Chick With Broken Foot

Normallly, I do only one post every other Saturday, but today I am adding a second post about a little Rhode Island Red chick that has come to the Little Bit of Paradise Farm.

Baby chick needed a buddy to snuggle
with, so a toy lion worked.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2016

Isaiah 43:20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland...

Sometimes God send humans to provide and help His creatures. Adding another chick was not planned. Yesterday, when I went to a farm store to purchase some chicken items, I was surprised to see newly hatched chicks this late in the season. Of course, I had to go look, because they are so cute.

Being an animal rescuer, I notice things about or with animals that others don’t necessarily see. In one of the large tanks that housed the chicks, I saw one chick with her leg out in front, toes curled under. I knew something was wrong. I got an employee who has helped me with chicks before. He said something was broken. I offered to buy her to get her some help, but he couldn’t sell her because the rules (not the farm store’s rules, but state rules) of needing to buy at least six chicks at a time.

Although, I am a rule follower, I do realize that sometimes the rules are wrong for certain situations. When an animal is in need of medical help and someone is willing to put the time and money into helping, then there should be alternatives for said rules.

Why is there such a rule? It is because of people who think chicks, baby bunnies, and ducklings make great Easter presents – buy one and give it to their kids who mangle the poor creatures. Animals are not Easter toys or presents!

[How could a newly hatched chick end up with a broken bone(s)? Chicks can be mailed as long as they can get to the destination within 2 days. A chick can go without food that long because they are still absorbing nutrients from the egg. Unfortunately, the USPS and other shipping companies are not 100 percent careful with packages. I know from talking to employees that packages get thrown around, even packages marked with “Live Animal Inside.” I’ve heard some horror stories.]

I continued my shopping. As I was walking to the front to pay for my items, the same employee saw me and said, “Come on, I’m going to sell you that one chick.”

“What about the rules?”

“I spoke to my boss and told him I was going to sell her as a single chick. And he just looked at me.”

We walked back and I quickly spotted her amongst the many dozens of other chicks. The employee packaged the chick and wrote the info on the carrying box. I said, “What if they give me trouble up front?”

“Tell them, Brian said it was okay.”

Thanks Brian!

My grocery shopping was shot for this trip. I had to get the little chick home, get her hydrated, and get her some medical care.

Having been a former licensed wildlife rehabilitator, I wished I knew how to take care of the break, but I had taken care of injured and orphaned squirrels not birds. To get the chick help quicker, I called a wildlife rehabber I knew who specialized in small birds, as well as many other creatures. (The local farm vet isn’t open in the mornings.)

At least with my rehabber’s training, I knew of some first-aid things to do.  First, I knew the chick needed hydration. She couldn’t walk to the water or food dishes in the tank she’d been in. I also knew of a homeopathic remedy to give her to help with the injury and any pain. I’ve seen homeopathic remedies work wonders on animals.

I spoke to the rehabber on the phone. She wasn’t sure if the chick could be saved. She said if the chick had lost circulation, there was no hope. I asked her to at least try and to take a look. She agreed.

It would take a little over an hour to drive to the rehabber’s. With the circulation issue crowding my thoughts, I quickly sent a text to some friends to pray that the chick’s circulation was good in the leg and foot. I also prayed, determined that I wasn’t going to let negative thoughts take hold. Then, we started the drive.

I had put the chick in a nest of toilet paper to hold her in place and to cushion her while driving, but each bump in the road made me wonder if she was okay. She didn’t do the typical chirping.

Once we arrived, I held the little girl as the rehabber checked her foot, leg, and hip area. I was barely breathing - waiting and wanting good news.

“The circulation is good,” the rehabber said.

Wow! Thank you, Lord!

The little "shoe" made from cardboard to straighten the
chick's foot bones.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2016

The chick was fitted with a “shoe” for her broken foot. I was instructed on how to cut new shoes, how to fit it, and how to tape it on, as this would need to be done if the shoe got soiled and as the chick grew. But the rehabber was worried about the chick not putting up a cheeping fuss.

Home we went and the fussing began along the way. Yeah! I had to be careful of my speed. I didn’t want a speeding ticket on top of the now expensive chick. Yes, I paid the full price $2.99 plus tax for a broken chick, and added a donation to the rehabber for helping, plus my cost in gas.

Now able to stand, but wobbily. Muscles
need to strengthen in her hip area.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2016

Still the chick wasn’t out of the woods, so to speak. Dehydration can kill baby animals and birds quickly. I worked all afternoon into early evening to get the chick to drink water from an eyedropper – rehydrating her with each drop. I also mixed organic plain yogurt with organic chick started to start her food.

At 7:35pm, I heard little cheeping sounds; I went in to check on the chick. She wanted to eat, and I helped - holding a spoon of food up to her little beak. About an hour later, chirping sounds brought me back to check again. She was eating - on her own.

Wow, what a great sign. This is still a critical time for the little chick, but with each passing hour and each improvement, her chances of surviving increase. 

Light for warmth, food, and water in smaller dishes for
safety reasons.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2016

As with Pippin, this little chick could also use your prayers for healing and strength. Sh still has a long road to recovery with lots of 'ify' things along the way.

