What did you do with your flock today?

[kurby22]

I guess you don't like okra then, huh? LOL

I surely do not!

 

[kurby22]

Was busy in the kitchen today and then piggy of course. So not much bird time at all. But when I went to close the coop tonight, I found two of my baby yokos had decided to claim my tool basket as their roost tonight. Thought they looked awfully cute there even if it means I need to move my basket View attachment 3610456View attachment 3610457
And found this pretty feather while cleaning water bowls earlier in the day. Think it's from Magic.View attachment 3610458

They look like pretty love birds in a swing together That’s so precious!

 

[Shetland lover]

She survived pneumonia with pulmonary edema. I took her to the vet in critical condition (they had to give her oxygen) and he even proposed to cull her. I committed to give her a long treatment instead - one month of antibiotics every 12 hours, diuretics (to help her expel the fluids in her lungs) every 24 hours, and bronchodilators as needed.

She recovered from the infection/edema but ended up with tracheal stenosis and reduced lung capacity. Meaning, she breathes with noises and if she gets too nervous/excited or runs more than she should, she starts breathing with her beak open and making louder noises.

Sometimes, she needs to take bronchodilators because of that. But she mostly has a normal chicken life - with a few limitations, but she's learned to live with them.

For example, she knows she can't run a lot so if the rest of the flock is running, she goes behind them at her own pace.

View attachment 3609659

She also has reproductive issues. She has a tendency to lay soft shelled eggs (if she lays at all - she mostly stopped laying after her illness). So, once in a while, she spends like 2 hours in the nest box or needs a warm butt bath. I must keep an eye on her in case of infections or prolapses (this happened once).

But I swear I don't mind. I just want to be with her for the rest of her time - which is probably limited. (Or not? The vet told me her case is so rare he doesn't know what to think).

That's just so wonderful that you were/are so dedicated to making her well. She is one lucky hen!
Alice, one of my Shetland hens, had a respiratory infection that sounds similar. I had to nebulise her 3 times a day for a month and give her strong antibiotics twice daily. She eventually recovered from that but was left with reproductive issues. She eventually passed from egg yolk periontitis. It was diagnosed too late and I think the 4 hr round trips to see a specialist avian vet actually shortened her life. She was so stressed by it.
Reproduction issues are very common after respiratory infections, l've learned since. I wish I'd known then, i might have spotted the signs sooner.
Your girl clearly wants to stay alive and a lot of that is to do with you, I'm sure. You clearly love each other a great deal. I really hope you are able to be re-united full-time soon ❤

P.s She's an absolute sweetheart, reminds me of Connie, my ex-batt.

 

[Shetland lover]

I'm in the boonies and we get lizards, toads, bugs, more bugs, more bugs, coyotes, javelinas, bobcats, polecats, hawks and owls.
But mostly lizards and bugs...and more bugs...and more bugs. Have to say there's some seriously cool bugs around here at least and we never saw most of these when we lived in town. This is a baby giant hairy scorpion... we've seen some of these a good 6 inches long. They're very calm and mellow, so when we came across this guy, I put my ugly toe next to him for scale
View attachment 3609728

Believe it or not, we actually have scorpions over here too! Never seen one though, too far north. Arachnids are a fascinating bunch. True survivors. I even have a grudging respect for that scourge of chicken keepers, red mites.
I had a childhood friend who lived in Scottsdale and he used to speak so casually about coming across scorpions, rattlesnakes and all manner of poisonous creatures when hiking with his folks. Fair terrified me!
I grew up in the middle of nowhere and I miss it so much!

 

[Shetland lover]

Well, my neighbor and us said our goodbyes today. He sold his mom's house. She was hard of hearing, and he loved my girls and boy. Crowing was welcome. He was also treat dispenser #3, and they knew his call. Now with new neighbors moving in soon, the future of the crowing is uncertain. I'll just have to share some eggs with them, Pronto.
Peaches, pears and plums are falling, to the chickens' delight. Just can't let them have too many.

My neighbours are good with crowing too. But one family has just moved out and I'm terrified the new people will complain so I'm sort of in the same situation. I think giving them eggs - and maybe some other garden produce - is a great idea!

The stubborn, cuss-awkward part of me (big part of me tbh!) thinks they're no louder than barking dogs or screaming children - of which there are many in our neighbourhood - so just let them complain. My boys aren't going anywhere!

 

[Shetland lover]

I surely do not!

Me neither
Vile stuff! And i so wanted to like it when I first tried it...

 

[Mason Farm and Ranch]

I gave my barnyard mix chicks a good look. I have a scissors beak. I'm going to try Orthodontic braces.

Everyone else is fine. But....it appears my red Silkie roo has been busy. Knowing black and white are dominant colors, I have 7 red chicks, most with either tufts started on their heads or 5 toes, some have both.

Methinks Napoleon is exaggerating his 'Lonely Rooster' routine.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Out of my 10 pullets (Townline Hatchery), only my white OE has been laying so far. She started early at 18.5 weeks. My black OE isn't showing any signs yet.

The combs have been really redding up on everyone else, but no action. Until today, that is! One of my GLW started squatting today ❤. I expect to see an egg from her in the next day or two 20.5 weeks old tomorrow.

As of today, I've collected 10 eggs, which brings my cost average down to $600 per egg. Making progress ☺

My 5 GLW were 20 weeks when they starting laying. Almost 3 now and still going strong

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

My neighbours are good with crowing too. But one family has just moved out and I'm terrified the new people will complain so I'm sort of in the same situation. I think giving them eggs - and maybe some other garden produce - is a great idea!

The stubborn, cuss-awkward part of me (big part of me tbh!) thinks they're no louder than barking dogs or screaming children - of which there are many in our neighbourhood - so just let them complain. My boys aren't going anywhere!

Offer the eggs anyway. Before the issues!!! Paint a smile on that face and your best foot forward. And your best dozen eggs. Maybe they will come to love the chicken?

 

[ChicksnMore]

Believe it or not, we actually have scorpions over here too! Never seen one though, too far north. Arachnids are a fascinating bunch. True survivors. I even have a grudging respect for that scourge of chicken keepers, red mites.
I had a childhood friend who lived in Scottsdale and he used to speak so casually about coming across scorpions, rattlesnakes and all manner of poisonous creatures when hiking with his folks. Fair terrified me!
I grew up in the middle of nowhere and I miss it so much!

I've always wanted to live somewhere green and lush with the occasional deer traipsing through my yard ....but, i have learned to enjoy and appreciate what we have here. Except for the fire ants, rattlesnakes and mosquitoes . What are mosquitos even doing in a desert!?