A couple of weeks ago I came outside to see the most pathetic sight (other than any of the Kardashian shows) these two eyes have ever seen.
There, dragging herself through the chicken run, was Norma. The gimpy chicken. While all the other chickens ran at break beak speed to come and see me, Norma hobble-limped halfway towards me, gave up and then laid down. At which point all of the other chickens sensed a weak member in their flock and attacked her. Just like that they turned on one of their own. Again, not unlike the Kardashians.
I immediately went into medic mode, strapped a flashing red light to my head, screamed out some surprisingly loud siren sounds and made my way to Norma.
The first thing to do in assessing a chicken injury is to LOOK.
So I gently picked Norma up and gave her a thorough once over. I looked for broken bones sticking out, wounds and thorns. She looked fine. But it's hard to see through all of those feathers. The next thing I did was flip her over and take a look at the bottom of her feet. I was checking for Bumblefoot (a potentially deadly infection on the underside of a chicken's foot). No Bumblefoot.
The second thing to do is feel for warmth.
Like with other animals an easy way to check for pain or infection is the gently feel around the body parts. An injured area will often feel warmer than the rest of the body. No such luck with Norma.
The third thing to do is start guessing and eliminating.
The one thing it could possibly be was a case of Norma being egg bound. I wasn't convinced this was the case because it really looked like a sore foot or leg, but I wanted to be able to rule out the possibility of her being egg bound (also life threatening).
So I did what you're supposed to do to make her feel better. I put her in a bath and got ready to stick my finger up her bum. No idea if this applies to the Kardashians as well. I suspect it does.
Norma was incredibly cooperative.
I sat her in the kitchen sink filled with warm water and went about my business in the kitchen. She didn't seem to have any desire to move. She just sat there quietly, waiting for me to get her out.
The kitchen was a bit cool and Norma was wet, so I wrapped her in a towel which made her warm, dried her off a bit and had the added bonus of making her look like a superhero.
Aftercare involves keeping the patient quiet and allowing them to rest.
Once the patient is able to eat and poop, they can be discharged.
I took her outside and gently put my finger in her bum. I was carefully checking to feel if there was an egg stuck in there. I didn't take pictures of that. I tried. But it's kindda awkward to hold a camera, a chicken and a suppository. Just kidding about the suppository. It was my actual finger that went up her bum. This is why as a chicken owner you should a) be brave and b) own an entire box of surgical gloves.
If you're desperate to see a chicken bum, which is also called the vent, you can see one here.
Norma was relaxed, there didn't seem to be an egg stuck in her and I was back to square one. There were two possibilities. She could have had a stroke. Or ... she could have just jumped off the roost a bit wonky and twisted something.
If a chicken has an injury that's causing them pain the easiest and most effective thing you can give them is ½ a baby aspirin.
So that's what Norma got. One half of a baby aspirin. If the limp went away that would let me know it was just a twisted ankle or pulled muscle. If it didn't help it could mean it was a stroke.
This is all random guessing of course, but that's what you do in these sorts of situations. Hell. It's what your doctor who went to a real medical school and everything does.
I held out the aspirin in the palm of my hand and she gobbled it up right away. I kept her away from the other chickens so she wouldn't be tormented and came back an hour later to check on her.
This is how she looked.
No limp. Or very little limp. So I knew that the injury was probably a muscle or inflammation issue, not a stroke. It isn't always great to mask the pain on an animal because as far as they're concerned as soon as the pain goes away, it's hokey pokey time. A free for all of running, jumping and playing hopscotch. They don't know the pill is masking the pain and they still have an injury they need to be gentle with. The simple truth is they just aren't smart enough (insert your own Kardashian joke here).
So with animals you have to use a bit common sense. If I left Norma with her limp she'd be more careful with her injury ... but only for the next 16 hours or so, until the other chickens devoured her alive.
Chickens can spot weakness faster than a schoolyard bully looking for lunch money. And they can take down your average 9 year old quicker.
So that's why I opted to give Norma half an aspirin until her leg healed. The injury lasted for about 5 days so I prescribed ½ a baby aspirin every morning.
And now you're going to think I'm weird. A loon. A bit of a softie. Since I helped Norma I've noticed she's become much friendlier with me. She's no Cuddles, but she lets me pick her up and look her over without a single squawk. Once she even asked me how my day was.
I told her it was O.K. I mean, I couldn't keep up with the Kardashians. But who can?
Shauna
oh, I've had to stick my finger up my chicken's bum. thankfully, not egg bound as well. that is when I knew I was meant to be an urban chicken farmer:) However, my chicken was far less amenable to any of those steps - didn't like me picking her up, putting her in water and perhaps was most calm when my finger went up her bum. Kinky ladies.
Nancy Blue Moon
I do admire the kindness & love you give to animals..it shows what a good heart you have..Also..thank you for not showing us a video of you sticking your finger up Norma's butt..
Jeannie B
Karen, you are a truly, good person. I'm glad that Norma is okay.
