Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

Is this where you checked?

Thread 'Picture Of The Week (POW) Information & Submissions' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/picture-of-the-week-pow-information-submissions.1345170/

I don't see any requirement for a my chickens page.

SHRA! No, I got a different page started in 2012 when I did a search on BYC, still out there I guess. Hmm, thanks!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I personally wouldn’t use Tums.

I have calcium citrate plus D that I take, I could crush that up. Or crush some oyster shell bits?

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I would get layer fed with the higher calcium for them. Why are you feeding calcium free feed? I can't reneged if we have discussed this before. I am almost certain this is a calcium problem.

Because I read that Buckeyes should have higher protein, 18%-20%, and I thought they would take what they need from the oyster shells. I can't find layer feed with the higher protein, only 16%. But I don't object to buying layer feed and seeing what happens with her eggs. I could supplement as I did when they were little with scrambled eggs and other proteins, tuna & steak a la Alex, but I don't want to go too high with protein, and it's harder to gauge how much they are getting that way.

 

[featherhead007]

I named little Arizona perfectly. This little redheaded chick acts exactly like a 1960’s hippie full of energy and spunk. All she needs is the beads! And so loving I can hardly stand it! I’m so surprised that someone would just throw her over my fence to take her chances. (I’m glad somebody did) her brooding mate is always close by (the pure breed RIR)

 

[ChicoryBlue]

My input on adding calcium: scramble eggs with the shells, chop them up fine let cool, they will eat!
Ps. It’s a lot cheaper than a lobster lunch! (I have done the lobster before too) sorry to butt in.

Your input is welcome here, you're not butting in imo!

 

[featherhead007]

I have calcium citrate plus D that I take, I could crush that up. Or crush some oyster shell bits?

Little is better, than poison. Be careful. I know you care... so do I

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I felt safe answering having written an article on the "egg song" of which you approved.

Today I can report I heard the escort song from somebody, it was great to hear! Queenie was the only one to regularly call, and I was afraid I wouldn't hear it again since she died. I can't imagine being tired of it! But I'm piping up here to add this bit of information - about these theories of whether anybody is around or not being the reason for the call - this happened when they were locked in their coop & little 9x3 run. There's really no place for anyone to disappear to. Except - maybe the caller was up at the coop threshold / ladder top and everybody else was directly under the coop where they couldn't be seen, and quiet as a mouse. I mean, they would be within two feet of her under there. I will check next time. The song didn't last very long.

 

[featherhead007]

Tonight's update on Jaffar. Everybody went to roost (To bed) He was alone on his perch, No Emily this time, I took him from the barn/coop to be with me tonight! No breathing troubles, no sneezing, but a followup of antibiotics will be in order in the AM.
For those of you who are questioning why I have a rooster in my room for the night? My answer, is because I can, and Why not! The house is much more comfortable anyways!

 

[Kris5902]

I will weigh in on the poop/ salmonella bit too... and honestly it lands back on the how much risk you are willing to take. Warning, I’m about to horrify everyone... I often kiss my chickens heads, but never their feet. Yes, there’s a fair amount of poop that gets tracked into our home (ok, an alarming amount!) The number of times I have been scarfing down a bagel and coffee and ‘sniff sniff... is that? Yes, that’s cecal poop smell , coming from... the hand holding my bagel, oops. Yes, one of my actual New Years resolutions for 2021 was “wash my hands before eating in the morning, everyday”. I haven’t been as successful as I would like, but I have been making an effort. (It’s the only time I have this issue, other meals and snacks aren’t a problem)

Salmonella has been less a problem here, e-coli, more of an issue. It gets into the spring because livestock (cows and sheep) is kept in the area around it, and the treatment process “reduced the water pressure too much”. I now get our water from a friend... all the digestive distress issues stopped. Yes, the water here gets tested, and has come back positive for unacceptable levels of bacteria frequently. The solution? They pour a half gallon of bleach into the spring and then retest, get the all clear and ignore until the next required test.

Poop happens, try not to get it in your mouth. Hand washing is important. That said, I don’t stress over it. Also, I have been using dry cow patties to stuff the holes where the meat tractors are on uneven ground. Yes, I pick them up, break them into pieces, and stuff it in the gaps, with my hands. I am probably an awful example, to be honest... but so far have managed to not get sick from any of it. I wash my hands a little more often in public now with the virus issues, but at home? Over chicken poop? Not so much. I wipe it off and keep going, wash up when I’m done, and usually scold the chickens for pooping in things I’m trying to use.

 

[Scrambles83]

I felt safe answering having written an article on the "egg song" of which you approved.

Of course, sorry Bob!! How silly of me It was a long mentally tiring day prepping school and home for the new rules.
I hope I didn’t offend you by not asking you directly!!