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Post by Debbie on Jan 26, 2008 21:16:35 GMT -1
She's sailing along today, bright and happy in herself. This morning brought a touch of a snotty nose, but no other discharge. She's scoffing food like nobody's business, and drinking very well. Tonight she's not as wobbly on her feet, so I brought her out and helped her balance a bit as I sprinkled down more shavings for her in the big carrier. LOL.... She was trying to patty cake right back in before I could finish! Is she fussed at being by herself? No. Is she fussed at being in a dog carrier?? NO  Honestly! I thought she'd be beside herself being alone since she's supposed to be a flock animal. Instead she turns her face to the light, snuggles down in her shavings and is quite content. And I have to say I'm relieved for it because the more she can sleep and drink and stay warm, the better her chances for kicking this bug is. Meanwhile her flockmates keep watching me disappear through the door, and wonder what's happening with Washer. Given how cold its been, probably best they don't know ;D Thank you all for those positive DFs vibes!!! They must be working  |
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Post by PonyGirl on Jan 27, 2008 5:33:05 GMT -1
So good to hear that she seems to be doing better.
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Post by Rowndan on Jan 27, 2008 12:50:05 GMT -1
Thats great Debbie. i think if i were a hen id want to live with you  i would love to see pics of her?? |
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Post by Debbie on Jan 27, 2008 14:22:58 GMT -1
 I was going to take pics of her all snug in her bed, but this morning Washer decided she'd had enough bedrest! I opened the door and she was standing true, and by thunder here she came! No amount of hands was keeping her in. As I was getting ready to feed the rest of my lot treats next, I tucked her under one arm, packed her out, chucked in the treat and set her down while the others were distracted. Only Hen noticed and started to go for her, but then hesitated, recognizing Washer. LOL...as for Washer, she got first dibs on the treat! The girl was lightning fast, and now she's out there strutting about, telling the others what a fab vacation she's had. I guess if it was some sort of virus, she could have recovered like that. ?? Really don't know, as I've never seen anything like that before. I sure hope she holds true, and hasn't pushed herself too soon. I'll be keeping an eye on her today and making sure she's really as strong as she says she is. Thanks again for all the wonderful 'get well vibes!!!" They seemed to have worked
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Post by harveydales on Jan 27, 2008 15:00:35 GMT -1
That's great news! I'm really glad she is better and has been accepted back into the flock.  |
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Post by Rowndan on Jan 27, 2008 20:44:14 GMT -1
 thats great news.. hope she carries on doing so well.. could we maybe have pics of the whole flock?
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Post by Debbie on Jan 27, 2008 21:57:30 GMT -1
I'll try to get pics of them tomorrow, both Washer by herself, and the flock. I overhauled the cage today so I could keep tabs on how she was doing, and for much of the day Washer was holding her own. However, I did see a few feathers pulled, and tonight she was starting to tire quickly. When she pattycaked over to the door, I scooped her up and took her back to her carrier under the lamp. She's of half a mind that she wants to be with the others, and half that she wants a good night's rest. So she's tucked up safe in the carrier for tonight. I want to be there tomorrow to keep an eye on them again, and I'll put her back in again in the morning. Something I'm not keen on, is "Sunday", so named because for the longest time I couldn't decide if the pullet was really a cockeral in disguise. Today I've decided it really is a he. He's darker colour than any of my others, and his feathers are longer and narrower. He's not got the long tail nor crowed yet, but he's certainly not staying.  I found more ripped out feathers tonight, and I think it might be him instead of Hen! HenPen was dusting herself, and had taken a break from the rolling when he snuck up behind her and ripped out a mouthful of feathers from her neck At my encouraging, she got up a bit baffled at first, and then she cornered and just nailed him! Good for Hen! "Sunday's going to find a new home before he lives up to his name of Sunday dinner!  Chickie politics.....almost as bad as pony politics! |
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Post by Debbie on Jan 28, 2008 14:34:57 GMT -1
Okay then, exit "Sunday" last night. He's off with an Amish family. And this morning my hens seem much happier and calmer for it. Here's a pic of Washer this morning getting the first drink of the day.  I don't have a choice but have to handwater her several times throughout the day. If I put the waterer in there, she'd climb it from instinct, tip it and be much worse off. So by hand it is....and she seems to love the service. ;D  Washer's been getting kept in a large dog carrier, about the size for a medium sized dog, like a springer/cocker/cattledog size. So its roomy without being tremendously huge. She gets her old chick feeder topped up several times a day. And here she is out with the others this morning. Again Hen was the only one to notice Washer, all she did was step forwards and then go "Oh, its you" and walked off. They're all going after a couple pieces of bread. Peach in the forefront, HenPen in the back, Washer to the left, and Honey to the right.  |
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Post by harveydales on Jan 28, 2008 14:59:31 GMT -1
Lovely to see these pics! What lucky girls they are to have such a lovely home! Is that an indoor pen you have for them - presumeabley for the winter months? It must take a lot of cleaning out every day!
