Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Happy Monday!

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On Monday this time.

That is a particularly nutty picture of Betty!

 

[RoyalChick]

Maggie is not having a great day today. Yesterday she was in quite good shape but today she is not moving.
Her poo is also green which is not a great sign.
I am honestly quite fearful for her.
I am giving her some heat even though it isn't really that cold and I don't think this is about her molt as she now has very few actually naked patches - she has a lot of pin feathers but mostly covered by at least a few full feathers.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Maggie is not having a great day today. Yesterday she was in quite good shape but today she is not moving.
Her poo is also green which is not a great sign.
I am honestly quite fearful for her.
I am giving her some heat even though it isn't really that cold and I don't think this is about her molt as she now has very few actually naked patches - she has a lot of pin feathers but mostly covered by at least a few full feathers.

Does she have a lot of pin feathers between her legs and butt area? I've noticed when that area is re growing feathers mine do not move around much at all. When they do move around some of them look like they are limping. Walking around like a porcupine is not comfortable at all.

 

[ValarieF]

New Baby Pics!!!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Blueberry has 3 more chicks out. I'm worried about one of them, it is weak and it looks like it did not fully absorb it's yolk sac before hatching. It just had a tiny bit left to absorb, but it's abdomen is very swollen.

 

[RoyalChick]

Does she have a lot of pin feathers between her legs and butt area? I've noticed when that area is re growing feathers mine do not move around much at all. When they do move around some of them look like they are limping. Walking around like a porcupine is not comfortable at all.

Hmmm. Good point. I will have a peak! I didn't notice that yesterday when I was examining her poopy butt.
I am worried about her lack of interest in food. I can get her to eat little bites of stuff but not exactly a real meal.
I am going out frequently to tempt her to try stuff - so will peek at her undercarriage when I go out with her next snack.

 

[lightm]

Okay, @BY Bob , you asked for it...it will be a long post:

How I make a cardboard sleeve for my heated bricks:

Items required: Duct tape, scissors, brick, & corrugated cardboard box
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Remove packing tape & open box up:
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I like to use the small 'flap' of cardboard that held the box together as my overlap (seen above on the far left)

Lay brick against that crease, then 'roll/flip' brick to determine where to cut the cardboard. Note: make it just a hair bigger, so it isn't too tight.
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Notice above I scored the box where I need to cut (both for reference and makes cutting easier) You could also use a sharpie to draw the 'cut' line.


Now I determine the length needed, and cut the flap that I will fold in to close the sleeve when completed:View attachment 3292960
Hard to tell in the pic above, but I folded it over...note I'm using a natural crease for ease.

Next I trim the ends of the flap so it will slide into the box when the brick is inserted:View attachment 3292961View attachment 3292962

Next, trim at the bottom end so there is enough of a flap to tape up/seal/cover the bottom end of the brick: Here I scored again where I needed to cut. Notice the longer peice at the back - that will be the flap that covers the bottom of the brick.View attachment 3292994

Now that it is cut to size, fold around brick. (Again, be sure it isn't tight, or brick won't slide in/out easily)
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now that it is in place, tape up the long side:View attachment 3292995

Then tape up bottom flap:View attachment 3292997View attachment 3292998

Now fold and tuck top flap closed:View attachment 3292999

'Box' closed:
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Leave it like this once hot brick is inserted.


Then, later when brick has cooled, just open and remove brick for reheating:View attachment 3293001

The cardboard helps the brick release heat slowly, as it is a decent insulator. It also keeps the chickens from burning their feet if they step on it. Plus, protects the brick from the inevitable poop....so it can be reheated without having to wash it each time.

Hope this is clearer than mud.

Very very nice job and post. Thank you!

 

[bgmathteach]

Good morning from Foxy
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Hey, you, human, what are you doing with that thing........you are supposed to be getting me my treats!

@Ponypoor : look at those waddles...lovely shot of them!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Things have really kicked into gear with Blueberry's eggs this morning. Since Rosie got on the bus at 6:45 this morning she has went from 1 chick with 3 pipped to 4 chicks and 3 more external pips. There is only 1 egg that has not done anything yet. Once these last 3 finish hatching if there is still nothing going on I will check it. The chick I'm worried about is stronger since I last checked on it. It did take it over 24 hours to hatch from the first pip so it may just be tired.

 

[bgmathteach]

Hello Fluffy Butt Acres, I hope the week starts well for all of you and your chickens ! We're having another incredibly warm sunny day here, and enjoying it even though we would really need some rain.

Monday mugs with uncooperative chickens. They are not happy we are messing around their home, as we've (finally !) began working on covering their run making holes and scattering clutter all around.

Piou-piou has reached a new awkward stage of growth. Her body has really grown the last three weeks but her head has stayed tiny, she looks pretty strange! I hope the head catches up now .
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Flighty Cannelle who has me worried again.
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Pretty Merle.
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Gastounet .
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Grumpy Nougat.
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I hope Cannell is okay! And I think Piou-Piou looks fine with a sweet, dainty head