Chickens are an easy start to homesteading...though there is a LARGE amount of information we have learned in protecting and providing for our feathered friends.
One of the first lessons we learned: chickens like to take dust baths, me, I prefer bubble, but chickens like dust baths. When they are done they lay all splayed out - in fact they look dead.
After our initiation into this 'position' we've learned to be cognizant of how chickens act, lay, etc.
Older chickens are a tad easier (though they can be naughty as well) as they have 'been there, done that' and have learned some basics.
Young chickens, like children, are clueless. Hence my title and the example...we had a baby cage (more on that in another blog) with very young hens. These were probably around 6 weeks old.
I was walking through the yard and noticed a pullet (baby chick) lying down, first thought, "ahh, she is soaking up sun and relaxing after a dust bath." Then thought, no...she is not laying on her side, but head down, like she is stuck.
What could she possibly be 'stuck' on or with? Drawing closer, it was obvious that she was definietly 'tied' down. As I got closer it was obvious she had 'caught' a string from the blue tarp we had over the pen.
My thought? Dense bird, you can't eat that, just let it go. All the while drawing closer and observing, hmmm, she acts like she is trying to get away but can't. On top of the pen (so to speak) at this juncture, the chilling realization:
OH NO! She can't get up because she has swallowed the string! Instantaneous thoughts flashing through my mind...she's swallowed that string and it is wrapped around her intestines and HOW am I supposed to get that out of her?!?!
Quick run into the house for a pair of scissors - remember always point scissors AWAY from you, especially if you are running. I know, I know, cardinal rule: DO NOT RUN WITH SCISSORS. But I did...snatch the cage up off the ground (no it is not light), snag bird (heh she couldn't run from me now could she?), snip the string and bring the bird into the house.
Now animals (as well as children) do not like to voluntarily open their mouths, especially when they have something in there that they ought not. In the house, bird locked under left arm so she can't flap around, left hand prying open the mouth (all the while blue string flapping around), ahhh, thank you Lord, the string is only wrapped around her tongue.
No wait...it's TIED! Somehow in her pecking at the string and trying to 'eat it' she managed to literally tie her tongue. (Shame I didn't get a picture, but was short on hands at this point.) Notice that the tip of the tongue has already had a loss of blood (lack of color), thoughts still flashing rapidly though mind on WHAT TO DO!
Decide that even if I **could** get the string untied, her tongue tip is probably not going to rejuvenate...plus sticking a pair of scissors (or any other sharp instrument) into a wiggling, non compliant patient's mouth is not something I really want to do. Chickens do not have very large mouths (though they can be quite vocal).
Decisions, decisions - finally, the only option at this juncture...cut the string as close to the knot as possible, perhaps it will come unloose once the pressure is off. I never did go back and check to see if the knot was still there.
She (and I) survived the minor surgery - she actually did quite well. Though she always remained somewhat smaller than the other chickens, she laid the most beautiful pink eggs.
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