Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

That is also the question we had (later after we got home). The vet never really explained the whole picture. He said that the food paste (link) that we tube feed her will be good at keep flushing stuff down her track since it has a good consistency, in addition to a nutrient balanced meal.

He also said that she can eat other stuff if she wants to.

It seems that he thinks tube feeding is easy and did not think that our newbies can have a little trouble at first.

I think you are doing wonderfully, and it is likely just as traumatic for you as Light.

If the fluid was coming back up her eosophagus then it is likely that her crop was full, Are you feeling to see how full it is before feeding? Maybe cut the amt in half if she is eating other items.

You're both doing an amazing job with her, not sure I would be so patient or calm!

 

[Ponypoor]

I am well I have been trying to balance learning more without scarring myself silly. Mostly, I am trying to just hit pause till I know more, sometimes thats easier to then others. Normal I think.

The weather is hot and humid. I am thankful we are in a valley and have lots of tree cover. I am also glad the coop and run are very airy lots of windows to catch breezes.

Brownie is still broody, I have just decided to wait her out while removing all eggs often and pulling her off the nest once a day at least. Convincing her there is no rooster so no lore babies are possible falls on deaf ears since it worked the one time and all.

The tweens are integrating more and more. I have noticed that the Big girls primarily reserve their pecks and chasing to the two boys. I feel for them but maybe it will help them to be gentleman when they grow up into big bad Roos. I am trusting the tribe on this. These 4 are so gentle and laid back, I know I have said it before but it still surprises me just how different they are from my OG’s.

Keeping busy with your chooks is a huge help I bet; as for the low key nature - I hear you - my Silkies I first bought were little ladies, very quiet. Then my niece sent me the chicks she hatched for her class (my Grups now), and holy cow! They were maniacs! fighting, flying everywhere, running, jumping! The Silkies were freaked out with them at first. But then those naughty chicks taught my wee Silkies the meaning of being wild things!

It was those chicks that taught my silkies to 'fly' and hop up onto things and get up really high, those naughty ones sure do have a bad influence on the quiet ones haha!

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

Good morning fluffy butts and all!
Here are the chooks today!

 

[bgmathteach]

Thirstyday

Wow, they are taking to the nipple waterers quick!

Mine are a few weeks old before they can use them - but then I also have my waterers elevated with a block underneath (that doesn't extend out beyond the bottom of the waterer) specifically so the rats CAN'T reach them from the ground when standing on their hind legs. It was an attempt to limit the rats - as they need water every day - but, with all the rain we have gotten this late spring into summer - there seems to always be water they can access due to teh rain.

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

Thirstyday

Lovely birds!

 

[lightm]

@lightm how is Light ? And how are your husband and you coping ?

I forgot to say that we are doing well since Light is improving. Our lives have been revolving around her these days... I am happy to learn more about chickens, especially tube feeding.

 

[lightm]

Thirsty Thursday

A sticky muggy morning, not hot but very clammy.

Had a lot of takers for the wild water while cleaning waterers

Marty, Misty, & Petunia
View attachment 3590538

Penne, & Petunia
View attachment 3590539

Penne, Eli-Too, Seagull, Petunia, & Diamond
View attachment 3590540

Marty, Mr P, Misty, & Henny Penny
View attachment 3590541

Butterscotch (Pullet right? ), & Floyd
View attachment 3590542

Butterscotch, Floyd, & Spot (Roo right? )
View attachment 3590543

Spot is Butterscotch’s brother - school chicks

Floyd is the wildest looking chicken I have seen.

 

[bgmathteach]

That makes better sense. Back when we got our first chicks it was 6 and now it's 4. With the local laws limiting the number you can have in suburban places, usually 4, the 6 was a real problem. I would suggest that long term it will be so in Massachusetts as well.

I actually think local limits of 4 is just ridiculous! I really believe you need 3, but 4 is better - for a minimum flock size. So if you are restricted to 4, lose one and the others are elderly - you can only add 1?? You never should add a lone chicken (intentionally ) if possible. But, if you add 2, you are 'over' the limit! Crazy!. I do think the 'purchasing' part should be a min of 3 or 4....but you should be able to have at least 6 chickens. 3 is not a flock, imo (or, bare minimum of a flock, and if all 3 aren't cohesive, it means one is always left out.)

Oh, well. God forbid we make rules that make sense in the big scheme of things. Someone might be upset about the egg song, for pete's sake. Everyone should know where their food comes from. Have to smell a bit of cow poop at times when the wind is 'unfavorable', hear an escort song, or a rooster greeting the day or calling to his ladies, etc. Not that you want it to be excessive...just a mild reminder of all things life and reality.....

 

[lightm]

I am well I have been trying to balance learning more without scarring myself silly. Mostly, I am trying to just hit pause till I know more, sometimes thats easier to then others. Normal I think.

The weather is hot and humid. I am thankful we are in a valley and have lots of tree cover. I am also glad the coop and run are very airy lots of windows to catch breezes.

Brownie is still broody, I have just decided to wait her out while removing all eggs often and pulling her off the nest once a day at least. Convincing her there is no rooster so no lore babies are possible falls on deaf ears since it worked the one time and all.

The tweens are integrating more and more. I have noticed that the Big girls primarily reserve their pecks and chasing to the two boys. I feel for them but maybe it will help them to be gentleman when they grow up into big bad Roos. I am trusting the tribe on this. These 4 are so gentle and laid back, I know I have said it before but it still surprises me just how different they are from my OG’s.

Thinking of you and sending you positive thoughts every day.

 

[lightm]

Strange.
When I tube fed I learned a couple of things: bigger tubes are easier; make the feed really liquid; calculate a volume that you are sure is safe (or smaller than her crop) and give it in one fast plunge.
I still think in your situation I would do a lot of oil and massage as well!

I think you are doing wonderfully, and it is likely just as traumatic for you as Light.

If the fluid was coming back up her eosophagus then it is likely that her crop was full, Are you feeling to see how full it is before feeding? Maybe cut the amt in half if she is eating other items.

You're both doing an amazing job with her, not sure I would be so patient or calm!

Thank you! We are learning these things as we practice! We certainly don't have a bigger tube but will definitely make it more liquidy. The instruction says 45ml of food paste down her throat, but I am thinking that is too much and I will make it less volume tonight.

We got this medicine called Slippery Elm that seems to function like oil. Definitely lots of massage.