Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

The feeling of relief I had today, yes they do. My girls have me trained. I have 4 new layers who started up in the past week and a half, Clover and the 3 Holly girls, *Bunny, Lola, and Granny*. So far they are consistent in where they choose to lay and have yet to make me play 'find the Easter egg" like Henrietta and Daisy would sometimes do if something disturbed their preferred egg laying spot. Today's snow threw them for a loop as they would have to venture out into it to reach their nest boxes. They were having none of it and raising a ruckus. So I did the only reasonable thing to do. Bundled up, and carried each hen to her spot so she could lay her egg. Clover who is generally hands off even came up and hopped up on the chair between the stalls and waited her turn to be carried. I got to thinking, would they get this kind of pampering with someone else? I think it might be better if he does get hatching eggs and raise his own chicks. I have spent countless hours with these chickens since they hatched. I know all their quirks, they are spoiled, know their names, and expect certain treats at specific times of the day and I oblige them happily. Now the odd boy Crybaby will have to go, and sadly, it looks like it wont be a happy ending. But if I have to do it, it will be quick, and he will have lived a good life until the end, and buried. He really crossed the line today attacking Bumblebee, and got aggressive trying to breed momma hen who wanted nothing of it until Drummie gave him a sound whipping. It bother's me more then I care to admit to even think of doing this, but, it must be done and eating him is out of the question. Its not because my family does not like to eat chicken, its simply because none of us like dark meat, or prefer chicken on the bone, so we all agree eating any of them would be a waste.

 

[RoyalChick]

Sad News I'm afraid.
The vet looked her over and said her condition appears neurological . Could be Marek's Disease (her neck was weak and her head was pointing back), a spinal injury, poisoning or a number of other things none of which can be realistically treated . I asked the vet to euthanase her.



I gave her a quick once over when I looked at her this morning @micstrachan . She felt heavy to me. I couldn't feel her crop, her vent was a bit pink with some poo on the feathers. Her last egg was in around March last year I think. She was in the middle of a light moult. The vet said that her breast muscles were atrophied which I hadn't noticed so she has probably been sick for a while.

The only odd behaviour I had noticed in the last few weeks was that she preferred to roost on the floor instead of on the perch. She roosted on the high perch the night before last so...who knows?

I'm sorry it is such sudden bad news.

Tsuki at the breakfast bar, bullying until the end. 25/1/21
View attachment 2513726

and having watermelon 15/1/21

View attachment 2513725

I'm sitting in the study looking out the window. Deana is perched on the back of the garden bench alone.

Thank you for your kind thoughts everyone.❤

Oh I am so sorry. Very sad.
She had a good life with you to the end.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm so sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful hen.

Yes that she was. @Aussie-Chookmum do please share more photos of her so we can all celebrate her life. Whenever you feel ready.

 

[Scrambles83]

And at the other end of the spectrum.......I was doing a mite check.

Just check behind my ears again
View attachment 2444293View attachment 2444295

He is so handsome!

 

[Marie2020]

Good morning to all on fluffy butts

 

[FransGran]

Sad News I'm afraid.
The vet looked her over and said her condition appears neurological . Could be Marek's Disease (her neck was weak and her head was pointing back), a spinal injury, poisoning or a number of other things none of which can be realistically treated . I asked the vet to euthanase her.



I gave her a quick once over when I looked at her this morning @micstrachan . She felt heavy to me. I couldn't feel her crop, her vent was a bit pink with some poo on the feathers. Her last egg was in around March last year I think. She was in the middle of a light moult. The vet said that her breast muscles were atrophied which I hadn't noticed so she has probably been sick for a while.

The only odd behaviour I had noticed in the last few weeks was that she preferred to roost on the floor instead of on the perch. She roosted on the high perch the night before last so...who knows?

I'm sorry it is such sudden bad news.

Tsuki at the breakfast bar, bullying until the end. 25/1/21
View attachment 2513726

and having watermelon 15/1/21

View attachment 2513725

I'm sitting in the study looking out the window. Deana is perched on the back of the garden bench alone.

Thank you for your kind thoughts everyone.❤

This is heartbreaking! I’m so sorry.

 

[featherhead007]

Sad News I'm afraid.
The vet looked her over and said her condition appears neurological . Could be Marek's Disease (her neck was weak and her head was pointing back), a spinal injury, poisoning or a number of other things none of which can be realistically treated . I asked the vet to euthanase her.



I gave her a quick once over when I looked at her this morning @micstrachan . She felt heavy to me. I couldn't feel her crop, her vent was a bit pink with some poo on the feathers. Her last egg was in around March last year I think. She was in the middle of a light moult. The vet said that her breast muscles were atrophied which I hadn't noticed so she has probably been sick for a while.

The only odd behaviour I had noticed in the last few weeks was that she preferred to roost on the floor instead of on the perch. She roosted on the high perch the night before last so...who knows?

I'm sorry it is such sudden bad news.

Tsuki at the breakfast bar, bullying until the end. 25/1/21
View attachment 2513726

and having watermelon 15/1/21

View attachment 2513725

I'm sitting in the study looking out the window. Deana is perched on the back of the garden bench alone.

Thank you for your kind thoughts everyone.❤

But it was Tsuki. Everyone's favorite hen here on BYC. I'm actually crying as I type this.. I'm so sorry. Awww, TSUKI!

 

[featherhead007]

In honor of TSUKI:

 

[featherhead007]

I wish I could just turn back time (to before TSUKI became ill) then everything would be okay. I would turn the clock back far enough to encompass my Canna as well!

 

[BY Bob]

Bob, do those string lights put off any heat? Wondering if they were wrapped around the automatic door if they’d keep things from freezing shut? If not, how about an incandescent bulb?

Very clever idea. Sadly those lights make absolutely no heat.

I need to encase the track. A quick cardboard box stapled on will cover me until I make a more permanent fix in spring. I was planning to do some redesign on the porch this spring anyway. I want to make it bigger and tie it into the big run more efficiently.