Losing Pickles was really rough. But as the saying goes, life goes on. I knew I wanted to get more babies. The challenge was working it into my busy schedule.
I was hoping to get Black Astralorps. I love, love, love my Buff Orpingtons, but I feel like they just don't live as long as some other breeds. I did a ton of research on hens that are quiet, docile, but still good layers. Can tolerate some heat and generally get along with everyone without being a bully. And Black Astralorps seemed to fit that bill.
But when I called around to find some, I was going to be a least a month before anyone had some locally. When I called my favorite feed store, she said they wouldn't have any until June. And out of the blue she said, "But we're getting a big shipment of Buff Orpingtons in on Saturday." And I knew it was a sign.
So I picked up four BO's and then found out they had Cochins. So I also got one black and one partridge Cochin for a total of 6 babies.
Three of the four Buff Orpington's peeking out from under their electric hen.
The Partridge Cochin is on the left and the Black is on the right.
Eating is a group sport.
This was the best group shot I could get. They were really shy the first day home. These little guys go through a lot after hatching to get to their home. Already today, they are so much more active.
It's with a very heavy heart that I sit here and blog that we lost sweet Pickles today.
There was something always off about that little bird. I had my suspicions that she wasn't right. But she strut around the garden with her tail held high. She scratched, she dust bathed, she ate, she drank and a few days a week, she'd reward us with a teeny, tiny egg.
Wednesday morning I noticed that she had caught her comb on something and tore it. I treated it with ointment but she really tore it and kept shaking it which kept causing it to tear and I knew that it needed proper medical attention. So I took her off to my favorite vet. The vet said it was an easy fix, she'd give her a puff of gas to put her to sleep and put several stitches in the comb to secure it and keep it from flopping around.
But as soon as she received the gas, she stopped breathing and despite the vets best efforts, she never came around. A mini necropsy confirmed what I had always suspected. She had a big mass on her ovary. Another one some where else inside her. Her lungs were badly scarred indicating she had a chronic case of pneumonia. And her liver was just a mess. I'm amazed that she acted so happy and healthy after learning all this.
Here's hoping she's in a better place and no longer suffering. I will miss you sweet Pickles. You were a very special little bird.
She always wanted to know what you were doing.
Never had a feather out of place.
She might not have a feather out of place but she ALWAYS had a dirty beak.
One of my most favorite photos of her. Life Imitating Art!
The last photo I took of Pickles. She's the one in the middle facing Coco.
Not sure which one she is but she was one of the four Peeps.
Pickles tiny little egg compared to one of her sister's large egg.
She LOVED to smell the roses.
And she loved a dust bath in the sun. Especially, when she had the bath all to herself.
She LOVED this pot of forage blend I grew for the hens. And she always had to stand on top to eat.
This is a card that someone gave me. It is exactly how I picture Pickles. A fairy princess with her tiara properly on top of her head just floating through life. Always be fabulous Pickles. Live up to your name.
Okay, fess up, who gives their chickens treats? EVERYONE!
How can you resist those adorable little feathered cherubs running across the yard up to your feet and staring up at you with those sweet eyes that beg for treats.
This is a little video I took of Coco standing at the back door begging. And yes, I'm guilty of opening the back door and giving them a few blueberries or raisins. Which I know only encourages them more.
We're really lucky here to have a local company that makes treats for chickens, and coincidentally, they are called Treats for Chickens. http://www.treatsforchickens.com
I love that they make healthy, organic treats for my girls. And I LOVE the names of their treats. There's Chicken Crack, Cluck Yea and Pullet Together. My favorite has the most boring name, Worms `n Flakes. But it's just that, rolled oats and dried meal worms. That's what I typically treat my hens with so that I'm not giving them high fat treats like sunflower seeds. If you follow my blog, you'll know that Coco has fatty liver disease which is why I'm really careful about giving high fat treats.
One of my other favorite products they make is Nesting Box Blend. It's a mixture of dried herbs and flowers and you sprinkle it in your nest boxes and it helps to repel bugs and critters. Not to mention, it makes the nests smell amazing.
They have a great website and ship so if you can't get their products locally, which I have trouble finding even though they are so close to me, just order online. I hope you enjoy their products as much as we do.
Coco is such a smart bird. She knows her name and will come when I call her. Don't believe me? Watch this video of me calling her below.
Today, I had a few guys come to the house to replace and repair a few of my gutters. Just having strangers in the yard is enough to get the hens upset. But ladders, large pieces of metal and power tools, well, all the hens were up and screaming.
I went out several times to try and calm them down and Coco was no where to be found. I went into the run and found her hunkered down in her favorite nest. I knew she was hiding there knowing it's her safe place. She's still molting and there's no way she's ready to lay an egg.
She stayed there till the guys left. And I checked the nest later just to be sure and as I thought. No egg.
I feel bad that I frightened her so badly. But every once in a while something needs to be repaired and that may make some noise. Sorry ladies. But nice to know they will do what they need to do to feel safe and sound.
I got a strange egg from Pearl this morning. She didn't quite finish applying the shell to her egg. That circle/spot is about the size of a pea. When I collected the egg, I thought it was a piece of pine shaving stuck to the egg. But I soon realized that it was just the inner egg membrane. The rest of the egg appears to be just fine.
I've read numerous articles and blogs about odd eggs. It appears that if you have hens long enough, you'll eventually get an egg that just wasn't quite right. I don't think there's anything wrong with her. She is a power layer, laying 6 days a week. Which is pretty good for a Buff Orpington.
I think she ate too many tasty treats in the garden yesterday and didn't get quite enough calcium to finish up her egg. So maybe I'll give her a calcium rich treat today such as Greek yogurt. Or maybe I should scramble up this egg for her and her sister and give her a special treat.
