What did you do with your flock today?

[ChicksnMore]

Very tired right now. I'm usually well started on my day by now, but this morning I'm going back to bed. The longest I've slept since the kitties came is four hours at a time. But they're doing well. All three are active and noisy now. Waiting for a poo from the last baby and worried that'll be hard after getting dehydrated like that. But she's eating well.
All three are restless. I can fill their bellies, keep them warm and help them poo...but I can't purr or let them fall asleep with nature's pacifier. They fill up their tummies and then root and cry wanting that.
I sure hope those people get the mom spayed. Hope these little babies grow up well and get forever homes too. Poor things.

 

[kurby22]

Penelope is sick. Not entirely sure what's going on with her but she's lost 100g since before Christmas. She is eating like a pig and goes to bed with a full crop. She has had a pale comb for a while but wasn't too concerned since she has only just finished a long moult and is off lay for the winter. It's still plump, if a little dry with the cold weather. Her droppings are normal, slightly loose occasionally. This is where diagnostic tools such as ultrasound, decent spec microscopes etc, would be a great help.
I brought her in for observation today as I'd noticed her huddled up every time I went out to them yesterday. It's really cold here at the moment but everyone else is running round to keep warm.
She spent most of today either sat in her box, being cuddled or chatting with Grace. Apart from not being her usual active self, her low weight and slightly cyanotic comb, there's no real outward signs.
She was due her mite treatment so she got that yesterday as I noticed a mite on her and it de-worms too. I've sent off a fecal sample to rule out a worm infestation. My suspicion is anemia but whether it's root cause is parasites or something more sinister, I just don't know.

Oh no! Penelope can't get sick, that isn't allowed! If anyone can figure out what's wrong and help her through it, it's you! I hope she quickly snaps out of it!

 

[kurby22]

Very tired right now. I'm usually well started on my day by now, but this morning I'm going back to bed. The longest I've slept since the kitties came is four hours at a time. But they're doing well. All three are active and noisy now. Waiting for a poo from the last baby and worried that'll be hard after getting dehydrated like that. But she's eating well.
All three are restless. I can fill their bellies, keep them warm and help them poo...but I can't purr or let them fall asleep with nature's pacifier. They fill up their tummies and then root and cry wanting that.
I sure hope those people get the mom spayed. Hope these little babies grow up well and get forever homes too. Poor things.

Ahh poor sweet little babies, it hurts the heart when you know what they need and you simply cannot give it to them. They're so lucky to have you in their corner though and I hope you are able to get some real sleep soon...don't need you getting ill too! I hope those people get their cat spayed too. There are already too many unwanted kitties out there.

 

[Nomadicus]

I'm not sure who is the tiredest me or the kids. It's a very cold for us and very windy today. Ma and I are in no condition to be out there building like we need to at the moment. Thought I like to share a video from out of the past that makes me smile and feel better. If it was not on camera it would be hard to believe.

 

[PopoMyers]

Those people came back today with another kitten so now there's three. Apparently they tried to keep one hoping they could get mom to accept it but it wasn't going well.
She's tired, weak, doesn't pee with stimulation and clicks slightly with breathing. So she's getting Pedialyte formula with extra water and antibiotics and taurine added. So fingers crossed again . The new baby is the little one in the back laying down.
View attachment 3728616
So have someone coming to pick up a kitten in the morning. They'll take the healthiest one; the little tuxedo baby. I'll hang onto the one with the tail injury and the new little girl for now. On the bright side... aren't those first two all vime and vinegar now? They're very opinionated already!

On the chicken side of life...I held Biscotti and a brooder mate of his for a bit and little Graham decided to burrow into my hair. Long, curly bedhead hair should never be burrowed into! Can you spot the chick?View attachment 3728618

The chick blends in too well! Get strong, kitties!

 

[ChicksnMore]

I'm not sure who is the tiredest me or the kids. It's a very cold for us and very windy today. Ma and I are in no condition to be out there building like we need to at the moment. Thought I like to share a video from out of the past that makes me smile and feel better. If it was not on camera it would be hard to believe.

I've met people like Cinnamon . I enjoyed that

 

[Shetland lover]

I sure hope she comes out of it. Sounds like you're doing everything you can. With eating well, weight loss and mostly normal poop...my first thoughts go straight to worms too. I'm sure if an answer can be found, you'll find it.

What kind of mite treatment are you using? Love that it de-worms too.

I use Ivermectin for mites coupled with either Red Stop or Oblitermite which make the chicken's blood unpalatable to red mite via a herbal mixture. The Ivermectin de-worms for practically everything except tapeworm and some capillary worms, as well as killing most mites.
I've never had a worm problem before, generally the worm count I do every 3 months comes back with less than 50 worm eggs for the entire flock!
I also use a product called bio-oo-cyst which is watered round the run to kill worm eggs but I've not used it as much this winter. it's just been too wet underfoot.

 

[ChicksnMore]

I use Ivermectin for mites coupled with either Red Stop or Oblitermite which make the chicken's blood unpalatable to red mite via a herbal mixture. The Ivermectin de-worms for practically everything except tapeworm and some capillary worms, as well as killing most mites.
I've never had a worm problem before, generally the worm count I do every 3 months comes back with less than 50 worm eggs for the entire flock!
I also use a product called bio-oo-cyst which is watered round the run to kill worm eggs but I've not used it as much this winter. it's just been too wet underfoot.

I'll have to read about those. I had no idea that ivermectin can help with mites too...that's good to know. Such a versatile medicine. I've used it to treat a rabbit with a crooked neck before. I'm too tired to remember what the parasite was in that...but ivermectin worked a treat. Doesn't sound likely to be worms for your Penelope though with all you do, but I'll hope it is anyway just because that's something treatable. How's your sweety doing?

 

[Shetland lover]

Very tired right now. I'm usually well started on my day by now, but this morning I'm going back to bed. The longest I've slept since the kitties came is four hours at a time. But they're doing well. All three are active and noisy now. Waiting for a poo from the last baby and worried that'll be hard after getting dehydrated like that. But she's eating well.
All three are restless. I can fill their bellies, keep them warm and help them poo...but I can't purr or let them fall asleep with nature's pacifier. They fill up their tummies and then root and cry wanting that.
I sure hope those people get the mom spayed. Hope these little babies grow up well and get forever homes too. Poor things.

So happy they're all doing well now. You certainly have the healing touch!
After Elliot ate 30 metres of cotton thread and had his bowel resection, we gave him lactulose daily for the first week post surgery to keep his bowel movements soft and regular. Maybe that or something like it might help any hard poops for the last baby? Or a drop of extra virgin olive oil in it's formula?
Also, until DH put a stop to it - it creeped him out, Elliot used to nurse on my earlobe post feed as a very young kitten. I didn't mind, he was obviously missing his mom and it clearly comforted him.
Hope you got a decent rest

 

[Shetland lover]

Oh no! Penelope can't get sick, that isn't allowed! If anyone can figure out what's wrong and help her through it, it's you! I hope she quickly snaps out of it!

I know! She's my baby.