Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

@featherhead007 i’ve had the duck/grape song in my head all day waddle waddle

Sorry.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I don't want to bring people down but I do need to post about Fat Bird as it helps me come to terms with what is happening and the posts may help others, not just with their chickens health but with coping with the sadness that comes with watching death approach a creature one loves.
It's been a glorious day here. Warm sunshine, a slight breeze blowing up the valley and Spring in full glory.
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I carried Fat Bird from the coop this morning so she could eat with the others. She hardly ate anything and about half an hour later I found her alone under the hay rack next to the sheep field.
I brought her down to the house, fed her a few pieces of walnut and she wandered outside and settled down next to the fence and the yellow maternity unit. She stayed there all day.
Cillin and Moon visited; In fact Cliin spent most of the day close by. I tried to get her to eat at lunchtime but all she would do is drink the water I put in front of her.
Evening came and all but Cillin went off to roost. Fat Bird showed no signs of wanting to leave her spot. Eventually I leant over the fence and picked her up and got her to drink a mixture of vitamins, Metacam and water. When I put her on the ground this is what she deposited on the ground and the second picture is what she deposited where she spent the day.
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The colour hasn't come up very well but the yellow is bright yellow and the pink is quite bright as well. All the chickens that I've seen poop these bright colours have died within a couple of weeks if not sooner.
I am told these bright colours are a sign of organ damage more often than not and that unfortunately is not something one can do much about.
There are no obvious signs that she is in any pain yet. With other chickens it has been pretty obvious so I think I know what to look for. She just looks tired.
I carried her up to her tribes coop at late dusk and placed her on the main perch. She settled against the coop wall having given Hurry a few pecks to move her along the perch so she could shuffle to that spot.

I'm sorry that Fat Bird's time may be near, you have been very good to her. It's been a pretty good life, from what I can tell - due to your care, Shad! This post is informative and helpful, so thank you for making it. If you can keep her as comfortable as possible for as long as possible, no one could ask for more.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Going to get off topic here just a tad and talk about my dad for a minute, which will relate to just how smart the boys are. He is the stereotypical "I do not want "said" animal" but then after its here spoils it the most. The cats and dogs were never supposed to be inside, yet 1 cat jack sleeps on him at night and my sisters lab mix sleeps beside his bed. Before Momma hen showed up for 2 years Rosie had been begging for chickens. Had swayed me and mom but he was firm in no chickens. Too much work and poop and she was little would loose interest in a month. So when momma hen showed up after a few weeks admits he doesn't mind chickens but he didn't want to be responsible for them. This was when we was running the boarding barn while he is also a full time carpenter. I get it, he's tired and there is work involved. Well after a year of momma hen, who he still calls "lucky" he decided she was lonely and maybe we should let her hatch chicks. But only keep 1 or 2 for friends, and absolutely NO ROOSTERS. Yeah, we know how that turned out. According to him, Toothless was destined for the frying pan when he was big enough, same with a few more boys who I've rehomed as he didn't have the heart to eat them. He is fond of all our current flock members, and while he is not one to go pick up a chicken and snuggle he will pet one if it comes to him. And Drumstick is his favorite, even though he calls him the biggest baby and he should be ashamed of himself on how pampered he is. All this while rubbing his wattles. Yesterday while me and Rosie were working on her last math assignments dad was out cleaning the stalls. And we couldn't help but notice that wherever he went, he had a mob of 6 fluffballs hot on his heels. When he sat down for breaks they were right there eating out of his hand. At one point when he was bring back a wheelbarrow full of fresh sawdust he had 2 of them riding in it. Me and Rosie laughed to ourselves but didn't point it out to him. It was a nice evening so a bit before feeding time me and him were sitting on the back steps having a cup of coffee. He's watching them and asks me was I for sure they were all boys. Yup, all boys. I get the "we do not need another rooster, but watch that one." He calls and it come running to him and flies up and perches on his shoulder. The other five make there way over and settle around him on the steps. After a few minutes, and the one boy is sound asleep on his shoulder I'm informed that while they are technically for sale, that one is to be marked somehow and is not available at the moment. And no matter how long it takes.....None of them are destined for the frying pan, they are just too good natured. But me and mom though are the ones with the chicken math problem mind you NOT him.

