Alternative Action

So, Doris is still buggy of eyes. Despite my best attempts to not fret about the repeat offender hen, I of course am. But I am still holding firm(ish) about trying to avoid another trip to the vet. Doris has been treated for eye issues three times in two and a half years, and has had minor untreated flare ups another two times. Quite frankly, I doubt this is an issue that will ever be 'cured'.

So instead of putting us both through the trauma of baytril dosing three times a day, I am going to try something different. Now, as a rule, I am far too cynical and practical to hold much store by complimentary/natural type remedies. When I am ill, I generally want some decent well tested drugs to make me better. But Doris has had many doses of antibiotics, and it doesn't seem to improve her overall weakness. After a tip off from a Twitter follower (Thank you, @practicalpoultry) I have ordered some Colloidal Silver.

Colloidal Silver is apparently an anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-biotic which was used widely before the discovery of penicillin. As a topical substance, it can be used on open wounds to prevent infection. It can also be ingested as a general help-all. I have found many articles online where wild claims are being made without any actual evidence (a cure for cancer! HIV! Full blown AIDS!) which makes me feel rather uneasy. However, I have also found many poultry pages where experienced breeders swear by it as a first port of call. I haven't quite worked out whether it needs firing down Doris's throat or dabbing on her eyelid yet, though, so if anyone knows anything please let me know. After finding some quite alarming pictures of blue skinned humans online during my investigations I am a little bit concerned that Doris may take on a Smurf-like appearance. Although Doris is technically a blue pekin, the term generally applies only to her feathering.

So the silver solution is ordered, and is expected through the post around Wednesday. Coupled with the garlic cloves and ACV in the drinker I am hoping to alleviate the eye problems at home, possibly incorporating eye of newt and tongue of frog.

Just call me the Chicken Witch.

New Year, New Plans

Yes, yes. I know. Just yesterday I was saying how it's probably best that I don't know what this year has in store for me. But that was yesterday. Today I feel the urge to make plans. I was outside earlier, adding a top dressing of garlic powder to the girls' feed (another attempt to cure Doris and prevent any further sniffles), and found myself looking about the winter battered garden. Last year, we were planning on moving, so the garden was a bit neglected. This year, I plan to get stuck in.

Anyone who keeps hens will tell you that they are not very kind to your gardening ambitions. What they don't eat they tend to stomp on. There are three solutions to this problem. Firstly, you can just give up and let the chooks totally take over your garden. This is only really an option if a) you don't care that there will be a stinky quagmire outside your back door and that b) neither will your neighbours. It is extremely unlikely that b) will occur. The second solution involves giving up a portion of your garden as a chicken-only domain. Personally, I tend to think that unless you have acreage, this just condenses the problem highlighted in the first solution. Plus, I actually enjoy seeing the hens roaming about the place. From a certain angle and with a certain set of rose tinted specs, it can look lovely and romantic. You just have to ignore the trails of destruction.

This year I am going to attempt the third option. The plan is to plant the garden with hen resilient plants. I believe that I have mentioned this in a previous post, but now is the time for action. From now on, when I visit a garden centre of plant nursery, I will be focused. No more wistfully wandering amongst the pretty perennials for me. From now on my botanical hunting ground will be amongst the hardy and rugged. Woody shrubs are possibly the way forward. I am contemplating a low lavender and rosemary border around the Palace. I may even build raised beds and tightly pack them with plants to prevent the inevitable dustbathing. In short, right now I have many ideas. We shall see how they pan out over the next few months. I fully expect the girls to test these new arrangements to the limit.

If anyone's had success with chicken landscaping, please let me know.