Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

It certainly can be quite frustrating when we have no idea what is wrong, so don't really know what to do to help other than trying to make sure they eat something and stay hydrated. I do hope she recovers!

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Butters the enforcer? Or is it Hazel?





Oh, is that the treadle feeder in the back? That looks really big (bigger than I thought!) You did say you got the medium, correct? I am going to have to get on the schtick and get a couple! I will have to build a platform/base with a supported back for them, so they are up off the bedding and on solid/level ground. yours doesn't look like it is screwed in to a wall - I thought the directions said it should be. Does bungie cording it work okay? If so, maybe just a pallet and a bungie will work.

Thanks for your good thoughts!
Hazel is the enforcer; Butters is next in the pecking order, then Popcorn.

Yes, it's the Medium, and I just ordered another one, and the new ones are slightly different but about the same size I think. 18-19 inches tall. Yes it has worked okay bungie'd, but it is bungie'd to welded wire and the overall the vibration of opening and closing and the wire probably flexing a bit causes some shift on the pavers which I corrected once a week or so.

The pavers (12x12, one under the feeder and one in front for the treadle) actually are on run bedding, wood chips and stuff. It firms up with the pressing weight. I had it bungee'd to a small tree over in the summer run area, covered with a piece of polycarbonate roofing, but still sitting on a 12x12 paver and with a paver in front, both pavers on the soil, and it did not move at all. I'm getting a second one so a feeder will be in both locations - the stretch between the two runs is netted but not weather-proof, and on a rainy day they hung out for a few hours without a feeder in the winter run because they were total wimps about going across even in light rain. These Buckeyes do not risk a bad hair day feather day because of rain! The servant donned raingear and dutifully moved it to their preferred quarters.

The new version doesn't screw into a wall on a block of wood but has a "Z-bracket" which you can screw into wood and then hang the feeder on the long lip of the "Z". Seems more handy/easy for cleaning removal. The guy is sending a second Z bracket for my first feeder, and I will be installing two 2'x4'x40" across the winter run's "studs" (roof supports), one to hang it on and one to stabilize against the lower back.

I'm not seeing how one pallet could work, but three pallets piled up and tied together would make a reasonable wall (of the pallet edges) you could bungie it to. Or a pallet on it's edge against another pallet flat, with corner bracing, and the feeder against the back of it (triangle facing away from the feeder).

The feeder doesn't have to be perfectly level front to back, but you want the treadle to bottom out solidly on something. So for me, the feeder won't really be hanging in the air, but hanging while sitting on the paver, and so that the front paver is about the same level. Chickens can get used to a floating treadle (he has videos of that from users) but it's a lot harder for them, their legs are moving with each peck. Lots of times the Buckeyes step on the treadle with one foot and keep the other foot on the paver. Sometimes I see them with both feet on it.

 

[BY Bob]

Eyesight is great, EXCEPT it’s painful to focus on small print. But I can see distances for miles and miles

I'm glad to hear it's coming around for you post surgery.

 

[BY Bob]

Eye tax

This little brat pecked my eye under my glasses! Their eyesight targeting is amazingly fabulous! She went right for the target behind the side of my glasses, and plucked some bottom eye lashes from my eye.
View attachment 3558175

How adorable. No regret in that face!

 

[BY Bob]

Cholo in all his glory, snapped this at the end of a long crow.View attachment 3558213

That's one handsome fellow.

 

[notabitail]

Congratulations on 15500 pages @BY Bob !

 

[micstrachan]

Speaking of that, I've been meaning to ask opinions/input. I'm doing my annual 'check the chicken first aid kit' (for full stocking & to replace anything that may have expired)

Below is what it contains - any suggestions? @BY Bob @RoyalChick @Ponypoor (and anyone else who has some knowledge/experience in this area! (list is in no particular order, btw)
Rubbing alcohol (used to sterilize things - before and after)
Hydrogen Peroxide
Betadine
Alcohol Wipes (in case I need to sterilize something on the fly)
Blue Kote
Drawing Salve
Coconut oil
Epsom salt
Essential oils (therapeutic grade): (these have other general health benefits - listed are just for 'first-aid purposes)
Lavender (antiseptic antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory)
Rosemary (anti-inflammatory)
Peppermint (anti-fungal, anti-viral)
Clove (anti-microbial, numbing agent (for pain)
Oregano (anti-bacterial, possible anti-inflammatory)
Note: these can't be used 'straight', I use coconut oil as a carrier oil.
Sm container of ant-acid tablets ( for quick calcium)
B-vit. Complex
Scissors, Tweezers, Toe Nail Clippers, Metal nail file
Q-tips
gauze pads (sterile - assorted sizes) & rolled gauze
Single use super glue packages
wound sealer (basically, a powder used for severely bleeding wounds - I bought a set for my first aid kit and put 1 in the chicken's )
sm. container of corn starch
triple anti-biotic ointment
vet wrap (lots!, ha, ha)
water-proof tape
scalpel & sterile blades
tongue depressors & popsicle sticks
Anti-bacterial hand wipes
disposable gloves
a few bandaids (such as knuckle ones) and some steri-strips
'Suture' kit (100% cotton thread, curved needle & straight needle)
Magnifying glass (my eyes are getting bad)

