Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

So, since I haven't really introduced myself (and I'm still playing catch up. Currently on page 2036),I thought I'd share a couple of pictures of my flock to properly say Hi.

Lavender Brown and Luna, my lavender orps:
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Roxy and Velma, my blue Plymouth rocks (and the youngest of the chooks. Of course perching where I don't want them to):
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Gabby, the boss bird who sometimes likes to sit on me:
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And the rest of the crew. Scarlett and Ruby the RIRs, Princess Peach and Buffy the buff orps, and three black Australorps, Xena, Callisto, and Maleficent (my mom calls them the three witches because they were super mean to the littles). Bonus addition of my elderly Sheltie, Fred, who was watching over them for me:
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And last but not least, my two surviving adult ducks, who don't have names:
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You have a beautiful flock! We had Sheltie when I was growing up. We called him Ozzie. His full name was Osgood Kipper Western Prince.

 

[micstrachan]

Well, I just got a phone call I was no longer expecting to get. The blue Marans hens I was supposed to get almost 2 months ago. They will be here tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!

Yay!

 

[micstrachan]

Uh oh. The girls are discovering the back steps. Before you know it, I'll have house chickens!
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Beware, your feathered friends very well might go into the house given the opportunity. My Brahma beelines for the door every time she sees it open!

 

[micstrachan]

We found a new home for Alba, people we know. We'll be taking him out to his new place. He'll have six hens to watch over and I believe they'll be older so hopefully they can teach him some manners when the hormones kick in. Speaking of which, when do they usually get their rooster behavioral hormones?

Excellent news!

 

[micstrachan]

Some more pics of the new girls, I do know one thing, come Fluffy Butt Fridays these girls have some big booties to show off.
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Awww… sweet girls. They must be nervous. I know you will take great care if them snd they will settle in nicely!

 

[micstrachan]

I mustered up enough energy to go out and feed and water the chickens. (Watermelon Treats too) I’m going back into the house now. Maybe sleep this fever away. The chickens will be okay without me for a while.

Uh oh. I missed that you have a fever. Feel better soon, Alex!

 

[micstrachan]

I once knew someone who would get serious headaches when she ate cheese or chocolate, as for myself if I've had sinus pain usually through dust or pollen that's normally when I get headaches. Same said when I get muscle pain in my shoulders.

I have personally found that many different problems can cause head pain, not only what I have just written.

Apparently or so I have read is that covid has been around for many years and most of us have already had it, the same as colds and flu.

Oh goodness. Yes, Coronaviruses have been around for a long time. But this Sars-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 is new. It is quite different from flu. Having said that, I won’t be surprised if it sticks around like flu and people need annual booster shots.

 

[micstrachan]

hCG shot update

It has been a little over a week and it should be kicking in. This week Naenae has not produced any double yolked eggs. (No, we are not eating them ) she also has NOT taken a day off from laying.

Today was a 3 egg day from her though one regular this morning, and two soft shelled ones this evening.

Not sure the hCG is working as well as vet had hoped. Will continue to watch her and may need to push for the pricier hormone treatment.

Here is my beautiful (and muddy) girl
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Poor sweet Naenae. I wish she were old enough to molt, which might cause her lay cycle to take a break.

 

[micstrachan]

At ten weeks old tonight they can have some birthday mash.
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Oh my gosh, you are sooooo cute!

 

[micstrachan]

The hormone is called hGC.

It is the hormone a body produces while pregnant (during my first pregnancy they tested my hGC levels each visit, and because of being off the charts so early, they knew I had more than one baby).
Anyway, when pregnant you create the hormone and it prevents ovulation.
Whereas chickens don't become pregnant, it apparently still is meant to reduce ovulation...which is exactly what Naenae needs to slow down on.

Isn’t HCG an ovulation stimulant/trigger?