Zane and Shadow...Roommates? (Cute Pic, post #79)

[BarkerChickens]

Quote:
Do you really think it would take that long? If she realized how warm the heat lamp is, he may let her sit next him when she wanders over there (once she realized there isn't an escape, of course.

just a thought anyway. What other options do you have for her?

 

[speckledhen]

I think alot of it is that Zane feels vulnerable. In his condition, he realizes that even a tiny little chicken-girl like Shadow could do some damage if she became really scared and attacked him. She will be fine in the coop tonight and I'll try again tomorrow. It's tomorrow when the temps will plummet. The coops are not drafty at all and I'm going to leave a heatlamp on in them tonight just because I have a couple girls in each coop molting still. I just thought she'd be very toasty if she would snuggle up near Zane. And she could eat and drink without being hassled at all, but she'll be okay where she is. Her feathers are coming in really well now, even on her legs, so I think she's in better shape than a week ago. She's even gained a tiny bit of weight.

 

[barngem]

They may just find that they can be happy with each other. That would be so sweet for both of them.
Hope it works out.

cant wait to find out.

 

[joletabey]

I hope it will work- Zane deserves a snuggle buddy, and it sounds like Shadow does, too!

 

[Serrin]

I've got a question for you Cyn....Do you have another set up similar to the one you have for Zane that you could put him and Shadow in simultaneously?

This might be a case of it's his turf and he's not too sure how to protect it. It might also be that Shadow is aware that this is his space and isn't sure she should be there. Maybe if you provide them with "neutral" ground, they could find "common" ground on which to meet and be friends. Just a thought.....

But, I'd definitely keep trying. They both could use a friend by the sound of things. Being friends with each other sounds like it would be the best solution for both of them.

Poor Zane. Such a beautiful fella. Do you think he'll ever be able to walk normal again? Sure hope so.

 

[speckledhen]

I'm really don't have a place I feel is warm enough. At least he has partial view out his window now and company with Suede nextdoor where he can see other birds. Shadow was fine with him and even seemed to gravitate toward him when they were outside with her chicks running around, so I think maybe a couple more get-reaquainted sessions might help.

No, Serrin, Zane will never walk again. We've decided that he has permanent tendon damage in his leg. He has been like this most of his life now, and we do things to keep him interested in life. He gets outside alot in warm weather, but we wont be having any of that for awhile.

 

[ChOOkens]

That story was cute

. Good luck and tell us how everything goes.

 

[joletabey]

Cynthia,
Please let me know how Zane and Shadow are doing - I assume you are still tushy freezing cold, since we still are!

 

[ozark hen]

Cyn, do not give up on them...Zane has come such a long way against all odds. Keep putting them together, possibly more than once a day since the weather is going to get extremely cold...at least here by Friday and Sat. it is forecast to be -10 so keep trying!

 

[speckledhen]

I haven't tried again. Just too much going on here. I am trying a second round of antibiotics for my sweet Olivia, who has a distended abdomen, am worried about one of my Delawares who seems to have a heart problem--her color is purplish, she has no meat on her bones, no sign of anything wrong, but refuses to eat more than a bite or two a couple times a day. Am afraid I will lose her in this frigid weather this week. It just hasn't been a priority to get them together,what with trying to keep waterers unfrozen, etc.

We did replace Zane's little 60 watt reptile bulb with a 125 watt heatlamp, so he'll be fine. In the BR coop, there are two 125 watt heatlamps, one over the roost and one hooked onto the chain the feeder is hanging from. Shadow lives in there; plus there are 9 hens and Dutch's body heat in there with her. I think she'll be okay, but I plan to keep trying to get them to be comfortable around each other. I don't normally do that but I still have molting girls who have lost alot of their body weight and I am afraid of this protracted cold spell. They are not acclimated to that at all.