Pic: Justified Procrastination

Darn, guess I'll have to wait on cleaning up that side of the porch. Can't scare off the momma of these baby birds, you know...

[clicky to see larger image]

Minnie Pearl the Chicken, RIP

Spouse thought Minnie Pearl might have had a dislocated hip. We decided to take her into the vet bright & early this morning. X-Rays showed instead of a dislocated hip, her knee was shattered and ligaments completely rent. Surgery was possible, but success highly unlikely. I decided it would be best to have Pearl euthanized. I held her as the overdose shot of barbiturate was injected.

Some might say "well, it's just a chicken", and I'd understand their sentiment. On the other hand, owning chickens has given me a whole new perspective on birds and bird personalities, and to me, chickens are no longer "just chickens". They're amazing, funny, silly creatures who not only entertain, but give us eggs to eat, too. So I'm crying some with Pearl's passing, but I also know this is part of farm life, and will be okay. I'll bury her beneath the big oak tree where our other deceased chickens lay. The cycle of life continues.

[pic: a few weeks back, Pearl enjoying her first day of freedom with a group dust bath. Many thanks to everyone for your support, and especially to MaryBeth for introducing me to Linda and her wise chicken healing ways.]

Pic: Goose Puppet Show!

From the front porch/living room window, Princess asks "whatcha doin'? Whatcha doin'? Whatcha doin'?"

[p.s. Pearl moved her left leg today, hoping this means it is healing!]

Pullet Health Update

I tried so hard not to name her, but a name popped up anyways and stuck: "Minnie Pearl", or "Pearl" for short. It's not a good idea to name animals if it's uncertain they're going to recover from an injury - it makes emotional detachment much more difficult. Before, I thought I could handle taking her life if she couldn't heal. Now I'm not so sure. She's awake, aware, chirrups, eats and drinks. She doesn't appear to be in any pain. Her left foot still seems nerveless, and now her right foot appears to be lacking control as well. Still, she hobbles around and gets to food & drink just fine.

Other than the homeopathic remedies good for healing sprains and ligament/tendon tears & injuries - arnica montana, rhus toxicodendron, ruta graveolens - there's not much more I, or a vet, can do. Time will tell if she heals.

[Pic: Pearl in repose, stretching her leg]

Word to the Wise

Just so you know, Blu-Kote does indeed stain.

Okay, so here's the long story on what happened: the geese caught one of the pullets and banged her up pretty good, including pulling out some feathers from the top of her head. To keep the other chickens from picking at the injury, I sprayed some Blu-Kote so the red wound wouldn't be obvious. Being the overprotective chicken-mama that I am, of course I sprayed some on my arm first. D'oh! What can I say, at least I didn't get any on my shirt.

The pullet is resting in a box inside the house, as the other chickens kept pecking at her regardless of the dye job. She might have a pulled tendon, as she can move both thighs, but the power to her left foot is lacking. I'm hoping a day of rest will find her doing better tomorrow. At this time, she's eating, drinking, and softly trilling.

Spouse, we might want to consider making smoked goose this weekend...

[pic: the evidence, after several scrubbings. ]