Debbie's Silkies

[TwoCrows]

After a couple of weeks of trying our best to give the two disabled chicks leg therapy, B-Complex, and several homeopathic herbs, it became hopeless. They never could walk and we became sure they would live with nerve tremors and shakes the rest of their probably short lives. We chose to end it.

They have three siblings left as one like them died a few weeks ago, and only one is 100% normal.

Louie (formerly "Six") is the only one of six who never had a problem and is doing great in the breeding pen as the only chick in there with his/her parents and others.

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The other two are Miracle who was the egg they threw over the railing and hatched with internal issues, and Nosie, the cross-beak. Nosie was not hatched with it but developed that the same time the leg issues occurred. Unk if it's related. Nosie eats both mash and dry food fine. He/she is a character, thus got the name.

Those two were outside today in the unseasonably warm weather with Iris, the blind pullet. Iris has gotten some shine to her feathers now and has gained a little weight. She eats/drinks on her own now which was a huge relief. Miracle is the one closest to her.

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It was hard for both of us to cull those two because we spent an immense amount of time with them. I held the worst one in my lap many times, including last night, so it could relax and sleep while I typed my work.

I never cried over chickens before, but this was just so hard. Many thanks to @2ndTink and @TwoCrows for their research, suggestions, and encouragement throughout this, and to all of you who had kind words and hope.

We'd said we'd send one in for a necropsy, but then both decided it wasn't worth the expense as it never happened before or since. It started and ended with this batch of six hen-hatched chicks. I'm pretty sure I'm right, that this was calcium overdose causing kidney damage where their leg nerves run through. A hard lesson learned to not leave oyster shell out where little chicks are.

My heart goes out to you Debbie, you went above and beyond with a very difficult situation. My heart aches for your losses.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm very confused. Iris is about three months old and blind. Per the photo above, she has been going outside in the pen by day with the three remaining chicks, Miracle, Nosie, and Lucky Louie (the sixth from the breeding pen is with them now as Louie got weaned.) Those three have been sleeping out there for the past two nights, but I brought Iris in. There is a flat panel radiant heater in their hutch.

Tonight, I was late getting Iris and she went into the hutch after the three went in.

She's blind. How did she manage this? My guess is she realized they left her and she could hear them peeping so jumped in. She had to jump or step pretty high.

I think I'll leave her out there, then use my flashlight to check the pen a few times tonight to see if she stayed inside. I'm guessing she'll stay in at least until the other ones leave in the morning.

I'm excited as if this works, then Iris just moved herself outdoors permanently!

It's past dusk but this camera makes it look like broad daylight. It's not lol.

 

[Debbie292d]

We've gotten nearly 5" of rain this past week. A couple pens got mucked up but we took care of that.

Most of the chickens stayed outside in it...a strange lot they are.

But the best news is that CC, who is nearly 6 months old and been called a pullet, then cockerel, then pullet, then cockerel, once soaked, I could tell....CC is a pullet. Yey! The only one of the four. Peachy, Pierre, and Mocha are her siblings, all cockerels but I'm happy about that.

 

[Debbie292d]

RIP Blueboy. 5/12/23 - 11/3/24.

Found dead in our yard of absolutely no cause. Possibly a rooster fight I missed. No blood, no feathers pulled, nothing. Our dogs would generally break up any fights, but it was pouring rain when it happened, so they were in their dog houses or in the house. He wasn't a fighter either, so not sure. Maybe he just died.

He had the best butt. We weren't friends, but we got along fine.

 

[Sparrows]

RIP Blueboy. 5/12/23 - 11/3/24.

Found dead in our yard of absolutely no cause. Possibly a rooster fight I missed. No blood, no feathers pulled, nothing. Our dogs would generally break up any fights, but it was pouring rain when it happened, so they were in their dog houses or in the house. He wasn't a fighter either, so not sure. Maybe he just died.

He had the best butt. We weren't friends, but we got along fine.

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Oh my gosh I'm so sorry for your lost. He looks like he was a very nice bird, and very handsome.

 

[Debbie292d]

Oh my gosh I'm so sorry for your lost. He looks like he was a very nice bird, and very handsome.

Thank you.

 

[janiedoe]

RIP Blueboy. 5/12/23 - 11/3/24.

Found dead in our yard of absolutely no cause. Possibly a rooster fight I missed. No blood, no feathers pulled, nothing. Our dogs would generally break up any fights, but it was pouring rain when it happened, so they were in their dog houses or in the house. He wasn't a fighter either, so not sure. Maybe he just died.

He had the best butt. We weren't friends, but we got along fine.

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I'm sorry, Debby. He was beautiful.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm sorry, Debby. He was beautiful.

Thank you, Janie. He was the only blue silkie I had, but yet, never bred him. I doubt I'll replace him anytime soon. He was a nice rooster though.

 

[TwoCrows]

RIP Blueboy. 5/12/23 - 11/3/24.

Found dead in our yard of absolutely no cause. Possibly a rooster fight I missed. No blood, no feathers pulled, nothing. Our dogs would generally break up any fights, but it was pouring rain when it happened, so they were in their dog houses or in the house. He wasn't a fighter either, so not sure. Maybe he just died.

He had the best butt. We weren't friends, but we got along fine.

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I an so sorry Debbie so sad.

 

[wrathsfarm]

RIP Blueboy. 5/12/23 - 11/3/24.

Found dead in our yard of absolutely no cause. Possibly a rooster fight I missed. No blood, no feathers pulled, nothing. Our dogs would generally break up any fights, but it was pouring rain when it happened, so they were in their dog houses or in the house. He wasn't a fighter either, so not sure. Maybe he just died.

He had the best butt. We weren't friends, but we got along fine.

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Very sorry to hear of your loss Debbie. Blueboy was very pretty.