Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

I feel terrible, I accidentally hurt Tegan!

The flies have got really bad in the last couple of days and I noticed there some more really mucky butts. So I thought I would clip the yucky feathers at night whilst they are more compliant, like I have done in the past. I did both the salmons without incident, then I got Tegan. I stick a towel over their head and body so they can’t flap, but Tegan kept trying to back out. I held her to stop her doing it and on the third time, I must have somehow compressed her crop when she had her head down as she made this horrible rattling cough. I took the towel off and she’s got her beak open, and it’s wet. I yell for hubby to come out with his phone and get him to look up ‘aspirating chickens’ (I think he ended up on BYC). Tegan is still rattling and coughing, but she seemed to calm down and closed her beak. She still sounded slightly rattle-y as I gently put her back into bed, but she was obviously breathing as she hadn’t passed out and hadn’t coughed for about five minutes.

I feel really sick. I was trying to do the right thing and prevent her from getting fly-blown and I nearly suffocated her! I will cross everything that she is ok in the morning.

I'm sorry this happened, but suspect she will be OK. I will keep reading to find out!

 

[micstrachan]

Shake Your Pom Pon

For those around the world that may not know what a pom pon is, in the US we have cheerleaders for spring events. Every high school event has them. They have puffy balls they hold in their hands that they shake as they cheer, called pom pons. Here is my youngest in her cheerleading outfit holding her pom pons. (She would be horrified if she knew I was posting this photo. She is an attorney now and would find this embarrassing. So serious now. All the more reason to share it. @Grammy60 this is mischief for me today. )

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Why cheerleading photos on a chicken website?

Well everytime I see Phyllis groom herself, I picture a cheerleaders pom pon. I just can't help myself.

Check her out. Phyllis and Lilly were also quite iridescent without direct sunshine in the video.

haha! Yes! It's such a pompon!!!

 

[micstrachan]

That is very true! We have all seen her flip herself to after shaking the dust off as well!

For those who may have missed it.....

OMG, this cracked me up as much as the first time I saw it!!!

 

[micstrachan]

All that chicken stuff is difficult on your own. I often find myself wishing I had another pair of hands. Thing is, not any old hands will do. I've tried that and it just made things more difficult.

I can see that, Shad. Good point.

 

[micstrachan]

Well Ned has decided that he is King of the Cushions!! View attachment 2372005

He just will not be contained!
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He is not far from the other flocks when he's out. I had to spend the weekend fortifying the new chicken run.

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Love that Ned!

 

[micstrachan]

I have had birds in my flock lose their voice for a day or two and then recover on their own. However, I did not know what caused the voice loss in the first place. I would not panic yet, but definitely keep a close watch. I personally would not rush to antibiotics, but be prepared just in case. When you said you'd take her, did you mean to an avian vet? I believe that's always best, when possible.

 

[LozzyR]

I have had birds in my flock lose their voice for a day or two and then recover on their own. However, I did not know what caused the voice loss in the first place. I would not panic yet, but definitely keep a close watch. I personally would not rush to antibiotics, but be prepared just in case. When you said you'd take her, did you mean to an avian vet? I believe that's always best, when possible.

He’s not officially an avian vet but he has owned chooks so has had experience.

Lucy lost her voice and never got it back! She sometimes rattles but I think she’s been like that for ages and is still feisty!

 

[LozzyR]

So I took Tegan to see Dr Kevin after work today. I got home and thought she sounded a bit more like herself, but when I gave her a blueberry, she made high-pitched noises that sounded between a cough and a sneeze. So I popped her in the pet carrier and took her the surgery, the one 25 minutes away, not 5 minutes away. We got straight in and Dr Kevin listened to her lungs and looked down her throat. He thought she doesn’t have fluid on her lungs but might have an inflammation in her throat. He didn’t think antibiotics or anti-inflammatories were necessary, but I just need to watch her over the next couple of days. When I got home she chowed down on the layer feed and wandered around for a bit before settling into bed.

Tegan says “Thanks for thinking of me, everyone!”

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

You are very kind. I will treasure each photo. And for you as well. It has to be harder for you than me for sure.

It's not too hard yet. I guess I'm still in the denial stage...

Anyway here are some pics I took for you.

The top 2 hens in my flock.

Tsuki has filled her crop and is now resting and digesting.

"What you looking at?"

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Someone is Taking Over my Spot

I did not go out Sunday morning and sit with the ladies. My mother was coming over that afternoon and deep cleaning of the house must occur before her arrival. At one point I looked longingly out the window and fortunately for the flock, someone was willing to assume my roll.

And doing a very good job too. All she needs now is a hat!