Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

From what I've been told on byc, I have learned that very few people have access to similar standards of veterinary care for their chickens.

Sadly, this is very true. We have to be creative to help our chicken friends.

 

[micstrachan]

I agree. This is why I don't understand what @micstrachan is trying to say. If it were found out somehow to be cancer versus another disease, how is that worse? What do you do with that information other than what she did, which was palliative care up to the end? Ruby had reasonably good days right up to her death, which was relatively quick. It would be hard to figure out when to euthanize, if that's the alternative, seems to me.

Sorry, everyone. I’m not really joining the cull all sick birds camp. I was just upset because the cancer was so extensive and I felt so bad for Ruby, questioning whether I was responsible for some of her suffering. Sorry for behaving like a child.

Thank you for setting me straight. You’re right; Ruby had lots of good days. Once her ratio of good days to bad days flipped, she was ready to go and it happened quickly. Now that I’ve calmed down, I honestly don’t know what I would have done differently besides ask more questions and request more tests instead of blindly treating. We played the odds and Ruby seemed to respond.

Thanks for letting me rant and for all the support. I still think we can all learn from it.

Now I am really done hogging the thread on Ruby. Let’s talk Chuckle Hut and the babies’ night out with Phyllis!

 

[Ribh]

Well, folks, this should be my last post on the thread about dear Ruby. OMG, the report is horrible. My poor, sweet baby. I wish I hadn’t kept her alive so long. Ruby did not have cystic right oviduct, salpingitis nor fatty liver. Her fat stores were depleted and she was severely emaciated due to extensive metatastic ovarian cancer (liver, kidneys, intestines, coelom). The mass did indeed obstruct her duodenum, which could explain why she was so malnourished.

I’m going to crawl into a cave now. I might be joining the cull-all-sick-birds camp. Poor Ruby. Poor, poor sweet Ruby. OMG.

You need to stop beating yourself up. Ruby had so many extra good days thanks to your love & care. You watched over her carefully & when she was ready to go you stayed with her keeping her safe to the end. You did great! Ruby did great. Anything else is irrelevant.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Thanks for letting me rant and for all the support. I still think we can all learn from it.

Right - learning from your example what great care looks like!

 

[BY Bob]

Sorry, everyone. I’m not really joining the cull all sick birds camp. I was just upset because the cancer was so extensive and I felt so bad for Ruby, questioning whether I was responsible for some of her suffering. Sorry for behaving like a child.

Thank you for setting me straight. You’re right; Ruby had lots of good days. Once her ratio of good days to bad days flipped, she was ready to go and it happened quickly. Now that I’ve calmed down, I honestly don’t know what I would have done differently besides ask more questions and request more tests instead of blindly treating. We played the odds and Ruby seemed to respond.

Thanks for letting me rant and for all the support. I still think we can all learn from it.

Now I am really done hogging the thread on Ruby. Let’s talk Chuckle Hut and the babies’ night out with Phyllis!

I really do hope this conversation was helpful. We are here to support and help each other.

I hope it is not lost on everyone how we are celebrating new life just after a loss. Life truly is a circle.

(That's all the profound I have in me. It's late.)

 

[MaryJanet]

Sorry, everyone. I’m not really joining the cull all sick birds camp. I was just upset because the cancer was so extensive and I felt so bad for Ruby, questioning whether I was responsible for some of her suffering. Sorry for behaving like a child.

Thank you for setting me straight. You’re right; Ruby had lots of good days. Once her ratio of good days to bad days flipped, she was ready to go and it happened quickly. Now that I’ve calmed down, I honestly don’t know what I would have done differently besides ask more questions and request more tests instead of blindly treating. We played the odds and Ruby seemed to respond.

Thanks for letting me rant and for all the support. I still think we can all learn from it.

Now I am really done hogging the thread on Ruby. Let’s talk Chuckle Hut and the babies’ night out with Phyllis!

She really did have the most outstanding care thanks to you.

 

[bgmathteach]

Sorry, everyone. I’m not really joining the cull all sick birds camp. I was just upset because the cancer was so extensive and I felt so bad for Ruby, questioning whether I was responsible for some of her suffering. Sorry for behaving like a child.

Thank you for setting me straight. You’re right; Ruby had lots of good days. Once her ratio of good days to bad days flipped, she was ready to go and it happened quickly. Now that I’ve calmed down, I honestly don’t know what I would have done differently besides ask more questions and request more tests instead of blindly treating. We played the odds and Ruby seemed to respond.

Thanks for letting me rant and for all the support. I still think we can all learn from it.

Now I am really done hogging the thread on Ruby. Let’s talk Chuckle Hut and the babies’ night out with Phyllis!

No worries! It is hard losing one you are so close to...and spending so much time watching & treating only brought you closer. I think it is human nature to feel guilty...and also to over-react when we are hurting. (meant in a good way, NOT a critique) I suspect that part of this tendency fosters bonds and support among friends/fellow humans. Years ago I read an article about crying..and how people around responded...and that brain activity in the crying individual changed when they received sympathy and physical comfort. I wish I could give you a true hug, and sit with you to go through pictures and memories of Ruby. She was sweet and knew she was loved....I hope you know that you are loved and cared for here...even if we can't physically be with you/mourn with you.

I know I am speaking a bit out of turn, since this is @BY Bob's thread, but don't feel like this has to be your 'last post about Ruby' . At times, you will feel the need to reminisce and share stories. Do, it will help you heal and simultaneously feel connected to her. No one (person/animal) is truly gone when they are remembered!

 

[BY Bob]

I know I am speaking a bit out of turn, since this is @BY Bob's thread, but don't feel like this has to be your 'last post about Ruby' .

@micstrachan you can post about Ruby anytime. How often do I talk about Daisy, the greatest hen ever, or Patsy, or Elphie, on and on. It is good to remember and we are a community that understands and can appreciate your remembrances.

 

[micstrachan]

I really do hope this conversation was helpful. We are here to support and help each other.

I hope it is not lost on everyone how we are celebrating new life just after a loss. Life truly is a circle.

(That's all the profound I have in me. It's late.)

It’s perfect, Bob.

 

[micstrachan]

Butters (left) and Peanut, under the lilac bush & tree saplings, favorite place to rest, preen, and bathe in the ground. Then they saw me coming with my phone out, they're not sure they want a picture taken I think. That's Popcorn's head peeking out behind Peanut's rump.
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Here's Popcorn resting in a dirt bowl, she did that while the other two preened. Hazel hung about but is foraging most of the time during this molt of hers.
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Hazel in front and Butters behind her. See how Hazel's feathers roughly lie. Fluff feathers are coming in under them. She's hung on to the one tail feather for awhile now. They have that forest edge behind to forage in, but they are actually going after worms in the open green areas now, the worms prefer the root systems in the greenery and the rain has brought them up. Hazel's getting a lot.
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Here Hazel (in front) is with Peanut. Peanut is usually the sleekest but the comparison is striking.
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Hazel's Roughy-Fluffy Butt.
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These are all so fabulous! I love me some Buckeyes and you always get the greatest photos!