Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Much cooler day today (phone is reading 57 as opposed to 95 like it's been). Was out watching the tribe and moving the hose. Took these...
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Hector was up the hill behind me (he's still banished to a "safe" distance away from the girls: as determined by Cheetah)

Hector a kind of weird coo/screech. Everyone looked up, Cheetah made a similar (clearer like the difference in crows) sound and all froze. There's a long narrow winged smallish bird cruising by (guessing Falcon). I start moving down the hill and a cedarwax wing in the dead tops of the trees up by Hector sounds off (alarm type sound). Suddenly, I have a steady flow of chickens moving back into the olive trees (upper left corner of the pics, but down the hill).

They've come back out now, but sentinels are very apparent, including the little guys.

1. Hector may be shunned/banished because he's a hormonal idiot at the moment, but he sounds alerts when he should and they listen.

2. They're listening to other birds, including little ones for alerts too.

3. They all head for shelter without rebellion, fuss, or pause when warranted.

Great photos and even better, they responded correctly to a potential threat. That should provide some comfort to you.

 

[rural mouse]

Great photos and even better, they responded correctly to a potential threat. That should provide some comfort to you.

Very much so. And the first alert didn't come from the top birds and the all listened, response came after confirmed by top bird. It was a delight to witness.

 

[featherhead007]

What’s up?

I’m not life’s babysitter. I left that career long ago. The townspeople won’t leave me alone anymore. “Alex can you come fix this?” “Alex, I know you are busy, but my sink is clogged up, can you help?” “Alex, my friend is sick, can you fly me to Sacramento?0 So much more, I don’t want to share with with this forum.
Then I am the bad guy for saying “No I can’t!”

 

[featherhead007]

I am praying for you my friend. Whatever the trouble is.

Bob, that means a lot coming from you. Thanks

 

[featherhead007]

I’m not life’s babysitter. I left that career long ago. The townspeople won’t leave me alone anymore. “Alex can you come fix this?” “Alex, I know you are busy, but my sink is clogged up, can you help?” “Alex, my friend is sick, can you fly me to Sacramento?0 So much more, I don’t want to share with with this forum.
Then I am the bad guy for saying “No I can’t!”

Even Jaffar bit me when I was tucking the birds in for the night!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Hello-

I do not know if I will ever catch up but I have been reading your amazing thread of conversations (currently I am 2020 and Sydney has just hatched her first clutch of tiny dragons) while my ankle heals from a break. I have learned so much from all of you already. I am new to chickens and just got my first chicks from Alchemist Farms yesterday. Just wanted to say thank you and introduce myself.View attachment 3212680

I would need full body pictures including the feet but you might have 2 Black Copper Marans. The one with the white wing tips I'd almost bet is a Maran. Does it have feathered feet? Marans I know and can pick out as I have them and are my favorite breed.

 

[BY Bob]

Even Jaffar bit me when I was tucking the birds in for the night!

 

[BY Bob]

I would need full body pictures including the feet but you might have 2 Black Copper Marans. The one with the white wing tips I'd almost bet is a Maran. Does it have feathered feet? Marans I know and can pick out as I have them and are my favorite breed.

And beautiful when fully grown.

 

[ManueB]

I’m not life’s babysitter. I left that career long ago. The townspeople won’t leave me alone anymore. “Alex can you come fix this?” “Alex, I know you are busy, but my sink is clogged up, can you help?” “Alex, my friend is sick, can you fly me to Sacramento?0 So much more, I don’t want to share with with this forum.
Then I am the bad guy for saying “No I can’t!”

Sometimes you just need to make taking care of yourself a priority (after the number 1 priority that are the chickens of course ! ).
If you don't want to say no, maybe you could postpone some of the things that are less urgent ?
I hope things work out for you, I think you need to find a way to take a break!

 

[ManueB]

She is fine in the house and I can bring her in when it gets hot each day.
She drinks fine when in the coop - but weirdly not when in the house - and she has been eating mash while in the house (though weirdly not in the coop).
She probably isn't eating enough but at least at the moment I am not worried about her fluid or nutrient intake (I lace the mash with sugar water and electrolytes).
I think she is less stressed with her flock - she wants to roost with them even if she isn't running around during the day with them.

Just so I understand, why would you give antibiotics? On the theory that she laid the lash egg and that it is salpingitis causing her issues?

I am oscillating between antibiotics, treating for coccidia again and just observing some more. She really looks like she is egg bound but there really isn't an egg.

Is her abdomen swollen, or not at all ?

If it was a shell less egg stuck, I don't know if you would be able to feel it ? And it would induce a penguin like attitude.
Are you giving her extra calcium ?