The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[BlueMouse]

how long does a broody normally stay off the nest when she gets off???

 

[stonykill]

how long does a broody normally stay off the nest when she gets off???

5 to 30 minutes

 

[BlueMouse]

ok, so my broody strolling around the yard for half an hour isn't going to hurt the eggs.... Whew...

 

[starlingdaly]

Yeah, they seem to know the maximum amount of time they can stay off the nest. My broodies are always pushing the limit!!

 

[Sally8]

On a more somber note- Keep an eye out for poisons around your house. A couple day ago I was building the pallet feeder and knocked over a bottle of tanning bed cleaner.... I figured it was soap and didn't worry too much about it.

Carla came to me today and said I needed to look at one of the cats. We have tons of barn cats, none named, and several house cats. This was an unnamed little girl. She had gotten into it and apparently it was caustic. she had tried to lick it off of herself. She could hardly walk and part of her tongue was gone.

My guns are at the lot. About guns- Buckshot is better than slugs.

I'm so sorry. It wasn't something you meant to happen. Thankfully, you are able to take care of the situation. sue

 

[SunAndDirt]

Hey everyone!

I've lurked this thread for a while, and unfortunately would like to cross-post my question from the illness boards. Any advice on handling this pullet?
She is currently in a bedded dog crate in my spare bathroom, still eating and drinking. A little miffed she's alone, but not obviously stressing, just tells me all about the accommodations and indignities whenever I check on her, then goes right back to being bored/quiet when I walk out.
Applied a warm compress for a few minutes earlier, planning on repeating tonight. Aside from the uni-lateral swelling, no obvious respiratory signs or distress, no sneezing, etc.
I can post more recent photos (these were taken around 11am) not much has changed except on the top lid there was a little spot of blood, almost like a skinned knee, but no obvious abrasions.
Ideas? Input?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/787094/half-of-head-swollen-no-resp-issues-pics#post_11308170



Thanks much!
Ann

 

[Bulldogma]

Hey everyone!

I've lurked this thread for a while, and unfortunately would like to cross-post my question from the illness boards. Any advice on handling this pullet?
She is currently in a bedded dog crate in my spare bathroom, still eating and drinking. A little miffed she's alone, but not obviously stressing, just tells me all about the accommodations and indignities whenever I check on her, then goes right back to being bored/quiet when I walk out.
Applied a warm compress for a few minutes earlier, planning on repeating tonight. Aside from the uni-lateral swelling, no obvious respiratory signs or distress, no sneezing, etc.
I can post more recent photos (these were taken around 11am) not much has changed except on the top lid there was a little spot of blood, almost like a skinned knee, but no obvious abrasions.
Ideas? Input?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/787094/half-of-head-swollen-no-resp-issues-pics#post_11308170

Thanks much!
Ann

Ouch! Poor thing - that looks painful!

Here are some herbs that can naturally help reduce swelling when applied topically in a compress or poultice:
Chamomile
Feverfew
Ginkgo biloba
Oats "A simple poultice made from a muslin bag filled with oatmeal and chamomile flowers is one the most healing things you can use for damaged skin.... "
Witch Hazel (but be cautious around the eye area)

 

[SunAndDirt]

Thanks!

If only my new chamomile plants were established!! Off to the store I go!

 

[aoxa]

Hey everyone!

I've lurked this thread for a while, and unfortunately would like to cross-post my question from the illness boards. Any advice on handling this pullet?
She is currently in a bedded dog crate in my spare bathroom, still eating and drinking. A little miffed she's alone, but not obviously stressing, just tells me all about the accommodations and indignities whenever I check on her, then goes right back to being bored/quiet when I walk out.
Applied a warm compress for a few minutes earlier, planning on repeating tonight. Aside from the uni-lateral swelling, no obvious respiratory signs or distress, no sneezing, etc.
I can post more recent photos (these were taken around 11am) not much has changed except on the top lid there was a little spot of blood, almost like a skinned knee, but no obvious abrasions.
Ideas? Input?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/787094/half-of-head-swollen-no-resp-issues-pics#post_11308170



Thanks much!
Ann

I actually had a hen named Harriet that started the same as this. She had a cyst grow right where a human's eye bag would be. It blocked off her vision and totalled a pea in size. When the vet came to vaccinate for ILT (requirement for showing here - and a very common disease that is reportable) - he said that as long as it stayed clear of debris it shouldn't cause her any pain or discomfort, and that it was not genetic. Blind in one eye in the end, but it didn't cause her any pain. She was the most hilarious thing..

Something could have scratched your hen's eye and it is just irritated. I'm just putting it out there that I've had a hen like this that got around just fine.

 

[aoxa]

BDM - I am 99% sure your first one that the breeder said was a pullet is a rooster. Same with the last one.

Give it a couple more weeks. Let me know. I'm really good at sexing birds. Before you guys on this thread, that is what I did on here most of all Got quite good at it.

Oh and today we picked up 10 more silkie chicks and 5 NNs!