Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[TX Chick Noob]

I got chicken time today!!

Had my post-op visit today. Got the stitches out and have a boot now instead of a splint. When we got home, DH helped me get to the coop to spend a little time with the girls. It was so nice to see them and have a little time outside.

On a more concerning note, I noticed some of their backsides didn’t seem very fluffy so took a closer look. They are missing feathers! Don’t like the look of it at all, please feel free to read/comment on the thread I started in the disease section it you have any idea what it is or how to treat.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/missing-feathers-near-vent.1564443/

Then I got to visit Squeak (my car that lives in my office building. He had a small wound on his paw that was oozing some pus. So I cleaned that up and Vetricyn on it. DH will try to spray to once a day. Would prefer it to be 2-3 times a day but I know he can’t manage that.

Here are a few pics/video of me visiting the girls (from my chicken cam), and a pic of my fancy new boot.

 

[featherhead007]

I got chicken time today!!

Had my post-op visit today. Got the stitches out and have a boot now instead of a splint. When we got home, DH helped me get to the coop to spend a little time with the girls. It was so nice to see them and have a little time outside.

On a more concerning note, I noticed some of their backsides didn’t seem very fluffy so took a closer look. They are missing feathers! Don’t like the look of it at all, please feel free to read/comment on the thread I started in the disease section it you have any idea what it is or how to treat.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/missing-feathers-near-vent.1564443/

Then I got to visit Squeak (my car that lives in my office building. He had a small wound on his paw that was oozing some pus. So I cleaned that up and Vetricyn on it. DH will try to spray to once a day. Would prefer it to be 2-3 times a day but I know he can’t manage that.

Here are a few pics/video of me visiting the girls (from my chicken cam), and a pic of my fancy new boot.

View attachment 3406445

View attachment 3406447

View attachment 3406444

Can I call you “RoboCop”?

 

[Ponypoor]

Thanks...I'll stop collecting for a bit.

What I did with my gals was to leave a couple eggs in the nest, but swap them out each day - I had to mark an X on the ones I left in the box haha! that way I had eggs to eat And in the winter wont freeze (if it gets below freezing there).

I was going to get fake eggs but my gals all seem to think the golf balls are eggs - too easy!

The whole purpose of allowing the 3 girls to hatch chicks last October was so that I would have some pullets available this spring. When I set the hens none were supposed to stay. The chicks hatched, ooh, a blueberry mini me....I must keep that one. Fast forward 4 months later and those pullets that were supposed to be sold. Back away people....they are mine, all mine, my preciouses. Then we add to that the marshmallows, yes, chicken math is very real. A word of warning when you set your silkie eggs. Be prepared to either keep all that hatch at least 4 to 5 months to determine your hens and roosters, or pick out a few at a day or two old and sell the rest and cross your fingers. If you choose to hang on to them all and grow them out, I promise you, you will end up keeping more then you planned as they will have you wrapped around their double toes in just a few days.

Ya silkie babies are darlings!

Jaffar was out walking around alone ( No ladies present) We can’t have that! So now us bachelors are going to hang out and watch a movie! View attachment 3406419

Hi Jaffar how are you and your Human doing? Well I hope! OK you both have a lovely evening

(Blushing) I think it is more luck and my unwillingness to say uncle until it is clear they will suffer, not heal. I really don't know what I am doing medically -just read a lot ahead of time, keep fingers crossed, and go for it. I really have no alternative here other than to just give up and help them pass. I'm a bit too stubborn for that if I think there is a chance!

I think I could do it if I had to - but I would have to Skype you to have you there 'holding' my hand and yelling - you can do this! Really all medicine is, is trying to figure out how to fix something! Just like any engineering job!

Wonderful dr visit today. I'm not going to lie, I tend to hate endocrinologist appointments, but today was indeed a very good one. She downloaded the sensor data and we discussed it. She was very pleased that it had allowed me to prevent some lows and correct highs quicker. My A1C is a 7.2. That is not perfect, but with this sensor data and the lab work last month she went ahead and was able to order the Omnipod insulin pump. She expected it would take roughly a week to come in. She told me once I have it, I have to go online and register it and then set up a appointment with their representative to train me on it. She gave me a estimate of roughly 2 to 3 weeks before I would be able to use it. I got home and called my pharmacy to get a rough idea on when it would be in. Good news, will be in by noon tomorrow. Hopefully this means sometime next week I can have that training appointment and start using it sooner then expected. Our goal is once I'm back on the pump it will be easier to tighten up my numbers and get my A1C back in the 6 range.

