Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

I've jumped a lot of posts. Sorry people. I probably wont catch up on all the threads.
Meanwhile.
First picture, Nolia on the left and Bracket on the right.

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I haven't got many decent pictures of Hinge. I'm not sure why that is. Maybe because when I do get her close, I'm fixing her up from the latest Hawk strike.
She's survived three now.
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Rivit. She's just starting to assert her place in the tribe. She's Lock's sister.View attachment 2449432

Rivit has unmistakable gold flecks through her feathers, but only on her front half! She's quite unusual.

 

[LozzyR]

Mine is a 40 minute drive away, longer if the traffic is against us. I have found the consults well worth the effort, the money and the effort to make the money in the first place. Very reassuring.

My strategy is to schedule early morning appointments. That way I can scoop the patient off the roost the night before and put her in a travelling compartment lined with a soft towel. Sometimes I use a picnic basket, sometimes I use a cat box. The patient spends the night contained then off we go. The early appointment means she's out of her box sooner.

The other thing is to take two to the vet at the same time so they have each other for reassurance. Sometimes the chicken chatter in the car is delightful. And the other chicken might as well have a proper check up while she's there.

That's all I can think of, except to say good luck. I hope you can form a good ongoing relationship with one of the vets.

Our vets work at two different clinics; one five minutes drive and the other 25 minutes. I’ve been slightly resenting the 25 minute trip, but after hearing trip times of 40 minutes or an hour, I should probably pull my head in.

 

[MaryJanet]

Our vets work at two different clinics; one five minutes drive and the other 25 minutes. I’ve been slightly resenting the 25 minute trip, but after hearing trip times of 40 minutes or an hour, I should probably pull my head in.

If the veterinary support is good, I wouldn't be put off by a drive even if it was a couple of hours, although I might whinge about it.

 

[LozzyR]

Observations - grooming

Has anyone noticed if there is an order for grooming, ie those lower in the pecking order groom those who are higher, or vice versa? Or is it free-for-all? I just noticed Tegan grooming River’s beard and she’s higher in the pecking order.

 

[BY Bob]

I've been given two possible leads for vets who at least will see chickens, about 1 hour away. I'll have to follow up.

Best of luck. I hope you find a good one.

 

[Kris5902]

Still a great picture. I've had those nights too recently. They are tough. Hopefully you can sleep tonight.

I did one better and fell back asleep at about 6:30 to 7am, but then I slept in until 10. The chickens were not impressed, at all. But I did get a few more pictures as at least the weather cleared up a bit by the time I woke up.

My Isbar ladies Tiny, who is molting, Precious who has just mostly finished molting, and Speckles (Teensie in the background is the Sapphie)

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you for encouragement. I really am very tempted. I don't have to decide until January but of course I have spent every spare minute Googling those kinds of chickens to see if they will fit well into my little family in the Palace!

You know everyone here is a bunch of enablers so try to remember that. You certainly have enough room and if it is something you think would be enjoyable, you have to consider it.

 

[MaryJanet]

Thank you for encouragement. I really am very tempted. I don't have to decide until January but of course I have spent every spare minute Googling those kinds of chickens to see if they will fit well into my little family in the Palace!

I'm less inclined to worry about breeds because each chicken has her own character anyway. But I think it might be wise to choose chicks with greater genetic diversity. So if he has any bitzers, I'd snap them up.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Yeah our vets are mostly small animal ~ though as we border country they do some large animal too, mostly horses & goats. They are pretty clueless about chickens though the lady I usually see keeps chickens herself, she just doesn't know much about them.

My present cats are Ragdoll Xs & they hate the vet & flatten themselves in the carrier & push their not inconsiderable weight down. Last time the vet said she had to remove Marlow ~ yard by yard... It was like reeling in a dead whale!!! Luckily my Big Boy is also very placid.

Yard by yard is a perfect description! Calvin was always reluctant to leave the carrier. Big Boy is our current kitty resident's name too! He is different, an oddball in that he wants to get out and explore as soon as we get into the exam room, up on the countertops and everything.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Also, since it’s already Monday for some of you, here is a Monday Mugshot! (compliments of Minnie)
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I don't know chickens very well, is Minnie a Buckeye? Or a related breed? How old is she? I see the side wattles starting on my pullets now (five months old).