The Animals Can Teach You

Spritzen, Pippin, and Deaf Dog Hope
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2016

Job 12:7-10 For ask now the animals, and they will teach you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Or speak to the Earth and it will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who not to recognize in all these that it is God’s hand which does it. In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. (Amplified Bible)

Pippin O'Chi
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2016

Animals give me life and have taught me many things. God has given me a love for animals that many people do not understand, and that others have made fun of me for, but that is how God made me.

I know animals are important to God. He created them first. And to those Christians who have told me that God was just practicing before creating humans, think about this: Why would God need to practice? He is God!

This coming Tuesday, June 28^th, it will be one year since I lost my beloved Koda suddenly and unexpectedly at just four years old. It has taken time to heal, and Pippin O’Chi had all four of her paws in that healing process for me. She has snuggled with me, licked away hurts, and played & been goofy making me laugh.

Then, in December, we added Spritzen Nala O’Chi to the pack. She makes a wonderful playmate, big sister, and toy stealer to Pippin. She is concerned when Pippin has to have a bath – watching the process, and then checking Pippin all over after she has been dried. Spritzen also makes sure Pippin’s ears are clean.

Spritzen Nala O'Chi and Pippin O'Chi playing tug with one
Spritzen's toys.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2016

What a pair they make, and I love them both dearly!!

Pippin O’Chi turned a year old on March 15, 2016.  We are still dealing with her immune system. Her fur is still thin, but she no longer has sores.

The problem we have put off for as long as possible because of her immune system is her teeth. Not all her baby teeth came out. We waited because we didn’t want to tax her immune system with a surgery, but it can’t wait any longer. Next Wednesday, June 29^th, one year and one day after losing Koda, Pippin is scheduled to have the surgery needed to remove all those baby teeth.

Spritzen won’t know what to think with Pippin being gone for the day. They have never been separated before. When Spritzen had to go to the vet for shots, Pippin came with her; helping Spritzen deal with her fears.

This surgery is troubling to me. I know that I should just pray and give it all up to God – my own fears for Pippin’s wellbeing through the surgery, but I am going to ask for your help as well, to add your prayers for Pippin to get through the surgery without complications - Matthew 18:19-20 says: Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about whatever they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. For wherever two or three are gathered in My name, there I Am in the midst of them.

Chick Fever

Chicks just a few days old the first week of March 2016
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons

Chick Fever struck at the Little Bit of Paradise Farm back in February. Symptoms started after seeing chicks at a farm store. Yes, it was still winter, but getting chicks early means getting eggs in summer rather than fall or later.

After seeing the baby peeps, the chick fever progressed quickly. The symptoms included: continuous thoughts about baby chicks, what kind I wanted to add to my flock, the desire to listen to those little chicks peeping noises, and wanting to hold them & watch them grow.

Rhode Island Red chick on April 15, 2016
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons

Out came my chicken books and to the library I went to get more books on chicken breeds. I had purchased a few books when I started chicken hobby farming two years ago. I wanted to be a responsible and informed chicken keeper before I started then, and needed to do more breed research now. **I believe if you are going to have any kind of animal, you should be educated on how to take care of that animal prior to getting it. I know of people who jump into getting an animal without doing any kind of research, and they do not know how to take care of that creature correctly. In my opinion, that is irresponsible and it can be detrimental to the animal(s) wellbeing.**

Chicks in mid-April in a bigger house.
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons 2016

I had gotten Silver Laced and Golden Laced Wyandottes two years ago after we had a really cold winter. I wanted chickens that would be cold hardy and not have troubles with getting frostbite. These girls are beautiful chickens, but don't lay like I'd like and can be broody. With my current breed research, I decided on Black Australorps and Rhode Island Reds.

**In the first picture above, you can see the Black Australorps are yellow and black. It is so fun to watch how some chick breeds change in color(s) as they grow. With the Black Australorps the yellow changes to white, then the white slowly disappears, and the black feathers take on a green sheen when the light hits them just right.**

When I began my flock, I wanted to raise my chicks in an organic way. I feed all organic food, not just their grains, but I supplement with organic carrots and various other veggies. The eggs I have gotten from the Wyandottes have bright yellow yolks, taste wonderful, and have a creamy texture - and this comes from a person who never liked eggs other than deviled eggs as a kid! I hope when the new girls start laying, that their eggs will be just as good. The Australorps may start laying by the end of July. The Rhode Island Reds should start in later August.

Chicks in their outdoor pen June 11, 2016
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons

The new chicks continue to grow and get more feathers. Now, they are housed beside the older girls in a seperate pen.

It can be difficult to tell each breed's chickens apart from one another. I have thought about getting different colored leg bands so that I can name them and tell them apart. For now, I have one Rhode Island Red who likes to come up to me and peck on my arm. I've thought about calling her "Pecky Sue."

Black Australorp Chick on June 11, 2016
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons

Orginally, I thought about calling the Black Australorps by various names related to black, and the same with the Rhode Island Reds - like Ruby, Rosie, etc. For now, they are just the girls, or "chick, chick, chicks" as I call to them.

My journey as a hobby chicken farmer continues. This summer I will be working on getting their chicken tractor mobile to allow them protective access to grasses and weeds. Plus, I want them to decrease the tick population around the farm; and maybe they can do the same with the grubs that are causing such a mole problem! Only time will tell.

Rhode Island Red Chick on June 11, 2016
Photo by Tracey R. Simmons