John

[The Dogmother]

Just had a bit of a lucky escape with one of my chooks; Lucille is a tiny Dutch bantam, and when i checked on them tonight and put the flower pot in the nest, I noticed that she had her tail in the air. This isn't anything unusual because she likes to roost with her head under Dolly, but she was squeaking away. Somehow silly Lucille had got her head stuck between the roosting bars and there didn't seem any way of budging her without unscrewing her head

 

I managed to get the others off the bars and lifted them carefully, she is very tiny and I was worried about breaking her neck. I'm still not sure how I managed to get her freed, but if you have any bantams or other tiny birds, then please watch out for this. I have no doubt that if I hadn't spotted her she would have been dead in the morning.

 

Phew, a near miss!

[theherd123]

 

OMG that was a close call!!!

 

I trust Lucille is now tucked up safely under Dolly and not the roosting bars!!!

 

Bet she has a stiff neck in the morning!

[The Dogmother]

It was Em, I was terrified of breaking her neck, the torch was clamped between my knees and it was raining. I was just about to go and call Phil to come and help when she got free. I expect that she'll have a headache tonight - her face and neck looked ok and she was moving her neck about, I just hope that the stress wasn't too much for her - she's such a delicate little thing.

[Karen & co.]

Poor little mite glad you found her

 

karen x

Edited January 1, 2007 by Guest

[Nicola H]

That was a close call Clare, good job you checked them before locking the door..................I hope Lucille is Ok poor thing.

[theherd123]

Buffie said Arnica & Aconite were good for aches & pains & general shock do you have any?

 

I do hope she will be as right as rain in the morning!

[The Dogmother]

I have, but only in tablets rather than tinctures. I will crush some up and give it to her on yoghurt in the morning, I don't want to disturb them now. Wish I'd thought about that earlier

[Egluntyne]

Goodness!

 

What an unusual situation. There must have been something tasty under the bars tempting her.

 

Glad you found her in time!

[Trish]

Ouch poor little love, glad you found here in time Clare.

[Cinnamon]

Clare , how horrible for you, & for her too

 

I too have some teeny Bantams - baby in particular is very small - & I have often found them wedged at the back of the bars, but never with their head through.

 

One thought , did you have Bokashi in the litter trey & if so could she have been trying to peck at it?

I know my bants love to peck at Bokashi & for that reason I only use it as a scatter food for them in their run now.

 

[The Dogmother]

They used to all huddle at the back and the small ones would get caught down the back fo the bars (that's how layla got foxed) but I now have a water-filled plastic 4 pint milk carton down there to stop that happening.

 

I don't think she was trying to get anything in the poo tray - it's just Aubiose and poo! I reckon that she just got caught up in the general bundle of chickens

[Linda]

Oh Clare, what a shock. You must be feeling so relieved you spotted her when you did.

[AnnieP]

Lucky escape Clare! Hope she is OK today.

Any chance of closer togather roosting bars? Not sure how wide the gaps have to be for them to put their little feet around for grip.

[The Dogmother]

That might be a good idea Annie, but perhaps this is just an isolated incident with a dim chook and will never happen again. *shrugs*

 

Lucille seems fine this morning, but I'll keep an eye on her tonight when she goes to bed.

[theherd123]

Really pleased she is ok Claret you must be so relieved!!!

 

OH was quite when i told him what had happened -he wants to know is Lucille your Charlie Chaplain chicken?

[PurpleHen]

Clare

So glad to hear Lucille is still well this morning - well spotted

[The Dogmother]

No, she's not - that's Lily. Lucille is a very small speckled one....

 

[PurpleHen]

te he

[theherd123]

Oh she is sweet & im so glad she is ok but OH does love Charlie!!!!!

[The Dogmother]

Tell him that when you next visit (and it's not so boggy) he can cuddle Lily if I can catch her - she's very soft and silky.

[theherd123]

Brilliant he will love that!

 

We should let him try & catch her though - much more fun and we can just sit & watch him chase her round the garden!

[The Dogmother]

Great, she's a fast mover for one with such short legs!

[Mel (& Paul)]

Oh Clare! What a shock for you! I am so pleased that she is ok. Although our bantams are in a wooden ark we have put some roosting bars in as well - so will get Paul to have a look and see what he thinks.

In the meantime, if there is any chance of coming and seeing Mo, and perhaps Phil and Paul chase chickens in the mud I would be really grateful - I could do with a giggle

[theherd123]

Great, she's a fast mover for one with such short legs!

 

So is the OH so that should be fun!!!

 

Mel you must come & watch, in fact it could become a new sport - chase the chicken!

[The Dogmother]

It'd be great sport when they land face down in a muddy patch

 

Mel, have you got grass back in your garden now?