Feral Turtle
Awe, that is so sweet! If I die, I want to come back as your chicken! Warm kitchen sink baths....who could ask for more!
Janet
You stuck your finger up there for nothing. That's love.
Jacqui
I had a cockatiel that died of being egg bound . Her bird mate and I were inconsolable for weeks. It was heartbreaking. I felt that I had not taken very good care of her and let him down. I applaud you for your fearlessness and giving your chicken such good care. I don 't think I could have done the suppository.
The rest of the story:The egg daddy went on to be an absolute delight and we were popular playing pirates at my kids school.
And Karen, welcome back! So good to see your blog this morning in my inbox. Big hug
Melissa Leach
Great job, Doctor. Do you think adding Espsom salts to the warm water would help/hurt? Just wondering should I should ever need to give a chicken a bath.
safety dog
I once had a parakeet who became egg bound, about half-way through laying. Didn't expect her to lay an egg, so it was surprising. With a little lubricant and time (and many funny expressions on her face), she was fine.
Janet
OMG! I am SO, SO, SO glad you are back. This mornings post...all of it....had me laughing so hard...several times, that my husband came plodding out to see what the heck I was laughing at. He thought it was the birds in the birdbath or the Hummingbirds fighting, again....birds...they are pretty entertaining creatures. So are you and your readers. Love the post!!! Glad Norma is feeling better.
taria
thank you for this. I have been kicking around the idea of backyard chickens. I don't need more animal problems around here. 2 big dogs and 3 cats are wonderful but a lot of work. 2K of vet bills so far this year. I think I need to stick with store eggs. You are a good chicken mama.
SuzyM
Oooh, I want chickens so badly I can taste it, well, not taste it, but badly nevertheless. The old coop is out there, the one that housed the guinea fowl, but the hawks circling overhead continue to concern me. Maybe next year.
On to Norma. Great story. Seeing her in the sink, she took to that like a duck to water....hmmm.
I don't mean for you to get all graphic and my guinea fowl never turned on one another, but what really happens with the flock when one of their own is sick or injured? They seem like such docile animals. Do they really get violent?
Karen
SuzyM - They really do get violent and aggressive. They start by picking on the weak chicken and chasing her, which usually escalates to pecking at her. Chickens really will pick another chicken to death. ~ karen!
Pati
That's true...I had a Road Island Red pet chicken and once the other chickens could tell she was docile, they almost pecked her too death ! So my mom built her a pen off by herself till she could recover and from then on, we kept her separate from the others. She was my first pet. <3
Sarah In Illinois
You are such a caring chicken mother! And I am sure she know you were helping her!
On a side note, underneath this post where it says "You might also like", one of the suggestions was 'How To Make Delicious Breaded Chicken Burgers' I'm glad Norma was spared! ;)
Leanne
You realize what this means, right? Once gimpy tells her buddies the next time any of those chickens are wanting a little love.... YOU'RE gonna be their booty call. Good luck with that.
PS (You ALWAYS go above and beyond, up and in now don't you? ;) )
Jodi T.
Poor Norma!!! (I love that name btw - it was my Grandmother's name, and she took awhile to warm up to people too). :)
Glad she's feeling better.
Karen
Hi Jodi T. - Norma is named after my father who died several years ago of lung cancer. His name was Norm. And his nickname was Grump. :) ~ karen
Gretchen
I missed you. I missed your chickens. I missed your stories. I'm so glad you're back. (didn't write it yesterday when thousands were logging in, but today's tale warmed my heart. And I had time to write as well.)
Thanks.
Debbie
OMG you made me truly laugh out loud reading this. Can't wait to show it to my husband, who is a veterinarian AND who raised chickens when he was a youngster. Your Kardashian references are hysterical! Keep 'em coming Karen!!
Linda
Sweet Norma and sweet you! She loves you even more now.
This happened to one of my ducks a short while ago and it turns out she was egg bound. It was a case of learning as I went and she got through it all unscathed, thank goodness. It's pretty scary though.
Karen
Linda - When I visit the farm again I'm going to steal a duck egg. I'd love to try one. ~ karen!
Ann
Karen,
Duck eggs taste pretty much like chicken eggs. But with a much much tougher shell to crack. Unless you want to make duck egg mayo(delish) or use them to bake cakes, they are pretty much not worth the extra effort. And ducks are not nearly as much fun as chickens.
karol
Perhaps Norma "faked" her injury. Anything for a little attention and 1/2 of a baby aspirin.
Rondina
I learned a lot about chickens from this one. Some things I can apply to my cat, but she has a way of communicating pain without me feeling her up.
I'm thinking that Norma is a bit more cooperative because of all the special attention, but more so, because she had free run of the backyard all by herself. She felt special.
Beth Sanders
You are a hoot...oh, sorry...a cluck! We have a few goats and once had a couple of wethers that developed urinary track stones. Believe me, I understand the need for those surgical gloves and what we do for our animals! Great story today!