Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

Shall I add my Chicken Drama to the growing pool? I was one short, one of a pair that are besties and molting, DH and I spent 1 1/2hrs scouring the field, all the books and crannies. We checked under the trailer multiple times. The last time, just as we were giving up and heading down to bring my mother up for dinner, I caught a flash of not quite the right colour for rust. Perched on the axel snuggled against the tire there she was. I have to do laundry now... as extricating her involved squirming through the “mud” (cow poo) under the trailer. Everyone is safe, but my heart was quite heavy for a time thinking I had lost her.

It's hard not to panic and then hit the misery button.

 

[BY Bob]

The things I learn over and over.

By mid day Mel was looking depressed. Despite the door being open she didn’t show any signs of wanting to go out. She was eating, but looking very much as many moulting hens do; just flat and uncomfortable. The wounds I believe are a minor problem but combined with the moult they sum to greater than their individual parts.
Mid afternoon Treacle arrives and this at least generated a bit of life into Mel but nothing exceptional.

I decided to shell some walnuts partly to see if this would encourage Mel out of the house. Treacle was on it immediately and after I had done a couple Mel took a few tentative steps outside. Once out, there was a noticeable improvement in her demeanor. She was more alert, ate grass and scratched up some grit and bugs and went to shelter under the blackthorn bush. coming over to the house a couple of times for pieces of walnut.
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I could hear the rest of Tribe 1 heading slowly towards the house. One second Mel was under the bush and the next running full tilt to join her tribe at the back of the main house. Lots of clucking and herding shuffles by Cillin and no sign of nay problems.
Mel behind the main house happy to be with her tribe.
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About ten minutes later the whole tribe arrived and moved into the house. The transformation in Mel was astounding. She became alert, got next to Fat Bird and close to Cillin and groomed.
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Grooming has been for me a major sign of a recovery. Mel even groomed a bit under the wing with the infected puncture wound.

The acid test came at supper time. Tribe 1 get their treat food then. Mel was in the thick of it as she should be, driving off any juniors that got close.
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She’s gone home tonight with the rest of her tribe. Tonight is going to be the coldest night of the year so far; +1C if the weather people are right. While delighted to see Mel’s attitude improve and to see her head home with her tribe, I was a bit concerned about the cold.
I shouldn’t have worried. When I checked Tribe 1‘s coop Mel had her infected side squeezed up against Fat Bird and her other side against the coop wall. There is a noticeable gap between Fat Bird and I think that’s Fudge. This is no accident. Fat Bird is helping to keep Mel warm and the other away from her.
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I read over and over on BYC the advice that you should isolate a sick or injured chicken and I wonder each time I don’t take that advice if I’m doing the right thing. Gloria my vet and those who know about chickens here tell only isolate if absolutely necessary. Today once again I’ve witnessed the wisdom of their words.



It is true that an isolated chicken is easier to treat but the cost in recovery time it seems is considerable.

Yep, getting the antibiotics into her will be more difficult while she’s out and about and yes there is always the risk that a predator identifies her as a weak chicken. But, there is no doubt in my mind that the extra speed of recovery and the protection of the tribe far outweighs these inconveniences and risks.

Fabulous post. Great news and something for us all to be mindful of when treating our birds.

 

[Shadrach]

Here is my absentee tax for Friday (and an excuse to post fluffy butts!)

Lucy
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Charlie
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Tegan
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River
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Nyssa
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And although I missed capturing it; here is Charlie after Nyssa had kicked wood shavings all over her.

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Great set of pictures.

 

[Shadrach]

So glad that Mel seems to be on the road to recovery. Keep it up Chicken Whisperer!

(I was going to say "bucket boy" but it seemed just a tad disrespectful considering the sterling job you are doing. )

I have no delusions of grandure, or importance, Bucket Boy is fine..

 

[BY Bob]

I don't think I know how to refresh a page on my phone. I will investigate.

What kind of phone?

 

[goldenfingers]

Woops! . No criticism meant goldenfingers.
Your coop looks well maintained and roomy. Having the girls out and about would limit the poo build up too.

Now, if you kept a cow in there you might have trouble keeping it smell free!


Yes, I was thinking of Patsy and Lilly when I posted.

@goldenfingers coop is of an entirely different order. It looks much more civilized than what you described ByBob. The chooks get free range time too!

Good thing no criticism was intended, because none was taken here (edit: by that I mean no offense was taken). But you can see my dilemma with the cow.

 

[RoyalChick]

No he won't. Challenges do happen. I don't know the flock well enough to come to any worthwhile conclusion except Lilly is boss.

She sure is!

 

[Shadrach]

I think the isolate advice is because most people aren’t keeping their birds in the same manner as you. In an enclosed run with less hiding spaces, without Roosters, it creates an entirely different dynamic. Boredom or competition for pecking order squabbles would target a sick or injured bird. And many keepers are less in tune with their birds and may miss subtle signs of illness or worsening condition.

Could be. It seems a standard response even on the chicken medical sites.

 

[Shadrach]

I don't think I know how to refresh a page on my phone. I will investigate.

Hold it upside down and shake.

 

[RoyalChick]

What kind of phone?

It is an iPhone but not a very new one. 7 maybe?