I really have no idea what I did in a previous life…but I APOLOGIZE ALREADY!
Yesterday when I out for morning feeding, Lucy—the very best hen in the world—was already in the hay feeder looking like she was waiting to lay her egg. This is unusual, because she typically runs to greet me and follows me around as I open up the coops. I didn’t think too much of it until I went to clean her roost and noticed abnormal droppings. I still didn’t worry, because that does happen occasionally.
But when I went back out in thirty minutes and Lucy was still in the hay feeder, I was concerned. She is the fastest egg laying chicken in the west. Takes her less than five minutes. When I checked again and she was still there, I went into full blown panic mode. I plucked her out of the hay feeder and got her out into the light. It was obvious she was sick.
I brought her in, gave her a bath to clean her messy bottom, dried her off with the hair dryer (she loved it) and gave her guessed-at doses of the two medications I had on hand. Then, I sat her in my lap and waited. Maybe she would perk up, I thought.
Nope. Two hours later she looked worse. With Keela by my side and Lucy in my lap, I sat in the sun and cried. I had a full-blown pity party for a while. I screamed. Could ONE GOOD THING happen around here? Should I give this all up? WHY ME?
Doink and the goats ran to the fence and looked at me. “Hey Lady, what’s wrong? Can we help?” was written all over their faces.
And then I thought, “Good grief, Joan. Get over yourself. Do something. They’re all depending on you, especially Lucy.” So I put my big-girl panties on, called the vet hospital up at Colorado State University and told them I was on my way.
Even though she was sick, she perked up when we got in the car. “New adventure!”
That perkiness didn’t last long.
About this time, I started exceeding the speed limit.
I was enveloped by three caring vet techs/students when I walked in the door. Lucy was ooh and ahhed over. These wonderful people didn’t actually know much about chickens, but phone calls were made to the “on-call chicken specialist” Antibiotics and fluids were given. They sent us home with more antibiotics and an appointment for Monday.
I. Don’t. Feel. Good.
For a time she had one eye open and one eye closed. Scary.
My phone battery had died, so I couldn’t call anyone and talk about the ordeal on the way home. It was just me in the driver’s seat and Lucy riding shotgun. She looked terrible. But the sunset was so spectacular—orange! red! purple! blue! green!—and the mountains so gorgeous…it gave me hope.
And today, I’m happy to say Lucy looks much better. She’s eating. And drinking. And scratching around her temporary home in the dining room. I’ll probably take her outside for a while. I think sun and green grass makes everyone feel better, don’t you?
I’m hungry!
The accommodations are nice, but I’d prefer to be outside.
Good thoughts make us all feel better too, and I’d like to thank you all for your support this past week. It really, really helped.
**Shared at From the Farm, HomeAcre Hop, Tuesdays With A Twist, Maple Hill Hop, (mis)Adventures Monday and Thank Goodness It’s Monday**
I’m so sorry for all of your troubles this past week. I really, really hope that Lucy gets better and soon. I agree that sun and green grass can perk up a spirit. Hang in there.
That, and the antibiotics, made all the difference! Thanks 🙂
Anytime one of my girls is sad looking like Lucy I take it to heart too. I hope the treatment works. I’m currently treating a bumblefoot on one of my girls – soaking in epsom salts every other day, applying antibiotic ointment and wrapping in colorful vetwraps. Today she is Mrs. Orange! She’s been Mrs. Purple, Blue and Red over the past 3 weeks. Thankfully, the swelling is reducing so I am hopefully avoiding bumble surgery. And another sweet girl passed away last week from internal laying where the abdomen swells up because the eggs are not following the normal path instead dropping into the abdomen. Beyond rest and reduced protein intake there wasn’t anything I could do to cure her. My girls keep me busy with their ‘issues’ but I would never give them up because as a group they provide so much joy. And when I do win a battle with a sick girl and they go on to live another day, I am on top of the world. Keep us posted!
I agree! I’ve not had bumblefoot here, but I’m sure at least the colorful vetwraps are fun 🙂 Lucy is much better, and she’s met so many people at the vet hospital she’s become quite the star. A good side effect, indeed. Good luck with Mrs. Orange/Purple/Blue/Red!
I on’t have anything profound to add- I so enjoy reading about your backyard family. My love to you and Lucy and the gang.
Jocelyn
Thanks Jocelyn. Our spirits are lifting. Look forward to seeing you this week!
Oh, poor girl. Poor you! Sun, grass and a gentle breeze always help. God’s speed to all at your place!
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Hope your Lucy continues to get better and better Joan! Sending prayers along for that!
I hope that Lucy improves swiftly! Its always scary when they don’t feel well.
Did they look into the possibility of internal laying or eggbound (esp since she couldnt lay an egg?). Maybe try some epsom salt bath on her bum…if anything the salts should soak into her system and give her another boost.
I don’t use medicine around her so epsom salts are my go to 🙂 Hope she gets better soon!!
We’re pretty sure it was coccidia. My vets are AWESOME and I’m positive the sulfa-based antibiotics they gave her saved her life. I love learning as much as I can from them 🙂
She certainly didn’t look well Joan but she’s looking a whole lot better now, so hopefully the antibiotics will do the trick. Did they have any idea what it might be? Chickens get so unwell so very quickly and can often die before we even realise they’re ill – so good for you for noticing and taking action so quickly. You do know you have saved her life, I hope.
It’s been a horrible week for you. but things are getting better …
Sending more {{hugs}}.
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I had guessed coccidia and the vets said maybe, but it just as likely was some rogue bacteria. I love the vets 🙂 They testing a number of dropping I brought in and found nothing. I’m just glad she’s ok!
Sending warm thoughts and hugs your way from NC. Hope things are better today…….
My thoughts and heart are with you. I have lost some chickens each year and each one sets me down for a long cry, but I would not stop having chickens for anything. They all are such joy and I love them all. They just don’ have that long of a life span, so I see my job is to give them as happy a life as possible and enjoy them while they are here to the fullest, then when the time comes let them go a peacefully as possible. I hope that things turn around for you soon. Have a blessed day today.
Glad for the outcome! I’ve had chickens keel over and just die, but several times I nursed them back to health 🙂 I wish we had a vet University here!
We are SO lucky to have CSU right up the road! Great vets 🙂
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I get very emotional when animals are sick too–especially chickens. So glad she’s doing better (and your blood pressure should be coming down nicely too, eh?)
Blessings,
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Yeah, I felt like I had been in a boxing match last week. But things are better now 🙂 Thanks!
Glad she has perked up. Maybe she had a little something going on and grief over Little and Big Man lowered her resistance. 🙁
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I am so glad Lucy is feeling better! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
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