Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

Here you go: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/

Thank RC. I wish this was easier too find i always get lost.

 

[featherhead007]

I hate them - I don't think they are humane to the mouse. I am at peace with killing them but I want that to be a swift and painless death.

Ever had a series of rabies shots? (Not a fun experience) and the mice here do bite! Sadly, that dumb neighbor is still using poison for his mouse problem

 

[RoyalChick]

Ever had a series of rabies shots? (Not a fun experience) and the mice here do bite! Sadly, that dumb neighbor is still using poison for his mouse problem

Actually yes I have (bats not mice was my exposure). And the new rabies vaccine isn’t as bad.
I am just advocating snap traps rather than glue traps. Instant death. With glue traps they starve to death unless they manage to chew off their own foot and escape. F
The failure rate of snap traps is very low.
@Kris5902 taught me to dip the peanut butter bait in scratch grains - makes it irresistible to mice. My half dozen snaps usually did their job within an hour or two of me setting them up after dark.

 

[featherhead007]

Actually yes I have (bats not mice was my exposure). And the new rabies vaccine isn’t as bad.
I am just advocating snap traps rather than glue traps. Instant death. With glue traps they starve to death unless they manage to chew off their own foot and escape. F
The failure rate of snap traps is very low.
@Kris5902 taught me to dip the peanut butter bait in scratch grains - makes it irresistible to mice. My half dozen snaps usually did their job within an hour or two of me setting them up after dark.

I do see your point. I think that I will consult with Beetov-Hen. If there are mice in the coop, she would know about it. I happened to be in the coop reading your message and took this picture of the Beetov-Hen .

 

[Shadrach]

Flockservations

I spent a lot of time with the tribe yesterday. I even let them out to free range. They had an armed guard standing among them the whole time and there was no sign of the hawk. Let's start with those videos.

We can come out?

This helps to demonstrate the fear they still have. As you watch you can see Hattie scare herself and some of the others.

Let's hang out under the apple trees

A New Leader
There has been a definitive change in the pecking order as well. I cannot tell you what happened but Aurora is now clearly number 2. Hattie has given way. I've seen Aurora growl Hattie off a hand full of food and I watched push Hattie off of a patch of leaves yesterday. The entire tribe followed her lead yesterday as to where they went. It is absolutely clear that she was in charge.

I have still seen Lilly push Aurora off of food and Aurora still defers to her elsewhere. So Lilly remains Alpha.

Watching Aurora yesterday I have to say that I am pretty much please with the way she is running things. I think much like Lilly, she has called down now that she is in charge, per se. This will be very interesting to watch.

The question at Fluffy Butt Acres being debated is did Hattie lose her spot because she was on sentinel duty when the hawk caught caught Sylvie and the tribe has asked for a change?

Now that is the loveliest and best thing I've seen on this thread this year!
I'm so pleased you've let them out and found time to spend with them.
I know how hard you've found the recent events and while I'm not the type to be sending hugs and kisses etc, I've thought about you most days, but with those thoughts have been thoughts about the lovely hens you still have and the long term effects on them and you.

 

[Shadrach]

Maggie
I am having a bit of a health scare with Maggie right now. She went to the vet on Friday who is a bit mystified and going to do some research and consult colleagues before recommending a way forward.
Basically she has a problem with balance.

Here is a video compilation I put together to show the vet because of course in the vet’s office Maggie steadfastly refused to do anything but stand and stare at the vet and poop all over her table.

On my list of possible causes are:
- Marek’s (the vet is skeptical)
- Botulism (but she hasn’t been around anything rotting)
- Mold (but the food seems fine and she is off commercial feed again)
- Vitamin or mineral deficiency - thiamine, B12 and selenium deficiencies can cause ataxia (maybe she got deficient because she is off commercial feed)
- Zinc poisoning. When she was X-rayed 15 months ago when she laid two lash eggs the vet did note she had eaten some small screws but that is a long time ago.

She is getting about in a drunken sort of way and is as feisty with the roadrunners as ever. Actually they are more terrified of her even than normal because you can’t really predict which way she will lurch so she is harder to avoid!

The vet recommended I put her in the hospital ward after dark so she doesn’t fall over and injure herself, but she put herself to bed in her nesting box which is even more contained so I let her be. How she got up there is anyone’s guess.

I am not waiting for a diagnosis to treat for vitamin deficiency and zinc toxicity. Today she seems no better but also no worse.

I am a bit devastated. These lovely ladies seem so fragile! I am buoying my spirits by remembering that Minnie pulled through and at her worst was much sicker than Maggie seems now.

And here is an action shot of Minnie with her nice plump red comb going after some choice morsel.

View attachment 2926814

Inner ear infection?

 

[RoyalChick]

Inner ear infection?

Well it is funny you should say that because she does look like I feel with my own inner ear vertigo (which is not caused by infection).
I will add it to the list to discuss with vet an inner ear infection would be treatable with antibiotics. She doesn’t have any upper respiratory signs which one might expect but they don’t necessarily go together.
Thanks for the thought.

 

[micstrachan]

Can someone link my too the emergency and diseases please. I was leaving but found someone that rescued ducks and one has a bad case of bumble foot. @micstrachan and everyone

Do you mean you want this link?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/

 

[featherhead007]

I need to get something off my chest! “Shenandoah, please get off my chest! You weigh at least three pounds “ Actually she’s quite comfortable watching TV with me at the moment.

 

[micstrachan]

Oh, I like the idea of the rat zapper. While I don't atm have electricity at the coop, hopefully I will by next winter (so no more lugging of lots of warm water all winter long....hopefully...next winter.)

I haven't made the bucket with can trap yet, but am planning on it. You don't have to use water...you can leave it empty (or a bit of bedding), but then it isn't any 'better' than the mouse catcher you used...just catches more at once.....lots of 'relocations' to do!

My rat zapper runs on batteries.