Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

Check it out!

page 5,000!

Wow!!! It went from 4000 to 5000 really quickly!

 

[Scrambles83]

Sorry. It turns out I’m allergic to my new med. I’ve had a brutal, intensely itchy rash all over my hands and feet for days. It’s traveling up my arms, too, even though I stopped the medication Saturday. I awake every night in the wee hours of the morning to put them under running water after scratching myself raw. Here are my feet at work today. Notice the puffiness under the rash.
View attachment 2740837

I had a video appointment with a doc Saturday who agreed I was allergic, told to stop taking it, and said it was fine to continue with over the counter antihistamine. I was taking Benadryl around the clock to help control the itching. I was feeling a bit off and dizzy, as well. Kinda freaked me out. My rash was getting worse, too.

I had planned to take a vacation day Monday to spend time with my daughter. When we were walking the dog on the beach in the morning, I was light headed, had the shakes and tingling extremities… I really needed to sit down. Felt a bit freaked out again… “What if I pass out and she’s stuck here on the beach with a passed out mom and a dog?” She’s 17, but doesn’t drive.

Eventually we drove home and I wrote my doctor’s office. The dizziness/lightheadedness and shakes continued intermittently. I called an advice nurse, wondering if I should go to the ER. Based on my symptoms, she said no, but tried to set up another video call. All the docs were booked.

After that, I heard from a doctor from my doc’s office who said YES, go to the ER for further evaluation.

They did an EKG shortly after I got there and it looked good. Doctor came out to talk to me and said he thought it was a reaction to (more like a compensation for) all the Benadryl. However, he wanted to run some bloodwork “to check my heart” and get me some IV fluids to get me feeling better.

So I got 1000cc if fluids and my labs all came back looking good. Phew!

It was still pretty scary, but I’m glad it was more like a false alarm. I’m looking forward to feeling normal again, without itch or dizziness. I’m kinda wiped and am REALLY hoping to take some time off after this week. It’s been quite a year and I still have most of my 2020-2021 vacation time left and get my new days on Thursday. My body is CLEARLY telling me to take better care of myself. Putting myself dead last ALL the time has gone on too long.

So that’s my exciting story. Scary while it was going on, but thankfully not all that eventful in the end. I’m a bit tired from it all, but grateful.

Rest up, after all that you have definitely earned the right to put yourself first!

 

[RoyalChick]

Check it out!

page 5,000!

I was watching out for this moment and then I missed it! Congratulations Bob, and all your (very chatty) tribe.

 

[RoyalChick]

Sorry. It turns out I’m allergic to my new med. I’ve had a brutal, intensely itchy rash all over my hands and feet for days. It’s traveling up my arms, too, even though I stopped the medication Saturday. I awake every night in the wee hours of the morning to put them under running water after scratching myself raw. Here are my feet at work today. Notice the puffiness under the rash.
View attachment 2740837

I had a video appointment with a doc Saturday who agreed I was allergic, told to stop taking it, and said it was fine to continue with over the counter antihistamine. I was taking Benadryl around the clock to help control the itching. I was feeling a bit off and dizzy, as well. Kinda freaked me out. My rash was getting worse, too.

I had planned to take a vacation day Monday to spend time with my daughter. When we were walking the dog on the beach in the morning, I was light headed, had the shakes and tingling extremities… I really needed to sit down. Felt a bit freaked out again… “What if I pass out and she’s stuck here on the beach with a passed out mom and a dog?” She’s 17, but doesn’t drive.

Eventually we drove home and I wrote my doctor’s office. The dizziness/lightheadedness and shakes continued intermittently. I called an advice nurse, wondering if I should go to the ER. Based on my symptoms, she said no, but tried to set up another video call. All the docs were booked.

After that, I heard from a doctor from my doc’s office who said YES, go to the ER for further evaluation.

They did an EKG shortly after I got there and it looked good. Doctor came out to talk to me and said he thought it was a reaction to (more like a compensation for) all the Benadryl. However, he wanted to run some bloodwork “to check my heart” and get me some IV fluids to get me feeling better.

So I got 1000cc if fluids and my labs all came back looking good. Phew!

It was still pretty scary, but I’m glad it was more like a false alarm. I’m looking forward to feeling normal again, without itch or dizziness. I’m kinda wiped and am REALLY hoping to take some time off after this week. It’s been quite a year and I still have most of my 2020-2021 vacation time left and get my new days on Thursday. My body is CLEARLY telling me to take better care of myself. Putting myself dead last ALL the time has gone on too long.

So that’s my exciting story. Scary while it was going on, but thankfully not all that eventful in the end. I’m a bit tired from it all, but grateful.

