Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RebeccaBoyd]

I hope I do not upset the apple cart by saying this, but I have not been able to say this for over 8 months now. I only have 1 broody hen, just 1. That is corona and her chicks are 5 weeks old. No girls sitting on eggs, none in the process of being broken up. I have forgotten how that feels. I am sure this will not last long but for the moment I am happy and stress free. I do not know what Momma hen is doing or if she is even laying. Her face and comb are red, but I have not found a egg or even stash of her eggs yet. I am searching daily but so far nothing. If a hen is going to throw a wrench in my lack of broody problems it will be her just wait.

 

[featherhead007]

I knew it, I knew it. I told you all as soon as Raven was done rearing her chicks she would throw her hat in to be top hen. She has officially been done being a momma for about 72 hours now. The decision is still not settled but Squirrel has stepped aside and it is down to Raven and Holly. Neither one are currently backing down. This morning when I fed Raven even pecked her chicks. It is so hard watching the drama and not stepping in to break it up. I have to let this play out for the future stability of the flock. I do not have a favorite. I can already see both girls will rule with an Iron beak. Holly if she wins this right now appears she will be more forceful about her position. Raven right now only delivers the beak if someone does not immediately back away from a glare. You have to be quick about getting out of her way though and she is quick to deliver a peck and rarely misses. The boys are also smart and are staying out of this. They initially tried to break up the hen fights, it earned them a thumping from the girls.

And I remember when Raven was just a little tiny chick

 

[RoyalChick]

I know you used this for Light, to move her crop along?

I know people use it but I am not sure the mechanism of action to be sure that it would work. I will dig around if I get time later today.
One thing I used which you don’t see written about is cellulase. They is the enzyme that breaks down cellulose - which is exactly what you need to get that fibrous stuff outta there!
I found it as a human supplement available on line and researched enough to be sure it was safe. I have no idea if it contributed to the passing of the fibrous grass stuff that eventually came out the other end.
I think this is the one I got. I wanted just cellulase not a whole load of other digestive enzymes thrown in.

PuraDyme Cellulase Individual... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y6RMS23?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[featherhead007]

For anyone who has cats: Today is International Cat Day just FYI
Meow!

 

[RoyalChick]

I know you used this for Light, to move her crop along?

Oh I remember about stool softeners now and why I didn't use them. They act by allowing more water and fat to get absorbed into the waste material. This makes it softer and easier (less painful) for a person to pass.
My experience was with blocked crops and in one case nothing coming out the other end so it wasn't relevant.
But I was also a bit skeptical because it wasn't clear to me that making the stool bulkier and softer would help given chicken (vs human) anatomy.
Your situation may well benefit from a stool softener - though personally I would go with cellulase first (or maybe use both) because it is pretty clear from those poops that she has a lot of fibrous grass tangled up inside her.

 

[BY Bob]

I knew it, I knew it. I told you all as soon as Raven was done rearing her chicks she would throw her hat in to be top hen. She has officially been done being a momma for about 72 hours now. The decision is still not settled but Squirrel has stepped aside and it is down to Raven and Holly. Neither one are currently backing down. This morning when I fed Raven even pecked her chicks. It is so hard watching the drama and not stepping in to break it up. I have to let this play out for the future stability of the flock. I do not have a favorite. I can already see both girls will rule with a Iron beak. Holly if she wins this right now appears she will be more forceful about her position. Raven right now only delivers the beak if someone does not immediately back away from a glare. You have to be quick about getting out of her way though and she is quick to deliver a peck and rarely misses. The boys are also smart and are staying out of this. They initially tried to break up the hen fights, it earned them a thumping from the girls.

An open competition for lead hen must be something to see. I have never had that here. Please keep us informed. I'm fascinated.

 

[BY Bob]

I know people use it but I am not sure the mechanism of action to be sure that it would work. I will dig around if I get time later today.
One thing I used which you don’t see written about is cellulase. They is the enzyme that breaks down cellulose - which is exactly what you need to get that fibrous stuff outta there!
I found it as a human supplement available on line and researched enough to be sure it was safe. I have no idea if it contributed to the passing of the fibrous grass stuff that eventually came out the other end.
I think this is the one I got. I wanted just cellulase not a whole load of other digestive enzymes thrown in.

PuraDyme Cellulase Individual... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y6RMS23?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

That stuff is surprisingly pricey. Ouch! It's in my cart but I don't know........

 

[BY Bob]

For anyone who has cats: Today is International Cat Day just FYI
Meow!

Any excuse for cat photos.

 

[notabitail]

View attachment 3603296View attachment 3603297View attachment 3603298

Any excuse for cat photos.

Have Caturday twice this week I suppose.

 

[lightm]

I know you used this for Light, to move her crop along?

I think it helps to break whatever that is clogging the crop, but it can also help to break stuff up in gizzard?

Here is an article by twocrows. The article is long and compact. If you search for "stool softener", you can find the info right away.

This article is more popular, probably because it's more organized.

Yes, all for crop issues which does not bother Butters, but maybe something to think about.