What did you do with your flock today?

[MaeM]

I'm so sorry and really empathise with your situation. The important thing is for you to be in a safe space. It takes a lot at courage to leave an abusive relationship, as you already know. Leaving your chickens behind must be so hard. I can't imagine how terrible you feel. But you had no choice and mustn't feel guilty, your safety is paramount. Just know that things will get easier in time.
Do you have anyone who might take them in temporarily?

Yes, they are in a safe place now, it's just the fact that I'm away from them and I'm not personally taking care of them, especially the ones that aren't that healthy. I mean, one of them is underweight, I was treating her for parasites when I had to leave... And another one is chronically ill with a chicken version of asthma, plus a tendency to reproductive issues, and the person they're with has never given oral medication to a bird, much less a shot... I gave her an intensive course on how to take care of my chickens but it's just not the same.

Today I was able to visit them for a few minutes, and they all ran to me when they saw me... I thought they were hungry but their feeders were full. Were they looking for treats or do you think they miss their owners or just perceive that something's wrong? I wish I could explain to them that I'm not abandoning them.

 

[kurby22]

So, so sorry for your very big and heartfelt loss. You worked hard for a long time to get him whole. This is super heartbreaking especially when he had made so much progress the last few weeks. He has taught you so many things and gave you all he could. You gave him a wonderful chicken life.

Thanks @TropicalBabies I knew it was coming so I spent a lot of time the past couple days holding him while he slept so he would feel love until the end. He has taught me so much and I was so lucky to have him in my life. Will be weird not having a chicken next to me on the couch anymore…

 

[Nomadicus]

I sat with a pullet that has a leg injury a lot today. Somehow she got a piece of string wrapped around her leg so tight it had cut into her leg and had stopped circulation to the bottom half of her foot. We started taking care of her last night and tonight she is almost putting weight on it again. She's inside in a box for the night along with another that I had to rescue tonight. She looks like she was attacked by a coon during the day today. The side of her neck has no feathers and is raw below where skin should be. She's been treated with triple antibiotic ointment for now. l saw her running from a rooster and when I found them the rooster was pecking her comb like he was eating it. I've already got one pullet missing a comb and now I know why. If I can catch that rooster I have a shovel that digs good holes. I will not tolerate roosters that abuse hens. More humors news while gathering eggs I found a RIR pullet (soon to me hen) underneath her rollout box sitting way back in one corner of the coop. She attacked me as soon as I went to see what was going on. She had no intentions of giving up a single egg that she had under her and she had at least 30. Evidently she had some buddies help her out. I left her be without any eggs but will let her have 8 tomorrow of my choosing. I'll have to raise the box some as it is to low for my back to gather the eggs from as is. Then I'll make a small pen in a pen to keep her separate from the rest of the flock and let nature run its course. In the Delaware coop I went from one hen being broody to 3 hens being broody that will get chased out of the community nest box first thing in the morning. I may get to build a maternity ward for those girls this week and they may or may not use it but they will not keep eggs in the roll out even if one had a half dozen under her tonight. She's made with me but she'll get over in a month or two.

 

[Smokerbill]

I added a chicken swing to the run, but I'm kind of doubting that they'll be able to use it. It's a long, community swing and I just don't think they'll be able to manage it. I might take it off the ropes and mount it solidly on a couple of poles. One did try it, but immediately jumped off after landing.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Went to the feed store today ♡

Shared my banana with them

 

[Shetland lover]

Playing in the yard this morning and young Rowan's been trying to get my attention so had to share pics. View attachment 3510896View attachment 3510897View attachment 3510899View attachment 3510917View attachment 3510919Shes so happy when she finds my hair

She is so beautiful, I love her!

 

[Shetland lover]

That’s so awesome you guys were able to visit!! What fun! Hope that I get a chance one of these days!

X 2!

 

[Shetland lover]

We got rain yesterday too...love those slightly damp mornings with flowers in bloom all over my garden View attachment 3510974View attachment 3510975View attachment 3510976View attachment 3510982View attachment 3510986

Beautiful flowers
Love the little cricket on the lily too!
Sadly, my garden will be lily-free this year. Went out a couple of days ago to find someone had eaten all the flower buds. I suspect Gladys, destroyer of worlds....

 

[Shetland lover]

Well guys, the time has come. I had to say my last goodbye to Nohope this morning I don’t understand how he could go from starting to stand on his own and walk some with help to dead in two weeks time after 6 months of being sick…but here we are.

So R.I.P. Nohope, I will miss you so very very much. You were such a special boy and I will never forget you. I will miss your beautiful feathers you let me run my fingers through, the hugs you let me give you whenever I wanted them, how you would sit on me like you were a baby even though you weighed 8 lbs, how you yelled at me anytime I left your side, the gentle way you treated all the baby chicks that slept under your wings, and the way you LOVED French fries There will never be another like you. Your pain is gone now and I hope you get as many French fries as your heart desires. Goodbye sweet boy

View attachment 3511073

Oh Kurby, I'm so very, very sorry .
I know how much he meant to you and I feel like I got to know him a little via your posts. I cried when I read your beautiful tribute to a truly beautiful boy.
You got to spend some quality time together and you cared for him like no other could. It's clear you had a special bond and he will leave an enormous hole in your heart and life. Just console yourself he is now at peace and free of whatever pain he might have been in. Rest assured he will be running around in the chicken afterlife and stuffing his beak with fries. Huge hugs coming your way.

 

[Shetland lover]

Yes, they are in a safe place now, it's just the fact that I'm away from them and I'm not personally taking care of them, especially the ones that aren't that healthy. I mean, one of them is underweight, I was treating her for parasites when I had to leave... And another one is chronically ill with a chicken version of asthma, plus a tendency to reproductive issues, and the person they're with has never given oral medication to a bird, much less a shot... I gave her an intensive course on how to take care of my chickens but it's just not the same.

Today I was able to visit them for a few minutes, and they all ran to me when they saw me... I thought they were hungry but their feeders were full. Were they looking for treats or do you think they miss their owners or just perceive that something's wrong? I wish I could explain to them that I'm not abandoning them.

Sounds daft but I always explain to my birds what's happening if I have to leave them for a weekend or whatever. Just try telling them what's going on, that they are loved and it's only temporary. If nothing else, it might make YOU feel better.
I totally understand why you're so worried about them. It's awful when you know some of them need special care.
They definitely miss you! Chickens can memorize up to a hundred faces, including their flock members and the people who care for them. I had to re-home 2 cockerels and get to visit both. Nearly 2 years later, they both still come running.