Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Diaper change maybe?
@BY Bob I promise I won't bore the group on your thread with non-chicken stuff but as we have some knowledgeable folk here I am curious what you think is going on here.
First it is clear that there are three live baby wrens.
But look in the second half when he is given something to remove from the nest. What could that be?

I’m on my phone, so couldn’t see very well. Baby poop? Many years ago, we had a pool. Nesting Brewers Black Birds used to clean the baby poop out of tge nest and drop them in our pool.

 

[micstrachan]

Weight Loss is a serious concern that needs investigating.

You probably know all this but I would start with making sure she had good consistent access to food. After that, I would visit a vet if you have access. If not, can you get her poo tested for worms, etc.? You might consider worming her.

Yes. That. And a could other things. What is her laying status? Sorry if I don’t know that, but should. Laying issues often lead to muscle wasting. They can pick at feed without actually consuming much. How is her crop function? It should be full before bed, if she’s eating well, and completely empty first thing in the morning.

 

[micstrachan]

Well, I just cannot keep up with this thread. Every time I check in here there are pages and pages of posts. I gave up for a while, and now coming back fresh, I'm still pretty lost every day. You all sure are talkative!

Happy Mothers' Day to all the moms out there. I'm heading out to see my little chicken mama and her baby. Maybe bring her a special treat for her special day.

Oh, please take pictures! Nothing is better than a chicken mama and her chick(s). And on Mother’s Day! What a treasure!

 

[micstrachan]

Have a wonderful day everyone here in Bob land -View attachment 2132131
View attachment 2132125

That’s where you live? How fabulous. Your flock must have a great life!

 

[Ali James]

Dear friends, I’m very sad to have to tell you I had Chickie euthanised this morning. Sunday to Tuesday she seemed to be having really good days but this morning, she was lethargic, reluctant to leave the run and would stand hunched with her eyes closed. I decided that this was not the behaviour of a chicken that is healthy and I didn’t think she was going to get any better. So I made the (very) hard decision and called the vet. Dr Nikki isn’t working today so Dr Kevin did the deed. I decided I would bring her back home and bury her next to Emily and we had a good cuddle first. I followed Shad’s example and buried her with a bit of cheese so she could pay the ferryman.

When it gets less crazy, I might buy a couple of shrubs to plant over Emily and Chickie, for now they have rocks so I know where they are. If it’s ok with Bob, I will post some of my favourite photos of her as a tribute.

@LozzyR I have known for some time that this post was coming; several 100 pages back when I picked up on this thread again I noticed in your signature that there was an RIP for poor Chickie. It must have been such a terrible day for you and your flock. You got to say a decent goodbye and I'm sure she went with dignity.

 

[micstrachan]

@featherhead007 I used to use raw egg as my go-to with an undernourished chicken. They seem to find it irresistible! But I found out my flock carries too much fat and no longer feed them eggs as treats. So now I always have baby bird formula from the regular pet store on hand. I use it to feed Dorothy her calcium. I use it to syringe feed Ruby the few days she won’t eat (to stimulate her appetite and keep her digestive system functioning). I sneak it to the heaviest molters in the middle of the night. But they go crazy for it. so you have to remove the one who needs it (FB) let her eat in peace and then out her back. Last year my Millie aka Little Mill was feeling so bad during molt, she nearly starved herself to death. The flock was out free ranging, and Little Mill was just sitting around. I hadn’t been handling her due to molt, so didn’t really know what condition she was in, just that she didn’t feel well. It was cool out, so I scooped her up in s towel (so as not to touch her pin feathers) and brought her to the coop. She resisted just a little, and when I set her down, it was quite alarming, as she was having some sort of neurological response. Her wing was sticking out funny and stiff and she had a hard time climbing the ramp and jumping to her roost. She went to bed earlier than the others (obviously, since they were still out free ranging) and looked weak, tired, and a bit unstable. Later, after they had all gone to roost, I went out to check on her, since it was a cold (for California) night. Good thing I did! Millie had fallen from the roost and was sprawled out on the coop floor. I honestly think if I had not checked, she would have died that night. I rushed her inside, and put her in a pet carrier with a little area heater nearby. She was VERY tired, so I didn’t try force feeding her or anything, just let her warm up. I had water and feed available for her, but she ignored it. Then before I went to bed, I had the brilliant idea of offering her a little bowl of warm, soupy baby bird formula. She gobbled it up so fast! I kept her in at night for a few nights, and even brought Roxy with her one of the nights, since she was having a rough molt, too. Now I know just how hard they can take molt if they are sensitive. Both are good and healthy today!
Anyway, sorry about this long post. My point is, FB might enjoy and respond to a baby bird formula treat. I now buy mine (Kaytee Exact) from Amazon.

 

[micstrachan]

@LozzyR here is the thread I tried to start. I think someone else started one more successfully than I did later on. I’ll try tk find that one, too.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/remembrance-thread.1204977/

 

[micstrachan]

Here is the other thread. I’m not sure if I ever put Bagheera on it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/in-memoriam-open-to-all.1331516/#post-21738394

 

[BY Bob]

I’m on my phone, so couldn’t see very well. Baby poop? Many years ago, we had a pool. Nesting Brewers Black Birds used to clean the baby poop out of tge nest and drop them in our pool.

That would be it! No one drops anything in my pool.

 

[BY Bob]

That’s where you live? How fabulous. Your flock must have a great life!

Isn't it awesome! Reminds me of home.