What did you do with your flock today?

[kurby22]

Today was especially windy, but a very nice day out at least! The crew was happy to see me as well

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As I went down to collect the eggs, I found someone in the nesting box I never expected to see…
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The Frizz! She’s never been broody seasons before, so this came to be a surprise for sure. Thankfully she was gracious about the eggs, and I got them all unscathed

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Although this Langshan, Asher, was not as “beginner friendly”. She screamed at me a bit, and unfortunately it looked like she had squished an egg as well. Perhaps she will improve her brooding technique in the future

I tried to take some dashing photos of my boys, but the wind made it a bit tricky…
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Before I could try further, some of the gals decided to photobomb, and the photo shoot essentially became all about them
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That’s about all I’ve done for today so far, this message is already getting long haha

You have some very beautiful chickens!! Asher is gorgeous and looks like she knows it! The wind definitely made your rooster a bit less dashing though

 

[Liz Birdlover]

You have some very beautiful chickens!! Asher is gorgeous and looks like she knows it! The wind definitely made your rooster a bit less dashing though

Windy in Delaware, my one Roo has a very long tail. The wind kept whipping his tail feathers into his face & he'd twitch his head then look at me with a very annoyed expression...like I'm the one that brought on the wind

Casanova's tail

 

[kurby22]

Windy in Delaware, my one Roo has a very long tail. The wind kept whipping his tail feathers into his face & he'd twitch his head then look at me with a very annoyed expression...like I'm the one that brought on the wind

Hahaha that is hilarious, I can just picture the look too!

 

[TropicalBabies]

Yesterday I treated my brooder for mites. Today I checked and nothing moving or crawling. Power washed and have little Jellybeans housed there to weather the incoming thunderstorms.

She is still prolapsed and has not laid her next egg that should help with the swelling but she is doing well and I am happy with the forward progress.

Other than that, scrubbed waters and made bags.

 

[PopoMyers]

I'm just happy it is pink healthy skin with no bad smell. I worry about infection leading to sepsis, blood infection.
When I 1st found her, I had to soak her in warm water & gently clean out the wound. It's not just a hole in skin, it is also the skin coming away & it is literally like a pocket down towards her leg, so when the rooster mounts her, his toes can go right down inside, transferring whatever dirt may be on his foot, into the wound, deep. So that is why it is Essential to clean it well yet gently, water should rinse clear.

1st bandage was with Neosporin & nonstick sterile pads, attached with the medical paper tape, as it seems to stick to skin best, without leaving goo behind or ripping out any possible feathers, although I trim away feathers that surround the wound. After the gauze & tape, I put a soft chicken saddle on her, she doesn't mind them at all & it actually keeps her from preening or fussing with the bandage & tape. The goal is to keep her comfortable yet also keep her wound clean. 24 hours later, I removed that bandage, thank God there was no nasty smell & the skin healing was a healthy pink. I rewashed the wound & as she loves it, shampooed her whole body with a gentle antibacterial soap. I did not find any mites on her but she was dusty from dirt baths. So now she is totally clean & in good spirits. The wound rinsed totally clear, then I did a Penicillin & raw sugar dressing, new non stick pad & paper tape. Then I dried her with the hair dryer on my lap, which she loved, then once dry I put a clean chicken saddle on her again. She is doing so well today!

This type of wound drains, so the bandage will be changed daily. If it was draining more, 2x a day, but she is doing great. Tonight I will flush wound with sterile saline then apply Neosporin & bandage again. I learned about using raw sugar & applying Penicillin directly from an old timer, he had so much knowledge. The 1st time I used sugar was for a prolapsed hen, she strained laying a huge egg. He told me to soak her in warm water, clean it off & rehydrate it, then get a handful of raw sugar & coat the prolapse, then gently work it back in. If it pops out, just repeat the process. The sugar has a therapeutic effect & promotes healing. That hen never prolapsed again. Some people use Manuka honey, it all works.

Anyway, here is Violet, relaxing, she just ate some fresh chickweed & Hentastic pellets with oregano.

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Now I'll know what to do in case this happens. What a good sport she is.

 

[PopoMyers]

I have just seen they like eating it.

Maybe it's the same receptors that we have for spicy food, which they don't have.

 

[PopoMyers]

Today is a sad day. We had our old, sweet, “Iron Lady” Sophie put down. She was blind, severely arthritic, and suffering dementia and we just decided we were being selfish keeping her around. We had Laps of Love come to the house and it was really peaceful and the vet was so very kind. Sophie always hated going to the vet, she’d shake and cry and lose hair…so we felt we owed her a peaceful exit.

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Always hard to lose a family member. Hugs to you and yours, and may sweet memories comfort you.

 

[kurby22]

Yesterday I treated my brooder for mites. Today I checked and nothing moving or crawling. Power washed and have little Jellybeans housed there to weather the incoming thunderstorms. View attachment 3432954
She is still prolapsed and has not laid her next egg that should help with the swelling but she is doing well and I am happy with the forward progress.

Other than that, scrubbed waters and made bags.

I just love her feather markings!

 

[TropicalBabies]

I just love her feather markings!

Oh @kurby22 ! I'm sorry I missed that post about your Iron Lady . I'm so sorry the kids ok? You ok?! I'm glad you had many great years together and you guys got to be her people. She was a lucky girl and I am sure lived quite the life. RIP Iron Lady ♡♡♡

 

[PopoMyers]

Today was " put up fencing around stuff I want to keep " day. The girls had been going over the shorter fences. Those feet can be destructive. My dahlia bed got a 4' fence, and I caged in my hostas around the fruit trees. Last year they and the deer ate most of the leaves. Also was able to plant a couple new peonies, and till up a few raised beds. Sunny, and I even worked up a sweat in 51 degrees. Good and tired. Should sleep well with some Tylenol, muscle relaxers, and Bengay.