Ethel Embraced by Flock

 When we last spoke, and I told you of Ethel's attack, I forgot to tell you a fascinating piece of the story.

After her recuperation in the basement, when we returned her to the flock, she immediately went to the juncture of barn and chicken porch, put her head in the corner and just stood there.  All the other girls gathered around her in a circle.   

What did this mean?  Someone with more chicken psychology savvy will have to answer that.
Did they know she was the one who was attacked?  Or was it just she had been gone from the flock for a week.
Long time readers will remember, a few years ago I approached the donkey yard after free range and saw an circle of hens in the pasture.  One of the girls had been attacked, we assumed by a hawk, and was lying dead.  They had gathered around her.

Because we'll be having housesitter over soon, it was time for the "annual-vacuum-all-the-cobwebs- from-the-barn-and-coop" day.

I have to conclude I didn't celebrate this holiday last year, based on the size of the cobwebs.

And sadly this photo doesn't do the whopper justice.

Let me bring you up to the house for a moment.  Yes, I'm trying a hibiscus plant yet again this year -- I've killed two from trying to winter them.
This two-tone beauty likes her current location, which I believe is the key to every houseplant.  And I've lucked out on more than one occasion, as with my orchids.

   

And I'm really stretching the limits of this little blog by introducing television watching.
I've been traveling down memory lane with a couple of shows and loving it.  Did you know you can find Ozzie and Harriet on Prime.  I was too young to see the first many seasons (I think I was born the year the series started)  but it was on the air for 14 years.  So I clearly remember Ricky singing at the end of the show when I was a kid.   

And I've added Magnum P.I. -- the original -- but have to get that from the library on DVD.  Tom  (as a 30-something) can still dazzle me.  Quick story -- Rick and I honeymooned in Hawaii, early 1987 and were sure we saw Tom on the beach of Oahu.   

I never investigated Call the Midwife, until recently.  Of course I had to start at the beginning and it's a current fave.  In addition to Vera and Shetland -- both British murder mysteries.

And there you have the news.  Happy trails to all.  But wait --

Where's Waldo?

The Tale of Ethel's Attack

 If you recall, I received six re-homed girls two(?) years ago when a local family decided life was too hectic to keep birds.  One of those beauties was Ethel.  I've always called her Baby Ethel which makes no sense since she's one of the larger hens.

Two weeks ago the girls had been out for free range time and I approached the gate to bring everyone back in.  At that moment a large bird flew off from the pasture and then I saw Ethel.  As I took in the scene, the two roos were sounding the distress call and most of the hens were in the coop, while two or three were crouched in bushes.  But Ethel had apparently been in the open in the pasture.

I don't know what type of predator bird it was - sure didn't look like a hawk but it happened so quickly.

I carried Ethel to the coop and she made her way to a space under the nesting boxes, breathing heavily and clearly scared to death.  I saw no blood.
We wanted to let her calm down so let her stay sheltered in the coop overnight but in the morning brought her inside to a large dog crate in the basement.  It was clear she had a  mobility issue so Rick pressed legs and feet to test for injury, but she showed no signs of pain.

Although it's a large crate she stayed fairly sedentary.  I offered her treats like bananas and Grubblies and mixed up some aspirin water (one baby aspirin per quart).  After six days we took her outside to test her mobility and she appeared improved but not 100%.  So back to the basement for another three days.

This past Sunday we decided to let her join the flock while keeping an eye on her.  She had a little hitch in her running but walked fine.  Now, several days later we're not noticing any issues.  And, although she seemed content in the crate during her convalescence, she's clearly happy to be back with the gang.

No need for the vet appointment I had made, just in case (of course I cancelled with notice).

I'm not certain, but don't believe she's ventured into the donkey pasture since the incident.

And for your viewing amusement, here's knucklehead Spice using a wheelbarrow handle as a Q-tip.

Stay cool!