Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Where I am is not living in luxury or even the slightest a privileged life so little finds mean a lot for me especially when it can brighten up my girls lives.

I found this thrown away, it was impossible for me too carry so I pestered a lovely lad on his way too work to carry it home for me. Next I will plead with my neighbours to help me get it into our garden. (I pity the people I know at times)

This will be so entertaining for my girl's with some ladders in and patched up . Yep, this old girl has lost the plot. Besides I always wanted a play house and now I have got one View attachment 3090526

They will love it! Nice find.

 

[BY Bob]

Here is an example of my worry about Bernadette. She gets where she needs to get but with some difficulty.

The one foot does seem weaker. I am not that surprised considering the issue she had with it. Is this worse, better, or similar to right after you took the wettest boot off? For me it is about the change and not so much about what is happening right now.

 

[BY Bob]

Hi everyone! Especially Bob. No way am I going to ever get totally caught up, so I'm just going to jump in here. Twofer Tuesday is it? Ok, here's my two old ladies Harper and Nevada sharing the nest box. It use to be two, but they all were piling up in one, so I just took the divider out. Nevada did not like the flash. I don't blame her, I didn't expect it to go off.

I love this. Don't worry about getting caught up just come on in! You can get caught up later or not at all.

 

[BY Bob]

I would not worry too much about Bernadette. I know that is easier said then done, but not only is she recovering very nicely from a injury, she is also growing. That is going to take time. The lack of energy you mentioned in a earlier post out of all 3 of them can be explained by simple them being in the middle of a growth spurt.
It is time to take a walk down memory lane with Butter.
April 20th of last year I came around the side of the house to find Butter unable to stand just outside of Dirt's stall. Dirt was playing with his jolly ball and was kicking out while playing. Due to some bruising that showed up we assume while in play he grazed her with a kick. I rushed her inside and felt no broken bones but it was apparent that she was paralyzed on one side. She could not stand up even with assistance.
Here she is the night the injury occurred.
View attachment 3090629Butter was kept in the house for a little over a week. We thought she may have to be euthanized at first but being mom's favorite hen we had to try to save her. The first few days were rough, bruising turned her bad leg almost black. She was eating and drinking and pooping so there was hope. What we were afraid of was internal injuries that were hidden, but 6 days later she laid a egg. We crushed up baby asprin for pain, she got nightly epsom bath soaks and I would massage that leg and thigh several times a day.
5 days later, with assistance she was able to stand for very short periods. If she tried to take a step she would fall over, but we were heading in the right direction.
View attachment 3090631
A few days later it was clear depression from missing her flock was setting in and she was loosing interest in eating. She had progressed to taking a few very unsteady steps before sitting down, but she could stand for about 10 minutes at a time. I rigged up a dog crate as a hospital cage to keep her confined but allow the rest of the flock to visit her. Her fighting spirit returned and hourly during the day I would let her out to enjoy the grass and sun. This also encouraged her to try and walk more.
This video was taken on the 15th of May, not quite a full month after the injury. She was still only allowed supervised time out of the hospital cage. I did not want any of the boys bothering her as I was afraid if they had tried to breed her it would cause a huge setback. You can see she's walking, but there is a limp. This limp would persist for about 4 months before it disappeared.

Today a year later, Butter is queen of the flock and runs when she wants to. If you look at her now you would not believe anything had ever happened to her at all.

What a wonderful recap. You did very well with her especially recognizing that she needed time with her friends. ❤

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I love that name!

So does mom, but she's shortening it to Effie.

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you for that reminder I will keep the faith!
Maybe some grass time will help. I have been focusing on trying to make sure they know how (and have the flying and climbing ability) to get back up to their brooder box. I am certain Lulu can as she fell out and worked herself back home. I am mostly sure Bella can. But I am not confident Bernadette can.
Maybe I will switch to a sunshine and fresh air regime for a few days.

I like this idea.

 

[BY Bob]

Now the only challenge is keeping track of what day it is…

That can be an issue.

 

[BY Bob]

No objection, but I’m not going to post the Heeery Cooo picture on any Sunday.

Some people are just nonconformists.

 

[BY Bob]

That is helpful.
I thought about all level but they really like sitting up in that box. She half flies down and takes it in two jumps - 6” and 4” approximately. It is on the up that I see her weakness.
Right now they are on the flat in the cat carrier in the pop-up tent out on the grass. After initial enthusiasm about a leaf of clover they have all gone to sleep in a heap in the carrier.

How about a picture?

 

[BY Bob]

So does mom, but she's shortening it to Effie.

That works until it becomes "effing"