Arnica For Chickens, Who Knew

 I'll gloss over the weather and other current events -- yes we in Michigan got hit with the trifecta -- heat, smoke, and lettuce parasites.  Good times.  Two of the three have dissipated for the time being but white vinegar and the salad spinner are my new best friends.

Let's shine the spotlight on Henrietta before I whisk you away to the land of Mitzi.

I just checked my trusty "chicken book" and Henri is only five.  I thought she might be a bit older.  But at five she is the current matriarch.  .
(Note to self: I  think what I need to do is try to catch photos of each girl and provide their ages.)

It would appear Henri knows her nickname.  Of course, her full name is only used in times of discipline.  :)

Now then, back to the Mitzi update.

She's been convalescing in the basement for three weeks now.  Her leg/foot is better, she can put weight on it, but she's slow and favors her other side.  About a week ago she got a bit of fresh air and she had a ball pecking for bugs and eating grass.

 Yesterday we took her out with the other hens while segregating Pippi.  For about two hours.  It might have been too much time on her feet so today I took her out for a shorter visit.  Her leg does seem swollen.  I did a quick search asking if arnica is ok for chickens.  Got the green flag so swabbed her leg with a small amount.  Yup, chicken nurse Janet.

Rick and I are playing it by ear as to her health plan for this week.  More outdoor visits but returning to rest up in the basement.

Now I'll leave you with this oddity.  Two eggs with such different yolk colors.  Why would that be since clearly everyone is on the same diet.

Heat Wave #1 Over

 The heat wave has passed in our nook of Michigan and the animals are celebrating.  Although the donkeys are cursing the flies.

We installed this bird house years ago and we didn't think it had gotten much use.  Until recently.  I saw mom or dad flying to and from with food and standing beneath heard chirping.  But I'm afraid what may have happened to those little babies in the heat.

Just before the big heat wave I mowed the pasture - trying to keep the weeds under control and, the dainty three will not eat the grass when it's long.  While mowing, the donks would charge around from the pasture to the yard, with the chickens free range.  My theory is Mitzi may have gotten injured in one of the donkey runarounds.  After the mowing I found her huddled in the barn, unable to stand.

she's fine here, just pecking around

She's been convalescing in the basement for a bit over a week.  And we're definitely seeing improvement.  Through my worry for her I did find a chicken vet closer than an hour away so am/was ready for a visit if need be.

If you remember, a year ago Ethel was attacked by a hawk, had mobility issues, and we did the same thing.  She's fine and dandy now.

In the brutal heat, donkeys like to eat in the barn in front of the fan - also helps keep the flies away.  And it's always, I repeat always in the same positioning.

   top to bottom:  Sugar, Spice, Gabby

Apparently it's written in the secret donkey manual, kept hidden from me.

Lastly we have a bumper crop of wild milkweed.  It has sprouted up everywhere and the bees are feasting.