What did you do with your flock today?

[PopoMyers]

Broodies usually still find time to get off the nest to eat something (mine, being horribly spoilt, get room service) so they don't go totally without food. I've noticed mine are at their heaviest before brooding, like they're stocking up beforehand.
I tend to give any of mine that are sick high calorie and high fat foods such as sunflower hearts as I figure that helps counteract the much reduced food intake, if they're eating very little. Plus, I find they almost invariably will eat these, even if they're reluctant to eat much else. I also find mine will never turn down live mealworms.
The oatmeal is great too as it's easy for her to digest. It's a bit low in nutrients so might be worth adding a multivitamin. Eggs are an absolute powerhouse of goodness and you could try baby food or pureed fruit and veg. Mine also like mash mixed with a tiny amount of molassass.
2 hours for hydration sounds about right.
It sounds like she's holding her own. Keep up the great work!

It has been 48 hours. Gave been mixing oat milk with an egg yolk, which she seems to like. Gave half a tablet B complex with water yesterday and today, planning on a Vitamin E when it's delivered today, and meloxicam in a couple hours. I happen to have 7.5 mg tablets to crush and mix in liquid. Will give her the recommended 1 mg per dose every 12 hours. She gets sleepy after eating, so she is napping now. She can move her head a little more, but still wry. Noticed that she has a small hematoma between her left eye and her ear, no eye damage, also caked feathers on the left/front side of her neck in 2 places. I suspect the raccoon grabbed her by the head and dragged her. She is making little noises off and on, and does not like her head moved too much to the left, much like if we had a whiplash or stiff neck? Also guessing nerve damage of some sort, maybe brain? She still cannot stand or squat down without support, as her legs don't bend without her toes curling. Trying to have her stand( I have to position her feet) so her muscles don't atrophy. She is now able to lift her head back up to swallow, so a little improvement there. Sadly, I cannot afford an emergency vet visit right now.
Thank you for all your suggestions. I'll mix some turmeric in her egg.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Every time I stand from my seat it's instantly taken over... Lol

 

[TropicalBabies]

This morning I cleaned out the fridge, so chickens got a big snack on all kine veggie rice and meaty goodies.

Gathered up kittens for a "lime dipping party". Another step closer to their big trip on Tuesday .

I gave DH a kitty for his b-day

Well, Tally Ho and a few tools to help him organize.

Yesterday, after double checking my "todo" list. Birthday, family, vehicles, house, animals... . I told my DH I was gunna go get gas for my motorcycle, just was not sure what station I was going to use. I ended up taking myself on a terrific adventure. Poipu & Koloa, Kipu, Wailua and then Glass Sand Beach.

I wandered around the long forgotten and neglected graveyard reading headstones and enjoying the breeze. Many headstones from young children and babies back in the late 1800 and early 1900's. What a time, what a final resting place ♡

In chicken world. I got 5 eggs yesterday!!!
Beetlejuice in charge ♡

 

[Shetland lover]

Yes, in fact, at first I only let Ruby be with Bianca because of the relationship they used to have. Bianca is the kindest and she wouldn't be stressful for Ruby.

But Ruby reacted aggressively to her presence every single time. It's not only a "get out of the way" peck, she chases her and pecks her until she is far from her, and it's not even about food or water.

Today, Ruby wouldn't even let Bianca dust bathe with the others so I locked her in the laundry room, lol.

The barred rocks are at the top of the pecking order but do not misbehave that much when the rooster is present. I just wish the rooster would intervene when Ruby attacks Bianca.


View attachment 3676845

My little roos hardly ever intervene in the girls' business either. They've learned that to do so generally leads to them being told to keep their beaks out - followed swiftly by a sharp peck or two. They only tend to get involved if it's really serious and never if Gladys is doing something they don't like. She's twice their size and my most dominant chicken.

 

[Shetland lover]

That sounds like your feeding directly to the crop. Am I understanding correctly? If so, no wonder it's so helpful to the birds. Any tips or tricks to make sure you're in the right tube so your not squirting food into the lungs? I've seen that done but never did it myself and it's been too long ago to remember how to be sure you're not getting their windpipe. I've always been too afraid of messing up to try it myself. Absolutely wonderful that you do that!

