Another of our chickens has gotten injured.
This time it's Betty, the beautiful black pullet -her ear was almost ripped off. I got off work late one night this week, but wanted to go visit the chickens in the coop anyway. So I woke them all up and turned the light on, they all wanted to sit in my lap and get pets and neck rubs, the Big Yellow Rooster was crowing in excitement, life was generally good in the coop. Betty was roosting with her sisters, then she turned her head sideways and I saw all the blood and gore on her ear. Poor girl.
Our problem is that we have 13 hens and 8 roosters. Well, maybe 13 and 8, but it could be 14 and 7, we're not too sure about one boy, he might be a girl, we're waiting to see what happens. And snow on the ground outside makes the chickens spend alot of time in the coop. We already sold a few roosters, and now we're going to have to get rid of some more. It's so hard to choose who goes and who stays because I've gotten to know each bird's personality, their good traits, what they like and dislike. I've been watching them grow and develop into good roosters, leaders. I've just gotten too attached... But such is life with chickens. Some will have to go.
Back to Betty ~ She came inside, got a very good head cleaning and inspection. Her earlobe was almost ripped off, leaving raw flesh exposed, which was pecked by the curious chickens. We put some antibiotic ointment on it and are hoping it heals up. It will be a few days before it's all healed - I don't want to put her back out in the coop just to have the chickens peck her to death. I wonder if she is now deaf in that ear?
Meanwhile, Betty's in my bathroom. She's trying to buy her way out of confinement - she's laid an egg every afternoon since she's been inside.
PS - If anyone wants a good rooster for their flock, let me know!! It would be nice to know if my boys got a good home.
11 comments:
Oh dear, poor Betty.That many males with so few females. Maybe I should say poor little hens. I'm actually surprised that there hasn't been roosters fighting with each other as they decide who is the king of the castle. :)
Hey, Robin ~ the roosters used to fight when they were about 2 months old, trying to determine their "order". Now they all have sort of settled in to their places and I haven't seen a fight in a long, long time. If you watch them it's easy to see the king of the castle and the order below him - and see what hens follow what rooster's commands. I think everyone gets along well because they were raised together, too.
Poor Betty! Glad you went and checked on them when you did! Hopefully the snow will be melting soon and the chickens will be able to get outside with a little more space. - You take such good care of your chickens!
You take such good care of your chickens.. What would happen if you did not intervene..would they just peck poor Betty to death? What a horrible thought that is. I love to come here and see your chickens and hear your adventures...So you are getting eggs laid in the bathroom now? How silly does that sound? Have a great day
Jalynn
Aw, poor Betty. She is saying thank you to you by gifting you an egg a day. And you don't have to walk that far to get it! Sorry, but can't help you out as far as the roosters go. I have a feeling I am going to be in the same boat as you once the chicks grown up enough to figure out who is a he and who is a she. I'll be listing the roosters on Craigslist. I only have two roosters and that's enough.
Thank goodness you have A1 chicken mama first-aid skills! You don't even bat an eye now when you have to bring a girl inside! Hmmm...you may want to check into those chicken diapers that Dog Trot Farm was mentioning... :-)
:-)
Hope Betty's feeling 100% soon.
And, no thank you on the rooster. One's enough for our farm!!!
Barb - the snow is melting a little more every day, and it's turning the place into MUD! Monday it's supposed to rain, so, more mud. We already have a river running down the driveway!
Jalynn - If I didn't intervene, Betty may have died. Yes, they just peck at anything odd looking, like a bloody chicken. It's gross. And I agree, an egg laid in the bathroom is funny! Only in my house...
Cindy - We plan on listing the boys on Craigslist, that's what we did before and they sold fast. Craigslist is awesome!
-Lynn
Danni - I got a chicken diaper!!!! Yes, I know, I'm nuts!!! But with Betty laying like she is, I think it's weird to have a diaper on her. I mean, it will catch the egg, along with the poop. And if we don't check on her, such as if we are at work, she will have an egg in her diaper all day! And then it may break & make a gooey mess on her... Plus I don't want to do anything to stop her from laying eggs, she's doing so well, considering she's inside the house & just a baby herself & all. I still am considering putting that diaper on her, at least to take a pic for the blog!!!
-Lynn
Betty is lovely, and I hope she feels much better very soon! We're still debating the rooster thing. We don't have one at the moment but I do like them! YOu take great care of your chickies.
Knatolee - I've heard that roosters are supposed to take care of the flock, and show the hens where food is located. But my roos are all very young, so far they tend to want to eat first, before the hens. But they are getting very protective of the flock. My big roo, Leggy, is excellent at defending any chicken or guinea fowl that squeals. Thanks for visiting!
-Lynn
When you have been this a year, Lynn. You will be able to write a book. And if we are following along we will understand everything you learn.
Good Job!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
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