Keeping hens and ducks chat.

Cheery_Daff

Sadly, things aren't going well here. We're off to the vets again, and it's looking increasingly likely it'll be a one way trip. So upset, poor old Beaky 😢😢 Such a hard decision to make, but she's really slowed down in the last 24 hours and it just doesn't see fair to keep her going when there's no longer term prospect of recovery anyway 😢😢 We are distraught 😢

Cheery_Daff

Well, it's done 😢😢 Vet said it looks like she's not been eating much, and the tumour seemed to have grown so much it was obstructing her vent 😕 She was alright until yesterday really, when she did seem uncomfortable but OK, but today she'd gone really downhill, not eating. She pottered to the old dustbaths with her pals, but didn't follow when they wandered off - not a good sign. She was peaceful in the car and the vet agreed it was time.

We've stopped in a cafe, which we've never been able to do on the way home before as we've always had a chicken in the car 😢 It's very peaceful here, right by a canal, watching the rain on the water.

Give all your beaky friends an extra treat from us tonight xxx

edwink

Aww, how sad for you both Cheery.  You were so right that it was not a good sign when the others wandered off because as you know hens hate being on their own as a rule and will avoid it if at all possible. But, when they are not feeling up to much they don't keep up with the others and often just want to spend time alone. 

Poor old Beaky, but she was so fortunate to have found you and Mr Cheery I know that for certain and I have no doubt about that at all.  You give yourselves a big pat on the back for the way you spoilt her, looked after her, gave her everything she would ever need in her retirement, and most of all you loved that little hen like you do all of your girls. Well done both of you x

Edwink x

Karmacat

Oh Cheery I've written on your diary about Beaky - it's so hard to take that final step, I'm sorry you had to do that, and so recently too.

It's ages since I was on the hens and ducks thread (hi edwink!).  But I've just had a stay in self-contained accommodation on a farm, and I thought I'd post a couple of pictures here.  This is two year old Betsy - her friends were killed by a fox, so she's currently the only hen living on an 85 acre farm.  She was having a bit of trouble walking along the back of our sofa, flapping her wings to stay on:

and she hopped it back to her run soon after to have a rest:

edwink

How lovely to see you on here KC and thanks ever so much for posting the lovely pictures.  I'm going to have to PM you now to find out exactly where you stayed. I had 2 Bluebelle hens here once and I have to say they are a delightful breed, extremely friendly with humans, and very docile. One of them was the top dog here for what seemed like ages which came as a complete surprise knowing how docile and quiet they can be. Wow, this brings back some lovely memories of those two.

Thanks again KC

Edwink x

Karmacat

You're very welcome, edwink - I think this thread is a great resource, and if I actually had a chicken (or a duck!) I'd be on here every time I came to mse.  Answering your pm now.

Cheery_Daff

Aw, lovely pictures KC, thank you for introducing us to Betsy! I hope she gets some new feathery chums soon. Lovely that she pops in to get treats from the guests 😊

Ours all wanted a lie in this morning 😂 Bonnie was laying an egg behind the door when I opened it (sorry Bonnie!) And the others all just stayed put, looking quite cosy. It was pretty early, but usually the young ones are put as soon as I open the door. Maybe they were all just respectfully waiting for Bonnie to finish rather than clambering over her?!

They're out no, causing Mr Cheery no end of trouble as he tries to attach bits to the front of their new run 😂

edwink

Cheery_Daff said: They're out no, causing Mr Cheery no end of trouble as he tries to attach bits to the front of their new run 😂

I can just imagine, Cheery, because they do like to get in on the act whatever is happening here too.  We had to keep ours confined to their coop on Thursday as we were making the concrete base where we are having a soundproof music studio built for Mr. Edwink and his beloved saxophone.  Wow, just think the house will finally be peaceful for a change lol.  God help him though once the studio is built those hens will want to know all about it and suss the place out 🤣🤣🤣

Hope Mr Cheery manages to finish the front of the chicken run what with the weather as it is now.  It can't make its blooming mind up today here although we have managed to get outside in between the showers to clean their hotel out.

Take care

Edwink x

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, exciting plans afoot at your house edwink! A soundproof music studio, very exciting! 

Mr Cheery did make some progress, but was rather hampered by rain (and chickens) and we abandoned it all in the end and went to the cafe. Of course the sun is shining now we've put everything away! 

Here's a picture - looks ridiculous but it'll be a palace by the time we've finished! 



You can just see Bunty in the middle there on inspection duty 😂

edwink

Cheery_Daff said:Mr Cheery did make some progress, but was rather hampered by rain (and chickens) and we abandoned it all in the end and went to the cafe. Of course the sun is shining now we've put everything away! 

Here's a picture - looks ridiculous but it'll be a palace by the time we've finished! 


You can just see Bunty in the middle there on inspection duty 😂

Cheery. I can not see anything that looks ridiculous in that picture, to be honest.  Wow, that is proper progress and most of it in this horrid weather we have been having lately so give yourselves a pat on the back at least and have another cafe trip for your efforts too 🍰☕  I reckon they will love it in there once it is all finished. At least you will feel better about their safety if you are both out and about during the day. I spotted Bunty with her inspection head on, bless her.  They just can't keep their beaks out of anything, can they?. Flipping pests our feathered friends are.  Like me though, I am sure you wouldn't have it any other way would you?.  

Thanks for the pic Cheery, this means that you will have to post a pic of it when it is complete now. Any excuse for another picture on this thread 🤣🤣🤣

Edwink x