Nursing a Sick Chicken & A Tip For Keeping Them Healthy

Nursing a Sick Chicken in the Chicken Hospital-
One of the things you learn raising a small flock, is that sometimes you see one sick chicken out of the group. Everyone else looks fine. Little Blackie started looking droopy Friday , so I kept an eye on her yesterday- droopy, staying off by herself, eating, but tail down. Not egg bound I found. I decided to worm the flock today, even though I use an all natural wormer year round Wormguard . I didn't want to risk losing anymore. I lost 2 girls, 6 weeks apart from worms 2 years ago. I figured out is was worms, after I lost them. They're pretty common in many flocks, especially if they share a yard with dogs, and in warmer weather. Last spring summer or so, I started the flock on the all natural stuff.

Today I broke out the chicken hospital (above) and brought my sick girl in. I brought out the Wazine, my last resort wormer, since you can't eat the eggs for about 10 days after. It does work however. Then I got out the high calorie dog paste GNC High Calorie Booster, eye dropper and 2 laundry baskets. Baskets are great to use for sick chickens as they're easy to just throw an old towel in the bottom and can be disinfected after use easily. You can also diagnose better by looking at the stool on the towel. Worms are easy to spot if they big enough. She passed a big one about 1/2 hours after I dosed her up, yummy, ech. I read about using the high calorie paste for sick birds, and I think it makes a big difference in the hens bouncing back faster. You just put some on the tip of your finger, reach above their head and squeeze their jaws open gently, then rub it into their months. They swallow it right down! Wait a bit and repeat. I also gave her some wormer out of a dropper. Another tip I learned is- drop the liquid on the top of the beak, below the nostril, and they will drink it up. She did! I have done this with another bird, Ellie, very successfully.

So Little Blackie is the the room with a view, nice dry towel, so rolled oats, water and a little leftover cooked fish. She'll go back in the coop this evening, and I'll see how she looks tomorrow. The nice thing about this "system", is that it's easy to repeat. It gives the hen a rest, extra nutrients, and quiet.

                                                   

A Tip For Keeping Them  Healthy-
I noticed lately that Rosie's feather were really looking gorgeous! Really full, shiny and there's some teal now that I don't ever remember seeing. Her feathers had been a little rough looking and she hasn't laid in a year and a half. She's in retirement :) I think that adding the natural wormer AND the Bragg's Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar to their water has really helped. I had read that the vinegar helps cut down on swollen crops and is really good for the hard shells. It's unfiltered and great on salads too! There's lots of interesting ideas of easy flock management on Backyardchickens.com

Signs of spring! Finally!!!

Scoring Materials for Coop, Cheap French Chic!

Soon to raise the roof!

Scoring Materials For Coop-

We needed quite a bit of materials to re-build/expand our urban coop. Hubby had a "feeling" he should go the Habitat for Humanity store last night. He scored a huge amount of materials cheap, for a good cause, and recycled. We went to another recycled building materials store this morning, ditto. I found a gorgeous door that was $100.00, marked down to $10.00. Score! I'll post pictures as the building moves along. We plan on doing it, hopefully, on spring break, the end of this month (weather permitting). We're going to build sections in the yard. On the second day- do the tear down and put it all together. Dave's good at designing and building, and I add other basic ideas for layout and decor. We want to recycle whatever we can from the first coop, and mostly "raise the roof". It will have a full size door, we'll be able to walk in to clean, and a solid roof for more weather hardiness. The current wavy plastic roofing would collapse under any big tree branches, etc. We'll have the nest box on the front, and the full size door (see photo below) where the nesting box is. Dave found a nice, big window too. After a huge windstorm almost took out the coop 2 years ago, we agreed it was better to build, a solid, shingled roof. It will have more roosting areas, and be easier to clean, bright and good ventilation. I think the girls will LOVE it! I'll paint it the same color so it will blend in.

Cheap French Chic-

After looking at my work clothes, and deciding a needed to tweak things a little, I stood there scratching my not knowing exactly what to actually DO! Hmmm, time to go to the library. I remembered that French women (even the older ones like me) are known for having some style. While I don't mind using a lot of thrifted clothes for work, I knew I needed to get some specific NEW things. So here's the big reveal! It's fun for me, and it's not homesteading, but hey I gotta work to build the coop ya know? :) I got everything at either discount stores or deeply on sale online. I also got 2 new pairs of slacks I didn't take pics of- basic, well cut- smoke gray, and a dark green/gray. I just need to find a navy pair now.

Classic navy 3/4 length sleeve cardigan- TJ Maxx

Classic white, wrinkle-resistant blouse TJ Maxx. I got an identical one in light blue

Old Navy lightweight cotton sweater, so soft! I did pay full price for this because I LOVED it!

LL Bean, last summers model. I've had these before- and nice & cool for the spring/summer

Old Navy polka dot blouse, love it! $5.99 I think

 Keen sneakers, a little cleaning in order I see.  Easy to clean the rubber, just a soapy sponge. Much cheaper than Converse and better support. I've had so many compliments on these at work! These were 1/2 price

Cute sole

New summer tote at Goodwill, made of recycled plastic- $1.50

I also got a purse on eBay coming. Leather, Fossil brand, casual but a little dressier. I came to realize a long time ago- it's either leather or fabric for me. Faux leather just doesn't hold up.

Vintage Lighting Ideas, Native American Blanket Display

Vintage Lighting Ideas-

They say timing is everything. I had dinner in a little restaurant Monday, after a horrendous 9 hour work day. This place has the coolest vintage lights. All these photos were taken with my cell phone. Came out pretty good I think...

The the next day I saw these in an article in an old Country Living magazine, 2008. Some of these would be pretty easy to retrofit and make, much cheaper too-

Native American Blanket Display-

I have been wanting to buy a Pendleton blanket forever, and now there's an outlet nearby. I'll keep my eye out for a new one, deeply discounted. eBay has used ones too, and I feel better about buying used now that I've read up on what to look for. I really like this display with the photos-