Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Scrambles83]

Happy anniversary @Scrambles83

Thanks Shad

 

[Scrambles83]

Happy Anniversary!

Cheers Bob!

 

[Scrambles83]

Fat Bird is a very wise old hen.
Shortly after her balance problems I believe I mentioned her crop started acting up. I've dealt with quite a few crop problems now and Fat Bird's seemed to me to be very grim. She has a large crop compared and when I first became seriously concerend about it, it was the size of a tennis ball that had been slightly squashed. This was when I took her to see Gloria (vet).
Gloria did get a thin tube past Fat Bird's crop and into thhe digestive tract that leads to the gizzard. I could feel, as could Gloria, when the tube had gone past the exit of the crop and into the tract. I could also feel the tube come to an abrupt halt. This is where Gloria took a chance and pushed against whaever the end of the tube had lodged against. The tube, when Gloria pulled it out was coated in gunk. We, Fat Bird, me and Gloria did this three times, the tube going a little bit further each time. Gloria didn't want to push further because apprently the entrance to the gizzard is very hard to locate.
Tbh, I didn't hold out much hope for this procedure.
Once back home, I've been getting some coconut oil into Fat Bird and massaging her crop intermittantly throughout the days. I've been concerend because I keep finding Fat Bird eating grass and dirt.
It seems she may know what she is doing. Each day now her crop has reduced in size and she is pooping more. The poop isn't quite what one would hope to see in a healthy hen, but it's poop so stuff is going through her system.
Fat Bird still eats some commercial feed, but nothing like her usual amount.
Each day now the content in Fat Bird's crop has reduced in size. This afternoon when I gave her a massage there was just a small ball about the size of a large grape left.
Unfortunately, her balance problem has not improved but take a look at her pictures. She looks wonderfull. Her comb is a good colour and firm. Her plumage has that spring sheen to it. Her wattles are fleshy and healthy looking and her eyes alert.
She manages to keep up with the rest of the tribe. It's really only at supper time when their treat food gets distributed on the ground that one really notices that she has great trouble stepping backwards and making sudden turns. She fell over twice this evening.
The only other thing that gives her away is she sits awkwardly and more than she would normally. However, at ten going on eleven years old one might expect a lot less energy than the younger hens.
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Looking good, Fat Bird!!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Nice job with the quilt, it is pretty!
Of course chicken pics are always great too, is that a big Buckeye? I don't remember this chicken's name...

Yep! I have two. That one was Ruby. She’s almost four and is on hormones to keep her from laying. The other is Minnie (Minnie Ruby instead of Minnie Pearl ). Here she is:

 

[micstrachan]

Fat Bird is a very wise old hen.
Shortly after her balance problems I believe I mentioned her crop started acting up. I've dealt with quite a few crop problems now and Fat Bird's seemed to me to be very grim. She has a large crop compared and when I first became seriously concerend about it, it was the size of a tennis ball that had been slightly squashed. This was when I took her to see Gloria (vet).
Gloria did get a thin tube past Fat Bird's crop and into thhe digestive tract that leads to the gizzard. I could feel, as could Gloria, when the tube had gone past the exit of the crop and into the tract. I could also feel the tube come to an abrupt halt. This is where Gloria took a chance and pushed against whaever the end of the tube had lodged against. The tube, when Gloria pulled it out was coated in gunk. We, Fat Bird, me and Gloria did this three times, the tube going a little bit further each time. Gloria didn't want to push further because apprently the entrance to the gizzard is very hard to locate.
Tbh, I didn't hold out much hope for this procedure.
Once back home, I've been getting some coconut oil into Fat Bird and massaging her crop intermittantly throughout the days. I've been concerend because I keep finding Fat Bird eating grass and dirt.
It seems she may know what she is doing. Each day now her crop has reduced in size and she is pooping more. The poop isn't quite what one would hope to see in a healthy hen, but it's poop so stuff is going through her system.
Fat Bird still eats some commercial feed, but nothing like her usual amount.
Each day now the content in Fat Bird's crop has reduced in size. This afternoon when I gave her a massage there was just a small ball about the size of a large grape left.
Unfortunately, her balance problem has not improved but take a look at her pictures. She looks wonderfull. Her comb is a good colour and firm. Her plumage has that spring sheen to it. Her wattles are fleshy and healthy looking and her eyes alert.
She manages to keep up with the rest of the tribe. It's really only at supper time when their treat food gets distributed on the ground that one really notices that she has great trouble stepping backwards and making sudden turns. She fell over twice this evening.
The only other thing that gives her away is she sits awkwardly and more than she would normally. However, at ten going on eleven years old one might expect a lot less energy than the younger hens.
View attachment 2583592View attachment 2583594View attachment 2583595

Fat Bird! Just gorgeous. This girl has a special place in my heart!

 

[micstrachan]

I've had a go at that fermenting business.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...o-fermented-facts-myths-and-experience.74414/

I ferment feed on and off. Many of them have poopy bums with or without fermented feed, even since I’ve skimmed them down.

 

[micstrachan]

Well I just had 10 minutes of fun. While catching up on this thread been hearing the cats running back and forth through the house, assumed they were playing. Walk into the kitchen to refill coffee and a bird streaks by my head with one of my cats in hot pursuit. Got the cats and the dogs locked in a bedroom and with the help of my brother it was safely caught and returned outside. And all my windows are now shut, do not want a repeat performance today.
This little guy is very lucky, my big orange cat Jack is a known bird killer.
View attachment 2583019

I’m glad it got out safely!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Thats is Goldie, but Morgan is holding her.

There was a terrible tragedy locally last week. During a house fire a 13 year old girl was killed. That girl was one of Morgan's best friends.

Morgan has been having a bit of a rough go with it and couldn't wait to be with her dad to talk about it. After they talked she went down and caught Goldie for a little chicken therapy.

Oh, that's dreadful. I'm glad Morgan has you both and the chickens to support her.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Thank you for the warm welcome Bob! I'll definitely be joining the thread and I will introduce my flock soon.... but I'm hoping to get caught up a little more first. Hopefully it doesn't take me a month

A month! You are very optimistic!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

For Bob. An easy one this time.

There are 3 chickens in this photo. Can you find them all?