Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Oh dear. I am sorry. Maggie delivered two of these - that was now just over 2 weeks ago. She hasn't laid anything since, and so far is acting normally (well she is molting so not looking her best). Two weeks ago the vet offered to euthanize her and said the outcome is rarely good (including with surgery). But I thought I would wait until she is acting poorly before taking the vet up on his offer. So far she is still enjoying her chicken-ey life. Hey, it is only 2 weeks, but it has been a happy 2 weeks.

There was another, larger one in the nest this morning. That makes 3 That I've noticed so far.

She is still acting like her usual self though and is looking good.

I’m so sorry you and @Aussie-Chookmum are both going through this too. Lash eggs are nasty business. I’m fairly certain that was what took Croppy as well. Tippie lasted about 6 months after she laid one as well. Croppy was almost 3 years old. That’s seems to be the way all the Production red hens I have go. But yes, by all means give them as much time as you can while they are still somewhat comfortable. And I’m glad you have a vet available to make the end as quick and painless as possible. I’m really wishing I had access to a vet, or could convince one to at least prescribe me some antibiotics...

Thank you Kris. If I hadn't found the lash eggs I would never know there was a problem.

As long they are happy going about their chickeny business I'm happy to let them. ❤

 

[Grammy60]

So I took Tegan to see Dr Kevin after work today. I got home and thought she sounded a bit more like herself, but when I gave her a blueberry, she made high-pitched noises that sounded between a cough and a sneeze. So I popped her in the pet carrier and took her the surgery, the one 25 minutes away, not 5 minutes away. We got straight in and Dr Kevin listened to her lungs and looked down her throat. He thought she doesn’t have fluid on her lungs but might have an inflammation in her throat. He didn’t think antibiotics or anti-inflammatories were necessary, but I just need to watch her over the next couple of days. When I got home she chowed down on the layer feed and wandered around for a bit before settling into bed.

View attachment 2372603

Tegan says “Thanks for thinking of me, everyone!” ❤

Awww such a pretty girl, will continue to keep her in my prayers that's great she ate and is acting normal

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

it never gets easier @featherhead007 But luckily, having to help, it is not something that comes up often. I lost Croppy on Saturday, but I let her go with her flock. Sammy is still quite upset that she is gone. Once these rescues are gone I am done with the really high production breeds, it is too heartbreaking to me. She was looking down the last several days and hadn’t laid an egg all year. She was still eating and roosting with the flock, I thought it kinder to let her pass on with them, but had decided that if she didn’t I would help her out in the morning.

Sorry to hear about Croppy Kris.

She had a much better quality of life with you than in that mite infested coop. I don't suppose it has been struck by lightning yet by any chance?

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Oh no! I’m sorry to read (and see) this.

So sorry to hear ACM!

Thanks guys. ❤

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I feel terrible, I accidentally hurt Tegan!

The flies have got really bad in the last couple of days and I noticed there some more really mucky butts. So I thought I would clip the yucky feathers at night whilst they are more compliant, like I have done in the past. I did both the salmons without incident, then I got Tegan. I stick a towel over their head and body so they can’t flap, but Tegan kept trying to back out. I held her to stop her doing it and on the third time, I must have somehow compressed her crop when she had her head down as she made this horrible rattling cough. I took the towel off and she’s got her beak open, and it’s wet. I yell for hubby to come out with his phone and get him to look up ‘aspirating chickens’ (I think he ended up on BYC). Tegan is still rattling and coughing, but she seemed to calm down and closed her beak. She still sounded slightly rattle-y as I gently put her back into bed, but she was obviously breathing as she hadn’t passed out and hadn’t coughed for about five minutes.

I feel really sick. I was trying to do the right thing and prevent her from getting fly-blown and I nearly suffocated her! I will cross everything that she is ok in the morning.

Oh dear. It's dreadful when that happens. You feel like the worst person in the world.

When I was clipping the mats out of my cat's fur years ago I accidentally nicked her and the skin opened up like torn cling wrap. She needed stitches. She' fine now but I feel your pain.

How was she today?

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

But still, The nightmares, feelings of guilt and sorrow, still remain!

They do! But try to focus on the good times with your flock and the support that you've given them. I'm sure there is more of that than you realize and it will get easier over time.

The sad truth is that every life comes to an end and we are all likely to out live our chickens. Focus on the time you had with them and the joy you bring each other, it is a longer time than the parting.

Go easy on yourself. You can only do your best.

 

[LozzyR]

Awww such a pretty girl, will continue to keep her in my prayers that's great she ate and is acting normal

Thanks Grammy! I feel better for having taken her.

 

[LozzyR]

Oh dear. It's dreadful when that happens. You feel like the worst person in the world.

When I was clipping the mats out of my cat's fur years ago I accidentally nicked her and the skin opened up like torn cling wrap. She needed stitches. She' fine now but I feel your pain.

How was she today?

I posted about our little trip to see Dr Kevin. She seemed better this evening.

Your poor kitty! You feel just awful, don’t you!

 

[BY Bob]

OMG, this cracked me up as much as the first time I saw it!!!

I laugh everytime. I can't stop watching it.!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

So I took Tegan to see Dr Kevin after work today. I got home and thought she sounded a bit more like herself, but when I gave her a blueberry, she made high-pitched noises that sounded between a cough and a sneeze. So I popped her in the pet carrier and took her the surgery, the one 25 minutes away, not 5 minutes away. We got straight in and Dr Kevin listened to her lungs and looked down her throat. He thought she doesn’t have fluid on her lungs but might have an inflammation in her throat. He didn’t think antibiotics or anti-inflammatories were necessary, but I just need to watch her over the next couple of days. When I got home she chowed down on the layer feed and wandered around for a bit before settling into bed.

View attachment 2372603

Tegan says “Thanks for thinking of me, everyone!” ❤

Well that is hopeful. Thanks for the update! Go Tegan!

I posted about our little trip to see Dr Kevin. She seemed better this evening.

Your poor kitty! You feel just awful, don’t you!

Oh yes, like you have failed in your duty of care and are a vile betrayer to animal kind! It's a dreadful feeling and the shame....oh the shame.

But we all make mistakes. The trick is to learn from them and try not to make them again. ❤ (Belle gets clipped by the vet once a year now, I won't do it!)