quarantine
quarantine at Alektorophobia is a file of 7 stories. The newest of them: “This yodeling rooster stole my heart: hot sidewalk and all”, “Craigslist Chicken Rescue Takes a Sketchy, Feather-Less Turn”, and “Marek's disease took two hens: our Cream Legbar couldn't cluck another day”. So this yodeling rooster strolls into a lady's backyard off the street, hot sidewalk burning his poor feet, and I'm already obsessed. Well, cluck me sideways, this Craigslist chicken rescue took a decidedly fowl turn. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. The list below is every quarantine story on Alektorophobia, newest first.
This yodeling rooster stole my heart: hot sidewalk and all
So this yodeling rooster strolls into a lady's backyard off the street, hot sidewalk burning his poor feet, and I'm already obsessed. He's our first boy with full spurs, but he settled right down when I caught him, total sweetheart, no fowl play there. His feet are red and irritated, so he's in quarantine with some ointment, and honestly, I'd be chickening out if he were mean, but he's just pretty and sings like a yodeler. It's a cluck-tastic rescue. Speaking of pretty boys with cameras, our piece "My Nikon and I caught my pretty boys snack-hunting today" shows another feathered friend stealing the spotlight.
Craigslist Chicken Rescue Takes a Sketchy, Feather-Less Turn
Well, cluck me sideways, this Craigslist chicken rescue took a decidedly fowl turn. Four hens and a rooster, a sketchy seller who went silent at the mention of other birds, and a feathered friend who arrived looking like a plucked, lethargic mess. Now we've got suspected lice, egg cases on vents, and one hen with a swollen bottom that screams egg-bound. The missing pupil is a genuine head-scratcher, though a birth defect or old injury sounds plausible. I'm not here to judge the impulse buy, we've all been there, but quarantine was a smart, egg-cellent move. The Premo Guard spray should help, but a vet visit might be the real lifesaver here.
Marek's disease took two hens: our Cream Legbar couldn't cluck another day
Our Cream Legbar couldn't cluck another day, and that hit hard. When she first went down with what we thought was a leg injury, we did the usual chicken-parent panic. Then our Cochin started dragging her right leg too, and my stomach dropped. Marek's disease. The PCR test confirmed it. We lost two hens fast, but this brave Cochin? She refused to give up. After a week and a half in quarantine, still bright-eyed and eating like a champ despite the paralysis, we took a gamble and returned her to the flock. Somehow, she started moving her foot again. Now she's roosting, running, and acting almost normal. Has anyone else seen a chicken bounce back from a positive Marek's test?
New Chicks, Big Grief, and a Quarantine Cluck-tastic Challenge
We buried Big Chick with the solemnity she deserved, which honestly just meant I cried into a handful of feathers while her sister judged me from the fence. Now I'm staring at two Salmon Favorelles who are supposedly 8 or 9 weeks old, but folks, these birds are built like they've been hitting the gym since spring. They're bigger than our Orp was at 9 weeks, and I'm starting to think the lady's calendar was lying. We're two weeks into quarantine, and the coop's ready, but I'm holding off until week four because rushing integration feels like asking for fowl play. Little bud's catching up in size daily, which gives me hope. If anyone's navigated this dance before, drop your wisdom.
Three's a Flock, but Is This Baddie a Breed Above the Rest?
Well, well, well… look who decided to complete the squad. Three whole chickens! That's practically a full-blown poultry posse right there. I love that you took the community's advice to heart. Two is lonely, but three is a party. Now, about this "baddie" you brought home… the farm owner gave you the classic "she's a good one" spiel. Were they pulling your leg? Honestly, they might not have been totally wrong. A good breed usually means friendly, hardy, and a decent layer. If she's healthy and has all her feathers, you're probably off to a cluck-tastic start. Just keep an eye on her temperament once she's out of quarantine.
Rescued Roadside Chicken Ruffles Feathers, Earns a Coop Stay
Well, color me cluck-tastic and a little concerned. Finding a hen abandoned in a pet carrier on the side of the road in 95-degree weather? That's not just fowl play, that's a straight-up mystery with feathers. I love that you brought her in and set up a quarantine zone. Smart move, especially since your current flock probably doesn't need any surprise drama. It's a bummer the respiratory and "forever disease" panels are pricey, but you're right to be cautious. Maybe a local vet or farm supply store has more budget-friendly options if you ask around. She's a lucky girl to have found you. For more heartwarming rescue stories, check out "Chickens Got Her Good! A Backyard Poultry Adventure.
Cluck-tastic news: a little TLC for your toe-walking hen
Well, a month of watching a hen hobble around on tiptoes would test anyone's patience, let alone the poor bird's. It sounds like you've done everything right: quarantine, a full leg exam, and plenty of treats to keep her spirits up. The fact that she's still alert and eating like a champ is a good sign, but that toe-walking and lack of balance? That's a head-scratcher. You're not wrong to wonder about her quality of life. It's a fine line between "she's fine, just gimpy" and "she's suffering." Since she's not in obvious pain and still engages with the world, I'd say you have time to keep observing.