Animal Crackers - Injury and Illness

Howdy -

Well this has been a week of Injury and Illness here. Everyone is fine so no worries now... but we have had some "children" that gave us some worries during the week.

Sunday we really had a scare. One of our older chicks was really sick. Not sure how or what was the cause... could have been a number of things from my internet physicians research. Went out to check on them in the afternoon and the largest chick, the Australorp, was leaning against the side of the chick coop and both eyes were closed and goopy. (professional medical term there) Being late on Sunday I had no where to go for meds. So I caged her on her own, cleaned the coop incase it was contagious, and then washed her face and tried to get some water in her. First thing Monday Morning we had Meds and had her on a cycle to kick whatever was making her so sick. Now for a mental picture... Me holding a good sized chick that did not want to be held and was scared and could not see... Hubby with a cup and a syringe with the meds in water.... took us a few tries before she realized that the water was good, then she really took in the water! But yes, I was soaked by then! A few more times with our help, then her eyes started clearing up so she could see. Then by Monday night she was drinking on her own and eating!! Tuesday she was worlds better... and this photo is from Thursday night. You would never know she had a think wrong with her. And none of the other chicks have had any of the same symptoms or illness.

Eyes are clear and she is ready to be let out of her hospital pen. Now my friend Deana helped name her as she didn't have a permanent name yet. And being that we came so close to loosing her on Sunday, and on Sunday we lost an actress that was a part of our growing up, we named her Alice. Ann B. Davis from the Brady Bunch passed away Sunday we talked about it while watching our guys fish Sunday evening.... and then decided to name the Chick "Alice" as a sort of tribute. She seems to like her name and it fits her well.

Now yes I know we have another Alice here on the farm...

But you see she is named for "Alice" from "Mel's Diner" She was part of quads. We had Alice, Flo, Vera and Mel. Sold Mel. Flo didn't make it but a few hours. Vera and Alice are strong healthy and happy and are currently in with Frank to become Moms themselves this fall!! Love this photo I got of Alice - she loves being the highest goat in the pen.

Now back to the week.

Earlier in the week we found our standard guy Ted E. Bear limping really bad. "Three leggin' it" as we say. Hubby looked at his hoof, his leg, cleaned and trimmed... nothing. A Stone bruise. When we get lots of rain here, as soon as it starts drying up the rocks are out more and the donkeys get to running around and hit a rock just right and it really does a number on that soft part of their hoof. And Ted did a real number on his.

As of yesterday he is all better, no limping at all. It is just so sad to watch them "three leg it" or find them laying down all afternoon when you know they want to be up grazing with the other donkeys. But he is good... then Cocoa was "Three leggin' it"....

Bad too.. even worse than Ted was. And this girl she is a rescue donkey so she has some skittish jumpiness if you move at her too fast or she is in pain. Even after all these years it comes out.. but she let Hubby look at it and make sure there were no thorns, cuts or anything serious. It has taken her a bit longer to get back to 100% - and as of yesterday there was just barely a hop to her step. I hope everyone else watches where they are walking and takes it easy! Three to worry with in one week is just too much for this old lady!

Especially after going out for eggs this week and finding this in the chicken hut!

We had been outside all day working right next to the chicken coop. Building a second coop for the new batch of chicks to move into. I decided to go in and get the eggs when we finished up while I was there.... called (ok screamed) for Hubby to get out there NOW! As there was a snake heading into the nesting box after the eggs. He caught him, and took care of him! I think this is why my numbers of eggs have been down!!

Ok can't end on that photo of the scary snake. So here is the latest photo of Violet - her feathers are really coming in now - she is really a pretty color!

 Hope you have a wonderful Saturday - make sure to hug something with fur or feathers!
HUGS and -