Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

You suggested it. His name is Sherlock.

As requested, more pics.View attachment 3595938View attachment 3595939He likes towels, in case you couldn't tell. Castor doesn'tlike him. But is starting to come around. Being in the kitchen for breakfast while Sherlock was stuck in the mud room may have helped. More time needed. Sherlock is also wary of the chickens. He wants to be by my side but is just learning how to go down steps. The stone stairs were a bit much with Whiskey keeping an eye on him. Sherlock went back in the house and cried while I fed the feathered horde.

The Invasion is the same age as Sherlock, I think. 9 weeks....lemme go check calendar, BRB.

Yes! Same age +/- a day. They're feeling grown up, too. They spent the night up on the high roost along side the adults. Jessica spent another night voluntarily off the nest, so I think she's decided being done being broody is a good thing.

2 fersView attachment 3595942Cardhu and a thunder cloud (profile on one or both of them is different, wondering if they'll pop throwback crests)

View attachment 3595943The other pair. Discovered yesterday there are 2 sets running around. Other set headed down while this pair went up.

Sherlock
It would be great if he could grow up respecting the chickens - maybe he will even protect them a little. He looks a bit small for that duty right now!

 

[GregnLety]

This sounds like wonderful news!

So, I know everyone (and every bird) has varying needs for all vitamins and minerals...but you might consider supplementing everyone with a bit of brewer's yeast. Maybe once a day (when able) give them all a wet mash with some brewer's yeast mixed in. Good source of a variety of vitamins and minerals - most of the Bs, some selenium, etc.

Brewer's yeast info

A cumbersome read, but has information on proteins and mineral analysis of Brewer's Yeast. This would be right up @RoyalChick 's alley!!!
https://www.healthaid.co.uk/blogs/news/brewers-yeast-nutritional-yeast
Nutritional info

I started using it with my chickens when I first got ducks. At that time, chick starter feed didn't have enough B's ( forgot which couple are critical!) for baby ducklings. They grow so fast that they need significantly more than baby chicks. So, It was suggested I add brewer's yeast to boost the Bs they needed. I have since just mixed it into everyone's feed - though at a higher rate for chicks and ducklings.

Best of wishes for a speedy and full recovery for your BR girl! You and Lety are so great to/with your animals - they are lucky to have you both!

I believe that Niacin is what ducks need if I remember correctly. We give a wet mash ever evening so adding some brewers yeast wouldn't be difficult. Today I'm going to pick up a bag of feather fixer. After doing a deep dive into the ingredients I see it does contain selenium and I have a few girls that have lost a few feathers to rough treatment from their roosters.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Miss Red Hen

Would you all say her breathing is laboured? I have been worried that she also has ascitis and need her belly drained - she isn’t mouth breathing but I don’t want her to get that bad.

I’m behind, you may have made a decision to help her pass already, but I’ll chime in with what it looks like to me, which may give you some comfort or confidence in whatever you may have decided. Yes, Peanut did this when she was very full of fluid. Maybe a bit faster. But the consistent heaving is not right. You can feel her abdomen and it should be soft and pliable, not full and tight.

The ascites is in pockets, the vet drained Peanut in two places. She was careful where she punctured, and did not go for complete draining to avoid injuring organs. The clarity of the ascites is a clue as to whether it’s tumor or infection…I also found the X-ray sad but affirming as to what was going on, it showed tumor all over. That was before the vet drained her and explained the fluid appearance part, so there were two good indicators of what was going on.

My view is that one is hoping to buy comfortable time with draining. Some chickens can go for weeks between drainings the vet said, my understanding is that the X-ray really only gives you an idea of the tumors, they can carry them for awhile and it’s possible the ascites doesn't build up quickly again. So another clue with Peanut was that she did not get immediate relief and feel great after she was drained, feeling all light again and not funnily weighted, indicated by them having a great time running around (“the zoomies” the vet called it). It took her two days to have a third good day, all the while filling up again, so that by the fourth day she was pretty full and acting worse. Her tumor load was uncomfortable for her, and she had started looking at and raising her right foot a lot, like it felt funny, which was probably the tumors impinging on something.

Hugs to you!

 

[GregnLety]

Yes I am sure she will get her to take her meds.

Oooo new song - Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, the medicine go down……

Yay now that’s stuck in my head ha!

Mom use to pour turpentine on a spoonful of sugar. I believe the story we got was to treat for worms. My kiddos should be glad they never got dosed with turpentine or castor oil.

 

[GregnLety]

That's sad. August is usually our hottest month.

Here too, and we are starting out with a week of 103-104. Only two months of summer remaining...

 

[ChicoryBlue]

This sounds promising to me. How is Butter's eye?

Her left eye is the same, not worse or better. But she is overall worse today, she lingered in the nest box yesterday, then left and joined everyone. But today she has not left it yet . I think I may euthanize her, or have the vet at least come and look at her again. The feedings seemed at firsts to perk her up a bit, but not anymore.

 

[rural mouse]

Sherlock
It would be great if he could grow up respecting the chickens - maybe he will even protect them a little. He looks a bit small for that duty right now!

Best way to start. So far, Whiskey is sounding alerts every time he sees Sherlock. Sherlock backs away and is intimidated. His mom, Luna, ignores the chickens at her place. I'm hoping to encourage that to continue with him.

 

[lightm]

Tuesday twofers

Wendy and poopy

Foxy and Light: walking cross each other.

Light has had empty crop two days in a row! She is doing well. Her comb is better looking. It is still pale due to not laying. She is still growing her tail.

Remember when Light had to wear an apron for no feather? She has beautiful feather now! I do think her hard molt was hard on her body and possibly contributed to her crop issue.

 

[lightm]

Her left eye is the same, not worse or better. But she is overall worse today, she lingered in the nest box yesterday, then left and joined everyone. But today she has not left it yet . I think I may euthanize her, or have the vet at least come and look at her again. The feedings seemed at firsts to perk her up a bit, but not anymore.

I am so sorry to hear that.

Poor Butters.

 

[RoyalChick]

Tuesday twofers

Wendy and poopy
View attachment 3596006

Foxy and Light: walking cross each other.
View attachment 3596010View attachment 3596009View attachment 3596008
View attachment 3596007

Light has had empty crop two days in a row! She is doing well. Her comb is better looking. It is still pale due to not laying. She is still growing her tail.

Remember when Light had to wear an apron for no feather? She has beautiful feather now! I do think her hard molt was hard on her body and possibly contributed to her crop issue.

Love the Fox+Light sequence. And so happy about Light's health.