Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

his color is turning greyish on his face

Have you tried an antibiotic? It could be a systemic infection of some kind. It's not likely but it could be. The grey on his face is making me think heart problem and the only connection to an injury that I can think of is blood infection.

However I am a microbiologist and my brain means towards bacteria when there is no other cause apparent......

 

[BY Bob]

I have solved this particular issue by only buying #2 Robertson screws and bulk packs of the matching driverbits… if something comes with a Phillips screw I swap it out… I almost never need to look for a screwdriver as the ones I use most often I have I don’t know how many, and all the rest are rarely used, and usually manage to stay where they live in the garage trailer!

This is a bright strategy. Should have known you would have the best answer.

 

[Kris5902]

Or, a tiny flat head when you need a big one, or a big one when you need a little one!

Hmmm, at this rate, I'm going to need to take more pics to keep up to date on my taxes. Recycled ones will have to do for now:

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A very good boy that I am going to have to put down. He is only a year old, and near as I can tell, he has Mareck's. All my chicks have been vaccinated and/or hatched on site....no birds brought in but vaccinated chicks, so I am not sure how he got it, but it seems to be the classic symptoms and I can find no other reason. He can't use his legs. I have been working with him trying to supplement vit. B and exercising legs 2 x per day...and it has gotten worse, not better. Poor guy, he is sweet and was a good boy to the girls..... this is so hard, but, watching him quietly yesterday...I realized that I was so attached that I ignoring the obvious. He initially (quite suddenly - after a fight with another roo) was very weak in the legs and I brought him inside to protect him and work with him (initially thinking it was pain from injuries.) Despite my efforts, legs are worse...now he has no control of lower legs at all, no reflex nor grip motion with feet, nothing. He does have a will to live....but it is no life not being able to move. He can't even tip himself from one side to the other with his legs when laying...he has to use his wings. These pics were from March.

I’m sorry, he’s beautiful and sounds like a really good boy. If the quality of life isn’t there though it’s probably the kinder thing to do.

 

[Marie2020]

Here is a great rooster. He loves YouTube videos and movies . (And getting his waddles rubbed)
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So like my Agatha

 

[Marie2020]

Tuesday twosomes

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Such pretty little ladies

 

[Marie2020]

Have you tried an antibiotic? It could be a systemic infection of some kind. It's not likely but it could be. They grey on his face is making me think heart problem and the only connection to an injury that I can think of is blood infection.

However I am a microbiologist and my brain means towards bacteria when there is no other cause apparent......

If its heart maybe cinnamon? It's helped my blood pressure.

I'm not knocking you Bob, it's good when we share then there's choices

 

[Marie2020]

Woohoo!

 

[Marie2020]

Would anyone know if I can use this plant as a safe cover for my girls. Insects like it.

 

[ManueB]

Would anyone know if I can use this plant as a safe cover for my girls. Insects like it.

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Hard to tell from the picture but it could be arnica or another asteracae. Many are toxic internally (though if it is arnica it's very useful topically) but I have arnica and asters and my hens don't touch them.
Do they have two small leaves that face each other , that helps to recognize arnica ?
Or if you have a mobile with internet you can use plantnet, an application to recognize plants by taking a picture.

 

[bgmathteach]

No, but there is nothing else I can find that could cause this, I have no Vet I can bring him to, and he was vaccinated (so might be a slower progressing with partial immunity?) But he no longer can use his legs at all. He uses his wings and his head/neck to 'adjust himself' and he mostly goes in a circle or inches forward a small bit.

He definitely has a will to survive, but what a miserable life for a chicken. And other Roos will definitely pick on him, so it also means a solitary life. And, eventually, he will get ulcers on his breast bone. I've been holding him on his side for an hour or more in my arms after doing exercises so he gets a couple of hours/day off breast bone, and I have padding/cushioning under him....but still....and his color is turning greyish on his face

Okay, so I looked back - I had messaged someone on the 30th of May, and it was almost 2 weeks then.....so about 5 weeks. In that time went from fighting trying to take on older/dominant Roo ( and winning sometimes.) To hurting his leg and not standing (I thought because of pain)in a 48 hour time span....brought him in, and in 5 weeks went from shaking legs standing (again, thought it was pain, treated wounds and gave him ibuprofen for pain), to couldn't stand, but could still move lower legs & had weak grip in feet....to no use of legs now...no resistance at all during exercises, not a glimmer of grip with feet.

If anyone thinks it is something else, feel free to offer suggestions for treatment. But the poor guy just can't live like this and I have no idea what else I can do for him.