Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[LozzyR]

I've been putting this post off, but Fat Bird isn't well.
She's lost some control over her legs and balance. She also has lice and did have feather mites.
We have dealt with the mites but the lice are proving to be a bit of a problem.
She's eating well. Walks okay in a straight line but tonight she couldn't balance on the roost bar. I put her in one of the nest boxes.
I'm going to take her to see Gloria (vet) but I'm not feeling very hopefull.
I spent two hours today tackling the lice. They are mainly in areas Fat Bird can't reach with her beak. She not as supple as she was.
I've checked over Mel, Moon, Hurry and Treacle so far and they are mite and lice free so it seems it's just a problem with Fat Bird.
At first I thought it might be an ear infection but they look clean to me and I would have thought that her balance would be affected no matter what direction she walked in.
She still manages to follow the tribe and I've kept both eyes on her throughout the recent days.
I take her to roost in the evenings now, or should I say Cillin and I do.
She's heading for 11 years old and she has had by chicken standards about as good a life as is possible bar not hatching chicks.
I don't think she is suffering judging by how she eats and her reactions to the other hens; she'll still give them a peck if they don't remember their place and hers. Poop is okay. Bums dirty again and I may have to give it a proper wash to help discourage lice.
It's possible that she may have started an egg that has cooked inside her way before it reached the shell making stage and this is putting pressure on a nerve.
This does happen with some older hens I've been told.
Anyway, here she is, still picking the high security spots so her brain is fine. None of the yonger hens are bothering her.View attachment 2558314

Oh no, poor Fat Bird!

 

[Scrambles83]

Before my ISA’s stopped laying we got a few large, wrinkled eggs. Didn’t know at the time it was signaling the end of their laying careers but once they stopped it became clearer why I was getting abnormal eggs.

Also this was just my observation, not necessarily the reason why it is happening to @RoyalChick (I think that’s who got the egg, sorry if not).
In hindsight to me these weird eggs seemed to align with both of them finishing laying for good, as well as a few random soft shelled/no shelled ones in the nesting box (who I believe must have been Penny’s, Bok is still doing well).

 

[featherhead007]

Fat bird,

 

[micstrachan]

Love your pup! They're known for their smarts!

Oh, yes, I know. They’re known as the “smartest” breed. I do wish I had taken advantage of that and trained her to herd the chickens. She showed strong herding instincts as a pup... helped me catch a bunny that got out based on instinct alone. No training whatsoever and followed my commands based on the tone of my voice alone. It was quite remarkable. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I did not hone that skill. In her world, her job is fetching the ball. Obsessively so. Look what’s happening as I thumb type this on my phone...

 

[Ribh]

I've been putting this post off, but Fat Bird isn't well.
She's lost some control over her legs and balance. She also has lice and did have feather mites.
We have dealt with the mites but the lice are proving to be a bit of a problem.
She's eating well. Walks okay in a straight line but tonight she couldn't balance on the roost bar. I put her in one of the nest boxes.
I'm going to take her to see Gloria (vet) but I'm not feeling very hopefull.
I spent two hours today tackling the lice. They are mainly in areas Fat Bird can't reach with her beak. She not as supple as she was.
I've checked over Mel, Moon, Hurry and Treacle so far and they are mite and lice free so it seems it's just a problem with Fat Bird.
At first I thought it might be an ear infection but they look clean to me and I would have thought that her balance would be affected no matter what direction she walked in.
She still manages to follow the tribe and I've kept both eyes on her throughout the recent days.
I take her to roost in the evenings now, or should I say Cillin and I do.
She's heading for 11 years old and she has had by chicken standards about as good a life as is possible bar not hatching chicks.
I don't think she is suffering judging by how she eats and her reactions to the other hens; she'll still give them a peck if they don't remember their place and hers. Poop is okay. Bums dirty again and I may have to give it a proper wash to help discourage lice.
It's possible that she may have started an egg that has cooked inside her way before it reached the shell making stage and this is putting pressure on a nerve.
This does happen with some older hens I've been told.
Anyway, here she is, still picking the high security spots so her brain is fine. None of the yonger hens are bothering her.View attachment 2558314

I am sorry to hear this.I have a soft spot for fat bird & I know you do too.

 

[micstrachan]

I've been putting this post off, but Fat Bird isn't well.
She's lost some control over her legs and balance. She also has lice and did have feather mites.
We have dealt with the mites but the lice are proving to be a bit of a problem.
She's eating well. Walks okay in a straight line but tonight she couldn't balance on the roost bar. I put her in one of the nest boxes.
I'm going to take her to see Gloria (vet) but I'm not feeling very hopefull.
I spent two hours today tackling the lice. They are mainly in areas Fat Bird can't reach with her beak. She not as supple as she was.
I've checked over Mel, Moon, Hurry and Treacle so far and they are mite and lice free so it seems it's just a problem with Fat Bird.
At first I thought it might be an ear infection but they look clean to me and I would have thought that her balance would be affected no matter what direction she walked in.
She still manages to follow the tribe and I've kept both eyes on her throughout the recent days.
I take her to roost in the evenings now, or should I say Cillin and I do.
She's heading for 11 years old and she has had by chicken standards about as good a life as is possible bar not hatching chicks.
I don't think she is suffering judging by how she eats and her reactions to the other hens; she'll still give them a peck if they don't remember their place and hers. Poop is okay. Bums dirty again and I may have to give it a proper wash to help discourage lice.
It's possible that she may have started an egg that has cooked inside her way before it reached the shell making stage and this is putting pressure on a nerve.
This does happen with some older hens I've been told.
Anyway, here she is, still picking the high security spots so her brain is fine. None of the yonger hens are bothering her.View attachment 2558314

Awwww... Fat Bird!!! I feel that desperate feeling I feel when when of my own birds falls ill. Hoping deeply she improves.

 

[fuentemoon]

Oh, yes, I know. They’re known as the “smartest” breed. I do wish I had taken advantage of that and trained her to herd the chickens. She showed strong herding instincts as a pup... helped me catch a bunny that got out based on instinct alone. No training whatsoever and followed my commands based on the tone of my voice alone. It was quite remarkable. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I did not hone that skill. In her world, her job is fetching the ball. Obsessively so. Look what’s happening as I thumb type this on my phone...
View attachment 2558738

My inlaws had one like her. I was never quite sure who worried where the ball was more, my father in law or the dog

 

[micstrachan]

My babies (not so little anymore)View attachment 2557426

OMG, Alex! They’re huge!

 

[micstrachan]

It's Hatterday!

I am been saving up photos of my sweetest hen for everyone. It's her day today.
View attachment 2557445View attachment 2557447View attachment 2557448View attachment 2557450View attachment 2557452

A visit from her friend while she was laying her egg.
View attachment 2557449

Her beautiful fluffy bum.
View attachment 2557444

And my favorite photo, the amazing floating hen! Who knew a girl so big could levitate!
View attachment 2557446

Ooooohhhh, sweet, beautiful Hattie!!!

 

[micstrachan]

If we are sharing pictures today, then here’s Beethoven-Hen View attachment 2557469

Pretty girl! I assume she is not in lay, based on the color of her earlobes ?