Doctor talk tax
View attachment 3406366

So glad you're doing well And soon hopefully you can get riding

Is that Perdita and Athena? Oh how I miss my pets and family - getting melancholy ever since you beautiful description this morning I was ever so eggcited to see that Lynx, I need to get out a bit more, the guys are willing to show me around, I think I will take them up on that offer more

Melancholy Tax

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Goose was mad I discovered her nest. According to mom she had been angrily squawking since about 1 today. She did not lay back in hiding spot, instead she finally chose to lay in the building. I waited until she left and looked at the egg. It is a very good size. I left it. This spot is where branch was hatched, and where Bunny hatched off a batch of chicks. I marked the egg. If Goose decides she is going to sit, and chooses that location, she will be allowed to have 4.

 

[ValarieF]

The whole purpose of allowing the 3 girls to hatch chicks last October was so that I would have some pullets available this spring. When I set the hens none were supposed to stay. The chicks hatched, ooh, a blueberry mini me....I must keep that one. Fast forward 4 months later and those pullets that were supposed to be sold. Back away people....they are mine, all mine, my preciouses. Then we add to that the marshmallows, yes, chicken math is very real. A word of warning when you set your silkie eggs. Be prepared to either keep all that hatch at least 4 to 5 months to determine your hens and roosters, or pick out a few at a day or two old and sell the rest and cross your fingers. If you choose to hang on to them all and grow them out, I promise you, you will end up keeping more then you planned as they will have you wrapped around their double toes in just a few days.

Well she picked up the 4 girls and I gave her some fresh eggs from my flock. Nice lady and wants more I told her March 1st-3rd they will be hatching. She's replacing her daughters flock that got decimated by the neighbors dog. (That won't happen again). The Olive eggers are easy to sex by marking and legs. The silkies I can vent sex when they are a day old. I'm thinking I may just start selling fertile eggs.

 

[Ponypoor]

I got chicken time today!!

Had my post-op visit today. Got the stitches out and have a boot now instead of a splint. When we got home, DH helped me get to the coop to spend a little time with the girls. It was so nice to see them and have a little time outside.

On a more concerning note, I noticed some of their backsides didn’t seem very fluffy so took a closer look. They are missing feathers! Don’t like the look of it at all, please feel free to read/comment on the thread I started in the disease section it you have any idea what it is or how to treat.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/missing-feathers-near-vent.1564443/

Then I got to visit Squeak (my car that lives in my office building. He had a small wound on his paw that was oozing some pus. So I cleaned that up and Vetricyn on it. DH will try to spray to once a day. Would prefer it to be 2-3 times a day but I know he can’t manage that.

Here are a few pics/video of me visiting the girls (from my chicken cam), and a pic of my fancy new boot.

View attachment 3406445

View attachment 3406447

View attachment 3406444

Oh My Gosh!!!! Of I am soooooooo eggcited and happy for you! Oh you are getting around really well - oh that is so wonderful


Oh that must feel so wonderful to be able to get out and about - I am so thrilled for you

 

[ValarieF]

I got chicken time today!!

Had my post-op visit today. Got the stitches out and have a boot now instead of a splint. When we got home, DH helped me get to the coop to spend a little time with the girls. It was so nice to see them and have a little time outside.

On a more concerning note, I noticed some of their backsides didn’t seem very fluffy so took a closer look. They are missing feathers! Don’t like the look of it at all, please feel free to read/comment on the thread I started in the disease section it you have any idea what it is or how to treat.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/missing-feathers-near-vent.1564443/

Then I got to visit Squeak (my car that lives in my office building. He had a small wound on his paw that was oozing some pus. So I cleaned that up and Vetricyn on it. DH will try to spray to once a day. Would prefer it to be 2-3 times a day but I know he can’t manage that.

Here are a few pics/video of me visiting the girls (from my chicken cam), and a pic of my fancy new boot.

View attachment 3406445

View attachment 3406447

View attachment 3406444

Im so glad for you and to see you are getting around now. Chicken time is the best thing when you dont feel good i bet it felt great to be out with your flock.

 

[ValarieF]

What I did with my gals was to leave a couple eggs in the nest, but swap them out each day - I had to mark an X on the ones I left in the box haha! that way I had eggs to eat And in the winter wont freeze (if it gets below freezing there).

I was going to get fake eggs but my gals all seem to think the golf balls are eggs - too easy!


Ya silkie babies are darlings!

View attachment 3406437


Hi Jaffar how are you and your Human doing? Well I hope! OK you both have a lovely evening

I think I could do it if I had to - but I would have to Skype you to have you there 'holding' my hand and yelling - you can do this! Really all medicine is, is trying to figure out how to fix something! Just like any engineering job!


