Quote: Honestly (Just my opinion) you might be surprised. My son, his 2 cousins, and the neighbor boy (2 six year olds, a 7 year old, and an 8 year old) LOVED going to the processing class with me last July. They thought it was seriously awesome to watch how chickens were killed and processed. I bet if you told your son that since it was a boy you were going to rename him "Dinner" until it was time to process him, he'd be fine. Let's let our little boys grow up tough; it's great to be tender hearted and gentle, but also tough! He would probably surprise you.
Quote: I know, I know. This was totally said with the best of intent as you know I like to worry about my bird, but because of this I know each one like the back of my hand. Her sitting on the roost when I entered the run was strange. Usually they all congregate around my legs waiting for treats any time I come out. I brought her in for an exam and she's not egg bound but her crop is not emptying. She is likely impacted from getting access yesterday to the side of the yard with super long grass. Her tail remains down when she's walking around for the most part, although she's been standing in the same place in my kitchen for over an hour without moving now; she just huddles with eyes closing sometimes. Something IS wrong. I'm glad I know my birds and didn't say this to make you feel bad CR, but she IS, indeed, sick or something and I'm not worrying for no reason.
So far to help her I've given her EVOO (about a tsp), a tiny syringe full of molasses, and some water. She won't eat or drink on her own so I'm just droppering water into her every couple hours. I just put her in a box and closed the top to keep her still. I massaged her crop downward and tomorrow I'll get grit first thing in the morning and recheck her crop. Anything else that helps a blocked up bird?
Ok, I didn't read the whole thing. Yes I would say she is sick with something. have you tried treating for Cocci? With Corid?