Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

I was trying to remain neutral in my ask but I feel the same. I would like some quick data though to back it up.

I'll look that word neutral up Bob. I don't think it's in my vocabulary...

 

[Shadrach]

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Happy Monday evening all. My ladies have found their voices again, they have been announcing their awake status, and chattering all day long. No eggs yet, but Rosie is squatting when I get anywhere near her, and I am told two if them spent time digging in the coop yesterday. They are all 3 years old now(Rosie could be older,) so I would be happy if they each laid once a week, enough to know that everything was running smoothly.

That's how I look at it basically. I don't really care about the eggs but I'm happier if they all lay an egg every now and then. Most here go on a two day cycle in their second year. If I could get them to lay two eggs a week and take the winter break, that would be the best compromise. 50 eggs per hen per year would be my ideal. That's still quite a lot more than jungle fowl lay.

 

[Shadrach]

Oh goodness, Shad. This actually brought me to tears. Dear Fat Bird.

I'm really not sure what to do.
Today she didn't fall once and what's more I watched her run a couple of times after Treacle gave a warning call for a hawk. Not much wrong with her running, a bit slow but she makes up for that by picking the quickest route to shelter while some of the others are exposed for a longer time and not as good at judging where will protect them and where wont.
She's on mega B complex with boosted vit E and this seems to be making a difference.
The desperate part of it all is, is she doesn't look at all unwell. You can this from the pictures. If she was sitting with her eyes partially closed and her head pulled in I would think she was in some pain. But, she isn't doing any of that.
I was probably a bit slow on picking up on the digestive problem although I was reasonably quick when the crop problem became obvious. Her crop is working well now and she put on a few grams in weight.

 

[MaryJanet]

Australia Post now only delivers every second day. I remember them being so reliable in the 90s; they really have gone downhill so much lately.

I'm in an area that still gets a daily delivery. Not sure why we're so lucky, but I'm grateful.

 

[Shadrach]

So Bokky is still a bit not herself today, not moving as much as normal.
Crop feels fine, poop was a bit watery and urates looked a bit yellow from last nights leavings.
Was thinking of getting some of the vitamin stuff to put in her water, maybe scramble her up an egg?
I’ve just got home from work so assessing now...
Any advice, chicken friends?

I'm a great believer in food. I don't know much about what your hens get to eat, but even here free ranging some of the hens, particularly the bigger ones seem to do a lot better with some added vitamins when laying.
Some people use supplements which is fine. I prefer whenever possible to use proper food and keep the supplements for when a hen has lost interest in eating normally.
Fish and meat have done wonders for perking up hens that while no clinically sick, are not quite themselves.
Some of the healthiest hens here hardly eat any commercial feed. Donk for example forages most of what she eats and tops up with supper time treats.
I should point out that supper time treats are in general fish, meat, walnuts, sunflower seeds, cooked rice with coconut, tomatoes, grapes, occasionally cheese, yoghurt, whole meal bread, wholemeal pasta but mixed together in various combinations, never just one on it's own.
I could live on that while I couldn't survive on the commercial feed for very long.
For most creatures, diet and exercise are the building blocks of good health. This doesn't mean one doesn't get sick, but it can mean the chances of recovery are better.

 

[MaryJanet]

I'm really not sure what to do.
Today she didn't fall once and what's more I watched her run a couple of times after Treacle gave a warning call for a hawk. Not much wrong with her running, a bit slow but she makes up for that by picking the quickest route to shelter while some of the others are exposed for a longer time and not as good at judging where will protect them and where wont.
She's on mega B complex with boosted vit E and this seems to be making a difference.
The desperate part of it all is, is she doesn't look at all unwell. You can this from the pictures. If she was sitting with her eyes partially closed and her head pulled in I would think she was in some pain. But, she isn't doing any of that.
I was probably a bit slow on picking up on the digestive problem although I was reasonably quick when the crop problem became obvious. Her crop is working well now and she put on a few grams in weight.

Such a tricky situation.

 

[LozzyR]

My take on the big comb being the leader, is this: I think that the sharpest beak and most aggressive attitude wins the day. Just my opinion.

Not even the sharpest beak, I reckon it’s all attitude! Lucy’s beak was trimmed but she never lost her alpha spot once it was established.

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks Lozzy, I’m fearing the same thing. She just ate the egg with gusto.
None of the pet places here have amprolium either, not a good place to live with chickens it seems.
I wormed them not long ago, can give that a go I guess.
@Shadrach will admonish me for not having these things on hand I know...

He wont, but he'll hope you get a basic health kit sorted for the future.

 

[Cynthia12]

Hi Cynthia Health issues stink, but the alternative is worse . At we pretty much know what to expect with mine "most of the time". So
Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a cage, not allowed out to do anything alone . He doesn't want to hatch until it stays warmer at night, because we've had issues before. DH doesn't go to the doctor and doesn't admit when he's sick . That's one thing that just make me so upset.

I hope everyone is feeling better at your house. Being sick is no fun and sometimes you have a patient is not good at listening. I hope live is being nice to your family, except for being sick. That's cool, your hatching for others. What breed of birds do you have?

A lot of barnyard mixes, but I've got some pure Australorp in, and I caved...some silkie eggs on the way. They will come within the state. I think I missed out on what your health issues are..? Life is good..there's always good in life. Sometimes it seems pretty tough at times, but we have to see the good. My husband is still home with me..that's good. Praying I can keep him here until the end. It will be hard. At least I have kids here to help. You take care.. of you and that stubborn husband.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm really not sure what to do.
Today she didn't fall once and what's more I watched her run a couple of times after Treacle gave a warning call for a hawk. Not much wrong with her running, a bit slow but she makes up for that by picking the quickest route to shelter while some of the others are exposed for a longer time and not as good at judging where will protect them and where wont.
She's on mega B complex with boosted vit E and this seems to be making a difference.
The desperate part of it all is, is she doesn't look at all unwell. You can this from the pictures. If she was sitting with her eyes partially closed and her head pulled in I would think she was in some pain. But, she isn't doing any of that.
I was probably a bit slow on picking up on the digestive problem although I was reasonably quick when the crop problem became obvious. Her crop is working well now and she put on a few grams in weight.

This will sound un-helpful and I am not minimizing the difficulty here, but she will tell you and you will know when it is time.
The complication is your move and if she is still doing well when you have to leave, what do you do. Is there anyone, your friend with the Faoumi's maybe, you would trust to handle it well for her when the time comes?