I found a great video on crop feeding when we had to crop feed Alice 4 years ago. The thought of doing it is terrifying but it can make a huge difference to the outcome for the bird. I'll see if I can find it. Also, it 'can' be safer than syringe feeding as there is no risk of aspirating food with a properly inserted tube.

 

[Shetland lover]

Yesterday a good neighbor that I supply with eggs came over to introduce two of his grand kids to chickens. I gave them each a slice of bread to give to a few of my pets and they had so much fun. Made me feel really good and reminiscence when I was a kid and my grandfather got chickens for me.

That's so lovely! It was my Grandad who inspired my love of chickens too

 

[Shetland lover]

It has been 48 hours. Gave been mixing oat milk with an egg yolk, which she seems to like. Gave half a tablet B complex with water yesterday and today, planning on a Vitamin E when it's delivered today, and meloxicam in a couple hours. I happen to have 7.5 mg tablets to crush and mix in liquid. Will give her the recommended 1 mg per dose every 12 hours. She gets sleepy after eating, so she is napping now. She can move her head a little more, but still wry. Noticed that she has a small hematoma between her left eye and her ear, no eye damage, also caked feathers on the left/front side of her neck in 2 places. I suspect the raccoon grabbed her by the head and dragged her. She is making little noises off and on, and does not like her head moved too much to the left, much like if we had a whiplash or stiff neck? Also guessing nerve damage of some sort, maybe brain? She still cannot stand or squat down without support, as her legs don't bend without her toes curling. Trying to have her stand( I have to position her feet) so her muscles don't atrophy. She is now able to lift her head back up to swallow, so a little improvement there. Sadly, I cannot afford an emergency vet visit right now.
Thank you for all your suggestions. I'll mix some turmeric in her egg.

This is all sounding like good progress. I'd continue with everything you're doing but I'd also keep doing the vit b every day for 10 days or so. A lot of rest and time can do wonders with spinal and brain injuries, allowing swelling and bruising to subside. I also know of an ex-batt who survived a broken neck, went on to have good mobility and survived for a further 4 years. She had a permanent wry neck but she adapted and was quite high in the pecking order within her flock. An amazing girl and proof you should never lose hope.

 

[Shetland lover]

This morning I cleaned out the fridge, so chickens got a big snack on all kine veggie rice and meaty goodies.

Gathered up kittens for a "lime dipping party". Another step closer to their big trip on Tuesday .

I gave DH a kitty for his b-day View attachment 3677292
Well, Tally Ho and a few tools to help him organize.

Yesterday, after double checking my "todo" list. Birthday, family, vehicles, house, animals... . I told my DH I was gunna go get gas for my motorcycle, just was not sure what station I was going to use. I ended up taking myself on a terrific adventure. Poipu & Koloa, Kipu, Wailua and then Glass Sand Beach.View attachment 3677309View attachment 3677293 I wandered around the long forgotten and neglected graveyard reading headstones and enjoying the breeze. Many headstones from young children and babies back in the late 1800 and early 1900's. What a time, what a final resting place ♡View attachment 3677310View attachment 3677308
In chicken world. I got 5 eggs yesterday!!!
Beetlejuice in charge ♡View attachment 3677305

Wow! What a stunning cemetery!
Tally and Beetle are looking so handsome, as usual
I hope DH was suitably grateful for his presents. Wish someone would give me a kitty for my birthday - I keep asking but it hasn't happened yet

 

[Nomadicus]

All I'll be doing with my kids for awhile now will be in the way of instructions for some one else to do. I'm already crazy now from not being out there to see what needs doing where.

 

[ChicksnMore]

All I'll be doing with my kids for awhile now will be in the way of instructions for some one else to do. I'm already crazy now from not being out there to see what needs doing where.

I saw on your remember thread that you broke some ribs. Ribs are awful pain...hope nothing else got injured too and you have some good help to tide you through healing. Can you sit outside comfortably so you can at least look around to reassure yourself that all's well? Hope you heal up fast!