“ She ’s in moderately tough human body , ” Rachel told us as she led us back through the store to where a half - dozen silver gray stock tanks stood under a series of heat lamps . She check beside the outermost tank , one labeled Golden Comet pullets . inwardly , more than two dozen buff - and - bronze child scampered around , eating , cheep , pooping — and pick on one chick in special . Almost twice the size of it as her tankmates , the piddling fryer was leftover from an early shipment . She had already begun grow in her pin and tag feather , and the young Bronx cheer had enthusiastically yanked them all out . Her bleeding rump and wings had been spray withBlu - Koteto sealskin the wounds , and she fawn behind the water boy , startled every time another chick go about .
We took her home that good afternoon . The chick , whom we named Violet ( the Blu - Kote had turned her purpleness ) , did not go at all into our farm ’s scheme . We rear heritage poultry . Violet was a cross breed . Our birds were all adults . Violet was perhaps 3 workweek old . I could n’t just will her there , though , and my husband , Jae , detests bullies , so home she arrive .
Violet was our first rescue raspberry , but by all odds not our last . Over the geezerhood , we ’ve been called by feed memory board and by post office branch for unclaimed chick shipment . We ’ve had birdie abandoned on our doorsill . We ’ve even had a skillful Samaritan bring us a strike - and - run dupe she recover suffering on the side of a local road . With support , nurturing and a lot of TLC , most of these desolate bird have thrived and led happy , sizeable lives .
Establish A Hospital Pen
Your delivery bird will involve a secure , quiet billet in which to recuperate . A great best-loved carrier , a dog kennel , a sturdy crate or box , or even achicken tractorwill work well . Your hospital pen should be rough drawing - free and place in a sheltered locating , such as a service department or cellar , well off from other fauna ( at least 30 substructure from your flock to derogate any likely contagious disease ) . The penitentiary should be enclosed to keep the rescue chick from hop-skip out and endure further anxiety by getting lose in unfamiliar surroundings .
Provide A Heat Source
passion equals puff and safety , like that offered by a female parent hen . A delivery bird needs that genial reassurance — that feeling of security that heat provides . Keep the temperature in the hospital pen at about 75 degrees F unless the rescue bird is a wench in its first month of life story ; in that case , adjust the heat as require by the chick ’s years .
Offer Electrolytes In Water
Injury , desertion and neglect can stimulate tenseness and shock in a chicken of any age . A boost of electrolyte can aid touch on and rebalance a stressed doll ’s body functions . Be certain to use electrolytes specifically formulated for animals , such asSav - a - ChickorStreseez Plus , and follow the direction on the software to ensure a proper dilution proportion .
Provide Proper Nourishment
accept your rescue bird ’s age in judgement when extend food . While the added protein in starter / agriculturist feed can be beneficial to an injured adult , the special calcium in layer rations can permanentlydamage a biddy ’s kidneys . Also consider the deliverance bird ’s ability to exhaust . Crumbles are well-to-do for an adult rescue wench to treat than pellets . If your deliverance Bronx cheer are baby doll , offerGro - Gel , an easy - to - digest , hydrating gel contain protein , probiotic , peptides and vitamins .
Introduce A Friend
Despite being quarantine from the rest of your flock , your rescue bird will require a associate . Chickens are societal creature , and being give alone for an prolonged period of time will only cause a rescue bird bring stress . Violet became degenerate Friend with a toy dog Easter bunny rabbit we put in her pen , pull much comfort from it . The two became inseparable . We made certain that each rescue shuttle after Violet had its own plush crony for fellowship .
Keep It Clean
For saving birds with injuries , a clean pen is full of life . offer unfermented bedding frequently to foreclose infection due to contact with feces . If an injury needs cleanup , treat the deliverance bird outside of the infirmary playpen ; a open open with a uninfected towel works well . Wear protective baseball glove and expend sterile gauze and distilled urine to clean the wound . seal off the injury with an antiseptic , such as Blu - Kote , and allow for it to dry out before returning the birdie to the infirmary pen .
Be Hands-On
Your delivery chicken may require personal comfort to keep unagitated . cautiously wind the bird in a warm towel , and then hold it gently , speak in diffused , reassuring timber , but do n’t drive a cuddle if the bird is unwilling . bird suffer from shock may be unable to eat or drink on their own ; this is especially rightful of transport chicks in passage for too long . acquaint yourself withdropper- and syringe - fertilize techniquesshould this become necessary .
Recognize A Lost Cause
Unfortunately , there are times when a birdie is beyond rescue . The piteous tally - and - execute hen is one lesson ; her shattered body was beyond aid . Another example is the call for helper I once received from our post office : A consignment of chicks had arrived two twenty-four hours late and the cartonful was ominously hushed . Although I was there within minutes , it was too late for those wretched infant . Poultry superheroes can only do so much .
Violet , however , was a success story . Although she did n’t grow her quarter feathers back for almost a year , her charming , forthcoming personality started come in through after a week in our care . She became an essential member of our lot and enjoyed a foresighted and happy life with us instead of the legal brief and bullied one that was almost her destiny .
Ana Hotaling
Ana Hotaling
