Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

She fell couple yrs ago and crashed through poor Sally’s stall wall! This I why she has a double sized stall now. This has been going on for a while now…. Anyways I have no ideas what to do, and live in fear of her seriously injuring herself. She certainly didn’t look overly scared when it happened, it’s a good thing she is a light breed of horse and not some huge heavy draft

Did you hear the hens start up when she did that?!! I guess her thud startled them! And poor Reenie next door! I could see her give a jump on her video feed.

Drama from equines and poultry, I might be getting too old for all this drama!

Can horses be safely given sleeping pills???? Maybe give them to her once or twice a week so she gets some good sleep...if there is such a thing as sleeping pills for horses???

 

[RoyalChick]

I can hardly put this into words, but little Lulu is in trouble.
She went into the nest boxes this morning and stayed about 4 hours. No egg. She came out on her own and wandered around but looked bad (tail down, not moving fast). I gave her some calcium pills and had a feel around but I cannot feel an egg, so if one is stuck it is stuck higher up in the system.
She went back into the nest boxes this afternon for another couple of hours.
Still no egg.
She is out now but not looking great.
I managed to get some more calcium into her but I have a horrible feeling of impending doom.

If I lose Lulu I think I really need to rethink keeping chickens. I just don't seem to be very good at keeping them alive. Or maybe I keep a much larger number and care more about the flock than the individual and accept losses as just one of those things that goes with keeping chickens.

Poor little Lulu - I knew she was too young and too small to be laying eggs (albeit very small ones).

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I can hardly put this into words, but little Lulu is in trouble.
She went into the nest boxes this morning and stayed about 4 hours. No egg. She came out on her own and wandered around but looked bad (tail down, not moving fast). I gave her some calcium pills and had a feel around but I cannot feel an egg, so if one is stuck it is stuck higher up in the system.
She went back into the nest boxes this afternon for another couple of hours.
Still no egg.
She is out now but not looking great.
I managed to get some more calcium into her but I have a horrible feeling of impending doom.

If I lose Lulu I think I really need to rethink keeping chickens. I just don't seem to be very good at keeping them alive. Or maybe I keep a much larger number and care more about the flock than the individual and just accept losses as just one of those things that goes with keeping chickens.

Poor little Lulu - I knew she was too young and too small to be laying eggs (albeit very small ones).

It may be in lulu's best interest to give her a warm epsom salt bath soak. I honestly do not know what to say then you and she are in my prayers. She is 5 1/2 months old now right? That is the age almost all of mine begin laying. I've "knock on wood" never had any trouble with them laying besides Daisy. When not broody all of mine average 5 eggs a week, some in the past would go 7 or 8 eggs before skipping a day and other then the new cinnamon queens i've not had high production breeds. My silkie Chiquita before she finally went broody would lay 6 eggs a week on average.

 

[RoyalChick]

It may be in lulu's best interest to give her a warm epsom salt bath soak. I honestly do not know what to say then you and she are in my prayers. She is 5 1/2 months old now right? That is the age almost all of mine begin laying. I've "knock on wood" never had any trouble with them laying besides Daisy. When not broody all of mine average 5 eggs a week, some in the past would go 7 or 8 eggs before skipping a day and other then the new cinnamon queens i've not had high production breeds. My silkie Chiquita before she finally went broody would lay 6 eggs a week on average.

She is just shy of 5 months but very tiny.
I can try the warm bath - but I thought that was more to relax muscles if the egg was stuck near the vent - I am 100% sure that is not the case. But no harm to try anyway.
Poor baby.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Twice now today I've went to the barn to feed and water the pup Gloria. I even felt bad for her and have taken her on a leash walk each time. If under different circumstances I could really like this dog she is so friendly. I feel though she was set up for failure here. I now know her breeding, Feist x German Shepherd mix. Both high prey drive breeds, especially the feist part. Seeing as how I love Squirrel hunting if I did not have chickens I would want to have her as a future squirrel dog. She is not a mix that can be left alone all day and turned loose without getting into trouble. I am a dog lover, really I am. I also believe though in responsible dog ownership for any breed which I see lacking here.

 

[bgmathteach]

I can hardly put this into words, but little Lulu is in trouble.
She went into the nest boxes this morning and stayed about 4 hours. No egg. She came out on her own and wandered around but looked bad (tail down, not moving fast). I gave her some calcium pills and had a feel around but I cannot feel an egg, so if one is stuck it is stuck higher up in the system.
She went back into the nest boxes this afternon for another couple of hours.
Still no egg.
She is out now but not looking great.
I managed to get some more calcium into her but I have a horrible feeling of impending doom.

If I lose Lulu I think I really need to rethink keeping chickens. I just don't seem to be very good at keeping them alive. Or maybe I keep a much larger number and care more about the flock than the individual and accept losses as just one of those things that goes with keeping chickens.

Poor little Lulu - I knew she was too young and too small to be laying eggs (albeit very small ones).

I do think that 5 months is a bit early. I'm hoping that she hasn't laid internally. Maybe a warm soak will help her relax and feel better, even if there is no egg near the 'exit'

I"m so hoping for you that she is okay and pulls through. Do you have any idea what Minnie and Dotty passed from? I'm hoping Lulu doesn't have that....not feeling well, tail down, 'hiding/isolating' were all symptoms.

Oh, gosh...I'm not sure if i should post this thought or not. I know you will worry needlessly if it isn't....but what if it is? Okay, I'm posting. Please forgive me if I cause you needless worry, but I'm afraid that something might be in the environment that is going round. Hoping it isn't Sending you hugs and prayers

 

[BY Bob]

I think copper hawk are very audacious, but still, is this normal behaviour ?

It started last fall when a juvenile arrived here. I believe it has grown up in the last year and these are now its hunting grounds.

I am truly surprised that it tried for a big girl. There are tons of other things upon which it could feast. There are no other predators for rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, etc. around here. I do not understand its obsession with my ladies.

But obsessed Satan is.

 

[BY Bob]

@BY Bob, I think this one is for you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ese-white-chicken-breeds-do-you-have.1544330/

Enjoy, and post LOTS of pictures.

This is going to be great! Thanks RC!

 

[BY Bob]

Was your daughter standing by the pool Bob? Or was she in the pool? In my head I was wondering if the hawk didn't see you as a threat because you were 'small' (meaning partly submerged). But if your daughter was standing that certainly doesn't explain it.

We were both in the pool ~ 3 feet of me out of the water

 

[BY Bob]

Holy Dinah! I am shocked that hawk even tried with you so close by!!!

I can only speculate that because you were in the pool you were not recognized as ‘human’. Also sounds like a youngster with little experience.

Have you thought of contacting a wildlife expert for some suggestions???

Wow that is a tale for the books! And I am SOOOOO happy that in the end no one was injured.

I have contacted the PA Gand Commission before. There is nothing they can do or as they said, nothing that I can legally do to the hawk.