Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Always here for you my friend, and I am sorry I wasn’t here for more of last year. Be forewarned there’s as good a chance as any that I’m going crying too. The way I see it though is having such loved animal companions hurts us so much, but it makes their lives so very much better, that it is certainly worth it. I would rather have the heartache and grief and an animal that got to enjoy a good life, or at least some of a good life, rather than spare myself that loss.

I feel the same way. Many is the time I have cried over someone else's loss.

Please remember that you have nothing to be sorry for. You had to take care of yourself before you ever worried about being on a chicken website. Please don't feel bad about that.

 

[MaryJanet]

I keep going back to her being her usual feisty self on Sunday. She dropped off so fast. They are very good at hiding if something is wrong.

I meant to weigh her before I took her back out on Monday. I might have caught it a day earlier if I had. I just thought it was her arthritis combined with the cold weather that caused the messy bum. I don't think a day would have changed anything at this point.

Don't get stuck on that Bob. Her weight may not have revealed a thing.

 

[BY Bob]

Don't get stuck on that Bob. Her weight may not have revealed a thing.

She weighs a pound more than she should. It's where I started today. She has never weighed over 6 lbs (2.75 kg) before. She is always around 5 lbs.

When I woke up this morning my brain had pieced all the clues together and before I even examined her I knew what I was going to find. I don't believe a day would make any difference in outcome at this point but I am not pleased with myself. I need to be better. They depend on me.

 

[RoyalChick]

She weighs a pound more than she should. It's where I started today. She has never weighed over 6 lbs (2.75 kg) before. She is always around 5 lbs.

When I woke up this morning my brain had pieced all the clues together and before I even examined her I knew what I was going to find. I don't believe a day would make any difference in outcome at this point but I am not pleased with myself. I need to be better. They depend on me.

Oh Bob.

 

[micstrachan]

So a little house update for here (I’ve redirected the bulk of my house chat) battling relatively high winds and rain but making progress adding two mor windows to my moms room for light, we have our south wall closed in and should be getting the front (North) door done Thursday. This is why you’re not seeing more goat adventures and chicken pictures. TaxView attachment 2994761
It’s close to a chicken pic and not moving! Breakfast… View attachment 2994763View attachment 2994767View attachment 2994771View attachment 2994775

Wow, very impressive!

 

[micstrachan]

Always here for you my friend, and I am sorry I wasn’t here for more of last year. Be forewarned there’s as good a chance as any that I’m going crying too. The way I see it though is having such loved animal companions hurts us so much, but it makes their lives so very much better, that it is certainly worth it. I would rather have the heartache and grief and an animal that got to enjoy a good life, or at least some of a good life, rather than spare myself that loss.

Amen to that! The heartbreak hurts so much, but the love is so real and rewarding!

 

[micstrachan]

Bob, I’m having trouble finding the post telling us when Lilly’s vet appointment is. Remember that Lily if the Desert Aloe Detox has helped some of my girls with ascites. Aspirin, too, but it can only be used short term. I hope the vet can shed some light and help guide you.

 

[Kris5902]

She weighs a pound more than she should. It's where I started today. She has never weighed over 6 lbs (2.75 kg) before. She is always around 5 lbs.

When I woke up this morning my brain had pieced all the clues together and before I even examined her I knew what I was going to find. I don't believe a day would make any difference in outcome at this point but I am not pleased with myself. I need to be better. They depend on me.

We do our best. You do so much for your girls, you are so aware of them, most people wouldn’t have noticed these changes until things were much worse. Don’t beat yourself up too much, often there’s so little indications until it is far too late. With any luck the vet will have a solution to help her. You do ten times what most chicken caretakers would. Either way, Lilly has been lucky in having you in her life.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Preparing Myself for the Worst

It's likely not good news for Lilly. She is holding a lot of fluid, almost a full pound. Her abdomen is distended and frankly she smells very bad. I thought it was from the poo that had gathered on her when I cleaned her the other night but it is likely she has some kind of infectious process underway inside her.

Everything points to the same outcome as Daisy, the greatest hen ever.

The vet will see her at 4:00 pm tomorrow, 8:00 am Wednesday in Sydney. I am preparing myself for the worst. I will not draw this out for her just to have more time for myself.

I need to decide who she would like to have as a companion on her journey now that Sansa is gone. I'm thinking Hattie might be best but there is also Aurora.

It seemed right today to recreate one of Lilly's great stories. Here is "The Thanksgiving Chicken" on the dining room table one more time.

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@Ribh @MaryJanet @LozzyR @Aussie-Chookmum @Shadrach @micstrachan @ChicoryBlue

I am so sorry. That bad smell is never good news. Hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

Ditto

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I got a first egg today! And it’s pretty large for a first…View attachment 2995337
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This is Deans boy, possibly with a last name of sausage if he doesn’t straighten out and learn to be polite and gentle with the girls. Front and Center is Ziptie (still sporting her bracelet to no ill effect) and the dirty bum I didn’t notice until I uploaded is LuckyView attachment 2995339
Here we have Barney’s son also possibly a sausage candidate… quite popular with the younger Hyline ladies and please accept this as my tax offering for the following exciting news. I finally got my Boots! They have been on order for quite a while, and finally arrived in yesterday. I’ve included before and after pictures. I bought my last pair in November 2017. Daily wear, lots of hiking, walking, and working took a toll on them and last summer they finally sprung a leak (the right foot is just as bad). So for women’s boots I highly recommend these, the Ariat Terrain Waterproof. So thankful to have something other than gumboots to wear for working and walking in again!View attachment 2995341View attachment 2995340

Congrats on the new egg layer and the arrival of your new boots! Looking good.