Post by chowdownsilkiefarm on Mar 28, 2013 7:51:39 GMT -6
We had a couple of incidents yesterday with fishing line and twine and my Guinea. I have or had 4 Guinea hens. I had to put one down and was able to save the other one. Here's the story:
I've been keeping my eye out for the Guinea nests and found a hen sitting on a nest. Well, I thought she was just laying an egg and left her alone. I went back later and she was still there. She had found a nice cozy spot under a HUGE pile of brush and old limbs. I checked her off and on during the day and it was around 4 pm when I noticed another hen that appeared to be nesting in our garden spot. As I approached her she stood up and very slowly started walking. I saw something dangling from under her and on closer inspection it was her intestines. So I loaded the pistol and put her down. As I was inspecting her closer she had a piece of twine wrapped on one foot and it had torn the skin (scales) from that leg as well and it appeared as if she had ripped open her abdomen. So I was irate at the grandsons for his lack of putting trash in the trash where it belongs.
Later before it got dark I was concerned the other hen may get eaten by a fox or the bobcat we haven't managed to catch yet and was going to chase her off the nest and take the eggs. Well. she couldn't move. I noticed that her leg was behind her and was held to a twig by a loop of the fishing line. I slipped the line off the twig and she moved in under the brush farther so Bobby came out and got her and we cut the line off her foot. I was afraid she had broken her leg or dislocated her hip or maybe the fishing line had been there so long that maybe she may loose her foot or even die from an infection from rotting toes for lack of circulation. She was litterally there all day. I felt so bad that she was suffering and I did nothing but I didn't know. But anyway, this morning she was perched in the rafters of the garage with the remaining 6 Guinea. I couldn't see her foot but I will keep an eye on her.
Yesterday was the very first time I shot an animal. I'm proud of myself for having the courage to do it but hate that it had to be one of my animals I had to kill. She would have died anyway but would have suffered till the end. I couldn't let that happen.
I'm telling this story so others may also keep in mind about their chickens feet that free range. I let my Guinea run free since I came back from the Newnan Show. It was my intention for them from the beginning. I'm sad that I lost one of my hens and I hope the other one will be fine.
When you or your children remove fishing line from your reels remember to throw it in the trash. Any twine or anything that can get wrapped around feet should be picked up and thrown away.
I read an article on how fragile Guinea's legs are. They are "hollow" and when broken don't heal well. The bird suffers and usually dies. So we need to take care of our Guinea's legs and feet. The article said NOT to handle them by their legs like we do chickens. When catching them to hold one hand over their head to blind them from your other hand. The other hand is to be placed on their back and push them down to the ground. Quickly move both hands to cover their wings and sides so they can't flap their wings to get away. Reach under and hold their legs together so their claws don't cut you open. DO NOT carry them by their legs just hold them to protect yourself while you have the bird cradled in the crook of your arm while holding their wings down with your other hand that isn't holding their legs. Of course a net is a good way to catch them but I have better luck cornering them.
I hope this helps somebody and protects our Guinea's legs and feet.
I did get several eggs yesterday so I will be hatching as many as I can.
I've been keeping my eye out for the Guinea nests and found a hen sitting on a nest. Well, I thought she was just laying an egg and left her alone. I went back later and she was still there. She had found a nice cozy spot under a HUGE pile of brush and old limbs. I checked her off and on during the day and it was around 4 pm when I noticed another hen that appeared to be nesting in our garden spot. As I approached her she stood up and very slowly started walking. I saw something dangling from under her and on closer inspection it was her intestines. So I loaded the pistol and put her down. As I was inspecting her closer she had a piece of twine wrapped on one foot and it had torn the skin (scales) from that leg as well and it appeared as if she had ripped open her abdomen. So I was irate at the grandsons for his lack of putting trash in the trash where it belongs.
Later before it got dark I was concerned the other hen may get eaten by a fox or the bobcat we haven't managed to catch yet and was going to chase her off the nest and take the eggs. Well. she couldn't move. I noticed that her leg was behind her and was held to a twig by a loop of the fishing line. I slipped the line off the twig and she moved in under the brush farther so Bobby came out and got her and we cut the line off her foot. I was afraid she had broken her leg or dislocated her hip or maybe the fishing line had been there so long that maybe she may loose her foot or even die from an infection from rotting toes for lack of circulation. She was litterally there all day. I felt so bad that she was suffering and I did nothing but I didn't know. But anyway, this morning she was perched in the rafters of the garage with the remaining 6 Guinea. I couldn't see her foot but I will keep an eye on her.
Yesterday was the very first time I shot an animal. I'm proud of myself for having the courage to do it but hate that it had to be one of my animals I had to kill. She would have died anyway but would have suffered till the end. I couldn't let that happen.
I'm telling this story so others may also keep in mind about their chickens feet that free range. I let my Guinea run free since I came back from the Newnan Show. It was my intention for them from the beginning. I'm sad that I lost one of my hens and I hope the other one will be fine.
When you or your children remove fishing line from your reels remember to throw it in the trash. Any twine or anything that can get wrapped around feet should be picked up and thrown away.
I read an article on how fragile Guinea's legs are. They are "hollow" and when broken don't heal well. The bird suffers and usually dies. So we need to take care of our Guinea's legs and feet. The article said NOT to handle them by their legs like we do chickens. When catching them to hold one hand over their head to blind them from your other hand. The other hand is to be placed on their back and push them down to the ground. Quickly move both hands to cover their wings and sides so they can't flap their wings to get away. Reach under and hold their legs together so their claws don't cut you open. DO NOT carry them by their legs just hold them to protect yourself while you have the bird cradled in the crook of your arm while holding their wings down with your other hand that isn't holding their legs. Of course a net is a good way to catch them but I have better luck cornering them.
I hope this helps somebody and protects our Guinea's legs and feet.
I did get several eggs yesterday so I will be hatching as many as I can.