A Chicken Keeper’s Life As Told Through Injuries: 4

When I was a kid my mum, would advise me to stop my whining and fussing over my boo-boos. We’re of good British stock; translation: it’s a matter of pride to keep a stiff upper lip in the face of pain or adversity. Curiously though, she did like to show off any war-wounds that she had incurred. Many years ago, she sustained a substantial purple bruise on her thigh while tobogganing. To my horror, she would whip her pants down in front of anyone – including my grade 5 classmates – to show it off. Believe me, it took far too many days for that bruise to lose its shock appeal.

I’ve grown up to be a bit of a chip off the old block. If I sustain an injury – a paper cut, bruise, burn or a bleeder – I want the attention it deserves. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am to have a painful injury without much to show for it. The best ones are dramatic looking without the suffering. Nothing like milking something for all it’s worth.

Over the years I’ve experienced my share of chicken-related injuries: scratches, bites, cuts, slivers, falls, sprains and one hospital visit to be fitted with a temporary cast.

Photo credit: Bitchin’ Chickens

I know misery loves company so I’ve collected a number of similar issues experienced by other chicken keepers. Don’t look if you’re squeamish and if you’re a show-off send me your own story and photos that I will add to the next edition.

Injuries incurred by a Great Horned Owl I rescued from inside my chicken coop. – Tanya Inyart

I fractured my shoulder last winter. I slid and fell on ice as I was opening the shed door where we keep the feed. Ended up with surgery. I’m a group fitness instructor and personal trainer and I teach boot camps. Everyone assumed I got injured from an extreme workout. I’m just like “no. I was just feeding my chickens. – Regina Dawn Sheffer

At the end of winter this year my mom was walking down to give them treats and slipped on the last bit of ice in the driveway and sliced her knee open. – Shauna Kay

A few years ago we had a huge winter storm that lasted almost a week, back-to-back snow storms 15’ of snow. We moved ours chickens into the huge barn to have better access. As I was moving the nesting boxes into the barn the chicken coop collapsed from the snow breaking both my legs and one arm. I was alone at the time so nobody knew until they came home from work six hours later. – Aron White

So this happened today! OUCH!! My silkie chicken pecked me in the eye!! It is sore when I move my eyeball around and doesn’t look too good! She is not mean at all. She’s very sweet but I just had her up by my face, so it’s truly my fault. – Monica Bateman