Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

I have a little garter snake that keeps venturing into the chicken yard... the gals are wary and I always run in there to save the little critter before they decide he would make a nice meal!! I did feed them a cute little frog the other day... only because his back legs were broken.. he was just dragging them along... so I thought I’d put him out of his misery... so to speak

You didn't, the chooks did!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Good morning Fluffy Butt family. I'm back to being on animal nurse duties again. This time it's not one of my chickens though its my almost 10 year old golden retriever Gracie. She got copperhead bit, on the face, AGAIN!! This is the 5th time in over 9 years she's tangled with those dang things and she never learns. Discovered the bites last night, so we went immediately on snake bite protocol. After the first time our previous golden retriever got bit we learned no need to rush to the vet for a copperhead bite. Got her first dose of benedryl down her along with pain medication then cleaned the bite area. The dummy (saying this lovingly) didn't back away after the first bite, she has 3. One close to her eye, one under her chin, and one close to her ear. Going by fang marks she tangled with a smaller one this time. This morning picked up her antibiotics which she will be on 10 days from the vet and after 48 hours can stop the benedryl. My wonderful vet has purchased property above us that he is currently logging and will eventually turn cattle loose on so after work he's up almost daily and said he would stop by this evening just to look her over. That and to go love on Dirt. He's a horse guy and has made it very clear that if Dirt is ever sold he wants first opportunity but Dirt is going nowhere. Thankfully it is just a copperhead bite, while they cause a nasty secondary infection after the initial swelling, they are not deadly. If the hard head ever tangles with a rattlesnake, I doubt we'd make it to the vet in time to save her. Saying this, I'm so over snakes this year. I've already killed 5 in the yard and creek, had a couple get away, and witnessed 3 of my hens eat multiple baby snakes and it is only the beginning of June. As much as I hate the cold, winter has 1 plus, no snakes.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Good morning Fluffy Butt family. I'm back to being on animal nurse duties again. This time it's not one of my chickens though its my almost 10 year old golden retriever Gracie. She got copperhead bit, on the face, AGAIN!! This is the 5th time in over 9 years she's tangled with those dang things and she never learns. Discovered the bites last night, so we went immediately on snake bite protocol. After the first time our previous golden retriever got bit we learned no need to rush to the vet for a copperhead bite. Got her first dose of benedryl down her along with pain medication then cleaned the bite area. The dummy (saying this lovingly) didn't back away after the first bite, she has 3. One close to her eye, one under her chin, and one close to her ear. Going by fang marks she tangled with a smaller one this time. This morning picked up her antibiotics which she will be on 10 days from the vet and after 48 hours can stop the benedryl. My wonderful vet has purchased property above us that he is currently logging and will eventually turn cattle loose on so after work he's up almost daily and said he would stop by this evening just to look her over. That and to go love on Dirt. He's a horse guy and has made it very clear that if Dirt is ever sold he wants first opportunity but Dirt is going nowhere. Thankfully it is just a copperhead bite, while they cause a nasty secondary infection after the initial swelling, they are not deadly. If the hard head ever tangles with a rattlesnake, I doubt we'd make it to the vet in time to save her. Saying this, I'm so over snakes this year. I've already killed 5 in the yard and creek, had a couple get away, and witnessed 3 of my hens eat multiple baby snakes and it is only the beginning of June. As much as I hate the cold, winter has 1 plus, no snakes.

I just got to visit with an uncle.. and he was just telling me about how he and my great uncle used to hunt with Beagles and whenever they got bit by a copperhead all he’d do when they got home was give them milk to drink.. and that’s all they needed... they were always fine! Maybe you could try that next time first and see how it works.. can’t hurt...

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Good morning Fluffy Butt family. I'm back to being on animal nurse duties again. This time it's not one of my chickens though its my almost 10 year old golden retriever Gracie. She got copperhead bit, on the face, AGAIN!! This is the 5th time in over 9 years she's tangled with those dang things and she never learns. Discovered the bites last night, so we went immediately on snake bite protocol. After the first time our previous golden retriever got bit we learned no need to rush to the vet for a copperhead bite. Got her first dose of benedryl down her along with pain medication then cleaned the bite area. The dummy (saying this lovingly) didn't back away after the first bite, she has 3. One close to her eye, one under her chin, and one close to her ear. Going by fang marks she tangled with a smaller one this time. This morning picked up her antibiotics which she will be on 10 days from the vet and after 48 hours can stop the benedryl. My wonderful vet has purchased property above us that he is currently logging and will eventually turn cattle loose on so after work he's up almost daily and said he would stop by this evening just to look her over. That and to go love on Dirt. He's a horse guy and has made it very clear that if Dirt is ever sold he wants first opportunity but Dirt is going nowhere. Thankfully it is just a copperhead bite, while they cause a nasty secondary infection after the initial swelling, they are not deadly. If the hard head ever tangles with a rattlesnake, I doubt we'd make it to the vet in time to save her. Saying this, I'm so over snakes this year. I've already killed 5 in the yard and creek, had a couple get away, and witnessed 3 of my hens eat multiple baby snakes and it is only the beginning of June. As much as I hate the cold, winter has 1 plus, no snakes.

