Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Well, today was heartbreaking and makes owning and raising chickens hard. One of my silkie chicks crashed today. Totally unexpected, it was perfectly fine yesterday and first thing this morning. At noon, it was found on it side seizing. I have no clue what happened, but before I could get it in the house it passed. This is the 2nd one out of 6 successfully hatched to pass and it was the 2nd biggest of the group. I'm going to be honest here, while they are adorable, and Rosie loves them if I can successfully raise just 2 of these for her I don't see myself hatching anymore for myself. After having large fowl raising true bantams is nerve wrecking. They were so tiny for so long that they were over 2 weeks old before I even felt comfortable letting them and momma free range for a few hours. I have a personal favorite of the group, and it is the tiniest but so sweet. I'm praying I do not loose anymore and that my tiny one thrives and turns out to be a pullet.

Oh that is so hard.

 

[Lady Red]

Well, today was heartbreaking and makes owning and raising chickens hard. One of my silkie chicks crashed today. Totally unexpected, it was perfectly fine yesterday and first thing this morning. At noon, it was found on it side seizing. I have no clue what happened, but before I could get it in the house it passed. This is the 2nd one out of 6 successfully hatched to pass and it was the 2nd biggest of the group. I'm going to be honest here, while they are adorable, and Rosie loves them if I can successfully raise just 2 of these for her I don't see myself hatching anymore for myself. After having large fowl raising true bantams is nerve wrecking. They were so tiny for so long that they were over 2 weeks old before I even felt comfortable letting them and momma free range for a few hours. I have a personal favorite of the group, and it is the tiniest but so sweet. I'm praying I do not loose anymore and that my tiny one thrives and turns out to be a pullet.

to you and Rosie. I'm sorry for the loss and feel you've already paid (overpaid!) your share. All hopes for healthy success stories from here on out!

 

[BY Bob]

I don't know how I will cope when one of my first girls go. its awful just thinking of it.

The best advice i can give is don't waste time thinking about that now. Enjoy the time together.

 

[BY Bob]

Well, I feel awful for adding this to the discussion. I have lost three Chickens in as many days. One Red Rock to the heat, I didn’t even know she was missing as I’ve been struggling with head counts with the new girls, four broody mamas, One batch of weanlings, and another attempt at brooding by my bully girl on top of this furnace we are experiencing as “weather”, and all the other chickens. Add in finger pecker and the buff lady in with Hawk and that’s 5 in less than a week. Roostie squashed his favorite hen, then accidentally cut her back when he was mounting her. She was on the road to recovery until today when I went into town. DH did not follow my I instructions for separation and she paid for it with her life. I was in town doing the feed run and letting my mother do her own shopping for a change. We also put down Little Red as his bumblefoot became complicated and was spreading rapidly. Roostie’s is responding to treatment though and the mamas are doing a great job with their babies. Also I soaked my cats today and it was so bloody hot they didn’t mind at all.

I'm sorry Kris. Those are tough ways to lose them.

 

[BY Bob]

The worst of the heat broke today. At least here, still hot north of here, but I think it is cooling at least in most of western Oregon tonight. So many people lost birds
I just read this interesting article thought others might be interested:
https://extension.umn.edu/poultry-care-and-management/preventing-heat-stress-poultry

My ladies getting into mischief as soon as they were cool enough, they know they aren't allowed on that side of the fence!
View attachment 2739375

I do love me some mischief. Please describe.

 

[BY Bob]

Hi friends. Quick check-in. Watching a show with my daughter. Spent time in the ER today, but I’m fine. More later. All is well.

It is not nice to do a bomb like that and disappear. I assume that there will be an explanation later.

 

[Lady Red]

Well, I feel awful for adding this to the discussion. I have lost three Chickens in as many days. One Red Rock to the heat, I didn’t even know she was missing as I’ve been struggling with head counts with the new girls, four broody mamas, One batch of weanlings, and another attempt at brooding by my bully girl on top of this furnace we are experiencing as “weather”, and all the other chickens. Add in finger pecker and the buff lady in with Hawk and that’s 5 in less than a week. Roostie squashed his favorite hen, then accidentally cut her back when he was mounting her. She was on the road to recovery until today when I went into town. DH did not follow my I instructions for separation and she paid for it with her life. I was in town doing the feed run and letting my mother do her own shopping for a change. We also put down Little Red as his bumblefoot became complicated and was spreading rapidly. Roostie’s is responding to treatment though and the mamas are doing a great job with their babies. Also I soaked my cats today and it was so bloody hot they didn’t mind at all.

☹ I'm so sorry to read this. You're contending with a lot.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

Good Morning Everyone,
Happy Tuesday!

at 4:30am it was a nice NORMAL 65 in the coop, I was a LOT of hard work but all the chickens are very well this morning.




yesterday, 100 in the coop


100 in the run, I went out at 9am and took every tarp down and redid them to get the best coverage I could. I finished that at noon & raked / hosed the run.

Then every hour until 7pm, I moved the food and sprayed the tree down, the far east end, the tree roots, light not to make mud in the middle, but not the chickens. They didnt want to get wet and I didnt want them to run from the spray and exert energy.

 

[BY Bob]

Good Morning Everyone,
Happy Tuesday!

at 4:30am it was a nice NORMAL 65 in the coop, I was a LOT of hard work but all the chickens are very well this morning.
View attachment 2739568



yesterday, 100 in the coop
View attachment 2739571

100 in the run, I went out at 9am and took every tarp down and redid them to get the best coverage I could. I finished that at noon & raked / hosed the run.

Then every hour until 7pm, I moved the food and sprayed the tree down, the far east end, the tree roots, light not to make mud in the middle, but not the chickens. They didnt want to get wet and I didnt want them to run from the spray and exert energy.
View attachment 2739581

You did a great job taking care of them. Looks like the worst may finally be behind you. I'm glad.

 

[featherhead007]

Good Morning Everyone,
Happy Tuesday!

at 4:30am it was a nice NORMAL 65 in the coop, I was a LOT of hard work but all the chickens are very well this morning.
View attachment 2739568



yesterday, 100 in the coop
View attachment 2739571

100 in the run, I went out at 9am and took every tarp down and redid them to get the best coverage I could. I finished that at noon & raked / hosed the run.

Then every hour until 7pm, I moved the food and sprayed the tree down, the far east end, the tree roots, light not to make mud in the middle, but not the chickens. They didnt want to get wet and I didnt want them to run from the spray and exert energy.
View attachment 2739581

Yes, never hose your chickens!