Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I'm so glad the spotlight isn't too bright!

They're growing so fast Bob. Their little tails are really coming along

I love their tails. I really love that they will roost on me for long periods of time. They are sweet though and not really giving me any trouble.

 

[BY Bob]

Update on the dog:

Talked with new/old neighbor (kid had graduated, moved out, now back with folks: first I had seen any of them in a while). Dog being cared for by occupant of camper parked in empty "lot" (5 acres) on west side. This dog will chase anything that moves, making it likely culprit (and it was on the patio after the cat a few days after the chickens). Kid was going to talk to occupant (a friend) about the dog. Haven't seen any of the dogs (had seen 2-3) since and the horse trailer (suspect where the dogs stayed when occupant was at work) in about a week. Still being vigilant but I think THAT dog is no longer in the area.

In happier news, part of today's projects....View attachment 2838942 part of dinner : white enchiladas are the final result but making tortillas must come first. Yes, the birds will be getting the scraps too.

Hopefully the dog was the culprit and it has now vacated the area.

 

[BY Bob]

I was about 10 years old when we watched the 80s series, I loved it! I’ve seen episodes since and absolutely cringed! Same goes for Knight Rider, Buck Rogers and Automan. Ahh, the 80s!

Tax:
View attachment 2838977

Buck Rodgers is on 11:00 pm Saturday night here and I love watching it. Good memories!

Chicken tax

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you for this. A friend from the emergency forums asked me about the possibility of Marek’s in my flock. This reminded me that it is very likely I have Marek’s in my flock, which could explain why they have so many issues, despite the best feed I can buy, fresh water, good ventilation, as much free range time as I can manage, avian veterinary care and lots of attention. The batch that seems the least robust are the ones raised by Cashew… so they were exposed to the flock before a vaccine would have taken effect. From that batch of four:
1) Happy Cheeks died at two weeks with Marek’s-like symptoms
2) Dorothy stopped making eggshells properly at one year and died a year later
3) Ester starved herself to the point of needing emergency care in her first molt
4) Minnie is starving herself during her first molt, requiring tube feeding AND had a walking deficit for a couple days

Hmmmn… coincidence? It seemed like Cashew did a great job raising them. I’d expect them to be stronger, not weaker. Wishing I had sent Happy Cheeks in for necropsy. Marek’s is very suspect here.

You should have the next one checked to know. I'm sorry. This seems like a difficult issue long term.

 

[BY Bob]

Pretty much, just been busy at work with the school term finishing up and snapping back and forward from on-site learning to remote with the kids (3 times back and forth in a term aggghhh) which is exhausting.
Snow has had 2 soft shelled eggs in a week with a good one in between so have dosed their water with calcium supplement, sprinkled shell grit in the run (not sure they are eating it out of the container) and have cut down scraps/treats to be sure they are eating enough feed.
Belle is going strong, her eggs have stayed little so far and almost white so easy to tell who has laid. They may get bigger, they may not. Either way they are yummy, just need 2 for 1 piece of toast
Monday mugshots from just now View attachment 2839221View attachment 2839218View attachment 2839222

I am very happy to hear all is well. And glad to see your ladies again. Great pics!

 

[Anonymous Chicken]

I hope everything is settling down now.

Thank you! The hens are doing better, but Blossom (turkey) seems to be having a relapse.

 

[micstrachan]

You should have the next one checked to know. I'm sorry. This seems like a difficult issue long term.

I will. Margo’s necropsy did reveal what appeared to be a background presence if Marek’s based on the nerve caps. She never had any symptoms and had no tumors, but Marek’s may have compromised her immune system (an EYP infection went septic).

 

[featherhead007]

It’s Monday, so here’s a mugshot

 

[featherhead007]

For the bad news: Jaffar is being a pain in the butt this morning
A church friend is in the hospital with Covid (bad breathing problems) she’s getting treatment, but it’s not really working.
My friends son is in India, doing missionary work, and has a positive case of typhoid fever
And the fires are getting very close to my mountain property in the Sierra highlands

 

[Anonymous Chicken]

For the bad news: Jaffar is being a pain in the butt this morning
A church friend is in the hospital with Covid (bad breathing problems) she’s getting treatment, but it’s not really working.
My friends son is in India, doing missionary work, and has a positive case of typhoid fever
And the fires are getting very close to my mountain property in the Sierra highlands

Sounds like they need lots of prayers!