08/07/2026
A little Harley update + an important poultry PSA 🦆💚
For the last few weeks, we’ve noticed that Harley just wasn’t quite herself. She had occasional drooling, some swelling underneath her lower bill, and was generally a little grumpier than usual. We kept an eye on her, but couldn't find an obvious cause.
Yesterday, things changed. Harley wasn't closing her bill completely and seemed like she was having trouble eating, so we caught her for a much closer look. When I lifted her head, I noticed what I initially thought were some strange-looking feathers underneath her bill.
They weren't feathers.
Somehow, Harley had gotten hold of one of the strings used to close a feed bag. It had become wrapped around and embedded into the tissue of her lower bill. We were able to remove it, and she's already more alert and acting more like herself this morning, but she's still having trouble closing her bill and eating. Thankfully, we found a vet willing to see her tomorrow so we can find out how much damage was done and what she needs to heal.
So here's our PSA for anyone who keeps poultry or other livestock: watch those feed-bag strings.
We already know they're dangerous and normally keep ours locked down and away from the animals, but apparently if there's a will, there's a way—and Harley found one. Check around feed storage areas, trash cans, fencing and anywhere a stray piece could have escaped. Those little strings are easy to overlook, and curious animals can get themselves into trouble incredibly quickly.
I'm sharing this because if our experience makes one other person go outside and pick up a stray feed-bag string before an animal finds it, then something good comes out of Harley's ordeal.
For now, we're keeping our girl comfortable, watching her closely, and hoping tomorrow's vet visit brings us good news. Send Harley some love. 💚🦆
And Harley, sweetheart...please stop trying to find creative new ways to worry your humans.
