*UPDATE* Neighbor's chickens freezing

[honeydoll]

Thanks, but I have never seen an animal this skinny, horribly skinny. But I'll do the best I can. I homeschool two of my boys and I could use this as a science life skills lesson. And a lesson in caring for all God's creatures in a humane way. Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into. My hubby is going to roll his eyes, say no we don't have time give me one of his big bear hugs and say "If it means that much to you give it a try but if he gets too bad I'll kill him". Somebody smack me, why do all the strays and unwanted come this way. Everyone I knwo has beautiful pets to show off and mine are all the "rejects". If they are not ugly, their disabled. My oldest boy has a brain tumor and is disabled, I just have a hard time turning my back on animals or people others deem hopeless or unsavable. My son almost died twice and he feels the deepest amount of sympathy for all creatures that suffer, he understands pain. He is a GREAT BOy that has taught me unconcitional love.

 

[19hhbelgian]

I agree, try to help him. I'm assuming you have his body temp up to normal, so now it's supportive care. If you eat veggies at supper take a few to him, morning - scrambled eggs? - give him a little of yours, or let yor kids share with him? If he doesn't have the strength to walk around keep his food/water close enough that he can reach it without getting up. Just make sure he's getting enough fluids. Electrolytes in the water would probably be very good for him. Some probiotics added to his meal would help his digestive system get back on track...

for meanie!!

You're doing a wonderful thing by helping him. If he doesn't make it, you can look back and remember that you gave him the best care he probably ever had. To give you hope, here's my story... I was drivng into work one morning, about 8 years ago. Coming toward me, a truck straddled a cat that was in the road. I got up to it, and stopped. The poor thing was litterally walking death. I scooped her up and took her right to the vet. They said she would not have made to the next day, probably only had a few hours left

. Well, had her tested for kitty diseases and she was clean, so we proceeded to allow the vet to clean her up and all that stuff. To this day Holly lives with my parents (8 years later!!). She isn't perfect, but she is a sweet cat that has had a posh life since I picked her up off the road that day, and she shows us her appreciation through affection

not satiny the roo will become a love bug, but it isvery possible to save him.

 

[Imp]

Honeydoll,
They come to you because somehow they know that you can & will help. That light that shines out of you and yours is more beautiful than any pure bred.

Imp

 

[honeydoll]

Alright I went out to see if he is still alive, as he warms up he is a bit more spunky, he tried to peck me, for him that's positve. I watched him try to eat he is swallowing very wierd, almost like he can't swallow. Is this from dehydration? I am taking a syringe out now.

 

[honeydoll]

Quote:
That was, extremely nice. Thanks, I mean that. THat was just really nice.

 

[ChooksChick]

Darling, you are one of those people (like me and my mother) that those in need seek. She's got a doe with a broken leg coming around that she knows ought to just go to sleep, but Mom can't do a thing about it but love the animal until something else happens. She feeds it and sends it love.

I, personally, have a roo that I feed with a tube down its throat into its crop- 3x daily! It's ludicrous, but there are things that bring out our empathy and make us care enough to go to extraordinary measures to care for the "least of these."

I hope it works out well for both of you, and you're great for teaching your kids to be so caring.

 

[feathersnuggles]

Quote:
Capable of imagining what it's like to live within the skin of another... it's called empathy. Not everyone has that gift, but it shows a high level of intelligence.

 

[honeydoll]

Just got done giving him water. It's cold and I'm in my nightgown so I went fast. Hope I didn't hurt him. He didn't peck, but sure did guzzle the syringe of water down. He made a few complaint cackles but that was it. He will not use his legs to move around. When we held him last he did move his feet a little but still will not stand on them. He is an ameraucauna(sp.?) and has the bluish legs so I can't tell if their frostbit. Just a few things I noticed when I went out, parts of his comb are white, like real white, some black and between his toes is a real deep purple color. I'm assuming frostbite, or is the a ameraucauna thing?? Anyone know? Thanks, I hope you all know just how helpful and wonderful you are.

Oh and his legs are blackish not bluish, is that normal too. He laid directly on the snow for about 10 hours, I noticed him this morn. but thought it was my scrub bucket and only later realized it was the roo. So it could very well be severe frostbite.

 

[henningheather]

I agree with so many of the others, these animals come to be yours because you can and will take care of them. I have always thought they know more about that stuff than we do. Almost everyone of my cats has shown up (or been dumped) here and not one of them has ever left because they know they've got it made. This roo seems to know where he is supposed to be and the lesson in life for the kids would be amazing. You rock! Keep up the good work, he'll be thankful soon~

 

[luvmychks51]

you have to give that roo a chance. if he hasn't given up then you can't either. your doing the right thing by giving him a chance. And you obviously understand how special these birds are. I wish everyone knew how devoted and strong they can be. I'd bring him in the house and let him sleep in the bath tub. whatever it takes - go for it!