Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Can bumblefoot be like a person's root canal infection, and have chambers of trouble that sometimes don't clear out? So could an internal pocket of the bumblefoot infection never have completely healed, and now is acting up

This is likely what has happened. There is a pocket of infection in the foot that has not cleared up. The antibiotic she has is not killing the bacteria and his body is holding it at bay but also can't clear it. Draining it can give the body the assistance it needs to finish off the infection. If nothing else it will give him relief. Hopefully the antibiotics get there soon.

 

[RoyalChick]

I have looked up this ichthammol ointment and purchased some “Prid”online (it contains this as an active ingredient) I have heard of using this on bumblefoot to draw out the plug and infection. Do you think I should apply it to the top of the foot?

Yes, the warmish water for soaking it has not gone over well at all. The lack of a lesion or a clear boil near the surface is what is holding me back from attempt lance it. I really need those antibiotics ASAP. I am thinking of maybe increasing the dose of the enrofloxacin while I wait on the amoxy Tyl? Even the drawing salve isn’t due to arrive until the end of December through January 16th. (Just ordered it!)

This is my third bumblefoot issue... fourth if you count Dean’s but that started after poor Roostie’s, and the previous two cleared up quickly with just a little soaking and removal of the infection plug. Dean didn’t even need soaked!.

I could get a new syringe (I know they have some on the farm) and I have some 22 needles from my vet as I got lots of extras when I was giving Whisper subcutaneous fluids. I had just been dealing with ascites and “draining“ Puffy, and it seemed like a wise decision with the opportunity there. I think I could give a needle aspiration a go more easily than trying to lance it. The infection seems fairly deep. DH hates needles and that could complicate things, I really wish I just had a vet... maybe I can book him in with my cat’s vet as a “parrot”? If only my vet didn’t know me so well...

Could you make him a hammock/sling to help with the foot soaking?

 

[RoyalChick]

We Survived

All are safe. The storm under performed. We had some dry air sneak in around 9:00 pm that helped keep the levels down.

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Everyone is hanging out in the coop because the evil snow blew its way into the run. I'll throw some straw down for them today. Big babies.
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They keep being startled by song birds flying past the front window. It's funny and yet I feel bad for them being constantly startled.

I love the strategy of eating out of the top of the food bucket!

 

[member 592157]

We Survived

All are safe. The storm under performed. We had some dry air sneak in around 9:00 pm that helped keep the levels down.

View attachment 2452711

Everyone is hanging out in the coop because the evil snow blew its way into the run. I'll throw some straw down for them today. Big babies.
View attachment 2452712

They keep being startled by song birds flying past the front window. It's funny and yet I feel bad for them being constantly startled.

We got about 9 inches. It's still only 17 degrees here! I decided not let my chickens out into their uncovered run bc I was afraid they'd get stuck they aren't fond of snow anyway.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

29" here.

 

[RoyalChick]

What are the storm reports @CrazyChookChookLady and @RoyalChick ?

It underperformed a little here too - not 2' but well over 1' and it is still snowing. It was very windy so there are snow drifts in their runs and they are sensibly showing no interest in going out there.
A little bit of snow blew in through the ventilation spaces but it feels nice and wind free in there and they all seem happy. It is tonight I worry about as it goes down to 9 degrees F, but feeling a bit reassured by how they snuggled together last night.

 

[member 592157]

29" here.View attachment 2452750

I have cousin's in NY. They always laugh when we get snow. "We got 9 inches!" "Haha that's pitiful we got 3 feet!"

 

[RoyalChick]

29" here.View attachment 2452750
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Oh boy that is a lot. My neighbor hasn't got round to ploughing me out yet so I just waded out to the Chicken Palace to bring unfrozen water and am now warming up inside. Hopefully it will stop snowing soon.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Update: Good news and sad news, I found one lone hen, there were only one or two chicken tracks in the snow, and she was hiding in a storage building that had holes to the outside. Judicious use of the plastic snow fencing I brought, and blocking the holes, and I nabbed her after one failed try. Both hands holding her down, then the "tuck and grab the legs" move which I practiced with the Buckeyes today, it worked perfectly! As soon as I had her under my own wing she calmed down.

Apparently two groups of people had come already and got the chickens, including the rooster. So the flock is split up, but I think at least one family will be a good home. Don't know about the other.

She is in the cat carrier here in the car and eating and drinking like all get out as we speak. I left her and went back out to look for any other chickens or signs of them. She's probably eaten a good 1/3 to 1/2 cup of high protein all-flock already. Just discovered the water dish too. Drinking a lot. Thought to let her settle down and do that before traveling. Hope that's okay!

What about this hen? I wonder about keeping her myself, eventually integrating with the Buckeyes? What will they do? She will be odd hen out in appearance. Finding out where the other part of the flock went and returning her to them? That might be possible. I've named her Queenie already.

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I'd totally keep her and after quarantine add her to your flock. I adore my buff!!!

This is Goldie, my lead hen. She's one of my roginal 6, she'll be 4 in the spring.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Just need to have a rant - I'll hide it under a spoiler...

Spoiler: Caution - rant ahead!

This year I started donating to a hen rescue charity in my state. They're wanting to buy a property so that they can house all the chickens that they rescue. I also donate to one of the large animal welfare charities (not naming names as this is a public forum), which I have on and off for a couple of decades.

I saw this video last night of the hen rescue people desperately trying to save hens in a deplorable condition on a battery farm, and officers of the large charity were standing around laughing and joking, completely disinterested in trying to save any of the hens, no attempts to rescue any of them, in fact the CEO told the officers to 'just get rid of them'. There is even their own bodycam footage of their "vet" casually breaking the neck of a poor hen in a not so quick and painless manner.

I am completely done with the large charity. I immediately cancelled my donations and I have funneled them towards the rescue charity instead. It was shocking how callous the officers were and completely disinterested in actual animal welfare. I'm not trying to turn everyone into radicalised activists; I'm just venting as I'm still angry about what I saw. However, if anyone wants to PM me about which charities they are, I will gladly tell you.

We will now return to your regularly scheduled day. [/RANT OFF]

Oh that's just terribly upsetting. I would do the exact same thing you did.