Good morning Fluffy Butt family. I'm back to being on animal nurse duties again. This time it's not one of my chickens though its my almost 10 year old golden retriever Gracie. She got copperhead bit, on the face, AGAIN!! This is the 5th time in over 9 years she's tangled with those dang things and she never learns. Discovered the bites last night, so we went immediately on snake bite protocol. After the first time our previous golden retriever got bit we learned no need to rush to the vet for a copperhead bite. Got her first dose of benedryl down her along with pain medication then cleaned the bite area. The dummy (saying this lovingly) didn't back away after the first bite, she has 3. One close to her eye, one under her chin, and one close to her ear. Going by fang marks she tangled with a smaller one this time. This morning picked up her antibiotics which she will be on 10 days from the vet and after 48 hours can stop the benedryl. My wonderful vet has purchased property above us that he is currently logging and will eventually turn cattle loose on so after work he's up almost daily and said he would stop by this evening just to look her over. That and to go love on Dirt. He's a horse guy and has made it very clear that if Dirt is ever sold he wants first opportunity but Dirt is going nowhere. Thankfully it is just a copperhead bite, while they cause a nasty secondary infection after the initial swelling, they are not deadly. If the hard head ever tangles with a rattlesnake, I doubt we'd make it to the vet in time to save her. Saying this, I'm so over snakes this year. I've already killed 5 in the yard and creek, had a couple get away, and witnessed 3 of my hens eat multiple baby snakes and it is only the beginning of June. As much as I hate the cold, winter has 1 plus, no snakes.

I hope she will be okay.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I just got to visit with an uncle.. and he was just telling me about how he and my great uncle used to hunt with Beagles and whenever they got bit by a copperhead all he’d do when they got home was give them milk to drink.. and that’s all they needed... they were always fine! Maybe you could try that next time first and see how it works.. can’t hurt...

The protocol we have down, and vet approves and recommends especially since every time she's been bit its been on her face is the first 48 hours benedryl every 4 to 6 hours to reduce swelling. Her bite around the eye was already causing that area to swell up some so she was having difficulty opening it last night. The antibiotics is because of the infection that sets in each time, its similar to a very nasty hot spot. And she gets pain meds for the first couple days to make her comfortable and to be able to tolerate the cleanings. I've heard of people just using milk, and some swear to make them eat raw eggs too. But I wonder if these were bites that were not in the face area and maybe their dogs react differently to the bite then Gracie does? Thankfully unless you are allergic to them even to people copperhead bites are not deadly. My cousin got bit on the hand a few years ago by a big one, went to the ER and anti-venom was not given. Similar treatment was given just like we are doing with Gracie.

 

[fuentemoon]

By George, you're right! We finally were able to verify that it is a checkered garter snake. Supposedly very easy to tame and makes a great pet. Uh...no thanks. I took it out for the chickens to play with. They were not impressed.

Very good pest eater, garter snakes are one thing I take away from chickens and cats, they are too useful!

 

[RoyalChick]

Good morning Fluffy Butt family. I'm back to being on animal nurse duties again. This time it's not one of my chickens though its my almost 10 year old golden retriever Gracie. She got copperhead bit, on the face, AGAIN!! This is the 5th time in over 9 years she's tangled with those dang things and she never learns. Discovered the bites last night, so we went immediately on snake bite protocol. After the first time our previous golden retriever got bit we learned no need to rush to the vet for a copperhead bite. Got her first dose of benedryl down her along with pain medication then cleaned the bite area. The dummy (saying this lovingly) didn't back away after the first bite, she has 3. One close to her eye, one under her chin, and one close to her ear. Going by fang marks she tangled with a smaller one this time. This morning picked up her antibiotics which she will be on 10 days from the vet and after 48 hours can stop the benedryl. My wonderful vet has purchased property above us that he is currently logging and will eventually turn cattle loose on so after work he's up almost daily and said he would stop by this evening just to look her over. That and to go love on Dirt. He's a horse guy and has made it very clear that if Dirt is ever sold he wants first opportunity but Dirt is going nowhere. Thankfully it is just a copperhead bite, while they cause a nasty secondary infection after the initial swelling, they are not deadly. If the hard head ever tangles with a rattlesnake, I doubt we'd make it to the vet in time to save her. Saying this, I'm so over snakes this year. I've already killed 5 in the yard and creek, had a couple get away, and witnessed 3 of my hens eat multiple baby snakes and it is only the beginning of June. As much as I hate the cold, winter has 1 plus, no snakes.

You are braver than me. I don't have a 'thing' about snakes but I am not sure I could cope with the number you have - so many and so scary!

 

[BY Bob]

Oh, happy day. Both Ruby and Lucky were better after work. Far from 100%, but better than the morning.

Remind me, is this the 3rd day of Lucky's antibiotics?

 

[featherhead007]

I’m off to my airport again. I will update later

 

[BY Bob]

All good points Shad. I think your set up in Spain is pretty ideal for a domesticated animal but we all do our best with what we have.

I'm just glad my chooks and dogs cohabitate well enough that my hens get to free range in the backyard almost everyday. Not ideal perhaps, and a far cry from what their ancestors evolved with but far better than a cage. Which was my original reason for getting backyard chickens in the first place. No more caged eggs.

Well said ACM. I agree with this reasoning and it's one of the reasons I run the tribe like I do. They essentially free range all day now that it is summer and all of the cover is in full leaf. I have only closed them in the run for maybe 6 days since March but they are still protected/contained by the perimeter fence.