Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

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Sorry I missed Rocks-Anne’s ordeal. Was she eggbound?

 

[micstrachan]

Yesterday was irrigation day here—the first in some time due to a scheduled pause over the holidays. The last few had also been at night. These chickens range from 5 to almost 10 months old, so the rush of water was an unwelcome surprise at first.

We made for higher ground
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We were nervous and had to get a ride across the yard on the human
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Nora panicked and forgot that a) she can’t really fly and b) that’s not a proper tree
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But she promised me she meant to do that
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Hazel was making no promises and had to be wheeled about
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Fran modeling the latest in mud shoes
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Adorable girls!

 

[BY Bob]

Thanks. So nothing had changed since I checked last. At least neither is worse!

That is true.

 

[BY Bob]

Sorry I missed Rocks-Anne’s ordeal. Was she eggbound?

She laid and seems to be doing better.

 

[featherhead007]

That's cool!

Sorry I missed Rocks-Anne’s ordeal. Was she eggbound?

nothing a warm bath and massage couldn’t cure.

 

[featherhead007]

nothing a warm bath and massage couldn’t cure.

Oops.

 

[micstrachan]

I should add, after Delta did his cleaning, I was knelt down doing something and he tried to give me kisses. You have no idea

 

[micstrachan]

So, DH and I have agreed that we are going to attempt to lance Roostie’s foot tomorrow. It will be his last day of the antibiotics as well. I have seen hens heal up some pretty awful injuries, without antibiotics, so I’m hoping he feels much better and the little bit of pain/discomfort will be mitigated by a lot of relief once the mass of pus is cleared out. I’ve got a lot of trepidation about this but I really think it’s the best thing I can do for him. I’m a little concerned about the tendons and structure of the foot, bleeding, and I don’t want to be messing around with it more than necessary. If some of the pus is left in the wound do you guys think his own system will eventually clear it out? I’m planning a full clean out and bedding replacement for the hospital tractor this afternoon... and I’m going to move it over a little further and add another large tarp. I hope it stops raining soon.

Oh, goodness. I must find the update on this!

 

[micstrachan]

A Snowy Day Project

I new that I would be mostly locked in the house today so I planned a chicken project. I have been wanting to memorialize the chickens that have passed on somehow. Yesterday I finally found a frame suitable to the task. Today I selected and printed the photos and devised the words. I think it came out pretty well.

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The sentiment is based upon a Ronny Millsap song. Here are the words.

Our paths will never cross again
Maybe our hearts will never mend
But we’re glad for all the good times
Cause you've brought us so much sunshine

We wouldn't trade one memory
Cause you meant so much to we
Even though we lost you all
We wouldn't have missed it for the world

Awww... really lovely, Bob.

 

[micstrachan]

Cillin had a much better day today. I got his foot done earlier than usual and bombed him out the door.
Both Mel and Fudge appeared without Treacle and Mel spent some time with Cillin before wandering back to join the others. Fudge got into the house nest box to lay and egg and broke two.I bombed Fudge out as well and set about cleaning out the nest box.
Fudge, having been evicted before she layed her egg being somewhat pissy at the eviction started to shout the house down. Cillin was close by and got there first but Treacle arrived very quickly ad chased Cillin away and headed up to the tribe coop with Fudge. Guess where Cillin went.
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Treacle is busy and was busy with Fudge for an hour or so.
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All the hens will follow Cillin and here he is guarding while they dust bath. At the back of the picture you can see Notch. Since Cillins confidence crisis Notch has driven Cillin away as soon as he sees him. He tried again today while Tribe 1's hens were dustbathing. Cillin stood his ground and when Notch made a run at him, turned to fight. Notch backed off and that's him just after he had tried to intimidate Cillin.
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Treacle arrived to rejoin the hens and drove Cillin away, but not very far and Treacle couldn't collect all the hens leaving Cillin with Tap and later Fat Bird and Tackle.
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Treacle have problems herding the hens.
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I looked for them all a while later wondering if Cillin and Treacle had got inot a fight. Cillin was back with the hens and no sign of Treacle.
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I found Treacle at the front of the house guarding Fudge while she had a bath.
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It wasn't until supper time that Treacle went for Cillin and drove him well away from the hens. Cillin until then had been just a few metres away from Treacle and Treacle didn't try to drive him away.

It sounds like Cillin is doing great! I just love how rooster guard the hens!