 

[Cynthia12]

 

[Cynthia12]

Going to get off topic here just a tad and talk about my dad for a minute, which will relate to just how smart the boys are. He is the stereotypical "I do not want "said" animal" but then after its here spoils it the most. The cats and dogs were never supposed to be inside, yet 1 cat jack sleeps on him at night and my sisters lab mix sleeps beside his bed. Before Momma hen showed up for 2 years Rosie had been begging for chickens. Had swayed me and mom but he was firm in no chickens. Too much work and poop and she was little would loose interest in a month. So when momma hen showed up after a few weeks admits he doesn't mind chickens but he didn't want to be responsible for them. This was when we was running the boarding barn while he is also a full time carpenter. I get it, he's tired and there is work involved. Well after a year of momma hen, who he still calls "lucky" he decided she was lonely and maybe we should let her hatch chicks. But only keep 1 or 2 for friends, and absolutely NO ROOSTERS. Yeah, we know how that turned out. According to him, Toothless was destined for the frying pan when he was big enough, same with a few more boys who I've rehomed as he didn't have the heart to eat them. He is fond of all our current flock members, and while he is not one to go pick up a chicken and snuggle he will pet one if it comes to him. And Drumstick is his favorite, even though he calls him the biggest baby and he should be ashamed of himself on how pampered he is. All this while rubbing his wattles. Yesterday while me and Rosie were working on her last math assignments dad was out cleaning the stalls. And we couldn't help but notice that wherever he went, he had a mob of 6 fluffballs hot on his heels. When he sat down for breaks they were right there eating out of his hand. At one point when he was bring back a wheelbarrow full of fresh sawdust he had 2 of them riding in it. Me and Rosie laughed to ourselves but didn't point it out to him. It was a nice evening so a bit before feeding time me and him were sitting on the back steps having a cup of coffee. He's watching them and asks me was I for sure they were all boys. Yup, all boys. I get the "we do not need another rooster, but watch that one." He calls and it come running to him and flies up and perches on his shoulder. The other five make there way over and settle around him on the steps. After a few minutes, and the one boy is sound asleep on his shoulder I'm informed that while they are technically for sale, that one is to be marked somehow and is not available at the moment. And no matter how long it takes.....None of them are destined for the frying pan, they are just too good natured. But me and mom though are the ones with the chicken math problem mind you NOT him.

Love it!

 

[Kris5902]

Remember, all chicken taxes are voluntary here.

It was really smart of you to try and inform people about Arduinna. Hopefully those that did see it will be better prepared for encounters with you. It is interesting. Apparently to that woman legal is more important than dead. Sad.

Now back to the owl lover. Is it legal to bring bunnies onto the island? They are definitely invasive. Just saying.

It's good to have you back Kris even if it's just for a moment.

Bringing bunnies is technically legal... (just like my goat!) however it is strongly discouraged. As in near-lynch mob discouraged. There are massive problems with them on Vancouver Island (a little less so after a recent bunny plague that wiped out tons of the population). I will admit to mentioning the questionable pet choice to a really obnoxious opinionated FB loudmouth in a PM, lol.

Some sad news on the Roostie front. Yesterday he got into a fuss with Sammy and his left eye appears injured. It must’ve happened while I was doing dishes and couldn’t hear it over the generator. I am moving him to a corner and fencing him in. I will keep everyone updated as I can.

 

[BY Bob]

When I first joined BYC I tried a bunch of threads, and none of them worked for me. It’s pretty much as you described.
Then I found this little tribe, and I have been happy ever since. I stumbled across Fluffy Butt Acres first, and then I ended up on everyone’s threads.
Every practical piece of information about chickens I learned from you guys. It would have taken me years to learn what I have learned in 10 months.

