Sara Ranch
Songster
- Jun 7, 2017
- 916
- 971
- 183
Just asking for thoughts.
Some of the animals I adopt have problems. I have chickens that are blind in one eye, or have severe eye sight problems. It is what it is and I work with it.
I have two cockerels that are probably 85% blind in both eyes. It's hard to determine, exactly.
Their current care (due to eye sight issues) is that they are carried to and from their room to an open run. They no longer walk on their own from their room in the barn to the run. I use to be able to guide them by walking with them and talking to them. Now they won't leave the barn on their own. At night, I have to put them on the roost. I try to get them in during daylight, but they still can't see well enough to jump on the roost anymore.
They peck/bite me when they are picked up. As soon as they are in my arms, they immediately settle down. (They never use to peck. I always tell them what I am going to do.) If anything or anyone touches them, they peck/bite.
The water is always in the same place and I check it often and refill.
The food - that one is becoming more challenging. I put the food on the ground. They don't - won't - even try to eat grass and they don't eat bugs. Putting food in a container for them doesn't work. They can't see the container well and they end up tipping it over the container. When I put food in the run for them, I have to drop it ON them, so they feel it, then they will eat it off the ground.
This one is hilarious - to me. They mated with my friends foot! Yep. Grabbed the leg hair, jumped on the foot, pump, pump, pump, done.
I keep the cockerels on a routine and in the same spaces. I talk to them & keep them informed of what is going on. I encourage them to use their other senses. Do you smell that? It's food. Do you hear that? It's so-so. Feel that? Rain is coming. Stuffs like that.
Fall and winter are coming. I'm not sure if it's kind to take them through the winter. I don't mind all of the carrying and extra attention these guys need. I worry about slipping while carrying them. Or that they will get too cold & not say anything. They don't talk much anymore.
The two guys have each other. Both have vision problems, close to the same degree. Both are a healthy weight. Not loosing weight. A bit messy on the backside. Tried to manscape back there, but wasn't very successful. (Feathers are hard to cut!)
The other chickens with vision problems (super far sighted, blind in one eye, etc) have all learned to cope and I have the extra care steps in place. No worries about winter there.
JUST asking for thoughts about the winter months. Suggestions too.
Some of the animals I adopt have problems. I have chickens that are blind in one eye, or have severe eye sight problems. It is what it is and I work with it.
I have two cockerels that are probably 85% blind in both eyes. It's hard to determine, exactly.
Their current care (due to eye sight issues) is that they are carried to and from their room to an open run. They no longer walk on their own from their room in the barn to the run. I use to be able to guide them by walking with them and talking to them. Now they won't leave the barn on their own. At night, I have to put them on the roost. I try to get them in during daylight, but they still can't see well enough to jump on the roost anymore.
They peck/bite me when they are picked up. As soon as they are in my arms, they immediately settle down. (They never use to peck. I always tell them what I am going to do.) If anything or anyone touches them, they peck/bite.
The water is always in the same place and I check it often and refill.
The food - that one is becoming more challenging. I put the food on the ground. They don't - won't - even try to eat grass and they don't eat bugs. Putting food in a container for them doesn't work. They can't see the container well and they end up tipping it over the container. When I put food in the run for them, I have to drop it ON them, so they feel it, then they will eat it off the ground.
This one is hilarious - to me. They mated with my friends foot! Yep. Grabbed the leg hair, jumped on the foot, pump, pump, pump, done.
I keep the cockerels on a routine and in the same spaces. I talk to them & keep them informed of what is going on. I encourage them to use their other senses. Do you smell that? It's food. Do you hear that? It's so-so. Feel that? Rain is coming. Stuffs like that.
Fall and winter are coming. I'm not sure if it's kind to take them through the winter. I don't mind all of the carrying and extra attention these guys need. I worry about slipping while carrying them. Or that they will get too cold & not say anything. They don't talk much anymore.
The two guys have each other. Both have vision problems, close to the same degree. Both are a healthy weight. Not loosing weight. A bit messy on the backside. Tried to manscape back there, but wasn't very successful. (Feathers are hard to cut!)
The other chickens with vision problems (super far sighted, blind in one eye, etc) have all learned to cope and I have the extra care steps in place. No worries about winter there.
JUST asking for thoughts about the winter months. Suggestions too.
