It all began simple enough. Bring the chickens hot water in a plastic container in 25 degree weather.Nothing new. The Captain reports as soon as he put that steaming water down, they went crazy. Knocking each other over, screaming and then... they discovered the warmth. One chick decided to sprawl out next to it, with it's head over hanging into the container. As though it were enjoying a facial steam. Then another decided to just hop in and sprawl out...like it was a hot tub. Just laid there as others continued to drink.
He laughed and said "stupid chicken". I said "wow, a chicken hot tub".
The problem came when The Captain went back 15 minutes later and discovered our "hot tub chicken" almost dead. Apparently it decided a walk outside their coop was in order after such a relaxing dip.
Feathers had icicles. The Captain thought it was dead for sure.
He scooped her up and brought her inside. You could barely see the weak shake in her legs as I got to work. A few minutes more outside and I'm not sure my effort would have worked.
After letting room temp water bring up her exterior temperature, I wrapped her up in a towel and used the blow dryer on low. You could hear the weak peeps begin to escape. 5 minutes more, her eyes would open up for a second or two. Ming, who tries so hard to play with the chickens {much to their horror}, has a most disturbing and insatiable desire for...chicken butts. How do you break a dog of that !?
She was quick to Hop in & help. Licking her legs and head, seeming to stimulate the freezing chicken. She laid claim and we nicknamed it Ming's "Precious". Once dried, she went into the now empty container she used as a hot tub. A heating pad underneath for extra warmth.
Ming would not leave her side. She laid on the ground towel and kept as close as she could .
Eventually her "precious" was strong enough to hop out of her warm nest and strolled around the living room, never more then a few inches from her new friend. She earned her "bracelet" which is reserved for special chickens. Like the one nice rooster out of the 4 I have counted in this batch.
Ming did try playing with her and that silly chicken could care less. Brain damaged or a strange bond between dog & poultry? Time will tell.
They strolled together a good half hour before I felt she was well enough to go back into chicken world.
It was best she went back out. After all, seeing Ming check out that chicken bottom became a bit disturbing.
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie
10 comments:
One chicken life saved!
I couldn't help but laugh at the pictures of Ming and the chicken! What a pair!
Guess that means no more hot water in a tub for the chickens, huh?
Lovely, I love a chicken and dog story xxx
Sweet story glad precious was alright. Cute pics too. Blessings jane
How crazy is that? The incident as well as the dog/chicken relationship. Life in the "wild" is always interesting. We put a big black hose on the drain that comes off the house in back. During a big rain I noticed a cardinal out there, taking a shower in the runoff. The hose is perched on the top of the patio, so the water coming out of it is a waterfall. The cardinal hangs out there now, waiting for his "shower."
Great story and photos. It is amazing how one little thing can turn into a huge event. Glad to hear everyone survived and new friends were made.
What a cute couple!
How utterly strange that she jumped into the water for a bath like a little ducky. Glad that you got her out and saved her life.
I loved the picture of the two together, my dog wants to eat my chickens :(
small farm girl~ lol. :)
Hermit Jim~ they are back to water jar containers. The "hot tub" was one of those "bring the chickens some hot water in a larger container. Just need to buy a much larger waterer now that they have grown. lol.
Frugal Queen~ I do have this feeling it will not be the last of those. Ming likes her chicken..
Jane~ Thank you, I tried to get the ones of them snuggling {yeah, that was wierd} but as soon as I moved in with the camera, the chicken kept trying to peck it.
Glimmer~ Now that would be a rather interesting site.lol. Truly one of the most amazing things to see is abnormal intelligence behavior in animals. but then they do something leaving you saying "stupid animal" {I do think they must say the same at times about humans. lol}
Birds Bees Berries & Blooms~ Warmer weather usually brings more interest in our happenings. Hopefully this is not the begining of odd behavior with bad results. Just another reason I like having a small dog. They give such personality to the place and with those squirrel size teeth, not much damage can be done {unless your not a member of the Fam. She still has "issues" with anyone coming near or in the house/property line.
Farm Chick~ I know, right? They were such a site wandering together like chums.
Scmoopywood~I have never had a chicken "like" the water even when a duck was raised by a chicken i never saw such behavior cross. The good thing about our dog is that she is small, fiercly protective{as in more vocal due to that tiny jaw size}and seems to think of herself almost human. As in the kids are her pets and she top dog, just below my hubs & I-whom she treats as superior. Pekingese are odd little dogs who come with bad traits & hard to train on some things but with time & patience, the loyalty is worth it. I have had plenty issues with chicken eating dogs {not always mine but know it can be a mess trying to train away from it.}
What a funny and sweet story! I am happy that your little chicken made it!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your comment on my chandelier :)
Amanda
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