[Chookaholic]

I'm a bit sad today,because the baby pigeon my son rescued,died.My son rushed home last night from the local park,with an ugly looking baby bird he found at the bottom of the slide.He said there was another one there that was already dead.There were no trees very near,so he didn't think the mother would save it.
After a look on the net,we discovered it was a baby pigeon,about 10 days old.My son took it round my mum's.I told him she would know what to do!She boiled a large stone & wrapped it in a tea-towel,& it spent the night in a shoe box with hay & it's make-shift hot water bottle.
In the morning to our surprise it was still alive,but we couldn't get it to eat or drink anything.It was trying to feed from my fingers,but as the day went on it grew weaker.It was like it was hungry,but it couldn't swallow.
Then I noticed it's crop was all bloated & felt like it was full of air or gas.I rung the wildlife rescue place & the woman said if it has cheesy looking lumps down its throat that means it has canker.Apparently it's quite common in pigeons.She said maybe the mother didn't want these two babies because she knew they were ill.My mum had noticed cheesy looking deposits in his throat.
Nature is cruel sometimes isn't it.Poor old Percy died this afternoon & we were all upset.We started to get hopeful after he survived the night.My mum's burying him as we speak...   sorry to bore you with my pigeon story...but I thought someone might understand,being bird lovers :oops:  :cry:

[chooknewbie]

*hugs*  nature sucks sometimes doesnt it....

[Vember]

Big Hugs to you and your family

You did your best for him  

At least when he died his was warm & snug etc   :cry:

[too many girls]

aw chookie, sad story, best get your son another chicken to cheer him up................................jolly good excuse tho what?

[Chookaholic]

Thanks for your kind comments.We get our chickens the beginning of August,I'm waiting for my coop at the mo.So we all have 4 new chooks to look forward to!
Someone I know said they will never get a pet because she doesn't want her kids to be upset when they die.But I suppose that's how we learn nothing lasts forever.Things live & die.But when they live,animals can give great pleasure,& I think it's a shame her kids miss out on that.I respect her decision though,each to his own.

[nettynoodles1]

ss about the pigeon nature is cruel sometimes.
 make sure  your hen hourse is expanable...... chickens grow on you so quick you soon need more lol!
my kids have learnt to deal really well with death through various animals we have had dying, sad but true . I personally think it helps them (the kids) learn to love and to grieve in their own way.

[Chookaholic]

Totally agree nettynoodles1.Well I've already sort of expanded,even though I haven't got them yet!The first house I ordered looked too small when we got it built.It definately wouldn't house what the shop said it would...So then I ordered another one,much bigger.I decided to keep the first one to use if one needed seperating due to illness/pecking etc.Then I bought a nice run,then I got another nice second hand run to join onto it...It looks like chicken towers now!!I'll try to post a piccie!All this before I've even got my chook!!I must be mad  :shock:  

http://i352.photobucket.com/albums/r342/ruth178/Chickens/DSC00816.jpg

[Chookaholic]

I'm getting my new bigger coop soon.It will join onto the back of the run.

[too many girls]

why don't you just move into the coup and let the chickens have the house?

[nettynoodles1]

your chook house and runs look good  looks like youve still go troom to expand too lol

[Chookaholic]

   
My chooks will free range the garden,but i wanted to make sure they have enough space in the run when i go out.I have a 6x4 run joined to a 4x4 run,joined to the coop with run underneath which is 4x2.I hope that will be enough space for 4 chooks?
Can't wait to get my big coop which will join on the back. I'm gong to keep the small coop closed & just let them use the run space underneath.That way I can keep it as the hospital wing!I hope it won't be needed though
Can't wait to get my chookies!