Welcome to my pond - Swim, wade, or sit on the bank

[shawluvsbirds]

Before her chicks hatched, she'd tolerate being stroked; wasn't crazy about it, but tolerated it. She'd start off growling, but stopped as I stroked & spoke. Since the hatch, she's having none of that, even though I've made no move toward the chicks. A leather glove is my friend. Maybe I just named her right...Grumpy

Well.. .I guess I must admit Sofie duck doesn't love me near her babies. . either so I guess that method only goes so far! If she were a chicken I may have lost an eye already. She has actually tried to flog me a couple times

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Whew. . just had a terrifying duck moment.
Purple Martins are so great. Ducks suddenly had a panic attack and ran for cover. I look up to see the shadow of a hawk OMG! purple Martins in hot pursuit. At least 20 of them! . chased it around in circles while I failed my arms it went higher and higher in the sky but still circling my yard until it finally gave up and left. My heart is pounding!

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Whew. . just had a terrifying duck moment.
Purple Martins are so great. Ducks suddenly had a panic attack and ran for cover. I look up to see the shadow of a hawk OMG! purple Martins in hot pursuit. At least 20 of them! . chased it around in circles while I failed my arms it went higher and higher in the sky but still circling my yard until it finally gave up and left. My heart is pounding!

Way to go Martins!!!
Glad everyone is ok?

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I know it's probably likely that the Martins attract more hawks and owls to the yard trying to get at them. .but that happens with all the other wild birds I have in my yard anyway. BUT they are so good at alerting to danger, and the ducks have learned to run for cover at their distress calls. It is truly something to see. Occasionally one of them will lose their little life defending their house. .but it's amazing to watch how they work together to chase the offender away. My favorite is when they dive bomb the squirrels off of the fence

 

[shawluvsbirds]

One or two little

Way to go Martins!!!
Glad everyone is ok?

Yep. We are ok. As long as my heart doesn't give out lol.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Yep. We are ok. As long as my heart doesn't give out lol.

Hopefully it wont...

 

[room onthebroom]

Ugh, what’s she acting like?

3 days ago she seemed off, but she was still with the flock. Yesterday she went off alone & was sleeping standing up. She is all keel when you hold her. Her crop feels empty, but her butt feels heavy. There's no egg residue or sick poop stuck on her butt, tho I did se her poop a tiny, white sick poop last night. When I went to lock them up last night she was not in her normal spot in the rafters, she was wedged in the sand under the poop board. I put her in a nesting box but today she is back on the ground under the board again. Shes laying down, panting hard, with her eyes closed. She has electrolytes, but wont drink them & wont even eat the apple sauce today. I'll bring her in the house before it gets too hot out there today & try to get something in her, but we've lost enough girls to know when they hit this point, theres no bouncing back from it. I'd try anything if I thought it would save her & I'm up for suggestions if you have any. Poor Frankie, she's just devastated.

So sorry to hear this, broom. As long as she's still eating, there's hope! Did you give her some full strength nutridrench? That's been my go-to.
I had a real rough go with Legbars... (Ralphie has had a rough time with his, too) - they are super susceptible to Marek's - like "little bird flies over your yard and poops" sensitive. I'm not saying that's what's going on, but word on the street is that GFF lost most of their first import to it... And, we live in glorious CA where it's the #1 cause of poultry mortality.
Sorry about that ray of sunshine, my friend. I really, really hope she recovers. You're a good chicken mamma!

We've had problems with CLs & Buff Orps. This is our second batch of CLs. The first batch we lost 2 out of 3. This second batch has been near feral, but seemed healthy..... Oh Chit …. Shes gone.

 

[Alaskan]

Anybody have a good way of breaking a broody hen of biting when you try to touch her?

my boys just say "isn't she being a good mama! protecting her babies! "

so yeah... glove up

 

[shawluvsbirds]

3 days ago she seemed off, but she was still with the flock. Yesterday she went off alone & was sleeping standing up. She is all keel when you hold her. Her crop feels empty, but her butt feels heavy. There's no egg residue or sick poop stuck on her butt, tho I did se her poop a tiny, white sick poop last night. When I went to lock them up last night she was not in her normal spot in the rafters, she was wedged in the sand under the poop board. I put her in a nesting box but today she is back on the ground under the board again. Shes laying down, panting hard, with her eyes closed. She has electrolytes, but wont drink them & wont even eat the apple sauce today. I'll bring her in the house before it gets too hot out there today & try to get something in her, but we've lost enough girls to know when they hit this point, theres no bouncing back from it. I'd try anything if I thought it would save her & I'm up for suggestions if you have any. Poor Frankie, she's just devastated.







We've had problems with CLs & Buff Orps. This is our second batch of CLs. The first batch we lost 2 out of 3. This second batch has been near feral, but seemed healthy..... Oh Chit …. Shes gone.

Oh room.. . ×100

I'm sorry.

 

[Alaskan]

Oh Chit …. Shes gone.