I set this thread up to share pictures and tell stories. I am amazed at what this has become. It is a joy to check in with everyone every day. Thank you all for that.

 

[BY Bob]

You are right. It was too early. They don’t get on the roosts during the day. Can a chicken that young have a heart attack? I mean, earlier that afternoon she was completely normal, doing what they all do during the day. I examined her from head to foot, and she appeared to be in perfect condition except that she was dead.
It’s unnerving.

I believe they can but frankly they are so good at hiding when things are wrong you might never have noticed anything else was going on.

You can worry yourself to death over something like this. I would pay special attention to everyone else. Maybe you could also set up a regular schedule of check ups for them where you look them over thoroughly and weigh them.

 

[Marie2020]

Me and the family spent most of the day at the Royal Easter Show today.

Bad news I'm afraid. They were doing judging in the chicken pavilion for simply hours and had closed off most of the chickens so I couldn't get many photos. Sorry to disappoint my chicken friends.

The sebrights were super cute.
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Some of these look familiar....View attachment 2594374View attachment 2594375View attachment 2594376

Youngest was very taken with the Silkies.
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In good news, youngest entered 3 items into the craft competition and won first place in "Handstitched leather item" category!
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That really is lovely work

 

[Marie2020]

I was very despondent last night. I'm not sure quite what prompted me to do it; maybe having a phone easily to hand. I rang my friend Mohammed. I think I've mentioned, he keeps Game Fowl.
I told him as much as I could about Fat Birds problem. He suggested massage. He said back in thhe day when his father had fighting cocks, sometimes a cock would get upended and land on his lower back. This dislocated caudal vertebrae
and sometimes damaged the nerves that send balance signals from the 'tail' nerves to the brain. We think, Gloria and I, that Fat Bird either banged her back just above this region, or now I think in retrospect that it is more likely that a tool handle such as a rake or broom got knocked over and hit her. All Tribe 1 was spending a lot of time in the care port at the time and stuff is always falling over.
Mohammed explained what I should feel for and a bit about how to massage gently pushing the joints upwards.
I gave it a try early this morning.
You would not believe the difference it made.
Fat Bird has been with her tribe all day. Her balance while not great is much improved. Considering yesterday she sat in just about the same place all day and hardly ate anything the change in her general demeanour is remarkable.
Let me show you.
This is the North earth retaining wall next to my house. There was no way Fat Bird would have attempted to come down this way yesterday; she would have split from the tribe and come down the South wall which has steps.
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Here she's having a bit of a sunbath and grooming. She hasn't been grooming much for quite a few days.
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Much better overall posture here and although you can't see it her feet are much better positioned.
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This is the one that had me worried. This slope is steep and if I have to go down it at this point I use a rope tied to the fence. The whole tribe had been down there and I saw the rest come over the top without Fat Bird and looked over the top of the fence expecting to see her stuck and sat down. She's eating on her way up. She made it all the way no problem.
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Mohammed says that the bones are unlikely to properly align again and if a nerve is damaged it's doubtful that it will properly repair. However, he believes that provided some relief is possible a chicken will in time learn to compensate for the lack of nerve response.
His view is that much like humans after an accident that damages the nervous system and may make walking almost impossible, if some relief can be provided they will learn to adapt. If on the other hand it is always too difficult then they stop trying.
Fat Bird still stumbled a bit today but I didn't see her fall over and she was normally active all day from what I could see. She went to roost with her tribe this evening. She was already on the perch when I went to look for her expecting she wanted carrying to the coop.
None of the above will sort out her internal problems but while she's coping with those I want to see her active, with her tribe and eating at least some commercial feed.
We all have to die, but I don't want her suffering needlessly on route.
I'm going to give her a half dose of Metacam in the evenings. Being in pain during the day for me at least is bearable. Being in pain when I'm trying to sleep, which is our natural escape, pisses me off and in time just brings me down.

I'm so sorry for all she's going through, I can really understand her pain. You are such a good person caring so very much. You are doing all you can, no one could ask for any better with all that you are doing.