Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Ah okay so not just Sansa's weirdness then, I had in my mind it was only her. Hmmm supposedly molting is light-related. But maybe that is not actually the case. I was under the impression chickens on the equator change out their feathers very slowly and the further away one goes you see molts as we think of them. What else could influence it? Temperature? Chemicals in the food? Plastics that behave like hormones when in the body, maybe pthalates? I wonder.

Whatever it is, it's not good.

 

[BY Bob]

Rather think of it like a Secret Service guard for VIP's!

That is a much better picture. I just need to start touching my ear like someone is talking to me.

 

[BY Bob]

Free Range Time

Some more free range this evening. Still jumpy and they should be.

 

[BY Bob]

Lillies are Planted

Some wonderful people donated lillies to mark Sylvie's grave. To all of you, thank you, you are all a true blessing. I planted them today so they will come up in spring.

Sylvie is buried right next to my dear Maleficent.

 

[BY Bob]

Posting tonight is tomorrow will be chaotically bonkers.

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Beautiful mugs!

 

[fuentemoon]

It has been windy and very wet here lately, so no new pictures. We have reached the time of year that I don't even see the ladies most work days, they have been reluctant to leave the coop in the morning, and are in bed by the time I come home.

From last feb.

 

[MaryJanet]

Monday mug!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

That actually sounds like a great idea . Using chickens to achieve zen. How would Tsuki have felt about that?

I imagine she would have bossed me around.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you getting me mealy worms?" Peck, peck "Well go on, get on with it!"

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I truly suspect it is the odd weather. My chickens are molting late as well. We usually have a killing frost before Columbus day here (10/12) We didn't even have a frost until early November. It was unseasonably warm...and out of all my chickens (40 + that are 1.5 - 4.5 years old/would molt), I only had 2 that started molting close to normal time. By now even my late molters should be done, but more than half are are still quite bare/just have early signs of 'tufts' of feathers coming out the shafts. No one is (other than the afore-mentioned 2) is close to being done...and I have some that 'blew their feathers' this past week.

Yes, this is a VERY ODD molting year...and whether it is the cause ro not, it is coinciding with a very warm/odd fall.

Our Spring and Summer so far have been unseasonably cool and wet. I wonder if it's a global thing? We have La Nina this year rather than El Nino which explains the extra rain.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

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.

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That is a worry. She looks quite drunk doesn't she?

I hope it is something straightforward that is easy to fix like an ear infection and she comes right very soon.