Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[drstratton]

I like rodents, but in a cage, with a wheel. Not free-ranging!

Ours was caged...unless being held!

 

[drstratton]

Some of my girls do that!

It's so fun when they do! I had to be super quiet walking out to catch this on video. If they hear me, they beat me to the gate before I come around the garden...they are definitely treat oriented..

 

[micstrachan]

I don’t know why I find this so cute but I do. All the Princesses tucked in for the night. Getting chilly so they are all floofed up and all burying their faces in their feathers.
I was really just checking for mice but had to peep in on the sleeping ladies too.
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Sweethearts!!!

 

[MaryJanet]

As a newbie, and a general control freak, I am coming to understand that it may be that to a certain extent these things with chickens are beyond our control, and even more so than with some other animals, because chickens are a prey animal and they are so good at hiding their ailments, until they are right at death's door. But I also see that many things are not controllable, even when we know what is going on ahead of time. A lot of these ailments are due to systemic failures that are not curable. We cannot fix it, and more importantly, no one can fix it.

Sometimes, the most anyone can do, and the most anyone - including yourself - can and should expect from you, is to give them love and comfort when it is clear there is no more to be done. You performed that care very well.

I may understand your feeling of shock and devastation, having cared for someone's health myself and not been able to change the course of disease (in both humans and pets). It is very hard to accept this devastation, and there's a part of our brains that wants and needs to find a reason for why we feel so bad, and it is easy to get into a coulda-shoulda world of blame. Don't go there. It took me awhile to understand that that can be part of the nature of grief. It takes time, and living through it, to deal with it. You need to grieve for her and yourself, for your loss of your companion. Try to remember to be kind to yourself in this process.

I'm chiming in to say that even Dr Mark, with all his years of veterinary education, followed by more years of avian specialist education, followed by decades of treating birds, and full use of all the right equipment and medications - the guy is a bird healing guru - even Dr Mark didn't really know for sure what was wrong with Peggy until he opened her up.

We humble folks really are working in the dark, comparatively speaking.

 

[MaryJanet]

I know. This too shall pass.

Such wise words Ribh.

Remember lost loved ones with joy and today's loved ones will be grateful.

I'm reminded of this song.

 

[MaryJanet]

It worked for me but I am repeating below. This is not super up. Hattie was moving that quickly!

Until this video, I hadn't noticed Hattie's neck feathers reach around her neck!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Let's see it this works...

It works! Thanks CCCL

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Update: Canna is very weak, disoriented and acts very lethargic. (I am doing the best I can for her)

It kinda seems that I want to now too! This would leave me with 4 (I can't handle this anymore)

My beloved Canna Canna just died in my arms at 10:09 PST Canna, I love you. Goodbye my blessed friend.

I'm so sorry for your loss Alex.

It sounds like she had a good life with you and, for what it's worth it sounds like you gave her a peaceful death. Very calm and with someone who loved her.

I'm sorry that you, like most of us, don't have access to a chicken vet, but we all keep learning and doing our best by our birds. All life has a beginning, middle and end. All we can do is our best for those around us while we are in the middle bit. Keep learning and doing the best for your flock and enjoy them while they are with you. Hugs.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Not doing too well here. Fudge is sick.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-doughy-or-squishy-crop.1427691/post-23597415

I'm on it but between lockdowns delaying the post and problems with brand names etc atm things are not looking good. There is almost always an underlying problem with crop disorders and they are not things either me or Gloria the vet here are equiped to deal with.
Amyway. I'll try everything I can and hope.
Here she is with Fat Bird. Fat Bird knows.
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Oh dear, so sorry Shad.
Has she had crop issues before? Do you know what the issue might be this time? (Impacted, sour, doughy?) Would a live cultured yogurt help? (Just read your post which answered these questions. Should have read it before writing my reply )
Will you be trying a crop bra?

Hoping for the best for you and Fudge. It sounds like Fat Bird is a very empathetic chicken. ❤

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

You're all going to hate me. I'm going to do it again.....
This is the first book I got about chickens and other fowl. I attended a lecture at The British Poultry Club many years ago and this was a book many recommended.
Victoria Roberts is old school but incredibly knowledgeable about her subject.
Don't expect any fluffy buttness in this book. It's a down to earth, if a bit dated book that covers most of the chicken sickness problems with free range chickens.
Contained chickens can have other problems but this is a great guide in general.
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Curse you Shad! Now added to my Xmas wish list

Yes, I can read the print [you knew I had to try, didn't you ]I was a bit worried it would be so scientific I'd get lost but so far all is good. I'm glad I waited for something really good. I've been hoarding the birthday money my mum sent me so actually splurged on a hardcover copy.

Where did you score a hardcover from Ribh? The sites I looked at only had the paperback editions.