[loretta cluck]

Here here....hoping Billy goes on okay, and is home soon.

[Prod]

Just spoken with the vet & Billy is fine.  Although they did have to remove his eye they were more worried about the anaesthetic i.e. how much to give him and whether he would survive.  Anyway I am picking him up in the morning so I will know more then. Thanks for the replies/support :happy: :happy:

[Madrat]

Great news

[BobE]

Prod thats brilliant.  Thanks for the update.

[ANHBUC]

Excellent news.   

[New shoot]

Billy made it though his op    That is really great news 

[snowdrops]

Ooh what a relief, I've wondered a few times today if he made it through. :happy:

[barley]

Ooh what a relief, I've wondered a few times today if he made it through. :happy:

Me to snowdrops 

he sure is a brave little chap - on tender hooks for tomorrows news now 

[compostqueen]

Aw thank goodness    He'll need some TLC for a while but it sounds like he's in good hands. Well done Billy. I hope he perks up ok.  I hope the lovely weather holds out so he can get out and about in the sunshine 

[Prod]

Aw thank goodness    He'll need some TLC for a while but it sounds like he's in good hands. Well done Billy. I hope he perks up ok.  I hope the lovely weather holds out so he can get out and about in the sunshine 

Thanks again All.....  I have made them their own coop and enclosure which is fenced off to bout 8/9ft. I've cut down part of the tree and moved the water tub to the other end of the shed so there is nothing for Thatcher to fly onto and get over.........  and the weather is set to be nice for the next few days

[Madrat]

Great news, he will be back to normal in no time.

[compostqueen]

Sunshine is a healer so hopefully he'll soon be tip top    Poor thing must have wondered what was happening to him    Still, it's over with now and hopefully he'll quickly adjust

You must be feeling very relieved   

[Prod]

Well  Billy is back home. His eye is still swollen but is stitched closed.  I have to give him antibiotics for a few days but the stitches will dissolve them selves.  He is back with Mrs B and crowing strongly!!!

The vet said his eye was completely taken over by the abscess which was a solid mass of yellow. If they hadn't operated he would have died a very slow painful death.  They have all been in stiches (forgive the pun) with the way he just lays on his back and stays there.  When I collected him at lunchtime the receptionist asked if I would show them one last time so I put him on the floor and he 'performed'  The people  in the waiting room couldn't believe it!!

I have seen an add on Preloved for someone who wants a Welsummer Cockerel to go with their 2 hens so I have replied to say I have Thatcher.  I hate to lose him but it is better than culling him or just giving him away to someone and passing the buck.  I don't think it is his fault at all but as I hopefully want to breed Mr & Mrs B-O and also some rare Nankins I think it is better he goes to someone who wants him.  I certainly cant afford for him to do anything like this again.

Thanks for all you kind words of support and interest. regards Prod.

[compostqueen]

Giving antibiotics is not easy if you're doing it single-handedly. Best recruit help if you can and do it at dusk as the bird will be more receptive.  My girl used to keep extending her neck to put herself out of my reach 

[Prod]

Giving antibiotics is not easy if you're doing it single-handedly. Best recruit help if you can and do it at dusk as the bird will be more receptive.  My girl used to keep extending her neck to put herself out of my reach 

Billy is a dream. he just stands there and lets me open his mouth and I syringe it down  All done in less than 30 secs!!!