The Rescued Flock (Pictures Included)

[kada6305]

here is a picture comparing the tail feathers lol.

 

[fishermans wife]

I am not sure if you mentioned age of these chicks, but it may be worth trying to straighten the crooked toes. There is a lot of information on here for that and how to make a "boot" to be worn. It takes a few minutes to do,and can offer good results. I did have a chick with crooked toes that ended up being a rooster - but he got a long just fine. You would have to trim toenails however as they are not naturally worn down as they are to the side. Also, he had a harder time roosting. If I had caught it earlier I would have tried to straighten them.

 

[forgetful]

Not sure on the age, though they seem around two/three weeks. I did attempt a boot, but instead of simply straightening her toes, her entire foot is rotated to where the boot offers little help and did more harm than good. I read about electrical tape offering support yet allowing it to bend, so I tried that. Maybe I could do a more structured boot? I just don't want to make a boot but put it on incorrectly.

 

[forgetful]

Not sure on the age, though they seem around two/three weeks. I did attempt a boot, but instead of simply straightening her toes, her entire foot is rotated to where the boot offers little help and did more harm than good. I read about electrical tape offering support yet allowing it to bend, so I tried that. Maybe I could do a more structured boot? I just don't want to make a boot but put it on incorrectly.

 

[forgetful]

The flock got to roam around outside again today. It was a little damp from the rain yesterday, and a little chilly (50s) compared to our usual weather, but they did fine. Little Chick of course complained the whole time. She didn't want to be in the cold, and didn't want to be held to get warm. Her flock mates seemed a little perplexed over her cheeps. They were too busy enjoying the chance to peck and scratch in the grass. Chick #8 seems to in fact be a roo. He was flapping and charging while outside, and would run up to chick #5 and peck and chest bump. I'm not sure, but I believe Godzilla, Chick #8, and Chick #5 are all roos or bossy hens.

Before they roamed, I changed the shavings and cleaned their brooder, and had them in the little container I use to carry them around. I need to get my hands on some DE, because there is a slight smell. After everyone roamed for a while and the brooder was fresh, I placed them back in and let my cocker spaniel mix, Cooper, in for a visit. He was very well behaved, though I didn't take any chicks out for him to sniff. I think he remembers how he was scolded last time he visited.

Oh, also, I have a shipment of 500 worms coming in. They were originally for my tiger salamander Henry, but I do believe he won't mind sharing the bounty. The box should be in today, and I'm excited to see if the chicks will take to them.

Picture heavy picture time!:

Cleaning out the brooder



The travel bin





Sweet Pea decided to perch and give the flock bad ideas

Passed off her idea to the other chick



Newspaper bottom:



The bedding I currently use. I'll have to switch to something else within the next two cleanings, because I got it while out of town. I used a third of the bag today.



Nice and clean:



Everyone still there?




Good, because it's play time!:







Show down: The yellow chick ran around flapping and bumping everyone except Godzilla, who would give him one look that would send him off:



Cheeping the whole time. Silly thing:








Plus a video:









Two of the alleged roos:










Mr. Hot Stuff (That may end up being his name, now that I think about it..)



Godzilla



They could hear the crow a few trees over






Cold chick





Time to go back in:



Warming up while I reassemble the brooder:



All clean:



I had to vacuum, because the floor was yuck. I can assure you they did not enjoy it.



Cooper!:





What is all that noise?:



Being well behaved:





Wondering why the little fluff balls were allowed inside.



The chicks were much less concerned:

 

[Deerling]

Aw, I love this story! Glad they're all doing well

 

[tcmstalcup]

I have a maran hen with a rotated foot that looks like your pic. I got her as a baby and never could fix it. She doesn't perch but gets around fine and gets in waist high nest boxes with no problem. She is one of a few that survived a predator attack a few years ago so she is really a survivor. She like to go broody but never remembers which box she left those eggs in so I think she is brain damaged too!!! She actually is the one in the flock that irritates the snot out of me but I also can't part with her. We call her "French fry" and not many of my chickens even have names.

 

[annav410]

Love the updates and pictures.

 

[forgetful]

I'm glad you guys like the updates! This is the only place I can share my chicken love. x) The rest of my family doesn't get it.

Isn't it funny how big their personalities are? I wasn't sure if Sweet Pea could perch, but seeing her on the edge of the box calmed some of my fears. I feel the boot causes her a lot of stress. The entire time I had her electrical tape one on she pecked and pecked and pecked. I think to make any change in her foot I will have to leave the brace on until she is full grown. I'm brainstorming what materials I have that I can use right now.

Oh, and the worms came in! The smaller black chick that I suspect is a roo was the only one who could figure out how to eat them, and was the first to peck it out of my hand. He ate two worms and then would peck and fling the rest to the others, though they only ate the tiny bits he tore off for them. It was hilarious, because Falcon and the silkies would snatch the worm from off the floor and race around with it, with the whole flock chasing, then they would drop it and not know what to do next. I didn't take any pictures, because I was on worm patrol. The little boogers hightailed it for the bedding as soon as they were dropped. I think the next few times I feed them worms they will have it figured out, and I can sit back and snap a few photos.

The silkie chicks love to scratch in the bedding. I saw the larger one 'dust bathe' for the first time today, though it was rather unsuccessful in the wood chips. I'll have to supply them with a dust bowl during play time, it seems.

 

[Imachickenmama]

Do you have any of the save a chick probiotic and electrolyte? Might help the little chick out.
I have a hen that has curled toes.
Love all the pics!