Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Given your background, my last post might make more sense to you. Seems a poorly functioning liver can negatively affect blood calcium levels. (I'm guessing if that happens, the body pulls calcium from the bone to compensate? Calcium is one of the signaling ions, in the nervous system, no??)

So, maybe if you can get the liver on a better path, a lot of other things will fall into place? I am completely at a loss to help in how to do that other than addressing the low level infection....which you are doing. I so hope you can get to the bottom of this for yours & Lilly's sake!

I'm so sorry @BY Bob I wish I knew more biology & could provide helpful suggestions. (I'm not good at 'watching from a distance' and feeling helpless. ) Lilly is such a good girl - beautiful, stern but fair (in the chicken world), and very much a leader. I am always impressed at how composed she is when 'out & about'. And how loyal and defensive/protective of her 'girls'. (I remember her reaction to Sansa's protests at the vet, and also recall you saying she was comforting Hattie at the vets!)

This is touching on my thoughts. The liver. I think the liver is a HUGE part of what’s going on here. Bob, you are likely not going to like some of my thoughts. Here’s a hint: I just THREW AWAY the bag of cracked corn I had left. The scratch and mealworms are next. My girls are really enjoying their daily produce treats and I think they are slimming down. Remember my Bagheera died of a fatty liver hemorrhage.

If bloodwork reveals a liver issue that can be treated. I suspect a diet change will be in order and maybe supplements like milk thistle. We’ll see. In the mean time, does your tribe enjoy mash? You could offer a treat of mash made of pellets, warm water and aloe detox.

I am hopeful the infection can be treated, but suspect Lilly might have a couple things going on.

Both Ruby and Ester had bellies full of fluid that the Avian Vet was not able to draw fluid out of. So I’m hoping your Lilly does not have cancer, like they did.

We’re about to take the dog for a walk so I’m gonna sign off. Good night!

 

[MaryJanet]

This is touching on my thoughts. The liver. I think the liver is a HUGE part of what’s going on here. Bob, you are likely not going to like some of my thoughts. Here’s a hint: I just THREW AWAY the bag of cracked corn I had left. The scratch and mealworms are next. My girls are really enjoying their daily produce treats and I think they are slimming down. Remember my Bagheera died of a fatty liver hemorrhage.

If bloodwork reveals a liver issue that can be treated. I suspect a diet change will be in order and maybe supplements like milk thistle. We’ll see. In the mean time, does your tribe enjoy mash? You could offer a treat of mash made of pellets, warm water and aloe detox.

I am hopeful the infection can be treated, but suspect Lilly might have a couple things going on.

Both Ruby and Ester had bellies full of fluid that the Avian Vet was not able to draw fluid out of. So I’m hoping your Lily does not have cancer, like they did.

We’re about to take the dog for a walk so I’m gonna sign off. Good night!

I'm also preoccupied with her liver and recommend milk thistle along with a few other supplements to support gastrointestinal function. I know Bob will ask if he needs to know more.

I give almost zero treats and they eat the highest protein pellet I can buy. When treats are provided, it's lettuce, tomato, apple in chicken-sized quantities (tiny quantities). And no processed foods at all. Not even wholegrain bread crusts.

 

[RoyalChick]

Ok. I have other thoughts, too. But I won’t bother you with them until you feel like it (if and when).

I would like to hear them too.

 

[micstrachan]

I'm also preoccupied with her liver and recommend milk thistle along with a few other supplements to support gastrointestinal function. I know Bob will ask if he needs to know more.

I give almost zero treats and they eat the highest protein pellet I can buy. When treats are provided, it's lettuce, tomato, apple in chicken-sized quantities (tiny quantities). And no processed foods at all. Not even wholegrain bread crusts.

MJ, do you also ration the pellets or is it available free free choice all the time? I am trying to remember NOT to top off the feed dishes a couple mornings a week so they get a little hungry and gave to dig around to find the spilled feed. But mostly it’s available free choice at all times (outside the coop).

I have been giving lots of produce (some combination of carrot, kale, cabbage, zucchini, apple, broccoli, blueberries, or tomato along with wheat berries sprouted for four days) so could be overdoing it. I scatter it all around the run each day, and it’s fun to watch them forage around the run, being active first thing in the morning. I feel chickens who are confined to a run or even a back yard would fare better on produce than high-calorie, high-carb, and/or high-fat treats, and I’m trying to offer variety. It seems I can see mine getting more active. Now, I don’t know if this is because of their diet, days getting longer, or something else, but I can see it.

Then there’s the whole calcium issue. Calcium biochemistry is delicate, and I am far from an expert on it. I do wonder if calcium from calcium-rich foods might be more readily metabolized than straight calcium supplements in chickens. In addition to free choice oyster shell, I’ve been offering a dairy treat (lowfat greek yogurt mixed with lowfat cottage cheese) a couple times a week. My hope is it is a good animal protein and calcium boost. I just hope lowfat is healthful enough for my little fatties.