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Post by leannwithconnie on Jan 28, 2008 15:08:52 GMT -1
Glad Washer is doing well! They all look so plump and cuddly. Do you think that now Sunday has gone they may all settle down?? Perhaps he was just getting them all wound up and they were taking it out on poor Washer.  Long may peace remain |
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Post by Debbie on Jan 28, 2008 16:08:05 GMT -1
I think Sunday may well have had them all wound up and nervy. Last night after we got back, I noticed Peach was extremely happy, diving into the food and water, and occassionally pivoting like something was going to nail her from behind. This morning she was exceptionally happy. And I'm positive Hen's not evil, she was only pecking at Washer once Washer was pretty down and out, and she wasn't ripping out feathers.
Pam, they all live in a large 10' x 10' dog pen that's under the carport with concrete underneath, and tarps on two sides. We've added a board of pink foam insulation for the third side for winter and the fourth is protected by the garage. They're on two bales of pine shavings that get thoroughly stripped and redone every two weeks.
We tried having them out in the yard with moving the pen about, but the girls were totally miserable that summer! They have to be in the pen because we have too many predators. We have skunks, cats, foxes and sometimes coyotes at night and during the day we have hawks, vultures, and stray dogs. The first year I tried to have them outdoors a bit with me supervising, but not knowing when someone's stray dog would bolt into the yard (and it did happen) was unnerving. Also the hawks took to hanging out overhead, and were constantly judging the distance between me and the hens.
I figured if a dog pen kept dogs in, it would keep them out. The concrete flooring ensures the foxes, dogs, 'yotes, and skunks can't dig underneath and the carport and tarps keeps them dry. They still get plenty of fresh air and sunshine.....and if it was up to them, they'd be back indoors in their cozy little room with the heating and air conditioning complete with lights on a timer. ;D
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Post by leannwithconnie on Jan 28, 2008 16:22:21 GMT -1
They look very happy in there Debbie..Loads of room. Mine too are confined to barracks at the moment but I am hoping to let them free range a little again, within some netting in the spring/summer  |
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Post by leannwithconnie on Jan 28, 2008 17:05:44 GMT -1
 Debbie I have just seen these lol would one be any good for Washer to stop her been bullied or do yoiu think the other hens will just laugh at her?
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Post by Rowndan on Jan 28, 2008 18:41:21 GMT -1
they are lovely girls Debbie.
im glad your sorted out with sunday,, il never have a cockeral again.. ever lol
you have a really great set up there for them,, i bet marg and east would want to emergrate if they saw your pics.
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Post by Debbie on Jan 28, 2008 21:51:51 GMT -1
The poor girl will have to go back to her bed under the sun alone. I went out to double check on them after dinner.....much like kids they were being a little 'too' quiet.  I'm not sure if they were just looking, or if they were beating her up, but Washer was wedged in a corner by the nestbox, and Honey and HenPen were standing over the top of her. They seemed a tad guilty when I came in, and shot off away from her, and Washer ran for me! Mummy!!!!!!!! ...put a little kid whine on the end, and bit of 'the other kids were beating me up!' and you've got it That's that, we'll keep her separated for awhile, and then I'll sort some way of having her in a pen of her own inside their pen. I know we're headed for more inclement weather, and so I'll keep her in the nice warm under the sunglow until she's really and truly feeling better in herself, then we'll sort her getting back out with the others. Its a good thing my farmer grandparents don't know the things I do for these girls Leann, what were you going to show me? I didn't see a link and I'm keen on ideas for her. LOL, maybe the others would leave her alone if she was sporting a new do. ;D |
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Honestly! I thought she'd be beside herself being alone since she's supposed to be a flock animal. Instead she turns her face to the light, snuggles down in her shavings and is quite content. And I have to say I'm relieved for it because the more she can sleep and drink and stay warm, the better her chances for kicking this bug is. 
I was going to take pics of her all snug in her bed, but this morning Washer decided she'd had enough bedrest! 
I'm not sure if they were just looking, or if they were beating her up, but Washer was wedged in a corner by the nestbox, and Honey and HenPen were standing over the top of her.