Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

You need to post more photos of all your feathered (and furred) friends.

Today:

 

[Ponypoor]

Today:View attachment 2943588View attachment 2943589

I do so like barred rocks, you have a nice looking flock there jealous of your green grass

 

[featherhead007]

I do so like barred rocks, you have a nice looking flock there jealous of your green grass

Not grass. Clover and nasty weeds!

 

[Ponypoor]

Not grass. Clover and nasty weeds!

My gals really like clover, esp the white flowers. Hopefully clover is ok for chickies, I too have mostly clover.

I also noted they liked the leaves of my tomato plants and petunias... Hopefully those things are also ok for chickens!!

 

[Ponypoor]

Hi everyone. Sorry I’ve barely been on and have only posted about Ester. Lots going on.

My son was just diagnosed with strep throat. Ester is still unwell and has been self isolating, so I brought her in to warm up. She’s literally just standing there. She is backed up, swollen, not pooping or eating. I did see her drink when she came out this morning.

I gave her an aspirin for the ascites and swelling, and started her on amoxicillin. I wanted to give her some pedialyte with aloe detox, but her crop isn’t moving, so I held off. Instead, I gave her some coconut oil in hopes it helps loosen whatever is backing her up. There is a disgusting stench coming from her when I handle her, I think from her crop. Poor thing… like she’s rotting from the inside out.

Unfortunately, I don’t know if the ascites is causing the blockage or is secondary to it.

I don’t usually like to remove sick birds from the flock, but she’s been hanging out by herself, anyway. I may keep her in tonight for warmth and so I can know for sure that she isn’t pooping. If I can get her crop moving, I’d also like to get some aloe detox in her for the ascites, as well.

I’m not sure what else to do at this point. I may check in the morning if an avian vet can see her. It would be helpful to know what color the fluid in her coelum is, and maybe they could do some imaging. If she’s blocked by cancer, salpingitis, or something that can’t be cleared, like her gizzard, I may have her put down.

How is Ester doing? Any update?

 

[featherhead007]

Had I known that this winter season would have so much rain, I would have done a more thorough job of winterizing the coop. It’s dry inside, but there is an open draft area in the loft. I’m hoping my beloved friends are doing okay.

 

[rural mouse]

Thing managed to dip her crest feathers this morning. They promptly froze. gathered her up, inside we went. No one else is up, so I'm fumbling through the cabinet for the hair dryer none of us use, but kept it just for this, one handed while holding on to a bird who isn't all that keen to be inside. Daren't put her down or I'll never get her up again. Find the dryer, plug in near the door (still one handed) and start working on the feathers. She keeps shaking her head and sending water flying.one of the kids finally turns up so I can hand off the dryer and start working on spreading feathers/feeling base of them. She's back in the coop with the others and is acting a bit more assertive. all dry, feathers preened back into place.

Most spent the day roosting. Watched Silver groom Cheetah, then Pear. Storm got a peck, then snuggled in (she gives the other pullets space, but snuggles in with Silver and/or Pear. Cuckoo also got a peck, then some grooming. Twirp fits down inside the feeder (after the "best food"?) And can hop right out again too. what will she get into/discover next?

 

[featherhead007]

Alarm, alarm!! Arizona is molting now too. Redheaded feathers everywhere this morning. She must have been plucking them out all night long. (Why does this happen in the coldest part of winter?) I picked her up, she flapped her wings and POOF, feathers everywhere.

Arizona she sure gets cranky when she’s molting! (She bites)

 

[micstrachan]

Had I known that this winter season would have so much rain, I would have done a more thorough job of winterizing the coop. It’s dry inside, but there is an open draft area in the loft. I’m hoping my beloved friends are doing okay.
View attachment 2943740

It’s a crazy amount of rain, right, Alex? But we need it to get out of this drought.

 

[micstrachan]

Thing managed to dip her crest feathers this morning. They promptly froze. gathered her up, inside we went. No one else is up, so I'm fumbling through the cabinet for the hair dryer none of us use, but kept it just for this, one handed while holding on to a bird who isn't all that keen to be inside. Daren't put her down or I'll never get her up again. Find the dryer, plug in near the door (still one handed) and start working on the feathers. She keeps shaking her head and sending water flying.one of the kids finally turns up so I can hand off the dryer and start working on spreading feathers/feeling base of them. She's back in the coop with the others and is acting a bit more assertive. all dry, feathers preened back into place.

Most spent the day roosting. Watched Silver groom Cheetah, then Pear. Storm got a peck, then snuggled in (she gives the other pullets space, but snuggles in with Silver and/or Pear. Cuckoo also got a peck, then some grooming. Twirp fits down inside the feeder (after the "best food"?) And can hop right out again too. what will she get into/discover next?

Oh my gosh! Good thing (no pun intended) you were there to rescue her from herself!