Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Hattie is Unwell

She was her active self at lunch time today and then she disappeared. I assumed she was hanging in the shade beating the heat. It was 96°F, 35.5°C today. We had dinner outside on the shade deck in the evening. So the crew took up coming around and begging for food. It took me quite a while before I realized Hattie was missing. The littles were especially entertaining with Lucky raiding the dinner table itself and making off with the end of a hot dog roll from my son in law's plate.

Sudney thought that if she got close to my Dad she might get something from him. She was successful!
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Hattie was feeling well enough at lunchtime to pause for a quick sunbathing with Lilly.
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Once I noticed she was missing I quickly located her under the magnolia tree. I called her and she took 2 steps but would not come. So I went to her with a piece of pasta in my hand. She would not eat it.

So I proceeded to check her out. Her craw was full of water. She had not laid an egg today but I could feel nothing in her abdomen. Her posterior had feces in her feathers and as I watched clear liquid was ejected and ran down her bum. When I was done she wandered back to the water dish under the tree. There she remained until nightfall. Not moving. Just standing there.

I am operating as if she has overheated. Right now she is in the spare bedroom in the broody crate with a water dispenser. I am leaving her inside all night. I will check her again in the morning, clean up her bum and see how she is feeling. I am hoping a night in cool air-conditioned environment will bring her back around.

This heat is brutal. It does sound as if she was simply overheated. I have started spraying my flocks with the garden hose twice a day. I figured I know they're getting water from preening after being wet and it makes the take a break as well.

This is when I'm so thankful for my cinder block coop for my layers, it stays about 80 degrees on the floor even on the hottest days. Rich also cut a "window" on the far side of the coop so they have a lot of cross breezes.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Hattie Update

She made no noise overnight. I was actually frightened off what I might find when I opened the door to the spare bedroom.

This is what I found in the morning.

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She had laid an egg overnight. I opened both doors but she was not exceptionally interested in leaving the crate.

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I read to her for a little bit and she finally stood up. Waiting under her was a surprise. A second egg! View attachment 2251846

It was soft shelled.
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Once she stood up, she started grooming herself. That made me feel much better even though she stood there with her tail down.
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After grooming for a bit, we finished her story and she squatted and released the nastiest liquid feces. Then proceeded to lay down. I did not want her laying in it so I scooped her up and decided to put her outside to see what she would do.

As soon as i set her on the deck, she bolted, tail up, straight for the coop. I released everyone else and the whole flock gathered around her. She had a spring in her step and off to chicken about in the cooler morning temperatures.

I believe at this point i am going to write this up to overheating. With the two eggs coming out I feel reasonably certain there is not an egg production issue. That was my worst fear.

I will keeping a sharp eye on her today. This heat wave is supposed to continue through Tuesday. I'm going to have to watch the whole flock closely.

I'm so glad she's feeling better!!

 

[HappyClucker7]

I'm glad Hattie is feeling better!

 

[RoyalChick]

I do think that the heat had gotten to her. She is back out with the flock now and seems like herself. Thankfully.

I am so glad she is feeling better. The heat is brutal and will be even hotter this afternoon and tomorrow.
I have been fussing about how to keep the Princesses cool - as you say the ice and iced treats last all of 10 minutes before they melt.
If I am objective about it they do seem fine, I even found Maggie sunbathing - which is nuts as it is 92 degrees. She has feathers for brains in my humble opinion!

 

[BY Bob]

I'm so glad she's feeling better!!

Me too. I had flashbacks to Patsy. I get real nervous when this happens.

I had to buy a 50lb bag of food yesterday. I'm betting I will never use it all in any reasonable amount of time. Would you like my extra?

 

[BY Bob]

I'm glad Hattie is feeling better!

Thanks me too. I was very concerned.

 

[BY Bob]

I am so glad she is feeling better. The heat is brutal and will be even hotter this afternoon and tomorrow.
I have been fussing about how to keep the Princesses cool - as you say the ice and iced treats last all of 10 minutes before they melt.
If I am objective about it they do seem fine, I even found Maggie sunbathing - which is nuts as it is 92 degrees. She has feathers for brains in my humble opinion!

You saw, Hattie was sunbathing yesterday. They are fools.

 

[RoyalChick]

This heat is brutal. It does sound as if she was simply overheated. I have started spraying my flocks with the garden hose twice a day. I figured I know they're getting water from preening after being wet and it makes the take a break as well.

This is when I'm so thankful for my cinder block coop for my layers, it stays about 80 degrees on the floor even on the hottest days. Rich also cut a "window" on the far side of the coop so they have a lot of cross breezes.

I didn't think about spraying them with the hose. Do they like that? I wouldn't want to stress them out. I think it is going up to 97 (36C) in a couple of hours so maybe then I will get in the run with them and spray us all. I think they will be less stressed if I am in there and we are all getting wet together.

 

[BY Bob]

I didn't think about spraying them with the hose. Do they like that? I wouldn't want to stress them out. I think it is going up to 97 (36C) in a couple of hours so maybe then I will get in the run with them and spray us all. I think they will be less stressed if I am in there and we are all getting wet together.

Mine run from the hose and sprinkler. I could just target them with the hose when I go out today whether they like it or not. It is unbearable out there right now.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Me too. I had flashbacks to Patsy. I get real nervous when this happens.

I had to buy a 50lb bag of food yesterday. I'm betting I will never use it all in any reasonable amount of time. Would you like my extra?

Sure! I'd be happy too. Thank you!