Chicken post #2: RIP Queenie

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So named for the dark gold tiara on her head, Queenie was a feisty and sweet chick, bless her!

It was bound to happen; we lost another chick last night, my beloved Queenie. She was fine early in the day, but became shy, staying under the heat plate that we've nicknamed Mama. No obvious malady was apparent, and after dinner my husband checked on the chicks, finding Queenie just past Mama, lying on the shavings, already in chick heaven.

Sigh....

Today's adventure was finding another chick suffering from suspicious poops. I diagnosed coccidiosis, then headed out for Corid so I could dose the entire flock. Was this what struck Queenie? Perhaps, but we'll never know as we didn't witness her eliminations. (Sorry if this is chick TMI.) For the next five days the chicks will drink water spiked with Corid, then have a two week break, with four more days of treatment to follow. The afflicted chick was out and about this evening, and I cleaned out under Mama, not wanting them to sleep in nasty poo. We'll keep the brooder as clean as possible for the next few days, and hopefully our remaining eight chicks will be fine.

I am *pretty tired*! I probably haven't been so geared to infant care since grandkids were arriving, lol! It's fun to watch chick antics, especially a large barnevelder who unscrupulously muscles other chicks from their spots at the feeder. Queenie held her own against this chick, who tonight my husband named Camilla, as I noted said chick THOUGHT she was the queen, but only Queenie would claim that moniker. He slyly mentioned Camilla, I smiled and nodded, and now one chick has her handle.

Yesterday this chick was studying the perch, planning a takeover!

And thus goes another day of my life! Right now it feels like all chickens, all the time. One finally figured out the little perch is for more than standing under; I bet tomorrow a couple will be calling it their future home, hehehe.

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