We know broody hens. How about a nanny hen?

[azygous]

It seems I've been doing little else for the past few days other than try to save Jules. I've been tube feeding her twice a day and that's paid off. She's alert and does have an appetite now. The leg is getting no better, but a sprain can take weeks to heal.

I have been very concerned about her lying on the ground all day, and she flops around in a distressed manner when she wants to change locations. It seems she wears herself out and doesn't eat enough on her own. So I rigged a chick hammock with restraints so she won't pop herself out of it as she did with the first one I tried. This seems to be working. Su-su hardly leaves Jules' side, always hovering over her.

 

[ValerieJ]

It seems I've been doing little else for the past few days other than try to save Jules. I've been tube feeding her twice a day and that's paid off. She's alert and does have an appetite now. The leg is getting no better, but a sprain can take weeks to heal.

I have been very concerned about her lying on the ground all day, and she flops around in a distressed manner when she wants to change locations. It seems she wears herself out and doesn't eat enough on her own. So I rigged a chick hammock with restraints so she won't pop herself out of it as she did with the first one I tried. This seems to be working. Su-su hardly leaves Jules' side, always hovering over her. View attachment 2371700

That set up looks very effective. And what a sweet girl Su-su is. But we knew that already.

 

[azygous]

Yes, it worked for about 30 minutes. Then she managed to get out of one of the restraints and fling herself over the edge, where I found her in a distressed condition. She's back on the ground.

Thinking of culling. The chicken keeper, that is. Like beating my head against a wall.

 

[aart]

Thinking of culling.

Might be best.
You've given it a good run.

The chicken keeper, that is.

No.

 

[azygous]

Going on thirteen years of keeping chickens, and I never really believed one chicken could have any sort of tender concern for another chicken. Watching Su-su with her injured chick has opened my eyes.

I've noticed these past few days that Su-su has been hovering near Jules most of the time. I was just sitting in the run observing her with the chick after I had returned her after tube feeding her. Su-su stood over Jules, gazing down at her, gave her a soft peck, more of a "taste", on the head, and continued to gaze at her.

Then Su-su bent down, put her face right into Jules', tilted her head, and looked into her eyes. I can't know what's going on in Su-su's brain, but it sure looked like concern and caring.

Then one of the other chicks came over and plopped down next to Jules, Su-su plopped down next to Jules on the other side, and Jules was flanked by chickens that sure appeared to care about her.

Not ready to euthanize yet. Keeping it as an option, though.

 

[ValerieJ]

Going on thirteen years of keeping chickens, and I never really believed one chicken could have any sort of tender concern for another chicken. Watching Su-su with her injured chick has opened my eyes.

I've noticed these past few days that Su-su has been hovering near Jules most of the time. I was just sitting in the run observing her with the chick after I had returned her after tube feeding her. Su-su stood over Jules, gazing down at her, gave her a soft peck, more of a "taste", on the head, and continued to gaze at her.

Then Su-su bent down, put her face right into Jules', tilted her head, and looked into her eyes. I can't know what's going on in Su-su's brain, but it sure looked like concern and caring.

Then one of the other chicks came over and plopped down next to Jules, Su-su plopped down next to Jules on the other side, and Jules was flanked by chickens that sure appeared to care about her.

Not ready to euthanize yet. Keeping it as an option, though.

I think you are doing a wonderful job with her. How touching that Su-su and another chick are hanging out with her. Have you considered keeping her in a crate until she can properly care for herself?

I'm certain chickens have tenderness toward other chickens. They definitely make friends in my flock. For example, I have seen two of my hens sitting next to a deceased hen until I came to discover her, as if to show me where she was. Once I picked her up and took her out, they went back about their normal behavior. But, I agree. What they are thinking is truly a mystery.

 

[azygous]

Have you considered keeping her in a crate until she can properly care for herself?

Yes. I've struggled with it. She does sleep in a crate at night, but during the day, she eats grit from the run sand bedding, and she likes to scoot about on her hocks from time to time. I have their run blocked off from the other chickens in the main run so Jules won't get run over. That happened last week when a one-year old came in and bowled her over in her quest to eat all their food.

Jules' own mates are tender with her, never hurting her. She appears as safe in the run as she would be in a crate, as long as I am mindful to close off the access points to the rest of my flock.

 

[azygous]

I'm very sad to report that I euthanized Jules. She was getting worse, not better.

 

[ValerieJ]

I'm very sad to report that I euthanized Jules. She was getting worse, not better.

That is very sad, indeed. You did everything you could for her. It's a hard decision, but its part of good husbandry.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

That is very sad, indeed. You did everything you could for her. It's a hard decision, but its part of good husbandry.

X2. Sometimes the right decision is the hard one. You did all you could.