Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

So did my Lucy! But because she was ex-battery her beak was trimmed and wasn’t sharp, so she couldn’t rip bits off it. It died of blunt force trauma and I buried it under a frangipani I was planting. She did swallow a couple of baby frogs whole though.

My girls seem to go after anything that moves. They once got an adult frog and chased each other around tearing it to pieces.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I used a blow-dryer when I bathed their bums recently, and they didn't mind it, most liked it once they felt it was warm air. I had gotten them pretty wet in this first bath, leg and even belly feathers too on Butters who had a bad case of stuck-on poo back there, and I didn't want them getting chilled. I used sweeping motions while fluffing with my fingers and I could monitor how warm it was (switched to cool for a bit, then back to warm, closer and further away, just like the salon!). For some reason everybody stood there on the towel relatively serenely once they felt the warm air.

I also used a little coconut oil around their vents and a small bit on the feather shafts there while the feathers were wet, in the idea it would help replace any oils lost in the bath, and help poo fall away later. It warms and thins, and didn't prevent any fluffing; your fingers are distributing it I guess too. I made sure to start the blower up a good 6 feet from them to not startle them (I stepped away with it and held my arm away) before bringing it closer.

That really does sound like the salon treatment. no wonder they were happy to stand still for you.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Magnificent Mugshot Monday

and there's a Fluffy Butt in there too as back pay for Friday.

 

[micstrachan]

Can anyone assist with dosing like this? I have not had to do so yet.

I only give calcium supplement to Dorothy and occasionally Ester, because I thought she might be having eggshell problems). I have direct doses a whole calcium citrate (with or without D3) into Dorothy’s beak, but we both prefer when I crush it into baby bird formula. She gets this periodically for a few days when her shells get super thin or non-existent. I am aware there is a risk of overdosing and damaging organs, but the soft shells wear her out and I once had a hen go from soft shells to bring on the brink of death from egg yolk peritonitis astoundingly quickly. Dorothy has also responded to shredded zucchini, I assume because of the manganese.

I used to crush the calcium between two spoons, but got myself a little mortar and pestle much prefer it.

 

[micstrachan]

I need to go to bed and it’s not quite Monday yet, but it is in Spain and Australia!

Bridgette (Bridge)

Flash

Mildred (Little Mill)

Ester

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

One of Shad's sculptures just arrived.

This is "Fracture"

Here is" Fracture" with his big brother "Arboc"

Here they are playing a game with wooden "pebbles" (You can probably guess that I am very excited about my new Shad original )

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I need to go to bed and it’s not quite Monday yet, but it is in Spain and Australia!

Bridgette (Bridge)
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Flash
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Mildred (Little Mill)
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Ester
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Brilliant photos! How do you get so close? My girls hate my phone.
Maybe I should balance mealy worms on top of it.

 

[LozzyR]

So we were at the store yesterday and they had straight run chicks. Unfortunately Violet was with me and begged for some so I gave in and got 6
I hope there’s no cockerels among them
Photos to come, Vi has put them in the makeshift brooder.
I think the pinky coloured one will be trouble though...

Chicken math in action!

 

[MaryJanet]

Monday Mug

 

[MaryJanet]

One of Shad's sculptures just arrived.

This is "Fracture"
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Here is" Fracture" with his big brother "Arboc"
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Here they are playing a game with wooden "pebbles" (You can probably guess that I am very excited about my new Shad original )
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It's great to see these pieces side by side!