Wow - very scary. Yes, there is a take better care of yourself message in there.
Get some rest and get better soon!

 

[Lady Red]

I accidentally bought different layer pellets when getting some calcium supplement for their water but I think it’s worked out well.
It’s slightly less protein but it has pre and probiotics in the food and I’m seeing a good change in the girls poop. It was solid but wet, now it’s just solid and Belle has stopped with so many of the i digested grass poops so here’s a thumbs up to gut health in the feathered ladies!

It is probably silly of me to ask the brand as we likely don't have it here, but I'm curious still...

 

[Lady Red]

Hello all!
I have been lurking on this thread now for over a month, trying in vain to read the entire thing from the beginning yet I am still stuck back in 2019…and the world has changed so much since then. So I couldn’t stand it anymore and opened another tab so that I can be in the past and present…I will continue to read all the stories as they are very enjoyable. Thanks, BYB for starting this thread and all the tales and pictures of your beautiful hens!

As you can see from my avatar, chickens are not my only interest. We are actually ‘renting‘ chickens this summer to see if it’s something I want to continue in the future with my own coop and flock someday. I love these little feather butts that I have. I’ve named them all and they all have very distinct personalities. There’s Bock, the Astralorp, she is so sweet and calm and I love her chortling sounds. A freeloader as it turns out she is not laying yet I didn’t want to exchange her (the rental deal promised lots of eggs). Then there is Rebock, a Rhode Island Red-number two in the pecking order with a dominant yet fair beak with the others. Even though she is number two she doesn’t take ANY crap from Cluck, the Barred Rock and leader of the pack. Cluck gets the best eating spot-heck-the best spot anywhere and the dust bath first, if she feels like it. Last of all is little Beaker, an Easter-egger. She lays green eggs (sorry, BYB!) and is very consistent with that. Beaker is super quick, always on the move and an escape artist. She was pecked on mercilessly for her first week yet just took it like a trouper, and now has things figures out. She steals food boldly and is so fast she rarely faces any repercussions for her actions!

So I feel I don’t have a right to be posting here as I may not be around after the summer, yet I have enjoyed reading about everyone’s flock so much that I just wanted to chime in. Right now we are dealing with an unprecedented heat wave, these poor chickens are just toughing it out. I’ve provided extra shade, water and coop ventilation and they are using all their coping skills that nature provided them with for the rest. I know animals are tougher than we think yet there is a limit! So I’m interested to read what others do for their birds in the heat. I have done my research yet real world situations are helpful.

So hello from Alberta, Canada! It’s not supposed to get this hot here, today it was 37* C. some areas of the province are pushing 40*C. We are more used to -30*C (and then some) in the winter!!!

Hi and welcome. Kinda feel like you'll be here longer than the summer

 

[Lady Red]

It's hard keeping it up on your own.

It is! All teamwork!

 

[Lady Red]

Sorry. It turns out I’m allergic to my new med. I’ve had a brutal, intensely itchy rash all over my hands and feet for days. It’s traveling up my arms, too, even though I stopped the medication Saturday. I awake every night in the wee hours of the morning to put them under running water after scratching myself raw. Here are my feet at work today. Notice the puffiness under the rash.
View attachment 2740837

I had a video appointment with a doc Saturday who agreed I was allergic, told to stop taking it, and said it was fine to continue with over the counter antihistamine. I was taking Benadryl around the clock to help control the itching. I was feeling a bit off and dizzy, as well. Kinda freaked me out. My rash was getting worse, too.

I had planned to take a vacation day Monday to spend time with my daughter. When we were walking the dog on the beach in the morning, I was light headed, had the shakes and tingling extremities… I really needed to sit down. Felt a bit freaked out again… “What if I pass out and she’s stuck here on the beach with a passed out mom and a dog?” She’s 17, but doesn’t drive.

Eventually we drove home and I wrote my doctor’s office. The dizziness/lightheadedness and shakes continued intermittently. I called an advice nurse, wondering if I should go to the ER. Based on my symptoms, she said no, but tried to set up another video call. All the docs were booked.

After that, I heard from a doctor from my doc’s office who said YES, go to the ER for further evaluation.

They did an EKG shortly after I got there and it looked good. Doctor came out to talk to me and said he thought it was a reaction to (more like a compensation for) all the Benadryl. However, he wanted to run some bloodwork “to check my heart” and get me some IV fluids to get me feeling better.

So I got 1000cc if fluids and my labs all came back looking good. Phew!

