I heard some strangulated sounds coming from the chook shed yesterday, and thought that maybe one of our young male chooks was finding his voice and having his first attempt at crowing. It always sounds funny when they first start to practice. But upon investigation I saw that it was actually our Coronation Sussex rooster, The Colonel, who was having a hard time getting the right pitch. His eyes, ears, nostrils and vent all looked good and clear so I wasn't too concerned.
 |
The Colonel, a couple of days ago.
Today he looks very much the same,
but has no voice. |
Over the day today The Colonel's voice was reduced to a whisper - he definitely has something like laryngitis. Unfortunately we can't easily isolate him because the isolation bay is being used by Princess and the 3 Barnevelder chicks. At least he is still
looking fine; his comb is still a brilliant red. So all I could think of doing was to mix up a large brew of eggs, yoghurt, garlic, ginger, bananas and an assortment of greens and herbs from the veggie patch. I put a few bowlsful out so that all the various ages of chooks would have good access to them. Hopefully there will be enough goodness in there to help him recover and prevent the rest of the flock from catching whatever ails him. I'll be getting more garlic tomorrow to make sure I have plenty.
All the chooks stayed in again today due to the showery weather, so no hidden nests to look for. Still only 3 eggs, even though the heatwave has been gone for 3 days now. From 6 laying hens, I thought we would have more laying by now.
Caspa, our friendly CS is now broody, spending all her days
under the nesting boxes. She has been there almost a week now. Should we find some fertile eggs for her?
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