Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Well shucks. It's just so weird. She stays on the nest all the time; she's in there now. But she popped up when I have her the tomato and the cauliflower and left the nest entirely; going several feet away from the nest box. She went right back though.

I've never heard of a hen acting this way.

I would say she is broody, but maybe just not as committed as some might be. Keep an eye on her behaviour next couple days. As long as she is committed to staying on her eggs to hatch them that’s great.

 

[Ponypoor]

Take care of yourself Pony. Don’t be silly.

I am blaming the brats - they were just crazy tonight! Like herding cats, put one in grab another the one flies out while putting that one in, grab two toss them in and just like that 1 second later out again

Of course then Fluffy decided she would peck all that came in there and it wasn’t so funny - brats!

Then Misty figured she would fly back up on the door - sheesh!


Meanwhile the horses where quite entertained watching me try to gather them up. Finally I was able to close the hen house door and let the horses out. I don’t dare let the horses out first as the chickens will all bolt out the back door - then it would be a rodeo! Brats all!

 

[bgmathteach]

More Monday mugs

View attachment 3548324

Nice to see Babs hanging out with the littles (or the littles hanging out with Babs??)


Is Bernie still 'mating' with Babs? I see she still has that bald spot from Bernie's 'attentions'.

 

[Ponypoor]

Well shucks. It's just so weird. She stays on the nest all the time; she's in there now. But she popped up when I have her the tomato and the cauliflower and left the nest entirely; going several feet away from the nest box. She went right back though.

I've never heard of a hen acting this way.

Maybe google broody hen sounds… ?

 

[bgmathteach]

Yes, I had forgotten about honey. Bob mentioned it too. I have never used it, but it is supposed to be quite effective for surface wounds.

I have used it (I have that, too - but it resides in my kitchen cabinet, not in my chicken tool box/ first aid kit)

I really don't know about the strength of the anti-microbial effect. ( but it IS supposed to help cells heal more quickly, and have some anti-microbial properties - I have never used it in an infected wound, only on a clean one to assist with healing and keep it from getting infected.)

 

[RoyalChick]

Nice to see Babs hanging out with the littles (or the littles hanging out with Babs??)


Is Bernie still 'mating' with Babs? I see she still has that bald spot from Bernie's 'attentions'.

Yes. Bernie still mates Babs and Babs seems to be OK with that. My sense is it is maybe a bit less frequently now, and Babs is regrowing feathers.
Babs is friends with the Pentagonists and they do not fear her. They keep out of Bernie’s way.

 

[bgmathteach]

Chlorhexidine gel is easier to work with but honey is good. I consider Chlorhexidine to be the best topical antimicrobial because it penetrates deep into the skin and is active for as long as 7 days without reapplication. Bacteria cannot develop resistance to it and it does not kill the good tissue like other agents can.

I would love if you would pm links with me for places to (legally?) get some of this stuff! Also, you mentioned for anaerobic bacteria/infections - how do you know when something has 'gone anaerobic?'

Where do you get chlorhexidine spray, and the amo-tryl? (I know you have mentioned Baytril before - assume it can still be gotten online, I can do that)

Thank you!

For anti-fungal, lotrimine? (athlete's foot cream) with that work?

 

[fuentemoon]

I have a friend that lives in France, last year she got a bad burn on her arm (chemical i believe) any way she went to the pharmacy and they sold her an amazing honey based salve/gel. Wound was healed extremely quickly. I have the link somewhere.

Been crazy busy so not many new pics. A blury mug

An action shot

 

[BY Bob]

The one they've been on is about 4.5 feet up. They have a ladder (the pallet), so only needed another 18 inches or so up....and 2-3 feet out....but they've been flying from my shoulder to the ground so...
The "Grups" are definitely keeping an eye on (and teaching) them. Whiskey was watching me closely when I was taking pics.

The littles like to follow Twirp (as long as she stays fairly close to the coop). I caught Tuff walking along beside her yesterday looking at what she was pecking at, then up at her face. There is also no fear. The littles go scampering around under the adults' feet.

That must be wonderful to see.

 

[BY Bob]

I like the video and agree with Bob that hydrogen peroxide is not great to use.
Bandaging for bumblefoot should help the chicken keep weight off the infected area. So you need to create a ring/donut with the abscess in the hole in the middle.
Then the bandaging is to keep the ring in place and to cover the open area of the foot to keep it clean.
I am attaching a link to the first post in a thread that has some good pictures of the ring/donut approach. Look at post #3 and #8 and I think you will get the idea.
The creator of that thread used a slice of pipe insulation which I think is genius!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bumblefoot-cure.915880/

In full transparency my foot bandaging experience is not actually bumblefoot but was similar in that I had to bandage a 'prosthesis' in the form of a boot onto Bernadette's foot when she was tiny. Instead of a boot you will be using a pipe insulation donut.

A few general words about bandaging - you are probably already familiar as you say you are good with bandaging. But just in case:
- Vet wrap is great but it does come off so keep a close eye
- Don't use red vet wrap - like in the video blue is great on chickens
- Cut many strips ahead of time - some narrower than the roll of vet wrap
- Don't try to achieve too much with one strip - my guess is you will need a couple of strips to keep the donut attached to the bottom of the foot and another to cover it over
- Try and make sure the toes are in a more-or-less natural position - particularly the back toe is easy to overlook
- Always check the foot in the bandage an hour or so after to check that the toes are still warm because your biggest danger is cutting off circulation by wrapping too tight.
- Change out the bandaging daily if you can - you will need to do that anyway as you should be soaking and using the drawing salve every day. Patience is key!

Good luck!

very valuable add ons. Thanks RC