I love the idea of a high protein pellet, but have had a few soft shell issues despite constant access to oyster shell, so I’ve been feeding mostly layer. This concerns me for my non-layers, but so far in my flock laying issues have been the top killers, so I’m sticking with it for now. It’s only 17% protein, so I sometimes mix it with 22% protein starter/grower.

I don’t know if my current feeding practices will have good or bad long term effects, but the birds seem healthy and happy, and like I said before, seem to be slimming down. My undertanding is heat and laying hormones can both be factors in fatty liver disease, so I’m hoping to get them in top shape before summer.

My point of this rambling post is that dietary changes can be transformative and just a reminder that I have first hand knowledge of excess body fat killing chickens. So here it is: Bob, I know it’s so cute that your girls love their pasta, cracked corn and meal worms, but I fear it might be killing them. It stings a bit to say that to such a loving, caring chicken care taker as you, but as your friend, I must. Please forgive me. I don’t claim to have the answers, but I hope you will fully evaluate the diet of your flock and consider some tweaks.

 

[Scrambles83]

I’m desperately catching up, only 100 pages behind now
Update from me…
Snow had one tail feather left first thing this morning, now she’s like a fluffy beachball

The other issue I have had the past few days is these cuties

I have about 20 come daily to feast on my apples on the trees (it’s our almond tree they are perched on in the photo, they didn't what I was up to so they got up high!)
I had to make the choice: beautiful wildlife in my suburban backyard or my apples.
I chose the wildlife, they can have as much fruit as they desire. They are simply gorgeous to watch and they knock apples onto the ground for the chooks so everyone wins I guess

 

[Scrambles83]

No need! Today DH said he’d build me a coop to save money. Yay! I’m so excited! I will be right alongside him so it turns out how I want. I know with absolute certainty the quality will be good, as he does very good work. I just don’t want him trying to control the size. I want an absolute minimum of 6x8. He has these wooden stages I’d like to use as a floor, so that might dictate the exact dimensions.

I’m so happy he came through for you, Mich! Takes a bit of stress off your plate and it might be fun doing it together

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

We love you… but we also know you’re planning on slowly taking over the entire world. Sure… all those Aussies on the west coast here, working at the ski resorts were just on “working vacations”. Not secretly infiltrating our society and convincing us to go “visit” Australia. All my friends who have visited this strange land have come back somewhat “changed”, some
Come back with girlfriends or Australian husbands… some never come back at all! It’s a conspiracy, and if the drop bears don’t get you while you’re there you slowly become an Australian yourself.

(Dammit, she's on to us..... )

Hey Kris, come visit sunny Australia, you know you want to....

 

[Scrambles83]

Moments of Unity

All 6 grooming together today during free range.
View attachment 2990184View attachment 2990185View attachment 2990186

And ranging together

View attachment 2990187

There were definitely some peaceful moments today. There was also one moment today when Betty was bouncing among the big hens like a pinball as they pecked her to intimidate her. But mostly, it was peaceful.

Betty did consider checking out the big coop but Aurora was standing guard on the porch and Betty thought better of it.

Overall a wonderful result. I’m very pleased for you and the hens

 

[Ponypoor]

I’m desperately catching up, only 100 pages behind now
Update from me…
Snow had one tail feather left first thing this morning, now she’s like a fluffy beachball
View attachment 2996413View attachment 2996414

The other issue I have had the past few days is these cuties
View attachment 2996415

I have about 20 come daily to feast on my apples on the trees (it’s our almond tree they are perched on in the photo, they didn't what I was up to so they got up high!)
I had to make the choice: beautiful wildlife in my suburban backyard or my apples.
I chose the wildlife, they can have as much fruit as they desire. They are simply gorgeous to watch and they knock apples onto the ground for the chooks so everyone wins I guess

You can grow apples there ?! That's awesome, you must get some cold temps or it must be a variety that was developed for warmer climates. Apples generally need a frost spell to develop fruit, here we regularly get -25c and they are cold hardy. Apples grown wild and their fruit is glorious in apple pie.

I have an issue with Peach trees and cold hardiness, but so far my two Peach trees are still here, and fruiting. Much to my chickies delight and the Japanese beetles that eat everything in sight..

If you want to see true bliss for chickens feed mushy peaches infested with Japanese beetles - I can't wait till this summer so I can get videos of them scrambling around catching them!

 

[Ponypoor]

(Dammit, she's on to us..... )

Hey Kris, come visit sunny Australia, you know you want to....

Let's go Kris it's summer there, no snow and no frosted fingers or high winds.... And they have chickens!