Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

All the birds are tucked in for the night. Only Emma was late to the coop, but she’s last in usually.
its like the “Waltons” around here. (Goodnight Beethoven-Hen, goodnight Hen-Rietta, goodnight Rocks-Anne, BLU, Jaffar, Bo-Peep. Emma, ..... ) and all the others. And goodnight my BYC friends!

Did Phyllis cheer up BLU?

 

[micstrachan]

Concern

I thought that something was up yesterday. Now I find alarm bells going off in my head. I thought I would do a real Coffee Klatch photo this morning like Ned, Lucky, and I used to have. I figured Aurora might pose in the other chair for me. At least it was worth a shot.

More background..... yesterday, the tribe was thrilled to see me. I got about an hour in with them in the morning. We had a splendid time getting reacquainted. Sadly though, it seemed Hattie was laying her egg at the time. Later in the day Hattie was about but my "spidey senses" were tingling. Something seemed off. She seemed passive when I put some mealy worms out for them.

So at this mornings Coffee Klatch I brought out her favorite, purple corn. Normal behavior is such that Hattie will not stop eating corn until I stop providing it. Today she left after a little more than a handful. She also normally defends her corn hand from all comers. Today even Phyllis got some from my hand while Hattie was eating.

After corn time was over, the tribe went about ranging in the side yard. Here they are. Can you find Hattie?
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Spoiler: Here's Hattie

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She has been sitting there for almost 40 min now while the rest of the tribe ranges. The tribe did stop by for 5 min of grooming with her but they then moved on without her.
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Aurora is serving as sentinel right now. I do think that there may have been some hawks around either while I was gone or this morning because Aurora has them a little jumpy. Lilly in particular is sprinting accross the open stretches of yard.

When Mrs BY Bob gets home from work, Hattie is going to get a once over. I do wish I could tell her eggs from the others. They are all so close in shape and color right now I have no idea if she is actually laying or not.

I am more than a little concerned.

Ugh. This makes my heart sink. I hope things turn around as I read on.

 

[micstrachan]

Hi Everyone! I hope you're all having a lovely Wednesday! I just wanted to post a short update on the mama hen of eleven. I decided to name her Rosie. Yesterday as I sat on my backyard patio, she and her chicks hung out next to me. I was very surprised with how trusting she was of me and how she didn't seem to mind me being near her baby chicks.

This morning, I went out back to feed the chickens and I saw that Rosie and her chicks were in the backyard again. I think she may have moved into my backyard I just wanted to share some photos of Rosie, so you can see the beautiful mama hen of eleven

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Lucky you! So magical!

 

[micstrachan]

Quick Hattie Update

I went out to check on her and the whole tribe came running, including Hattie. She chowed down on some hamburger I had for them. She got right in the thick of the feeding frenzy. I think she is feeling better. I will continue to watch her closely.

Fantastic update!

 

[micstrachan]

My initial reaction when I first saw Fat Bird. Not a good spot to run out of steam!View attachment 2604243
Phew, she's with the others.
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And the sheep are there.
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A few moments later she was up at the duck food bowl with the rest making sure she got her share even if she did stagger about a bit. She came over to me for her nightcap of Metacam and vitamins.

Love Fat Bird.

 

[micstrachan]

Hattie Walking

The following video is of Hattie walking. I had gone to my chair under the magnolia tree and the Tribe had pursued me. All but Hattie. She waited on the deck steps until I called her. Here she is coming to the chair and eating some corn. Watch closely and then I will tell you what I see.

First clearly better than this morning. Her tail is up. She jogs a little. Much much better. She gets her beak in there and eats. She even shoulders Sansa away from the hand at the end. All way better than this morning.

What concerns me is a couple of things. First she did not just follow me like the rest of the tribe. Second, if you look close there is actually a little hitch in her gitty-up. Her stride is a little bit off. Third, when eating she never tolerates Sansa sharing the hand. She was way more patient than usual. Though she did shove Sansa away at the end and did eventually peck her later that was more tolerance than I normally see.

I am awaiting a poo sample to see what that looks like. Her comb is red and her eyes are clear. She is just off a little. Hopefully she is improving.
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I see what you mean with the walk. I see that in my flock from time to time. I describe it as “heavy.”

 

[BY Bob]

I see what you mean with the walk. I see that in my flock from time to time. I describe it as “heavy.”

That is a very good description of it. She was walking heavy.

 

[micstrachan]

Poo Sample Identified

Do you have any idea how creepy it is to follow a green hoping she will poo for you? I got a lot of dirty looks but I got the poo.

Spoiler: Poo

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Looks like a normal mix of regular and cecal poop, but I don’t like the look of the urates. They look slimy and perhaps a bit yellow?

 

[micstrachan]

What ever do you mean Bob?

I assumed he meant they eat a lot? Heavy girls who have to feed their bodies AND consume enough to create eggs?

 

[micstrachan]

That is a very good description of it. She was walking heavy.

Sorry, Bob. I hope it turns around quickly. I have a couple who walk heavy... Ruby and Millie. When it’s pronounced, I make them a treat which is feed wetted with warm water and that aloe detox I told you about, plus a few capsules of echinacea goldenseal and olive leaf extract emptied into the mix. Sometimes a drizzle of Nutridrench, too. I’m not sure why, but it seems to help, at least temporarily.

What is Hattie’s laying status? Are her shells thick and strong? Does she eat oyster shell?