Post by racaille on Aug 21, 2013 10:41:45 GMT
But not expecting one ....
About three weeks ago one of my Light Sussex hens disappeared. The day before yesterday she reappeared with five day old chicks. She's a first time mum and not very good. I suspect she started off with many more but only five made it back to the chicken house from their nest in the wild. And three of them were stranded on the wrong side of the wire enclosure so I reunited them inside the chicken house and will keep them in until they are bigger and have even a tiny fighting chance of surviving the lizards/snakes/buzzards/crows/jays/fox/pine martens .... all of which will easily despatch a chick.
But one - the only black one - is very tiny and this morning was very very weak. He (I call it a he as IF it survives it will turn out to be a thingy, it's sod's law) was falling over and failing to keep up with his brothers and sisters. So I brought him in to warm him up and fed him some water in drops from my finger). Once he'd perked up and the day had become hot I put him back as his best chance is with the other chickens, learning how to eat etc.
Just been to check on him and he seems much chirpier, he is getting around and I was very pleased to see him pecking at the melons and squashy peaches I put out - at least he is getting some sugar water. Then he was trying to peck up some grain but it is a bit big so I'm hoping he'll find the dish of chick crumb that's out for them.
So I'm really hoping he makes it, even though I know the chances are slim. Come on Billy!
About three weeks ago one of my Light Sussex hens disappeared. The day before yesterday she reappeared with five day old chicks. She's a first time mum and not very good. I suspect she started off with many more but only five made it back to the chicken house from their nest in the wild. And three of them were stranded on the wrong side of the wire enclosure so I reunited them inside the chicken house and will keep them in until they are bigger and have even a tiny fighting chance of surviving the lizards/snakes/buzzards/crows/jays/fox/pine martens .... all of which will easily despatch a chick.
But one - the only black one - is very tiny and this morning was very very weak. He (I call it a he as IF it survives it will turn out to be a thingy, it's sod's law) was falling over and failing to keep up with his brothers and sisters. So I brought him in to warm him up and fed him some water in drops from my finger). Once he'd perked up and the day had become hot I put him back as his best chance is with the other chickens, learning how to eat etc.
Just been to check on him and he seems much chirpier, he is getting around and I was very pleased to see him pecking at the melons and squashy peaches I put out - at least he is getting some sugar water. Then he was trying to peck up some grain but it is a bit big so I'm hoping he'll find the dish of chick crumb that's out for them.
So I'm really hoping he makes it, even though I know the chances are slim. Come on Billy!
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
