We know broody hens. How about a nanny hen?

[azygous]

Update! Nothing has changed. Su-su is still broody and associating with the three pullets. They are now sixteen weeks old, and the other chicks Su-su adopted several years ago were this age when she cut them loose.

You can see that they are now the same size as Su-su. It will be interesting to see if they continue to associate as a sub-flock.

 

[aart]

Update! Nothing has changed.

Sorry, am a bit punchy, it just tickled my funny bone.

 

[chrissynemetz]

What's the longest amount of time you've ever had a hen "mama" her chicks before she weans them?

 

[azygous]

Update. Only a very slight development to report. Su-su, whether she is missing the flock or she wants to encourage the pullets to integrate, is spending more time in the main run, though always on the edge of the action.

The chicks are still pretty much Velcroed to Su-su. The pullets do mingle with the flock, but they are never away from Su-su for long. Any loafing they do, they all do it together. Su-su is still emitting the broody cluck, so her hormones are still charged.

They are all still roosting together in the rear coop. I'm as anxious as you are to find out how this story ends.

 

[aart]

Fascinating.

 

[azygous]

Bad news. One of the three pullets has suddenly become lame. Curled toes on the right leg, loss of appetite, and cannot stand for long and can't walk. Very sudden onset of symptoms. Pullet was fine yesterday. Exact same symptoms as the pullet that I had to euthanize two months ago. No respiratory symptoms, but I started her on amoxicillin just to see what happens.

I have Su-su, now acting in the role of nurse hen, in the crate with the pullet to try to encourage her to eat. So far, Su-su has eaten most of the cooked egg I put in the crate.

I have zero idea of what's going on. None of the other 22 chickens has any such symptoms. Flying blind here. If this progresses as it did with the other pullet, it will be progressive and end up with the same total body paralysis as the other one. @casportpony can you take a look at this thread and give me an opinion?

 

[Perris]

Bad news. One of the three pullets has suddenly become lame. Curled toes on the right leg, loss of appetite, and cannot stand for long and can't walk. Very sudden onset of symptoms. Pullet was fine yesterday. Exact same symptoms as the pullet that I had to euthanize two months ago. No respiratory symptoms, but I started her on amoxicillin just to see what happens.

I have Su-su, now acting in the role of nurse hen, in the crate with the pullet to try to encourage her to eat. So far, Su-su has eaten most of the cooked egg I put in the crate.

I have zero idea of what's going on. None of the other 22 chickens has any such symptoms. Flying blind here. If this progresses as it did with the other pullet, it will be progressive and end up with the same total body paralysis as the other one. @casportpony can you take a look at this thread and give me an opinion?

 

[aart]

Exact same symptoms as the pullet that I had to euthanize two months ago.

Can't remember if you had that one necropsied?

 

[azygous]

I did a quick and dirty home necropsy on that pullet. I found nothing but normal pullet insides. No swelling, no over sized organs, crop and gizzard and liver all normal. I had thought it was an injury. Now, it appears it was something else. This pullet has no signs of injury.

 

[LaFleche]

Could she have had an encounter with a rooster?