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Betsy may be Bertie??

5 replies

Whatthechicken · 31/10/2020 11:19

In early September I got 4 ex batts - lovely girls...but they have caused some mayhem. One had a reoccurring prolapsed vent (which has hopefully been righted now through worming, extra greens and calcium), and another found it’s way into a very shallow pond. Luckily I found her quickly and was able to get her warm and back to the flock with the help of a hairdryer.

All of them looked a bit shabby and had bald patches when they arrived and they have started to look more like they should now. One of them though was in quite good nick, and her feathers grew back much quicker than the rest. She has never laid and I assumed she was in molt. She has always had a very large comb and I have noticed that she also appears to have spurs. I have heard that hens can take on male characteristics If the left ovary is affected by something. She is not crowing and is not overly aggressive (she has a lovely soft cluck, cluck, cluck when she finds something exciting), in fact she is quite timid of me but she did do a double flying kick at one of the others the other day when it ran towards her.

I’m not worried about her laying - she’s welcome to enjoy her retirement...but health wise, is there anything I should be concerned about/get checked out.

I’ve attached a pic.

Betsy may be Bertie??
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Whatthechicken · 31/10/2020 11:23

Spurs??

Betsy may be Bertie??
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Snog · 31/10/2020 11:26

I don't know the answers but I read your post and found it so heart warming how much care these chickens are receiving from you after their unfortunate start in life. You have a big heart OP.

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Whatthechicken · 31/10/2020 11:36

Aww thanks @Snog. They’ve cost a me a bloody fortune so far in money and worry - but they are worth it! Husband did suggest putting the sodden one on top of the Agar in a bag for like to dry out - I was horrified! The one that had the prolapse is very tame now! Haha

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Snog · 31/10/2020 14:44

My parents had a big 4 oven aga and the coolest oven for plate warming sometimes had a baby orphan lamb in it that had got frozen in the snow.

Wait for the lamb to bleat then take it out 😆

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Whatthechicken · 31/10/2020 14:51

Hahaha!!

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