What did you do with your flock today?

[ChicksnMore]

Today has been a bit of a doozy! First I gave myself a hairline skull fracture and moderate concussion by dropping Ferdy's coop lid on the crown of my head when I was poop scooping after I let him and Clara out at first light. Oh, I've injured my neck too. So, after my trip to ER, DH packed me off to bed, saying he'd take care of feeding Penelope. 10mins later, he's screaming like a girl and when I finally get downstairs, he's dancing round the living room with Penelope hanging off his face! Apparently, she wanted his toast and he didn't want to hand it over...
Then, the truly awful part of the day. I heard Ferdy screaming. When I got outside, there were feathers flying and Ferdy and Stan were busy battling the peregrine I was so worried about last year. Then Gladys joined in and they overwhelmed it so it flew off.
I suspect it had tried to take Clara, though she only has a few feathers missing. Pru ran past me into the house with Penelope hot on her heels.
Gladys was totally unscathed but my brave boys weren't quite so lucky.
Stan has lost a small part of one wattle and has a couple of deep puncture wounds on his chest. I managed to stop the bleeding and irrigate and disinfect his wounds thoroughly. He's had antibiotics and a small dose of pain meds. He went into shock and couldn't stop shaking and moaning. He seems OK now and is dozing on my chest.
Poor Ferdy came off worst. He had his comb ripped open, deep puncture wounds in his chest, belly and right thigh and, worst of all, what looks to be a nasty eye injury. Again, irrigated and disinfected his wounds, closed up his comb with some surgical glue and then tried to look at his eye. He's refusing to open it on his own and as best I can tell, it's full of blood and I can't tell if it's been punctured. The lower lid is torn slightly. I've irrigated it with sterile saline solution, then applied fusidic acid as best I can and I'm going to repeat washing it and apply more ointment and some lubricating drops for overnight. He's also had a good dose of meloxicam and some antibiotics. Ferdy also seemed to be in shock so he also got a heat pack and electrolytes. He's cuddled in under my chin and occasionally making his whistling kettle noise so he must be feeling a lot better already. I guess I'll have to wait to get a better look at the eye tomorrow and assess if he needs a vet.

O man what a terrible day you all had there!
My heart goes out to you. I know they're in wonderful hands. I'll keep all my good wishes headed your way. What good roosters both Stan and Ferdy are! I hope they're starting to recover from at least the shock of it all.

 

[ChicksnMore]

I've sat up all night with them as I would have had to be woken every 2 hrs anyway for the concussion and I'm an insomniac to start with.
I'm relieved to report that both boys seem to be doing well and have mainly slept through. Stan has slept either in my lap on a towel or snuggled next to his dad for comfort. Ferdy has not moved from under my chin, except to potty. If they're both crowing at 5.30, I'll know they are out of immediate danger.
I tended to Ferdy's eye twice more during the night so I know it's as clean and comfortable as I can make it for now. I've got a jeweller's loop in one of my craft boxes so the plan is to use that to examine his eye when it's light - if I can get it open enough for a close look.
The towel is a great shout. I did wrap up Stan as he can become very anxious. Ferdy likes to be next to my skin so I just put him under my sweater with his heat pack. He seemed content once the worst of the shock wore off and his pain meds took effect.
I don't think DH quite understands yet that bantam Cochins have no concept of personal space and a strong "what's yours is mine" attitude

I'm so glad the immediate danger is past. What a relief! I'm sure the cuddles are doing them a world of good

 

[ChicksnMore]

@Shetland lover how are your babies doing today?

 

[ChicksnMore]

Biscotti really should be outside now but I've been keeping her in until the weather warms. She looks well feathered but I still remember how bald she looked for so long. I'd normally be taking her outdoors for a walk about daily, but the kittens have been eating up my time lately. At least she doesn't know what pleasures she's missing out on yet, so for her it feels normal. Isn't she a lovely lady?

Please ignore the hole in my ceiling...the drywallers come on the 20th!

 

[kurby22]

Biscotti really should be outside now but I've been keeping her in until the weather warms. She looks well feathered but I still remember how bald she looked for so long. I'd normally be taking her outdoors for a walk about daily, but the kittens have been eating up my time lately. At least she doesn't know what pleasures she's missing out on yet, so for her it feels normal. Isn't she a lovely lady? View attachment 3749237View attachment 3749238
Please ignore the hole in my ceiling...the drywallers come on the 20th!

Biscotti is really pretty! What a lovely addition she makes!

 

[Shetland lover]

@Shetland lover how are your babies doing today?

I'm pretty pleased with their recovery so far. They are both acting normally and crowed their heads off this morning, trying to outdo each other in a beautiful duet (normally I wouldn’t think it so lovely at 5.30a.m. in the confines of our tiny home ). They’re both pretty sore and a bit stiff in their movements but that's to be expected. I'm cleaning the wounds twice daily with hypochlorous antiseptic spray, and also on Ferdy's eye on the advice of my vet. I sent DH out for a separate bottle specifically so there's no chance of cross-contamination.
His eye is still worrying me but I think he has at least some vision in it as he's managing to peck small seeds without missing them. And he's keeping it open a little more which has to be a good sign, right?
I think the attack has traumatised the girls as they were all very quiet and not their usual sassy selves. Only Gladys seemed unperturbed by it all and she helped the boys fight the falcon off!

 

[Shetland lover]

Biscotti really should be outside now but I've been keeping her in until the weather warms. She looks well feathered but I still remember how bald she looked for so long. I'd normally be taking her outdoors for a walk about daily, but the kittens have been eating up my time lately. At least she doesn't know what pleasures she's missing out on yet, so for her it feels normal. Isn't she a lovely lady? View attachment 3749237View attachment 3749238
Please ignore the hole in my ceiling...the drywallers come on the 20th!

She is absolutely beautiful! I can hardly believe she's the same scraggly little baby. All testament to your wonderful healing heart

 

[ChicksnMore]

I'm pretty pleased with their recovery so far. They are both acting normally and crowed their heads off this morning, trying to outdo each other in a beautiful duet (normally I wouldn’t think it so lovely at 5.30a.m. in the confines of our tiny home ). They’re both pretty sore and a bit stiff in their movements but that's to be expected. I'm cleaning the wounds twice daily with hypochlorous antiseptic spray, and also on Ferdy's eye on the advice of my vet. I sent DH out for a separate bottle specifically so there's no chance of cross-contamination.
His eye is still worrying me but I think he has at least some vision in it as he's managing to peck small seeds without missing them. And he's keeping it open a little more which has to be a good sign, right?
I think the attack has traumatised the girls as they were all very quiet and not their usual sassy selves. Only Gladys seemed unperturbed by it all and she helped the boys fight the falcon off!

Amazing birds you have there! I'm so so glad to hear they're recovering nicely

 

[ChicksnMore]

She is absolutely beautiful! I can hardly believe she's the same scraggly little baby. All testament to your wonderful healing heart

She must have extra good genes to have survived to hatch!

 

[kurby22]

Had to share this Miyuki is just the sweetest girl!

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