So glad you're doing well And soon hopefully you can get riding

Is that Perdita and Athena? Oh how I miss my pets and family - getting melancholy ever since you beautiful description this morning I was ever so eggcited to see that Lynx, I need to get out a bit more, the guys are willing to show me around, I think I will take them up on that offer more

Melancholy Tax
View attachment 3406452

I soooo crave the silkies. Also: I started a Coop De Chickenville thread to show off my flock. Pls pop in and say hi!

 

[Ponypoor]

Well she picked up the 4 girls and I gave her some fresh eggs from my flock. Nice lady and wants more I told her March 1st-3rd they will be hatching. She's replacing her daughters flock that got decimated by the neighbors dog. (That won't happen again). The Olive eggers are easy to sex by marking and legs. The silkies I can vent sex when they are a day old. I'm thinking I may just start selling fertile eggs.

Always sad to see them go, but nice they are going to a nice new home.

 

[BY Bob]

Ask Aurora

Today’s letter comes from @ManueB rooster Theo.

And he writes……..

Dear Aurora,
Let me introduce myself. I am the most beautiful, most angry, and most proud little rooster in the world.
My name is Théo and I live in France in the mountains.

Here is my problem. I have four hens who should honour and worship my beautiful self. Unfortunately, I happen to be half bantam. Can you believe that those french humans have the cheeks to call us bantams "dwarves", by the way? Anyway, my hens are bigger than me and since I live on a very steep slope, I never manage to mount and mate them properly. Because I need to maintain some balance, I must grab their feathers as I would fall otherwise, and this displease them so much that they run away from their duty to my gorgeous self.

Would you have any advice on dealing with this shameful problem? I trust your discretion not to mention this to any of your beak book friends.

Cocorico from your beautiful Théo.


Dear Théo,

You are the second rooster to write to me requesting advice. Most of my knowledge of roosters has come from stories told by Lilly and Hattie so I am relying on them some to answer your question. So don’t blame me if I miss something somehow.

Despite this, it is wise of you to seek council so that you can better understand the hen’s point of view. This speaks well of your character. So many chickens are unwilling to admit they need help and seek out creative ways to learn. In fact, the world would be a much better place if everyone took the time to understand why others are reacting to situations in the manner they may be. It is only by trying to understand the motivations of others that we can better relate to them and avoid conflict.

Too much of the world is focused on themselves and what is happening to them. This Self or “S” focus leads to a point of view that is more “I can’t believe they are doing this to me” instead of “I wonder why they would react in that fashion”. Things are always happening to these S individuals and they take no responsibility for their own environment.

Individuals who are Other or “O” focused spend their time trying to understand why others react as they do. By understanding the motivations of others you can modify your behaviors and approach and create an environment suited to a better life for you and everyone around you.

Take Phyllis for example. I have spent a lot of time watching her and trying to decide why she reacts as she does. I have determined that those silly head feathers of hers are passing through her skull and impeding brain function. It is not her fault she reacts as she does. So being the “O” focused hen that I am, I am assisting her by trying to pull out her head feathers whenever I can. One of these days I will get enough out, or get the correct one, to fix her. I even have Sydney helping her as well. It is not easy, but it is my way of being O Focused and concerned about others.

Let me now discuss your concern over the use of the term “Dwarves” to describe bantams. If you solely focus on those goofy dwarves from Disney’s Snow White, I could see why you would be so offended. But that is hardly the definitive imagine of dwarves. Did you know that JRR Tolkien was so offended by Disney’s portrayal of dwarves in that film that he put in his will that Disney could never have the rights to any of his materials. My suggestion is to accept this term as a compliment and picture yourself as one of Tolkien’s brave dwarves, maybe Gimli.

Now on to your main question. Clearly you are doing some things right as your ladies are willing to have relations with you. That speaks well of you. You must bring them food and keep them safe. Great work! So what you are really asking me is why the ladies get upset when you grab some feathers to balance yourself.

You must agree that now that I have broken this down to the crux of the problem, your questions seems silly. Do you like it when someone grabs and pulls your feathers? You don’t have to be a leghorn to figure out why they might be upset.

Do try to remember that not only Roosters are proud of their feathers; hens are too. One of the most prized possessions we ladies have is our feathers. We spend a lot of time fluffing and grooming as well. Even more important is the amount of harassment a bald hen would take from the other ladies. You are doing her no favor if you pull some out.

What to do? Well, I am going to suggest you work on your balance more. Try to become more agile. Jump onto a branch and practice your motions with nothing to hold onto. Maybe even try that French training methodology, parkour.

Barring your ability to be able to complete the process without grabbing on I am going to suggest that you petition your human servant to bring in some dwarf hens for you. I fear what might happen if a full-sized rooster shows up. You could lose all your hens. At least those that wish to have babies someday.

Aurora