| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  What's your opinion..vet or the pot?  |
|
ranchetta
True Blue Farmgirl
318 Posts
carol
Marysville
Wahington
USA
318 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 10:36:34 AM
|
My husband and I live in Washinton State during the summer and in our Arizona home in the winter. Since our WA mini-ranch is the home for our barn cats, horses, Koi, chickens, and doves we have a caretaker couple living on our property (as well as my daughter) taking care of things.
I purchased a batch of 24 pullets in Sept. and one of them happened to be a rooster (I already had one of those!). Last week there was a frantic recording on my phone from the caretaker that the rooster had hurt his leg and couldn't walk so she was going to take him to the vet!!!??? Luckily she was told that chickens tend to go into shock when hurt and transported (thank heavens for this advice). Well, I sent my son-in-law over to do the farmboy thing and the rooster was ready for the crock-pot. (It was hard to convince my daughter that this is an edible thing...without the hormones!) I know the caretaker was shocked by my decision and the whole cannibalistic thing...but at least she is an animal lover and the animals are in good hands!
What's your opinion..vet or the pot?
http://curlywillowsranch.blogspot.com/
http://alteredshots.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 10:54:56 AM
|
I personally would not take a chicken to a vet. But that's just me. I will call a vet to ask their opinion and advice, but not take a chicken to see them. Way too expensive for my pocketbook. Especially when I could just get another one real quick. If it was a pet, maybe. But that is life and things happen on a farm. People need to know what to do when things like this happen. And things like this happen everyday.
And with a broken leg, he would eventually die on his own, either from natural causes or by being pecked and harrassed by the other chickens. They know when another one is sick or weak. They will kill it themselves. Chickens are not nice when it comes to downer chickens.
Good luck. Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
 |
|
|
pnygrl
Farmgirl in Training
34 Posts
Adrianne
Chazy
New York
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 11:10:22 AM
|
| Definitley the pot... |
|
|
|
gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 11:46:25 AM
|
pot
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
|
|
|
shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 2:01:18 PM
|
I only call the vet when it's for something I can't do or treat myself -- spay/neuter of certain pets (dogs and cats), broken legs on goats/sheep, de-horning (which I will be learning to do on my own so I won't need him to do it anymore) etc... don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Vet, he's a great guy and ALWAYS quick to answer my questions and offer advice over the phone, but, in all honesty, I just can't pay for his services a lot of times.
I had a horse with Laminitis 2yrs ago. The Vet and Farrier bills would have been ASTRONOMICAL and I did not have the heart to put my Beloved friend down (I've had him since he was a baby-- nearly 20yrs!!), nor did I have the money needed to treat him for even a WEEK for such a nasty illness!!! So, every single day for 4 months I cried as I doctored his feet-- praying the WHOLE time that I would not lose him and telling him how sorry I was for being such a lousy, CHEAP friend. I doctored those feet for MONTHS!!! I have to say, all that devotion, determination and GUILT paid off. He did NOT lose his feet, OR his life and, though it took a year, he has recovered fully. My Vet was AMAZED when I finally told him what I'd done (and HOW I'd done it) and he said he couldn't have done any better himself. He also understood why I didn't call him. Laminitis is one of the most expensive things to treat an animal for.
As for your poor chicken-- I'd stick him in the pot. It's the kindest thing you can do for him, AND your checkbook!!! I think most Vets would laugh at you ANYWAY for brining in a Chicken!!!
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
|
|
|
Mountain Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
JoAnn
Colville
Washington
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 2:05:08 PM
|
| homemade chicken noodle soup! |
|
|
|
K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
|
|
yasmine
True Blue Farmgirl
173 Posts
yasmine
wappingers falls
ny
USA
173 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 3:04:30 PM
|
| I cant decide....if it was a regular chicken...then, hmmmmm, POT...but if it was my fave or one of my childrens faves, VET |
|
|
|
yasmine
True Blue Farmgirl
173 Posts
yasmine
wappingers falls
ny
USA
173 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 3:06:54 PM
|
I forgot to write that....Shepardgirl....that was an amazing story!
