What did you do with your flock today?

[crunchygranola]

Just beautiful!

Thank you!
I am so impressed with Starlight Green Egger plumage.

 

[fuzzi]

I hope the olive oil has done the trick and Lydia is back to normal.
Zack is shaping up to be a good little roo. And he's looking so handsome there!

Thank you.

I noticed that she's suddenly become skinny, so I chopped up some hard-boiled eggs and drizzled coconut oil on top. She liked that at first, then not. So I offered her some paté canned cat food, and that piqued her appetite. The crop isn't as hard, actually feels squishy, so I am treating her with Nystatin for sour/slow crop. Whew.

Poor baby. She's voluntarily in the brooder. I added a bowl of water and some cat food on a plate before I closed the front, to keep her from being bothered.

 

[crunchygranola]

Thank you.

I noticed that she's suddenly become skinny, so I chopped up some hard-boiled eggs and drizzled coconut oil on top. She liked that at first, then not. So I offered her some paté canned cat food, and that piqued her appetite. The crop isn't as hard, actually feels squishy, so I am treating her with Nystatin for sour/slow crop. Whew.
View attachment 3914312
Poor baby. She's voluntarily in the brooder. I added a bowl of water and some cat food on a plate before I closed the front, to keep her from being bothered.

Poor, sweet girl…
Hoping she gets better. Please keep us updated.

 

[ValerieJ]

Thank you.

I noticed that she's suddenly become skinny, so I chopped up some hard-boiled eggs and drizzled coconut oil on top. She liked that at first, then not. So I offered her some paté canned cat food, and that piqued her appetite. The crop isn't as hard, actually feels squishy, so I am treating her with Nystatin for sour/slow crop. Whew.
View attachment 3914312
Poor baby. She's voluntarily in the brooder. I added a bowl of water and some cat food on a plate before I closed the front, to keep her from being bothered.

So sorry about your sick little hen. I sure hope she gets better. She needs a little pampering and you are doing that for her.

 

[kurby22]

Aww, thank you!
I'm going to try my hand at sketching the flock next. Can you believe I've never attempted to draw a chicken?

I can’t! The Cochin crew is probably quite offended you haven’t drawn them and hung them over the fireplace yet!

 

[kurby22]

Stan got his spurs stuck in the run door mesh yesterday. He was sparring through the door with his dad. This is a regular occurrence, they don't fight at all when they're together but seem to like fighting through the mesh. It's very strange. Maybe they do it to get rid of any frustration without injuring each other?
Anyway, I decided the time had come to trim his spurs. Now, I trim Ferdy's regularly with no issues. He is so relaxed , he's literally horizontal. I cradle him like a human baby and cut above the quick with a pair of strong, sharp clippers. Sometimes I use my dremel to file the cut edge if it's a bit jagged. No fuss. Job done.
As Stan is quite nervous and can be flighty (he takes after his mom), I was a little apprehensive, thinking he might not stay still. I didn't intend to use my dremel at all, just a nail file if needed. Well, the first spur trimmed up just fine. The second one, however... I somehow managed to twist the entire casing off as I made my cut. There was blood everywhere! I was quietly panicking as I thought I might have an arterial bleed on my hands the way the blood spurted out. Then I realised that wasn't possible and that feet are very vascular so calmed down a little. I dipped it in antibiotic powder then cornstarch to staunch the blood. I knew there was a reason I didn't use the 'twist off' technique. Stanley, bless him, was totally chill about the whole thing. He got a good, long cuddle until I was certain the bleeding had stopped then a handful of live mealworm to help him get over his ordeal.
I, on the other hand, looked like I'd carried out open heart surgery on an un-anethertised patient. I even had blood in my hair!

OMG I would have had a major panic attack! I have avoided touching the spurs for fear of this very thing. I’m sure that Stan was chill cuz he knows he’s in good hands Well done Momma!

 

[Shetland lover]

I can’t! The Cochin crew is probably quite offended you haven’t drawn them and hung them over the fireplace yet!

I know, right? I'll probably be rubbish at it but I'll never know if I don't give it a go. DH has consented to a "rogues' gallery" of the flock at the top of the stairs - family portrait style. He thinks it will be hilarious

 

[Shetland lover]

OMG I would have had a major panic attack! I have avoided touching the spurs for fear of this very thing. I’m sure that Stan was chill cuz he knows he’s in good hands Well done Momma!

I only do it out of necessity because if I let them too long they grow in a curve into the back of Ferdy's legs and it looks like Stan has inherited this. Also, as I said, they get stuck in the stiff plastic mesh when they're sparring and end up hanging upside down from their spurs!
Believe me, I nearly had a heart attack when the blood started spurting. It was like something out of an 80's slasher movie!

 

[PopoMyers]

Came out to check eggs, and found one of my new black pullets upside down, stiff and expired. They were all fine yesterday. Sudden chicken death. Showed no signs of illness before.

 

[ValerieJ]

Came out to check eggs, and found one of my new black pullets upside down, stiff and expired. They were all fine yesterday. Sudden chicken death. Showed no signs of illness before.

I'm so sorry. At least she had a fabulous life, although cut short.