I went out before 7 am this morning to let the baby chicks out of the 400 Vari-Kennel into their bigger pen. At first glance everyone bounded out and looked great, then I noticed one chick hanging out in the crate towards the back....next to a dead chicken. Oh how I hate that. She was all sideways and wet with her feet sticking straight out, eyes slammed shut and head limp. It turns out the crate had gotten water in it accidentally and soaked the shavings when the sprinklers were on and this baby had gotten cold and wet during the night. I was so sad. Not that I'm blaming anyone, but I didn't put them away last night. I was peuking sick last night.
I reached in the take her out and figure out what to do with the baby. I had wrapped her in a paper towel and just held it. The chick was gapping for air every 20 or 30 seconds, so it looked like it was going to be a slow death. That's even worse.
A while later, I decided to put her in a box with a lamp on it. Right away I heard a chirp. Omgosh!! Then I got the blow dryer and dried her feathers. Maybe there was hope!!! Lalalalalalalalalala!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I went outside to check the other chick, as she just looked a little depressed. Then the worst thing happened. While I was outside (only minutes) Soleil had jumped up on the kitchen counter and flung the baby chick out of the box on the kitchen floor (with Tirzah) to play with it!!! The chick's eyes were WIDE open then and I was able to grab her and put her back in the box. Soleil defibrillation!!!!!!!!! Oh G O D, and all this happened WAY too early in the morning!!!
Here she is about 45 minutes later. She rallied quickly and then I put the her back with her eggmate. All seems well at 1 pm. What strength. What heart. What a chicken.
Super chicken is in the center. More lalalalalalalalalalala.......
I had to go to the feed store to get more waterers & feeders because I separated these 3 chicks in their own pen.
While I was up north, T lost 3 of the lavender guinea hens. It happens. Chickie death. So, I got some more. Because I can. And I have a credit card.
I got 2 more Buff Cochins and 2 New Hampshire Reds. Hens, I am told. We're pretty sure we have 2 roosters, because they're already facing off and doing rooster stuff. So, more hens is a good idea.
Anyway, today this little chick has a happy ending. Redwoods & chickens. It's a rough life on the ranch.
