good brushing and took out TONS of her winter coat. Didn't see a single sign of fleas then. Saturday I looked at one piece of one ear and there must have been 30 fleas feasting on her in that one spot! The rest of her was covered in the same way. We somehow got the timing right and got to the ve's and got some of the vet prescribed poison... After 4 nights she is starting to be way more perky than she has been in weeks. She must have been going insane! And when I brush her now I get dead fleas just flying off her in all directions. She is really enjoying a good rub periodically throughout the day, and definitely sleeping well. I can't imagine trying to sleep with that many creepy-crawlies all over me! Yechk!!!

Good news on the chickens and fleas... I'll keep an eye on them, though.


As for chicken coop renovation, I'm not quite finished in the predator protection yet... but I do have 2 nice roosts built. I am splitting the inside into two 6x6' runs, and today I framed the wall (to be covered in chicken wire, and still needs a door made and attached). I also installed 2 roosts from the pile of 2" aspen left by the previous owners. From scraps in the barn I made a nest box with 4 boxes, so maybe tomorrow I won't have to go on an Easter Egg hunt (as much fun as it is, especially with the kids!!).

 

[sarahsunshine]

I am heartbroken. Our yorkie was hit by a car this evening. He was my first child, and we are devastated. The neighbor's dogs (not the huskies) were across the road and Zauk and Ratchet went running after them. I opened the door to holler at them and Parker ran out, across the yard and into the road. I heard the car and screamed at him to stop and come back but he didn't. They hit him and I screamed and ran out there barefoot. They stopped and got to him first but I screamed at them not to touch him. I picked him up and he took about 3 gasps and was gone. It was a couple of teenage boys and they were upset about it. Even offered to dig a hole but I told them that the hubby would do it. My kids are so upset. My husband got home to all of us bawling. He turned grey when I told him that Parker was hit. He took him and built a box to bury him in and dug the grave. I still feel like someone punched me in the gut.

I am so sorry. We went through this about a month ago (Easter Sunday to be exact), except it was hubby who accidentally hit our gorgeous and friendly mutt... The kids are still heartbroken and talk about missing him (3 and 5yo).

Hugs to all of you.

 

[Oldmomma]

Need to check on my new HEN this morning. She is older than my roo. She kept chasing him he couldnt get down to eat or drink. Dont want him hurt or starved but my frind said just toss her in. I washed her feet first and will medicate today but at least now I can get eggs finally. Saw cochins in town 2.50 each for chicks! Yikes. But I want a few. Down to 2 NNs hope I got a pair. They all milled around the new coop but come bedtime they were crawling over each other to go back to the rabbit cage. Peeping like crazy! Took a crate and put a bulb on it and put it in the new box I got them, covered it with a blanket 3/4 way. One came out was going crazy couldnt see he just needed to crawl under edge of blanket to get back in, had to open cage and show him back. They shut up instantly. Found them out this morning fromunder blanket hope they figure it out lol. While putting the door in place I impaled my finger on hardware, hurt bad trying to lift door off my finger, I couldnt see why I could not move my finger and moving door on own hurt like dickens. Daughter was like "what"? Duh, my finger is impaled help me push the door off an bout passed out trying to get kids to even notice what was wrong. Thank god for tetnus shots! No blood I pulled and compressed immediately so kids could not see why I was panicked. Cloudy day so will finish cleaning and rest today.
On other news seems embassy has suggested evacuation of american citizens but how do we leave people behind? Remember during war in 2011, we were working on helping evac a foriegn woman whose husband had left with his mother seeking medical aid. She wanted to leave and join him or go to her family. He refused to let her leave. She was smuggled out. Got to port was waiting in abandon building for words to get to port where ship was waiting...bomb hit building and her and others killed...we cried all night. Two of my kids want to leave but with airlines refusing to come few routes available. Try to see if embassy can assist. Im safe as anyone else. I will die where God so chooses. But my kids decide for themselves. If my life is in Gods hands why go anywhere in panic? Internet trickling down so dont panic if im not around much. 5th is long way off.