Recent content by EdnaAndEdith

Very true indeed. And so sad. At least she has been able to feel grass beneath her feet for a short while. Praise the Lord for today because Nona had a full crop at bedtime and was energetically running away from me like I was playing “tag- you're it!” to avoid evening meds. They all have...

FYI in case someone is dealing with a similar situation in the future and wanting to know what became of this situation. In my search for females for the boys I came across a rescue organization that was involved in a commercial egg farm rescue. I was blessed with the opportunity to help 14...

Thank you for the information! I certainly understand the likelihood that what we’re dealing with is terminal reproductive issues of some sort or another. This was unlike any other episode of ascites, EYP, or other cancers that I have seen that’s why I wondered if it was some sort of cyst...

Hello, we recently rescued fourteen hens from a commercial egg farm situation. All had scaly leg mites (treated now), almost all had diarrhea (dewormed multiple times now). All were severely underweight and five were acting sickly at first. That was a month ago. All are starting to put weight...

The skin incision would likely be minor. But incising the abdomen is painful. And removing the testicles themselves more so. If an organ has a major blood supply going to it (as reproductive organs do) then you have to cut through a nerve or two in order to remove it. Just because a...

It seems to be mostly during the day when they were together. At night they would cuddle up close to each other sometimes even snuggling their heads on each other. Now that they are separated they have not been fighting through the fence so it is hard for me to judge.

I couldn’t find any vet willing to do it or I would! And I wouldn’t do it without proper anesthesia.

This is so encouraging! Fingers are crossed! Now I’m searching for some females old enough to put in and test my theory… of course, no one wants to give up any females. 🤷‍♀️

Thank you all so much for your valuable feedback! I can see there are so many ways to handle these situations. I did end up separating the boys via a wall since they continued to have minor squabbles that I was afraid would escalate. My main goal in this was simply to buy me time to figure out...

Fascinating! I was thinking the same thing that it would be easier with more of them.

Wow! Such WONDERFUL feedback from everyone! I’m so surprised at all of the great responses that I have gotten. There are too many to quote all of them here but I really appreciate all of the ideas and help! The boys had another squabble and I put the bully, Moe, in a wire dog crate and went...

I agree that the considerations are deeply personal and individual to the situation and the individual creature -human or chicken or anything else. Thank you for your alternative view. I will base my care choices on the individuals involved with consideration of their needs and continue to...

In your example above, what “evil” did the young roosters commit in order to be outcast in the first place? Your example above is a natural environment without prisons or boxes. There are many celibate people who live perfectly happy lives. I don’t see this as unethical as long as the being is...

I appreciate your alternative viewpoint. Thank you for sharing. I would like to suggest that while those “outcasts” are growing and developing in their own group (away from hens) they form brotherhoods and bonds with each other in the same way that any other flock creature does. They establish...

Thank you for your comments! My husband was talking about putting a wire division through the center of the barn if they do continue to fight. I agree about the establishing pecking order thing. Right now it seems there is peace in the land again and I’m hoping it stays that way. I’m going...