Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

Bedtime for Gucci

Yesterday's final video comes from when it was bedtime. As usual, Glynda told everyone it was time for bed. Lady Featherington hung out a while longer and then went to join Glynda. As usual this left Gucci. Here is Gucci's journey to finding a place to sleep.

You can see in the end she looks for a place to lay down she finds a corner with something over top of her.

I took her from that corner and placed her on the ramp. She did a much better job going up the ramp last night. Of course then she tried to sleep on the porch in the corner. I had to show her the coop door. Then she lay down in a corner of the coop. So I had to pick her up and put her on the roost.

All that searching!(and loud peeping!!!) At least Lady Featherington came out and essentially said 'hey, this way, lets go to bed! It seemed like that was her mission, as she came out, walked right in front of Gucci, turned around and went back into the coop area.

I suspect that since Gucci is so accustomed to 'roosting' on the ground, it will take a bit to break her of that.

 

[BY Bob]

All that searching!(and loud peeping!!!) At least Lady Featherington came out and essentially said 'hey, this way, lets go to bed! It seemed like that was her mission, as she came out, walked right in front of Gucci, turned around and went back into the coop area.

I suspect that since Gucci is so accustomed to 'roosting' on the ground, it will take a bit to break her of that.

I do think you are right. I hope I eventually can.

 

[RoyalChick]

I just want to warn you that I sense I am about to descend into doom, gloom, frustration and sadness and I will need all your help to pick myself up.
First Bella.
Now there is a lash egg in a nest box. It was small and half buried so although I think it was 'laid' there yesterday I cannot be sure I didn't miss it the day before. I have cameras but no definitive proof of who laid it. From the footage it seems like Maggie is the most likely suspect, but it is not certain. She has laid lash eggs before (almost 2 years ago) and does use that box. And she did go into it for a while yesterday. On the other hand she seems fine and perky as normal. Diana who hasn't put a shell on an egg in months and is a high production breed seems a more likely candidate but she definitely has not been in that nest box in quite a while.
Dotty is poorly. She is sitting a lot and with tail down. She has been the only one laying and now hasn't in a few days (but it has been hot). I have had a look at her - externally only - and I don't feel an egg from the outside. I don't see her pumping her tail. I have given her calcium anyway just in case and if she doesn't perk up I will give her an internal exam as well. Could she have laid the lash egg? It isn't her usual nest box, but things have been a bit topsy turvey on that front so maybe.
Oh, and I have mice and cannot figure how they are getting in.
So, anxiety peaks again. Should I give antibiotics because of the lash egg? Should I assume it is Maggie as the only evidence I have points to her? Or Dotty who is the only one sick?
UGH - why are chickens so damn difficult to keep healthy?

 

[bgmathteach]

2am pst I went out to the coop, brought Dakota inside with me. I was worried about her all night. She’s safe now. Hopefully I can get some needed sleep

I hope you can stablize her wing so it heals properly. It would be terrible if the break doesn't heal/knit together because it isn't set...and she never has good use of it.

As far as roosting...she will try to act as normal as possible, thats what chickens do...I hope you are able to wrap the wing with it reasonable set today so she can heal...I've had broken bones and one wasn't set properly...and it has caused no end of grief....please don't make her suffer for the rest of her life with a poorly or non-set bone

I know you love your animals. Short term it may be uncomfortable...but long term it will be better for her.......

 

[RoyalChick]

I do think you are right. I hope I eventually can.

Remember also it is only the last couple of days we have seen her legs looking like they work normally. From observing Bernadette, roosting requires leg strength. Bernie so wanted to roost with the others that she kept trying but could only stay there for a short while and then flopped down in the carboard tray. The others then followed. It was a huge milestone when she roosted all night.

 

[RoyalChick]

I hope you can stablize her wing so it heals properly. It would be terrible if the break doesn't heal/knit together because it isn't set...and she never has good use of it.

As far as roosting...she will try to act as normal as possible, thats what chickens do...I hope you are able to wrap the wing with it reasonable set today so she can heal...I've had broken bones and one wasn't set properly...and it has caused no end of grief....please don't make her suffer for the rest of her life with a poorly or non-set bone

I know you love your animals. Short term it may be uncomfortable...but long term it will be better for her.......

 

[bgmathteach]

I just want to warn you that I sense I am about to descend into doom, gloom, frustration and sadness and I will need all your help to pick myself up.
First Bella.
Now there is a lash egg in a nest box. It was small and half buried so although I think it was 'laid' there yesterday I cannot be sure I didn't miss it the day before. I have cameras but no definitive proof of who laid it. From the footage it seems like Maggie is the most likely suspect, but it is not certain. She has laid lash eggs before (almost 2 years ago) and does use that box. And she did go into it for a while yesterday. On the other hand she seems fine and perky as normal. Diana who hasn't put a shell on an egg in months and is a high production breed seems a more likely candidate but she definitely has not been in that nest box in quite a while.
Dotty is poorly. She is sitting a lot and with tail down. She has been the only one laying and now hasn't in a few days (but it has been hot). I have had a look at her - externally only - and I don't feel an egg from the outside. I don't see her pumping her tail. I have given her calcium anyway just in case and if she doesn't perk up I will give her an internal exam as well. Could she have laid the lash egg? It isn't her usual nest box, but things have been a bit topsy turvey on that front so maybe.
Oh, and I have mice and cannot figure how they are getting in.
So, anxiety peaks again. Should I give antibiotics because of the lash egg? Should I assume it is Maggie as the only evidence I have points to her? Or Dotty who is the only one sick?
UGH - why are chickens so damn difficult to keep healthy?

I will let @BY Bob answer this, given he is much more knowledgeable medically. But, I wanted to give you these:

You have had a bit of a tough run recently. I'm hoping that, if it is Maggie, she lives another 2 years. And that whatever is up with Dotty...she improves quickly.

How old are Maggie and Diana now? Are they getting close to 'non-laying' age?

 

[BY Bob]

Baby Hattie

I have become addicted to looking at pictures of Baby Hattie. I feel like she could be as popular as Baby Yoda given a chance.

T-Shirts, Mugs, who knows what. Who wouldn't want a Baby Hattie mug or hat?

Here is Baby Hattie taking flight from 4 years ago Tuesday. I had so many other things to post yesterday that I held this for today.

 

[RoyalChick]

I will let @BY Bob answer this, given he is much more knowledgeable medically. But, I wanted to give you these:

You have had a bit of a tough run recently. I'm hoping that, if it is Maggie, she lives another 2 years. And that whatever is up with Dotty...she improves quickly.

How old are Maggie and Diana now? Are they getting close to 'non-laying' age?

Thank you.
Yes, Maggie and Diana are over 3 years old - I don't know exactly when they hatched. I have had them since April 2019 and I adopted them from a school project - my guess is they were about 6 weeks old when I got them. So not quite 3+1/2 years old.

 

[RoyalChick]

Baby Hattie

I have become addicted to looking at pictures of Baby Hattie. I feel like she could be as popular as Baby Yoda given a chance.

View attachment 3211041

T-Shirts, Mugs, who knows what. Who wouldn't want a Baby Hattie mug or hat?

Here is Baby Hattie taking flight from 4 years ago Tuesday. I had so many other things to post yesterday that I held this for today.

Baby Hattie is waaay cuter than Baby Yoda!