Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

I really hope so but how long it it going to take? You wouldn’t think one tiny little chicken could take up an entire bathroom!

Pop quiz: how many chickens are in this picture?
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I see four, but wonder if there are five?

 

[micstrachan]

So Dr Kevin thinks it might be that Lottie hasn’t developed an immunity to coccidia, it’s preventing her from absorbing nutrients and as a result, she has absolutely no muscle on her. He’s given her another dose of Baycox, but a direct dose instead of in the water. He also suggested bringing her inside as he didn’t think she’d be coping with the cold. So I now have a house chicken! She’s in a dog crate in the bathroom and I just brought Snowy inside to snuggle up with her to keep her company and help keep her warm.

Snowy sat on my lap whilst Lottie had something to eat and a big drink, so I also had a lap chicken! Snowy made chatty little noises and I even got a little purr! Then she ate something and I popped her into bed. Fingers crossed I can get Lottie well!

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Awww, poor Lottie. Her poor pale face. May I suggest a beef liver treat?

 

[LozzyR]

I see four, but wonder if there are five?

No, there are four. Snowy is right in the thick of it, you can just see her face!

 

[LozzyR]

Awww, poor Lottie. Her poor pale face. May I suggest a beef liver treat?

I might still have some liver in the freezer. If she doesn’t want it, the other girls will eat it.

 

[LozzyR]

I waited until I was at my computer to respond to this. Because of that I am now pages behind but what can you do. If you don't like rants please skip this post. I am very passionate on this.

Chickens are social creatures in many ways just like most humans. Most humans start to get upset when they are separated from other humans (I said MOST @Ribh , not ALL). This has become well document as people with the effects of isolation during the pandemic.

Spoiler: this is a non-chicken related rant but it does add to my point

At the height of the pandemic people with severe COVID cases were in the ICU for months. I said months! During that time, when struggling for every breath, frequently on a ventilator unable to speak, they were not allowed to have any family members visit. Many died in those beds all alone. It brings me to tears to think of the horror of dying slowly all alone like that. I always imagine how many might have found the will to fight on if a loved one had simply held their hand and spoken to them.

Around this time I was asked by one of my friends who worked in a healthcare system which was struggling to fight to keep up with COVID a fascinating question.

Would I rather die alone in an ICU bed struggling for breath or be eaten by an alligator?

I chose the alligator as there is no greater horror for me than to die slowly, all alone.

Now imagine you are a chicken. You don't feel well and are trying to hide it. Then your human removes you from your friends and puts you in a box alone in the house. There you will remain until you either get better or die. You have spent you whole life surrounded by your friends. Now they can't even come and touch your beak.

It is an awful thing to do to any social living creature. The people who direct you to do this have absolutely no understanding of what their society means to a chicken. They are only thinking of what is easier for the humans.

To backup @Shadrach point about chickens attaching sick members. I have had too many sick chickens pass away with their friends. I have never seen them attacked by the rest of the tribe. I have only seen the members of the tribe support the sick one until the bitter end. Sometimes like Patsy with Daisy, the greatest hen ever, they even sit with them peacefully as they pass.

I believe that this does occur in factory farms, just like cannibalism does. It is not a product of the chicken's society. Rather it is the product of their horrendous living conditions and lack of a normal chicken society. This incorrect knowledge based upon an abnormal living environment has been handed down and become "common knowledge" which is just plain wrong.

We will never know the depth of their connections. How could we? We are fools to ignore it and we are worse than fools if we don't try to support it and them through acknowledging its existence.

Rant complete. Thank you for reading.

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This is why I’m bringing Snowy in each night so Lottie can cuddle up to her. The thought of her being alone 24/7 for days on end is abhorrent.

 

[BY Bob]

I haven't taken any chicken pictures yet today, but i have some for tomorrow. Spent the last two days working on this and other yard work. Shocked that we have no chicken prints! Both kitties are buried under this area.
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It's looking pretty nice. Seems like a lot of work. Good job.

 

[micstrachan]

Break Time

I got some quality time with Phyllis today. I did not realize how much i missed her until she jumped up onto the deck when I was on break today. I was so excited to see her that the whole tribe got double snacks. I recorded it so you all could share in my joy.

Haha! I thought Phyllis might flip over there!

 

[BY Bob]

I really hope so but how long it it going to take? You wouldn’t think one tiny little chicken could take up an entire bathroom!

Pop quiz: how many chickens are in this picture?
View attachment 3132977

I say 4.

 

[BY Bob]

No, there are four. Snowy is right in the thick of it, you can just see her face!

got it right!

 

[BY Bob]

This is why I’m bringing Snowy in each night so Lottie can cuddle up to her. The thought of her being alone 24/7 for days on end is abhorrent.

I'm so glad. I'm certain she appreciates it.