The pit bull attack on our livestock was stopped quickly, but not quickly enough for Black Hen #6. One of the dogs crushed one of her legs. She hopped around ok for a day or two before giving up. She lay down to die right outside the front door.

Her name was Black Hen #6. That suggests other hens in the Black series. It was a couple of days after #6 crashed before we realized she was dying and not just sitting around. When I picked her up, I could feel her bones easily under her feathers. She weighed so little I could hardly feel her in my hands.

The kind thing to do would have been to put her down. I took her to the barn and gave her food and water. I don't like to put an animal down hungry or thirsty. #6 ate like a horse and drank all the water. She perked up a bit, but she couldn't move anything other than her head and neck.

The kind thing to do would have been to put her down anyway. I put it off for another night. The next morning she was very alert. She couldn't move, but she ate and drank very well. I carried her out into the sun and made a nest for her. At night I put her back into the barn.

This went on for days. She didn't try to move on her own for a week. Then one day I didn't get to her with the food fast enough. She rose up and walked on one leg and the opposing wing. Walked isn't the right word -- it was a wild flopping, but she got from point A to point B.

She walked on both legs for the first time since Easter just a couple of days ago. The bad leg is turned wrong, and she rests it often, but she's up and around. She hangs around by the door and has to be put to bed in the barn at night.

Now here's the weird thing: you've heard about "pecking order" in chickens? How the chickens will gang up on the weakest one and peck it to death? Black Hen #6 wasn't picked on. In fact, during her entire ordeal, she was never alone. One or two chickens or the rooster stood guard over her the ENTIRE time. They don't fight her over the food. Today I was trying to untangle her bad leg from some wire, and rooster got in my face. The kids had a hard time keeping him off of me until #6 was freed.

She needs a name. "Gimpy" isn't nice enough, Robert, so try again. :)

-- helen (keeping@the.list), June 14, 2001

Answers

What a neat story! I think you should name her Hope. Sometimes we give up too soon... I'm glad you didn't. (((((Helen)))))

-- Gayla (privacy@please.com), June 14, 2001.

I think "six" would be just fine, if you haven't any other critters with that name.

We used to have a little black Wyandot hen. She was really pretty, but very petite. Some of the other hens picked on her somewhat, and whenever I was around I would defend her. I kinda miss having the chickens around. Maybe if I get a new poultry house built I will get a few more. The old barn won't keep the varmints out.

-- gene (ekbaker@essex1.com), June 14, 2001.

If I ever break my leg helen, I'm gonna come lie down by your door!

(I like this place!!)

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-- Lon Frank (lgal@exp.net), June 15, 2001.

"Hope-6" it is. One of these days I'll mail pics of the place and the animals to Kritter and see if she can put them on a page somewhere.

Lon, if you ever break your leg, we'll put you in a stall next to Mike Mule so you guys can talk. :)

-- helen (gr@veyard.shift.is.killing.me), June 15, 2001.

LOL!

-- Tricia the Canuck (know@how.thatfeels.helen), June 15, 2001.