It was still pretty scary, but I’m glad it was more like a false alarm. I’m looking forward to feeling normal again, without itch or dizziness. I’m kinda wiped and am REALLY hoping to take some time off after this week. It’s been quite a year and I still have most of my 2020-2021 vacation time left and get my new days on Thursday. My body is CLEARLY telling me to take better care of myself. Putting myself dead last ALL the time has gone on too long.

So that’s my exciting story. Scary while it was going on, but thankfully not all that eventful in the end. I’m a bit tired from it all, but grateful.

Oh my goodness, Michelle! Yes, your body is trying to tell you to slow down. I know it is hard to carve out time between family, work and chores, but is there any way you can grab 30 minutes (or even 20) to do yoga or meditation on a regular basis? Being able to be present and quiet has done wonders for me...nearly 20 years later and I'm still doing it like 5x a week. I do my routines at home, so that takes another layer of stress away (for me). Excellent for stress and clearing your mind.
I know you weren't asking for my help, so apologies if I'm overstepping. I just care about you.

 

[RoyalChick]

Hello all!
I have been lurking on this thread now for over a month, trying in vain to read the entire thing from the beginning yet I am still stuck back in 2019…and the world has changed so much since then. So I couldn’t stand it anymore and opened another tab so that I can be in the past and present…I will continue to read all the stories as they are very enjoyable. Thanks, BYB for starting this thread and all the tales and pictures of your beautiful hens!

As you can see from my avatar, chickens are not my only interest. We are actually ‘renting‘ chickens this summer to see if it’s something I want to continue in the future with my own coop and flock someday. I love these little feather butts that I have. I’ve named them all and they all have very distinct personalities. There’s Bock, the Astralorp, she is so sweet and calm and I love her chortling sounds. A freeloader as it turns out she is not laying yet I didn’t want to exchange her (the rental deal promised lots of eggs). Then there is Rebock, a Rhode Island Red-number two in the pecking order with a dominant yet fair beak with the others. Even though she is number two she doesn’t take ANY crap from Cluck, the Barred Rock and leader of the pack. Cluck gets the best eating spot-heck-the best spot anywhere and the dust bath first, if she feels like it. Last of all is little Beaker, an Easter-egger. She lays green eggs (sorry, BYB!) and is very consistent with that. Beaker is super quick, always on the move and an escape artist. She was pecked on mercilessly for her first week yet just took it like a trouper, and now has things figures out. She steals food boldly and is so fast she rarely faces any repercussions for her actions!

So I feel I don’t have a right to be posting here as I may not be around after the summer, yet I have enjoyed reading about everyone’s flock so much that I just wanted to chime in. Right now we are dealing with an unprecedented heat wave, these poor chickens are just toughing it out. I’ve provided extra shade, water and coop ventilation and they are using all their coping skills that nature provided them with for the rest. I know animals are tougher than we think yet there is a limit! So I’m interested to read what others do for their birds in the heat. I have done my research yet real world situations are helpful.

So hello from Alberta, Canada! It’s not supposed to get this hot here, today it was 37* C. some areas of the province are pushing 40*C. We are more used to -30*C (and then some) in the winter!!!

Welcome and of course we would love pictures!
I provide frozen yoghurt treats in the heat of the afternoon - trying to get them more calcium anyway and I make my own Kefir which they love so I use that. I also hosed down a lot of the dirt under their coop and run (my Chicken Palace has a dirt floor and I use deep litter and bedding method because I am lazy and it seems to clean itself!).
Yesterday I put ice in their regular water supply and today I am trying hanging wet sheets to provide further evaporation cooling - I am a bit skeptical about whether that will do anything really because the humidity is so high but we will see if it helps.
Last night my Princesses were all spread out on the roost with their wings up so I was a bit worried but they seem lively enough this morning.
Good luck with keeping yours cool.

 

[Lady Red]

Welcome and of course we would love pictures!
I provide frozen yoghurt treats in the heat of the afternoon - trying to get them more calcium anyway and I make my own Kefir which they love so I use that. I also hosed down a lot of the dirt under their coop and run (my Chicken Palace has a dirt floor and I use deep litter and bedding method because I am lazy and it seems to clean itself!).
Yesterday I put ice in their regular water supply and today I am trying hanging wet sheets to provide further evaporation cooling - I am a bit skeptical about whether that will do anything really because the humidity is so high but we will see if it helps.
Last night my Princesses were all spread out on the roost with their wings up so I was a bit worried but they seem lively enough this morning.
Good luck with keeping yours cool.

Do let us know how the wet sheets work...in fact I may try it myself today over the run and coop (they don't spend much time in there during the day, but maybe it will help at night?)

Side question...are you nervous for snow after this heat breaks?