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  1. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Possible Sprain?

    My 6 y/o EE started limping a few days ago, very subtly. Generally, she walks normally and still uses both legs, though as she speeds up to a run her limp becomes way more noticeable (hop/skip type thing). At first, I figured it could be a minor sprain so a gave it a couple days. She seemed to...
  2. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Monistat Overdose?

    My 6 year old BO recently made a crazy comeback from a reproductive issue. While her energy is back, I noticed her appetite was not (except hunting bugs and eating high protein treats), and that in addition to green diarrhea and a slow-emptying water balloon crop, she started vomiting large...
  3. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Worried Abut Aging Hen - Laying Issues

    I'd posted some months ago about my 6 y/o BO, who didn't start laying again with the others this Spring (they're all the same age). Well, since then, her lower abdomen started to become larger and firmer, with some give--but it seemed a bit troubling. Her comb and wattles didn't quite develop...
  4. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Egg Laying Behavior in 6 y/o Hens - Should I be concerned?

    My small mixed flock of four hens is a couple months shy of 6 years old. I'm noticing more quirks early on in this laying season. Below are their egg laying behaviors with some questions: Darla - EE: she started this season with a prolific bang (2 days on/1 day off), however, yesterday she...
  5. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Yew Tree Conundrum

    We recently moved to a new house and came to realize that a rather large, beautiful tree in the yard is actually supposed to be super toxic basically to all species (with a few exceptions). When one of my chickens started going for the red berries, I stopped her, looked it up, and was horrified...
  6. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Downsizing Coop/Run - Will My Chickens Be Happy?

    5 years ago, my husband built an 8x16 run and 4×6 coop for my flock of 7 chickens. Since then we've lost two, and one is on her way out (succumbing to reproductive disease and likely to pass any day now), so we are almost down to four. They've loved it and it's kept them safe with plenty of...
  7. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Need Help Planning New Coop and Run

    My husband and I are unexpectedly having to move, and with a short timeframe, he won't be able to build a coop/run like he did for our flock the first time. This makes me anxious, because what he built was a fortress that has kept my girls safe for going on 6 years. The only pre-made coop/run...
  8. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Weird Question: Accidentally got Blu-Kote in Chicken's vent

    I know Blu-kote isn't the best and there are all kinds of warnings about it. For this reason, I avoid it with one exception: I only use it a few times a year on a chicken who always has the area around her vent pecked when she molts (and she always molts in the summer). I've tried Pick-no-more...
  9. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Blood Blister AND Bumblefoot

    I've been treating my 4 y/o GLW for chronic bumblefoot. She gets it every spring, it becomes very progressed and concerning looking by summer, and then eventually, it goes away by late fall when she stops laying. She's seen a vet multiple times, but surgery doesn't work (it's stringy and...
  10. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Swollen Ear

    My 5 y/o BO has a swollen ear that I inly noticed today. I don't see any wound or site where there might be a core infection, but it's swollen for sure. No other symptoms (no drainage, energetic, eating, drinking, etc.). Should I get her on abx? Wait and see? It was really hard for me to get a...
  11. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Stumped! Chicken having trouble keeping food in mouth

    A couple days ago, I noticed that my 5 y/o GLW Drucie had an empty crop--which is unusual for her, because she's pretty voracious. When I put some crumbles on the ground for her (which she loves) she would go for them like she's busily eating them up, but each one drops out. I also noticed while...
  12. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Feeling Guilty - Can't Free Range as Much

    So, our new neighbors have a large dog who they claim they have an invisible fence and e-collar for, but they've been here over a week and still don't have anything set up to keep him on the property (though they have plenty of time to buy ATVs, and ride them all over the property all day)...
  13. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Hot Wire Fence - Will it Harm Chickens, Birds, and Small Animals?

    I've recently had to install a hot wire fence around the run/coop, mostly because of the neighbors' large dog that is fixated on trying to get in (coop/run is sturdy, but a strong and persistent dog could still rip hardware cloth, I believe, if it had the time). I got a .03 joule charger and the...
  14. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    BIG MISTAKE - Chlorhexidine Spray in Ear (Accidental)

    I'm panicking. I made the terrible error of choosing to use chlorhexidine spray for a small wound on my EE's ear lobe. I didn't realize there was an ototoxicity risk; and was careful nonetheless to avoid her eyes/nares. Today, however, she struggled and I sprayed a good bit right in her ear, I'm...
  15. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Help! Possible Sinus Canker - Smelly, Blocked Nares

    My 5 y/o RIR hen, Willow, has developed crusty nares over the last few weeks. I thought it was just compacted feed and dirt, and started trying to remove it, but it seems almost to be tissue-like, and today, I've noticed a foul smell developing from the area. I also noticed that she's not as...
  16. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Chickens too scared to leave coop

    A few hours ago, I was out visiting with my chickens when a murder of crows flew overhead, loudly squawking. The chickens got spooked and ran into their coop like they were running for their lives. I stood outside the run and watched--no signs of hawks or anything, but the crows seemed worked up...
  17. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Huge Crop: When to Intervene?

    Today I noticed that my 4.5 y/o RIR has a massive crop, more than usual. I noticed it slightly swings left and right when she runs and, I dunno, just seems really big. It feels firm but with give--not hard or anything. At what point should I worry or keep her from eating or drinking? I don't...
  18. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Molting Hen Is Acting Poorly - Treatment Needed?

    My 4.5 y/o EE, Darla, is going through a pretty extreme molt. She's at the bottom of the pecking order and always pretty awkward, but is acting even more confused and flustered than usual, and is otherwise very low energy. This is normal for her during molts. However, I noticed the following...
  19. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Early Doughy Crop?

    My 4.5 y/o BO, Glory, has been molting, but otherwise appears in good health. She was eating/drinking and pooping normally yesterday evening. Today, mid-morning, she took one of those poops that indicate her stomach is empty which concerned me and I felt her crop. It wasn't big by any means, but...
  20. buffy-the-eggpile-layer

    Fairy Egg & Other Quirks: Should I be Concerned?

    I recently posted about my RIR Willow, who is ~ 4.5 years old. Last week, she started a habit of plucking my molting hen's blood feathers on her vent, so I had to keep her in a separation pen (still in the main run--big enough for a dust bath area, food, water, and a perch). Around that time I...
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