What did you do with your flock today?

[Shetland lover]

I chuckle when I read some posts that effectively say they try to keep the chicken's food and treats from getting dirty. I don't even try anymore. They drink out of puddles and eat dirt anyway despite how hard we try. It's usually in vain.

I've given up too, tbh. Especially after I found Clara eating brick dust last week.

 

[Shetland lover]

I bet dirty water contains minerals that the chickens crave.

And extra calcium in the form of pond snails! I've even seen them duck their heads underwater to grab them. Just like they're dunking for apples

 

[Shetland lover]

Oh gosh that is scary. I'm so sorry. I'm glad Elliott is in great safe hands with you. Hope all stays smooth ♡
I lost a beautiful kitten unexpectedly in the span of about 3 hours. Really pulled my heart and I kind of could not talk for a few days. It hurts.
Another developed a huge bump on the side of his neck. Thought it may have been lymphatic but it exploded just before I loaded him up to go to vets. A abscess...View attachment 3922245
I was so relieved. Have no idea how he got it but.. .
Last night I spotted 2 more kittens that I will trap and get off streets. I guess we win some and we lose some... but I still find myself crying often because of the losses. Deep breaths ♡

I'm so sorry you lost a kitty, it's just awful and it tears a little bit of your heart out, doesn't it? It makes no difference if you've cared for them for a day or 20 years in my opinion.
Poor darling with the access, it must have been so painful - all that pressure behind their ear.
I've had a couple of experiences with exploding abscesses with cats. Gorgeous George had a hugely swollen paw with an abscess that popped as the vet examined him. It contained another cat's tooth.
His uncle had a massive swelling on the top of his head, I was petting him prior to his vet appointment when it exploded all over my hand. It looked like green cottage cheese and the smell was foul.
The grossest was when Grace was a kitten and her abscess went from the size of a pea to a tennis ball in the space of 3 hours. She looked like she'd grown a second head! It exploded while I was cuddling her. Went all over my face and hair She then puked on me and Elliot couldn't decide which was more delicious- the puke or the yellow pus

 

[Shetland lover]

R.I.P Onyx girl. I went out to check eggs this afternoon after we had a stormy night. She died by the feeder. What a good fight she put up all these months.
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She fought a strong battle, helped by your nurturing. I'm so, so sorry you lost her. She was such a pretty girl. Big hugs

 

[ValerieJ]

R.I.P Onyx girl. I went out to check eggs this afternoon after we had a stormy night. She died by the feeder. What a good fight she put up all these months.
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So sorry about Onyx. She sure was a beauty.

 

[TropicalBabies]

He doesn't respond to crunchies like chickens do. A typical cat, who only comes when he wants attention, food, or to be inside. Thank you for your good thoughts. He has never been away for more than half a day. He still may show up, but I'm losing hope. Everytime I hear the commercial with a cat sound, my heart misses him.

I'm sorry. I know. The love of my life, best friend and constant companion has been missing going on 6 months. I look, call and feed every night for 2 hours and then spend the rest of my time posting on SM, updating, obsessing or crying. I totally know ♡. Don't give up. I see misplaced cats all of the time. Currently working on two. One at school and one on Mana stretch. Cats are amazingly resourceful and cunning. It gives me hope that my sweet boy is out there, ok, just not home. Maybe Sam will befriend a neighbor. Inside cats are usually hunkered down within 7 house radius. Inside/outside make it 14 houses to 2 miles.

 

[TropicalBabies]

That is a huge abcess! Glad it has started draining. He probably got poked by something germy that started the infection.
We once had a cat in Texas that had a huge abcess on his leg that was affecting his gait, and upon inspection it appeared to be a small snake bite. I called the vet, and they let me buy some antibiotics to give him. It erupted, and he let me squeeze all the pus out, which relieved the walking issue.

Yeah, I have had to deal with more than a few abscesses from cat fights.... but this kitten was in a xl dog cage with smaller kittens. .. I did not see that coming or I'm rusty and old and forgetful ... or D, all the above. Yes, D.
I stuck him on clavimox quick. He saw vet anyways as I had to do health certs for the 2 that are flying tomorrow. Kitty drama. I think after losing that little kitten I was terrified I had some awful disease running trough those littles. I do pick them up in bad circumstances and living conditions so, some to be expected. The little I picked up sitting in the street, was so sick I had her on antibiotics 3x's . She lost one eye anyways... still a beauty ♡

 

[TropicalBabies]

R.I.P Onyx girl. I went out to check eggs this afternoon after we had a stormy night. She died by the feeder. What a good fight she put up all these months.
View attachment 3922547

I am so sorry What a beauty. I'm so glad you had each other. Hang in there

 

[TropicalBabies]

Thank you. He and his sister, Grace, are 15 (she's the elder by an hour!). He's looking much happier this morning and hasn't vomited in just over 24 hrs. He's also been stuffing his face like he's been starved for a month and also had an extensive play fight with Grace this morning. I'm kinda hoping that he may have just ruptured blood vessels in his esophagus with the intensity of the vomiting. He's still going to see the vet for an ultrasound etc. today, if only for our own peace of mind.

I hope it is just a scare, nothing serious. Please keep us posted.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Was anyone else as obsessed with last nights moon as I was?

For some reason, think it is my evening feeds, I am really excited about this full moon cycle.

I caught it coming up while at my second bait station on the Mana plains

Then when finished with my last station, DH and I took a few minutes to sit and enjoy.

Woke up in time to see it set

So I walked out front

And when i turned around, I was treated to seeing the day start.

Looks like the promise of another beautiful day. Life is a gift, stay in the present. Have an awesome one, stay obsessed!!!