Strawblady2000
07-27-2006, 05:45 PM
Hello Everyone...finally got the computer working worth a darn!
Well, it's been eventful this week. I had eggbound hen a few weeks ago, and this season, I've managed to salvage 2 eggs that hatched from this hen. She'll be on holiday till next season.
The 2 chicks were doing well after hatching (being fostered so the hen could recover). I think one was injured, as I found a tiny smatter of blood on an unhatched egg that hadnt been removed just yet. Didnt think too much of it, as it coul could have come from hatching.
Well, last week, I was examining the chicks that hatched and noticed a scab on the outside of one chicks crop...which was the source of the blood I found earlier. The scab was healing well...but I feared that it would get pulled off, tearing the chicks crop open. So, I placed some ointment on it and tried to keep it moist enough not to tear good skin if it was preened or picked off.
Well, yesterday to my horror, I discovered that the scab had been pulled off. My cue was the seeds spilling down the side of the chicks throat after it had been fed. I removed the chick to check the wound...tried to clean as much as possible and removed it to a brooder, where I've been caring for it. I removed it so that if the contents of the crop or the chick became septic, it would not foul the nest or sicken anyone else.
I examined the chick once again, hopeful that I could use surgical tape or liquid bandage to seal the skin, but the hole is about the size of an English pea...not enough tissue to close the wound. Also, the location doesnt allow for me to repair it. Taping it would do more harm than good, as the food matter would spoil underneath the bandage as it leaked out.
It breaks my heart, but I cant stop caring for it, even though I know she wont make it. I'm feeding it 0.3 ml of food every couple hours...but it's just spilling out the hole. I think she's still getting some nutirition, because she's still pooping...but it's really a lost cause. I guess I was hoping that the wound could close, but every stretch or wiggle of the chick prevents it from doing such.
Am I so weak that I cannot help this bird along to pass? Or am I so selfish in being more worried about having a guilty conscience about killing a creature of Gods regardless of if it would be more merciful than a slow and painful, but sure death?
Thanks for listening, Everyone.
I've missed y'all and relieved to be back.
Well, it's been eventful this week. I had eggbound hen a few weeks ago, and this season, I've managed to salvage 2 eggs that hatched from this hen. She'll be on holiday till next season.
The 2 chicks were doing well after hatching (being fostered so the hen could recover). I think one was injured, as I found a tiny smatter of blood on an unhatched egg that hadnt been removed just yet. Didnt think too much of it, as it coul could have come from hatching.
Well, last week, I was examining the chicks that hatched and noticed a scab on the outside of one chicks crop...which was the source of the blood I found earlier. The scab was healing well...but I feared that it would get pulled off, tearing the chicks crop open. So, I placed some ointment on it and tried to keep it moist enough not to tear good skin if it was preened or picked off.
Well, yesterday to my horror, I discovered that the scab had been pulled off. My cue was the seeds spilling down the side of the chicks throat after it had been fed. I removed the chick to check the wound...tried to clean as much as possible and removed it to a brooder, where I've been caring for it. I removed it so that if the contents of the crop or the chick became septic, it would not foul the nest or sicken anyone else.
I examined the chick once again, hopeful that I could use surgical tape or liquid bandage to seal the skin, but the hole is about the size of an English pea...not enough tissue to close the wound. Also, the location doesnt allow for me to repair it. Taping it would do more harm than good, as the food matter would spoil underneath the bandage as it leaked out.
It breaks my heart, but I cant stop caring for it, even though I know she wont make it. I'm feeding it 0.3 ml of food every couple hours...but it's just spilling out the hole. I think she's still getting some nutirition, because she's still pooping...but it's really a lost cause. I guess I was hoping that the wound could close, but every stretch or wiggle of the chick prevents it from doing such.
Am I so weak that I cannot help this bird along to pass? Or am I so selfish in being more worried about having a guilty conscience about killing a creature of Gods regardless of if it would be more merciful than a slow and painful, but sure death?
Thanks for listening, Everyone.
I've missed y'all and relieved to be back.