Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Such a worry. I hope an opportunity to cool off will help her.

I hope so. I'm very concerned.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Hattie is Unwell

She was her active self at lunch time today and then she disappeared. I assumed she was hanging in the shade beating the heat. It was 96°F, 35.5°C today. We had dinner outside on the shade deck in the evening. So the crew took up coming around and begging for food. It took me quite a while before I realized Hattie was missing. The littles were especially entertaining with Lucky raiding the dinner table itself and making off with the end of a hot dog roll from my son in law's plate.

Sudney thought that if she got close to my Dad she might get something from him. She was successful!
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Hattie was feeling well enough at lunchtime to pause for a quick sunbathing with Lilly.
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Once I noticed she was missing I quickly located her under the magnolia tree. I called her and she took 2 steps but would not come. So I went to her with a piece of pasta in my hand. She would not eat it.

So I proceeded to check her out. Her craw was full of water. She had not laid an egg today but I could feel nothing in her abdomen. Her posterior had feces in her feathers and as I watched clear liquid was ejected and ran down her bum. When I was done she wandered back to the water dish under the tree. There she remained until nightfall. Not moving. Just standing there.

I am operating as if she has overheated. Right now she is in the spare bedroom in the broody crate with a water dispenser. I am leaving her inside all night. I will check her again in the morning, clean up her bum and see how she is feeling. I am hoping a night in cool air-conditioned environment will bring her back around.

Such a worry. I hope an opportunity to cool off will help her.

I hope she improves as it cools down in the evening.
Have you left her a bit of food too so she can fill her crop if she feels better?

The photo of Sydney and your Dad is really sweet by the way.

 

[RoyalChick]

That is so cool. Very clever. You should be very proud. I would never have thought of that solution.

Thank you. And so sorry to hear that Hattie is unwell. Hopefully just the heat.

 

[Kelly60]

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I have been wanting to do this for some time now. I knew once I started doing this there would be no going back. So I am now diving in and I hope you all enjoy coming along for the ride.

First of all let me tell you how we view our flock as that will help you to understand why we treat them like we do.

Our birds are our pets and we treat them as such. We do not care if someone is not laying eggs. They are welcome to stay at Fluffy Butt Acres until they pass naturally. (Now don't go telling them that! I would hate for word to get out) We do thoroughly enjoy the fresh eggs.

I plan to tell stories from the past as well as from today. I hope you all enjoy and will share stories of your flocks as well.

I will definitely be watching for more post on your fluffy butt flock

 

[BY Bob]

I will definitely be watching for more post on your fluffy butt flock

Come join us all here in the current time. You can catch up on what has gone before at your leisure.

 

[RoyalChick]

How is Hattie doing this morning Bob?

 

[BY Bob]

Hattie Update

She made no noise overnight. I was actually frightened off what I might find when I opened the door to the spare bedroom.

This is what I found in the morning.

She had laid an egg overnight. I opened both doors but she was not exceptionally interested in leaving the crate.

I read to her for a little bit and she finally stood up. Waiting under her was a surprise. A second egg!

It was soft shelled.

Once she stood up, she started grooming herself. That made me feel much better even though she stood there with her tail down.

After grooming for a bit, we finished her story and she squatted and released the nastiest liquid feces. Then proceeded to lay down. I did not want her laying in it so I scooped her up and decided to put her outside to see what she would do.

As soon as i set her on the deck, she bolted, tail up, straight for the coop. I released everyone else and the whole flock gathered around her. She had a spring in her step and off to chicken about in the cooler morning temperatures.

I believe at this point i am going to write this up to overheating. With the two eggs coming out I feel reasonably certain there is not an egg production issue. That was my worst fear.

I will keeping a sharp eye on her today. This heat wave is supposed to continue through Tuesday. I'm going to have to watch the whole flock closely.

 

[BY Bob]

How is Hattie doing this morning Bob?

I do think that the heat had gotten to her. She is back out with the flock now and seems like herself. Thankfully.

 

[LozzyR]

Hattie Update

She made no noise overnight. I was actually frightened off what I might find when I opened the door to the spare bedroom.

This is what I found in the morning.

View attachment 2251842

She had laid an egg overnight. I opened both doors but she was not exceptionally interested in leaving the crate.

View attachment 2251843

I read to her for a little bit and she finally stood up. Waiting under her was a surprise. A second egg! View attachment 2251846

It was soft shelled.
View attachment 2251849

Once she stood up, she started grooming herself. That made me feel much better even though she stood there with her tail down.
View attachment 2251854

After grooming for a bit, we finished her story and she squatted and released the nastiest liquid feces. Then proceeded to lay down. I did not want her laying in it so I scooped her up and decided to put her outside to see what she would do.

As soon as i set her on the deck, she bolted, tail up, straight for the coop. I released everyone else and the whole flock gathered around her. She had a spring in her step and off to chicken about in the cooler morning temperatures.

I believe at this point i am going to write this up to overheating. With the two eggs coming out I feel reasonably certain there is not an egg production issue. That was my worst fear.

I will keeping a sharp eye on her today. This heat wave is supposed to continue through Tuesday. I'm going to have to watch the whole flock closely.

Poor Hattie! I hope she is feeling better today. Have you got some ice in their water and cold watermelon?

 

[BY Bob]

Poor Hattie! I hope she is feeling better today. Have you got some ice in their water and cold watermelon?

Yes. The ice in the water lasts about 10 min in this heat. I have been spraying down their dust bathing pits underneath the magnolia tree with the hose as well. I need to freeze some blueberries for them.