Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I got home from work tonight and BOTH my Wyandottes seemed unwell. Roxy (the SLW who had black poop and inflamed intestines) was pale and sitting around again, despite the fact that I haven’t seen black poop in awhile and her comb had gotten quite vibrant again until today. Lucky (BLRW) was waddling around with her tail up, wings slightly down, and a very messy fluffy butt. She always has a messy butt, as she has a bulge below her vent. I think it’s a giant fat pad. She’s the only one who hasn’t really slimmed down since I’ve been rationing feed. Anyway, she looked a little slimy, and I thought it could possibly be a dribble of egg white, so after I tucked them in, I plucked her off the roost and brought her inside. l gave her a soak in a warm bath, which she did not resist. As soon as she wanted out, I got her out and wrapped her in a towel, then gently towel dried her. She seemed weak and just stood there. The next thing you know, there was a sudden puddle of egg. I watched until the membrane was just barely sticking out and gently pulled it out for her. Washed the egg off her feathers and attempted a blow dry, which she did not want. Administered half a calcium tablet, waited for her to perk up a little, and brought her back out to the coop, which she was happy about. I peeked at Roxy who was still very pale and slightly open beak breathing. I really hope Roxy is just heading into molt, but I have a bad feeling about it. The tip of her comb is ever so slightly bluish. She did get several bites of canned cat food (first ingredient beef, second ingredient salmon) for iron. Poor babies.

Gosh. I hope they are improving today. I will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Do you think the smoke could be stressing Roxy?

 

[BY Bob]

Well she makes a rotten rooster. No tidbitting, no leading to safety, no looking out for danger. She just likes to bully and mount.

I wonder if I should start carrying a squirty bottle with me to dissuade her?

Just pick her up. It's a great reason for cuddles!

 

[BY Bob]

My Little Brontosaurus

From the first when I met her, Sydney's neck has impressed me. When she walks around stretching it out she reminds me of a dinosaur. It is just so long. I caught video of her last night picking out a roosting spot. It cuts out before she gets into the high roost as I had a network failure, but that neck is just amazing.

 

[RoyalChick]

My Little Brontosaurus

From the first when I met her, Sydney's neck has impressed me. When she walks around stretching it out she reminds me of a dinosaur. It is just so long. I caught video of her last night picking out a roosting spot. It cuts out before she gets into the high roost as I had a network failure, but that neck is just amazing.

She does indeed have quite a neck - I remember early on when you first introduced her to us you had a series of pictures where she was with a normal neck and in another she was essentially a giraffe with feathers!
Does she do this thing that my Elizabeth does which is go from standing to sitting while keeping her head in exactly the same position simply by elongating her neck? I keep trying to get it on video it is quite a sight. It happens when she is wanting to settle down on a roost or perch but something far away has caught her attention (fox?), so she keeps her eyes fixed on the 'something' in the distance, keeps her head still, and very slowly lowers from standing to sitting and her neck just gets longer and longer as she lowers herself.
The other thing fascinating to me about this video is that she is looking to decide where to roost. Mine are 100% creatures of habit. I have 4 credible roosts all at the exact same height (well then there are the tops of the windows but we won't discuss that!) and there is never any doubt where they are going - the only variability is in the order in which they march up the ladder to go to bed. They use the other roosts during the day to check out the view or have a preening party, so they know they are there and they can get up on them easily. But for bed-time it is fully regimented.

 

[micstrachan]

Gosh. I hope they are improving today. I will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Do you think the smoke could be stressing Roxy?

I do wonder, since it gives me headaches. Plus, the chicks have been spending time outside. New flock members always sdd stress, which is why I wasn’t getting chicks thus year until Little Mill’s broodiness persisted. They do bring ne jou@y, however.

 

[micstrachan]

I made the mistake of adding Pepper alone to the flock. Never again.

It took months for her to be accepted, and then it was only Edwina at first. Now she tends to hang out with Edwina during the day and snuggle up with Deana at night.

Glad poor pepper got through it ok and you learned from it.

 

[micstrachan]

It sounds like you got Lucky sorted out.

Roxy isn't sounding too good.

I hope they are both feeling better in the morning @micstrachan .

Thank you. Me, too.

 

[BY Bob]

Virtual Chicken Show

Folks we have some spectacular chickens. We should all enter someone in this contest.

 

[micstrachan]

My Little Brontosaurus

From the first when I met her, Sydney's neck has impressed me. When she walks around stretching it out she reminds me of a dinosaur. It is just so long. I caught video of her last night picking out a roosting spot. It cuts out before she gets into the high roost as I had a network failure, but that neck is just amazing.

That is impressive! Has your coop cam had sound this whole time? Can you remind me what you use?

 

[BY Bob]

She does indeed have quite a neck - I remember early on when you first introduced her to us you had a series of pictures where she was with a normal neck and in another she was essentially a giraffe with feathers!
Does she do this thing that my Elizabeth does which is go from standing to sitting while keeping her head in exactly the same position simply by elongating her neck? I keep trying to get it on video it is quite a sight. It happens when she is wanting to settle down on a roost or perch but something far away has caught her attention (fox?), so she keeps her eyes fixed on the 'something' in the distance, keeps her head still, and very slowly lowers from standing to sitting and her neck just gets longer and longer as she lowers herself.
The other thing fascinating to me about this video is that she is looking to decide where to roost. Mine are 100% creatures of habit. I have 4 credible roosts all at the exact same height (well then there are the tops of the windows but we won't discuss that!) and there is never any doubt where they are going - the only variability is in the order in which they march up the ladder to go to bed. They use the other roosts during the day to check out the view or have a preening party, so they know they are there and they can get up on them easily. But for bed-time it is fully regimented.

She does do the sit down with head at same height trick. It's been a while since I saw her do it though. First one to get video wins.

One of the things that makes me shake my head is that she roosts in the same spot every night. But each time she checks everything out to make certain that there isn't a better place that has somehow been added without her knowing.