Low dose Aspirin, liquid children's ibuprofen
pedialyte, nutri-drench. + my own mix of powdered electrolytes (that I usually add honey to when I mix up)

Chicken wash cloth
[All of the above are in a small plastic tool box I can take with me]


Not in the kit, but also available:
Human amoxicillin
Chicken towels
A 5-pack of dog pee pads (great to use when doing something messy - clean up easier!)

Dish pan ( to soak feet, etc. JUST FOR CHICKEN USE)
Plastic dog crate for isolation if needed
Permethrin (just have what was left (lots!) from last year's mite offense)

I think that is everything I have (though I might have missed something - I'm doing it from memory)

Is there anything glaring I am missing? something you find helpful I should consider?


I know @BY Bob recommends having baytril on hand - ?do I need this since I have amoxicillin (i.e. are there times I should use one instead of the other?)

Note: I use pumpkin seeds for worming!

Thank you for any helpful input!

Edited to add: Yes, I have a hair dryer available, also - Thanks @featherhead007 !

I think I got through all of these and the replies. Nitrile gloves are great, in case someone didn’t already get that. Also, a heat source, like a low watt pet heating pad that does not shut off. Did anyone add vet wrap and sterile medical pads?

 

[Ponypoor]

Up and getting going here, no crowing this morning, I noted this yesterday also (oh spoke too soon hahaha). But since I moved the youngsters to the Summer House less crowing.

 

[Ponypoor]

Yes in both eyes

Oh that’s great! So very very glad you have both eye done it makes such a difference

 

[Ponypoor]

Cholo in all his glory, snapped this at the end of a long crow.View attachment 3558213

Hey Cholo handsome boy

 

[Ponypoor]

Thanks for your good thoughts!
Hazel is the enforcer; Butters is next in the pecking order, then Popcorn.

Yes, it's the Medium, and I just ordered another one, and the new ones are slightly different but about the same size I think. 18-19 inches tall. Yes it has worked okay bungie'd, but it is bungie'd to welded wire and the overall the vibration of opening and closing and the wire probably flexing a bit causes some shift on the pavers which I corrected once a week or so.

The pavers (12x12, one under the feeder and one in front for the treadle) actually are on run bedding, wood chips and stuff. It firms up with the pressing weight. I had it bungee'd to a small tree over in the summer run area, covered with a piece of polycarbonate roofing, but still sitting on a 12x12 paver and with a paver in front, both pavers on the soil, and it did not move at all. I'm getting a second one so a feeder will be in both locations - the stretch between the two runs is netted but not weather-proof, and on a rainy day they hung out for a few hours without a feeder in the winter run because they were total wimps about going across even in light rain. These Buckeyes do not risk a bad hair day feather day because of rain! The servant donned raingear and dutifully moved it to their preferred quarters.

The new version doesn't screw into a wall on a block of wood but has a "Z-bracket" which you can screw into wood and then hang the feeder on the long lip of the "Z". Seems more handy/easy for cleaning removal. The guy is sending a second Z bracket for my first feeder, and I will be installing two 2'x4'x40" across the winter run's "studs" (roof supports), one to hang it on and one to stabilize against the lower back.

I'm not seeing how one pallet could work, but three pallets piled up and tied together would make a reasonable wall (of the pallet edges) you could bungie it to. Or a pallet on it's edge against another pallet flat, with corner bracing, and the feeder against the back of it (triangle facing away from the feeder).

The feeder doesn't have to be perfectly level front to back, but you want the treadle to bottom out solidly on something. So for me, the feeder won't really be hanging in the air, but hanging while sitting on the paver, and so that the front paver is about the same level. Chickens can get used to a floating treadle (he has videos of that from users) but it's a lot harder for them, their legs are moving with each peck. Lots of times the Buckeyes step on the treadle with one foot and keep the other foot on the paver. Sometimes I see them with both feet on it.

I had wondered about those feeders then saw one at Peavey Mart last winter, I almost picked one up but I was afraid of one of the Silkies getting clobbered by they lid shutting!