Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Well I have a good excuse. I've been looking after my big sister and her animals for the last 3 days. She was diagnosed with appendicitis and went in for the operation a few hours later and needed a pet sitter and general dogsbody to help bring her things.

Sick Sunday, diagnosed Monday morning, operation Monday night, discharged from hospital Wednesday morning.
It was very sudden!

She's not supposed to exert herself for the next couple of weeks so I will be going down to help her with the heavy lifting now and then. So if I'm not around BYC as much, that's why.

You have been missed my friend. I'm glad you are well and it sounds like your big sister is as well. We will hold the fort while you are gone. I'll try to be funnier to make up for you.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

How did I do?
View attachment 2584227

Well done Bob! Have a sticker.

 

[BY Bob]

She's a natural. Soon she will be going into her first moult!

Sadly she already did molt once. When she was around 1 she pulled her own hair out. It's only in the last 4 months or so that it really grew back!

 

[BY Bob]

Well done Bob! Have a sticker.

Hooray! I love stickers!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Fat Bird is a very wise old hen.
Shortly after her balance problems I believe I mentioned her crop started acting up. I've dealt with quite a few crop problems now and Fat Bird's seemed to me to be very grim. She has a large crop compared and when I first became seriously concerend about it, it was the size of a tennis ball that had been slightly squashed. This was when I took her to see Gloria (vet).
Gloria did get a thin tube past Fat Bird's crop and into thhe digestive tract that leads to the gizzard. I could feel, as could Gloria, when the tube had gone past the exit of the crop and into the tract. I could also feel the tube come to an abrupt halt. This is where Gloria took a chance and pushed against whaever the end of the tube had lodged against. The tube, when Gloria pulled it out was coated in gunk. We, Fat Bird, me and Gloria did this three times, the tube going a little bit further each time. Gloria didn't want to push further because apprently the entrance to the gizzard is very hard to locate.
Tbh, I didn't hold out much hope for this procedure.
Once back home, I've been getting some coconut oil into Fat Bird and massaging her crop intermittantly throughout the days. I've been concerend because I keep finding Fat Bird eating grass and dirt.
It seems she may know what she is doing. Each day now her crop has reduced in size and she is pooping more. The poop isn't quite what one would hope to see in a healthy hen, but it's poop so stuff is going through her system.
Fat Bird still eats some commercial feed, but nothing like her usual amount.
Each day now the content in Fat Bird's crop has reduced in size. This afternoon when I gave her a massage there was just a small ball about the size of a large grape left.
Unfortunately, her balance problem has not improved but take a look at her pictures. She looks wonderfull. Her comb is a good colour and firm. Her plumage has that spring sheen to it. Her wattles are fleshy and healthy looking and her eyes alert.
She manages to keep up with the rest of the tribe. It's really only at supper time when their treat food gets distributed on the ground that one really notices that she has great trouble stepping backwards and making sudden turns. She fell over twice this evening.
The only other thing that gives her away is she sits awkwardly and more than she would normally. However, at ten going on eleven years old one might expect a lot less energy than the younger hens.
View attachment 2583592View attachment 2583594View attachment 2583595

That sounds very encouraging Shad. May she continue to improve.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Got a pic of a cuddle puddleView attachment 2583855

That's not a cuddle puddle silly! They are obviously huddled together trying to figure out the crossword puzzle.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Tonight's game is "find
the chickens"
View attachment 2583975
"What did she say?"
"Dinner! Hurry!"
View attachment 2583976

Well, I see 3 in that last picture...

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

You have been missed my friend. I'm glad you are well and it sounds like your big sister is as well. We will hold the fort while you are gone. I'll try to be funnier to make up for you.

You don't have to try Bob. Even your typos are hysterical!

 

[LozzyR]

Fat Bird is a very wise old hen.
Shortly after her balance problems I believe I mentioned her crop started acting up. I've dealt with quite a few crop problems now and Fat Bird's seemed to me to be very grim. She has a large crop compared and when I first became seriously concerend about it, it was the size of a tennis ball that had been slightly squashed. This was when I took her to see Gloria (vet).
Gloria did get a thin tube past Fat Bird's crop and into thhe digestive tract that leads to the gizzard. I could feel, as could Gloria, when the tube had gone past the exit of the crop and into the tract. I could also feel the tube come to an abrupt halt. This is where Gloria took a chance and pushed against whaever the end of the tube had lodged against. The tube, when Gloria pulled it out was coated in gunk. We, Fat Bird, me and Gloria did this three times, the tube going a little bit further each time. Gloria didn't want to push further because apprently the entrance to the gizzard is very hard to locate.
Tbh, I didn't hold out much hope for this procedure.
Once back home, I've been getting some coconut oil into Fat Bird and massaging her crop intermittantly throughout the days. I've been concerend because I keep finding Fat Bird eating grass and dirt.
It seems she may know what she is doing. Each day now her crop has reduced in size and she is pooping more. The poop isn't quite what one would hope to see in a healthy hen, but it's poop so stuff is going through her system.
Fat Bird still eats some commercial feed, but nothing like her usual amount.
Each day now the content in Fat Bird's crop has reduced in size. This afternoon when I gave her a massage there was just a small ball about the size of a large grape left.
Unfortunately, her balance problem has not improved but take a look at her pictures. She looks wonderfull. Her comb is a good colour and firm. Her plumage has that spring sheen to it. Her wattles are fleshy and healthy looking and her eyes alert.
She manages to keep up with the rest of the tribe. It's really only at supper time when their treat food gets distributed on the ground that one really notices that she has great trouble stepping backwards and making sudden turns. She fell over twice this evening.
The only other thing that gives her away is she sits awkwardly and more than she would normally. However, at ten going on eleven years old one might expect a lot less energy than the younger hens.
View attachment 2583592View attachment 2583594View attachment 2583595

What a wonderful old lady.

 

[featherhead007]

Mine love fish! They think it is delicious.

My birds love tuna, salmon, and other seafood too. But I’m very close to my birds, and rarely feed them fish (they get really bad beak breath) just saying.