Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Desertvalleychickens]

The flock this evening!

 

[featherhead007]

Was a difficult decision for tonight. Who is coming in the house with me tonight?
Eenie meenie minie, Bo .. yah BoPeeps, the perfect candidate she’s loving, quiet and I have neglected her lately (Jaffar is the boyfriend)

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I am way behind, still have to read Tuesday through today. And have several things I want to post about, but this post is dedicated to Miss Z. Ironically it is “Pony Sunday”, the day we post about the other animals besides chickens that we love. This will be a long, sad post.

We don’t expect Miss Z to make it through the night. For the past three weeks we have been doing everything we can for her. Unfortunately what we originally thought was just an injured front leg turned out to be a parasitic infection that got into her central nervous system. We were unaware that there is a worm that is common in whitetail deer that uses snails as part of its lifecycle, and we are overrun with both. When llamas accidentally ingest the snails (or vegetation that they have been in and left the parasitic larva on), they make their way to the spinal cord. It causes lameness and weakness in the hind end, and progresses to cause lots of other issues.

There are treatments that are frequently successful if caught early enough and if the animal is otherwise healthy. We had taken her to a vet when she started limping, but like with chickens there are very few vets that know much about llamas and the ones that will agree to treat them are usually just large animal/livestock vets with limited experience with camelids. It wasn’t until almost two weeks after the initial symptoms that I called the person who comes to shear her every year to get advice, both because it was over the July 4th holiday and the vet was closed for four days, and also because I know she has had llamas for almost 25 years. She is the one who helped me figure out the real issue, and gave me advice on how to treat her.

We have been doing all we can, but she has been unable to stand for six days. She had started to show a little more control of her tail the past two days, and could move her legs a little with assistance. But even with appetite stimulants and trying to yemot her with mashed and treat this past week she wasn’t eating enough and also became dehydrated. With the horrible heat we have been having she needs more guide than normal, not less, and she has gotten too weak to keep fighting.

We had made the decision that as long as she still seemed alert, still acted like she wanted to fight, we would do everything we could for her. Today I could tell she was starting to give up. I still have her medication and used our jerky gun to help her eat some mash, just in case she rallied. But tonight when I went to check her one more time before bed she looked like she had been trying to roll over and had her neck twisted at an awkward angle and was barely responsive. So I helped her get rolled over into what looked like a more comfortable position, told her it was ok to go if she was ready, sat with her a little while and then left her in peace. I am hoping she passes peacefully in the night, but if she doesn’t I will make arrangements to help her pass on tomorrow.

We love her very much, and will miss her.

Here she is a few weeks ago, watching the chickens. She seemed to really enjoy them and would frequently watch them or sleep in front of their coop on guard duty.
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I’m so sorry. I remember your lovely posts about her and the companion she had.

 

[ManueB]

I am not convinced either way with this one (nor the right chick of he 2 black ones)

I would really need to see a clear shot of their tail feathers and saddle feathers. For me, that is a really good indicator (especially for pea type combs, but I still use it for all comb types - even straight combs as a definitive guide for 'late bloomers. The feathers don't lie.)

That said, I would give it another 1-2 weeks. Though, with that many roos, you could have a 'late bloomer' that is keeping his identity secret.

Feathers aren't that clear for now, at least for me. If I manage to get some shots while they nap I'll post them.

Regarding the pullet - she is free ranging with your other chickens, yes? Or at least they can see each other? If so, I would think she will integrate fine. That said, she will be the lowest until lay - and will have to fight to move up (if she will ) after that.

If you don't want/need another pullet - I'm sure someone who takes a roo will appreciate another hen, too.

They are all very lovely!

I'm not great on sexing so I won't weigh in on that. I have a lot of integration experience. I find it is always best to do pairs as they have someone to hang out with until they are integrated.

It would be helpful to know how you are keeping them right now. Do they mix with the other chickens now or are you keeping them completely separate? Can they see each other if they are separate? Anything else you can tell me about any interactions with the others would be helpful.

My chickens have a yard delimited by netting , and some of the chickens can cross it. The chicks chose to stay mostly out of the yard, so they do frequent a lot more the adults that also cross the netting : Piou-piou, Léa, Merle, Kara and Nieva. They all roost in the same coop and sometimes during the day, the chicks go inside the chicken yard with the other adults, but usually for a very short time. So while they all know each other quite well, I would not say they are integrated. Gaston did try to mate the female chick once .
We certainly would like to keep her, but I don't want to if it makes her miserable.

I am not sure about the no need to be careful because they will be dinner anyway.
It is a lot of trouble to go to just to have the bird die of infection a few days later.
My understanding is that capon meat was quite prized so presumably commanded a higher price.

Stuffed Capon is still eaten as a traditional meal in France for Christmas though it's getting more rare, Bresse Capon especially. It's expensive. I ate some once and it's...very fat. The cockerels are not under anesthesia and it's pretty controversial how painful it is for them.

 

[Ponypoor]

The flock this evening!
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Awwww babies

Everyone looks awesome

 

[BY Bob]

What on earth is he doing with 20 dozen eggs every couple of weeks? Runs a restaurant? Sells cakes? Has a big appetite? A big family?

That seems personal. Should you even ask?

 

[BY Bob]

Last photo! That is a wonderful set of wattles and a splendid comb!

She is the wattle and comb queen around here.

 

[Ponypoor]

Mr Penne the little brat….

This morning he actually came into my office/feed room and decided the latch onto my foot/ankle and wouldn’t let go!

He did that last night also to Misty when I was trying to get everyone to bed, he hopped down off the roosting ledge and grabbed her by the back and wouldn’t let go, I needed the broom to get him to stop!

He is a devil compared to Mr Rico and Mr P hasn’t done anything with him yet.

 

[BY Bob]

Mr Penne

Tonight he is on the ledge and seems to have fit in with the gang.

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Very good. He will make new friends.

 

[Ponypoor]

That seems personal. Should you even ask?

I wouldn’t ask, but my mum has no boundaries and asks all sort or questions and offers all sorts of personal info - which makes me freak out and get furious!!!

Anywhoooo, I informed my mum the law surrounding selling eggs “at the farm gate”.

Once I sell those eggs they are out of sight out of mind!

….now of I can only get enough eggs together for him!