I cant believe it!
Jesus is good! Who agrees with me?
Yasmine |
|
|
|
southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 5:45:22 PM
|
I vote "pot" . You made the only choice you could have really.
Tracy, I had a pony to lame last Spring, you are right. I just now got the Vet "paid off". I am wondering what you did to help your horse. If that ever happens again, I would give it a try. Now mind you, I will not leave him in a lush pasture for over a couple hours at a time this Spring. I did learn that lesson
BE HAPPY!!! |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
|
|
ranchetta
True Blue Farmgirl
318 Posts
carol
Marysville
Wahington
USA
318 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 9:21:23 PM
|
Thanks, Farmgirls........I think it's different if it were one of of my horses or cats...I usually treat minor things myself and if that doesn't work my vet is definitely called in to help. To me that's what this Farmgirl's all about ...trying to do what I can first. Last year one of my stray kittens had a really bad foot injury. Each day I'd cleanse the wound, put ointment on it, gauze it up, then put DUCT TAPE on top so he couldn't get it off. After 2 weeks of daily treatment he was totally healed and OK! Hey, I saved at least $500 using my head....and time!
Thanks for your input!
http://curlywillowsranch.blogspot.com/
http://alteredshots.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 10:33:46 PM
|
pot for sure. But I have one old hen that has been sort of half lame for over a year..and since she still gets around and eats and seems happy...just lazy....she lives. But a rooster..yep. Pot.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
|
|
|
mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2009 : 11:02:45 PM
|
Just the picture in my mind of taking a rooster to the vet - sitting in the waiting room with all the people with their dogs, cats, etc. and you sitting there with a chicken in your lap, cracks me up! Although at my vet, the waiting room is reserved for your average cat, dog, gerbil, and farm animals have to come in through the back!
Farmgirl Sister #98
|
|
|
|
southerncrossgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
631 Posts
Gena
Harmony
NC
USA
631 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 03:28:39 AM
|
Sherri, I am picturing it now. TOO FUNNY!!
BE HAPPY!!! |
|
|
|
BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
|
|
Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
|
|
ranchetta
True Blue Farmgirl
318 Posts
carol
Marysville
Wahington
USA
318 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 2:55:29 PM
|
Sherri, I just burst out laughing at that thought, too, ESPECIALLY when I picture MY caretaker sitting there bouncing this rooster on her lap while singing calming songs into his ear........makes it totally hilarious! Thanks for the tear-rolling laugh!!!
http://curlywillowsranch.blogspot.com/
http://alteredshots.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 5:15:22 PM
|
That reminds me of when I had to take my dog to the vet when he was sick. I wanted to get one of my goats checked out, too. So I loaded them both up in the car and in we went. I had them both in the waiting room and got some interesting comments. Got to weigh her after the dog and took her to the room with him, too. It was fun. And why not?
Kris
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. Maori proverb |
|
|
|
ranchetta
True Blue Farmgirl
318 Posts
carol
Marysville
Wahington
USA
318 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2009 : 6:53:26 PM
|
Kris
What kind of goat(s) do you have? I had two twin babies many years ago (alpines, I think) that someone gave us. I remember how cute they were and I sill have a picture of them standing on top of my car after escaping from their enclosure! We ended up giving them to a friend who raised goats for milk and had better "goat" facilities than what we had. But they sure were sweeties!!!!!
