We currently have two poorly pusscats: Sweetie and her big brother Beamer (who only recently had the ordeal of being tied up somewhere by someone, until he escaped – twine still tightly around his neck – and came home). They’ve picked up a virus which has left them with a nasty case of the trots. They’re temporarily indoor cats – about which they’re not too thrilled – in quarantine in our annexe, in separate cages. Still, they’re happier there than during the car journeys to the vet’s in recent days . . .
For the time being, we’re having to medicate them twice daily, give them a special diet (and lots of extra TLC), and clean out their cages several times a day. Thank heavens for disposable gloves and antibacterial spray. And Betadine, for all the scratches we’ve sustained to exposed bodily parts during attempts to pop pills and administer their liquid medicine. The latter smells of oranges and lemons (not favourites on the feline menu) and obviously tastes vile, as it makes the cats foam at the mouth.
A Home for Hens?
With our sick cat care duties currently consuming a surprising amount of our time, it doesn’t seem appropriate to broach the subject of keeping more animals. Since we moved to rural Mallorca nearly ten years ago, I’ve had a hankering for hens. We have plenty of land where we could let them run free, and I’m sure The Boss could knock up a suitable hen house in a spare few hours; for an ex-banker he can turn his hand to a very impressive variety of DIY tasks.
But as much as I’d love to be able to collect fresh eggs from our own free-ranging chickens, I think we’re probably stretched to our animal-keeping limit – certainly when it comes to veterinary expenses. Besides, with seven feline adoptees stalking about the place, our finca in Mallorca could be a dangerous place for a feathered flock. I recently learnt that one of the collective nouns for cats is a glaring – and I can just imagine that’s what seven pairs of eyes would be doing if we had chickens strutting around the field!
So, I’ve no need to learn the art of chicken-keeping. I’ll just stick to chickens as art – the only hens likely to call our finca home.
No eggs – just my cluck!
Jan Edwards Copyright 2014
Jan,
I hope your pussy cats are now well recovered. You are very welcome to visit my adopted chickens whenever you wish. Their eggs are delicious and they are very grateful ladies – all rescued from a battery farm operation in Manacor. You can see them strutting their stuff here! http://mallorcalet.com/the-mallorcan-chicken-video/
Aw, the poor cats! And poor you, having to take care of them. It doesn’t sound pleasant. Unbelievable that someone tied Beamer like that. Hope they get better quickly.
I’d love to raise some chickens too. Been dreaming about it for a while. I’ve just heard from a friend that she is taking care of someone’s little flock for a week, and apparently these chickens are a variety that doesn’t grow very large and doesn’t make much noise. On top of that, the chickens are friendly, even rubbing their heads on the hands and legs of whoever comes to feed them. They require very little space. The eggs are a little smaller than average, but delicious. I’m planning to look into this.
Love the blue wire rooster! He’ll never wake you up too early.
Thankfully, Chris, the cats are now all well again. And Beamer is spending more time close to the house (which I’m really pleased about, given what happened to him). The chickens your friend has been looking after sound great. Last Monday I met some hens rehomed from a battery farm by my friend Kay Newton. Check out the great video http://mallorcalet.com/the-mallorcan-chicken-video/ I am working on persuading The Boss that we need some too!
Great to hear that they’re well again! Thanks for the video link! Tell the Boss I agree…you do need some!
Thanks, Chris! I’ve given The Boss your thoughts but he’s not yet been swayed. More furtive measures
will be needed. Plotting . . .