http://curlywillowsranch.blogspot.com/
http://alteredshots.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
StarMeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
940 Posts
T
MI
940 Posts |
Posted - Feb 22 2009 : 06:28:40 AM
|
| I just HAD to read this post...I mean "vet or the pot"???? Go figure. I certainly learned a lot from the post. Since I don't have chickens (yet) it was pretty interesting. I suppose the only logical choice is the pot...but then you are talking to a gal who drove well over an hour through northern New York mountains to find a vet to take care of a wounded crane with a very broken wing.... |
|
|
|
shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2009 : 1:09:13 PM
|
I think WILD animals are a different matter StarMeadow. I spent an entire day once myself trying to find someone to take a baby Blue Heron that my dog had caught. They are protected by law and if you are caught with one... the FINES are SCARY!!!! It was actually the SECOND one my dog brought to the house (she must have found the nest), but this one was ALIVE and I didn't know what to do with it. I called EVERYWHERE! All the bird rescues, people who USED to rescue birds, the SHERRIF'S office etc.... (the whole county heard it on the RADIO so I had neighbors stopping me and asking me "Hey, did you find someone to take that bird?" boy did I feel stupid!!!)
Anyway, I finally found a place to take it. I get the bird to the Sacramento Wildlife Refuge and a ranger takes the carrier and says "I'll just take it over here and 'take care of it'" I asked "What do you mean-- 'take care of it?'" He was going to KILL it! I wasted an entire day over that STUPID bird! Not for sentimental reasons, just trying to be a good LAW ABIDING CITIZEN and here's a Wildlife officer of the STATE saying "Oh, I'm just gonna whack it over the head. It won't survive without care so....." Talk about being shocked! THEN I was P-O'D baby!!!!! But he didn't kill the bird. He just dumped in the weeds by a pond near the visitors center. He handed me back the carrier and goes-- "He'll either make it or he won't. Have a nice day!" and off he went. I tell ya, if I ever find myself in that situation again-- WHAT bird??!! I never saw any bird!    
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
Edited by - shepherdgirl on Feb 23 2009 1:14:11 PM |
|
|
|
shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2009 : 1:18:19 PM
|
Oh, and as for how I treated my horse-- for the ladies who asked-- Tea Tree oil (for it's antiseptic properties), Apple cider vinegar (to clean the area) and, like I said, A LOT OF PRAYERS!!! And Yes, Jesus is FABULOUS!!! Without HIS help, I would have lost my horse!!! ~~~ Hugs ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
|
|
|
Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2009 : 03:33:28 AM
|
If this were a prize winning aniaml that brings blue ribbons and wins you millions, I'd spend a fortune.
eh, otherwise - DINNER! |
|
|
|
barnagainkristin
True Blue Farmgirl
465 Posts
Kristin
Utah
USA
465 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2009 : 7:45:10 PM
|
If I could afford it I would be the crazy one sitting with a rooster on my lap in the vets office. I have fed baby mice with eye droppers, and also bandaged rabbits and chickens and kept them in the house in boxes to heal. I must say that I have never taken anything but dogs, cats, and goats to the vet though and my nursing care for injured animals doesn't usually turn out for the better. I guess the pot put him out of his misery and didn't prolong the pain. We had a hen who got the side of her face pretty much ripped off by a racoon. She wore a neon pink elastic bandage around her head for a few weeks and seemed to recover but didn't look quite the same with her droopy eyelid and no ear. She actually out lived her siblings and died of old age so I guess I have had a little success with the help of a first aid kit and the medicine cabinet. You farmgirls are all tougher than me. My husband would have to be the one to make the decision of the pot.
barnagainkristin
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." John Muir |
|
|
|
shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2009 : 7:51:11 PM
|
Oh, don't sing MY praises in the "toughness" department Kristin! I can deal with all kinds of critter drama-- nasty wounds, illness, birth issues, changin' dirty britches on a cat etc... but I can't KILL anything! The only thing I do in the "Life or Death" thing is DECIDE. I leave the killin' to the menfolk in my house. I just don't have the heart for it, even if I know it's for the best. sigh.....
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
|
|
|
Barnyard Buddies: What's your opinion..vet or the pot? |
|
What's your opinion..vet or the pot?
