Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

That would require a tax payment. Have you forgotten so quickly?

Ok, here you go!
View attachment 3186112

 

[micstrachan]

Hey all. I haven't been on for several days and am about to start catching up. First though I want to give you all an update on Bella.
Bella remains very poorly. I sent a throat swab for analysis and had almost convinced myself she had Mycoplasma. She does not.
She has a viral infection called Infectious Laryngotracheitis. It is caused by a herpes-type virus.
It generally comes in moderate or severe forms. The severe has a very high mortality rate (up to 70%) and is characterized by 'gaping' (which she does) and a lot of bloody mucus (which she does not have). The moderate has a lower mortality rate (up to 30%). It is supposed to resolve itself (well go dormant) in about 14 days.
Looks like Bella is going to take us past the average.
Because it is supposed to be a self-limiting disease I decided to tube feed her. I suspect it is at least as traumatic for me as it is for her, particularly as she collapses with exhaustion after every feed.

Thanks to both @micstrachan and @BY Bob for advice along the way.

There is a whole debate about vaccinating the rest of the flock. I will save the details on that for now - Bob just suggested I write an article on it as I have for sure dug deep on the research!

In terms of tube feeding, I have not wanted to swaddle Bella up too tight in a towel because she already feels like she can't breathe and I don't want to make matters worse. So instead I am wrapping her in a bucket (well a dish bowl really) so she can't wriggle away when I am in the middle of feeding her.

So, for Thirsty Thursday here is little Bella in her bucket after getting 55mls of liquid baby bird formula and a raw egg delivered straight into her crop.

My poor baby!

Now I am off to catch up on the thread before her next feed.

View attachment 3186200

Awww, Bella. RC, you are doing s wonderful job with her.

 

[MaryJanet]

Hey all. I haven't been on for several days and am about to start catching up. First though I want to give you all an update on Bella.
Bella remains very poorly. I sent a throat swab for analysis and had almost convinced myself she had Mycoplasma. She does not.
She has a viral infection called Infectious Laryngotracheitis. It is caused by a herpes-type virus.
It generally comes in moderate or severe forms. The severe has a very high mortality rate (up to 70%) and is characterized by 'gaping' (which she does) and a lot of bloody mucus (which she does not have). The moderate has a lower mortality rate (up to 30%). It is supposed to resolve itself (well go dormant) in about 14 days.
Looks like Bella is going to take us past the average.
Because it is supposed to be a self-limiting disease I decided to tube feed her. I suspect it is at least as traumatic for me as it is for her, particularly as she collapses with exhaustion after every feed.

Thanks to both @micstrachan and @BY Bob for advice along the way.

There is a whole debate about vaccinating the rest of the flock. I will save the details on that for now - Bob just suggested I write an article on it as I have for sure dug deep on the research!

In terms of tube feeding, I have not wanted to swaddle Bella up too tight in a towel because she already feels like she can't breathe and I don't want to make matters worse. So instead I am wrapping her in a bucket (well a dish bowl really) so she can't wriggle away when I am in the middle of feeding her.

So, for Thirsty Thursday here is little Bella in her bucket after getting 55mls of liquid baby bird formula and a raw egg delivered straight into her crop.

My poor baby!

Now I am off to catch up on the thread before her next feed.

View attachment 3186200

The photo of her in her bucket is heartwrenching, poor little darling. But I'm delighted you have a confirmed diagnosis. You're going through such a lot with your flock RC

 

[MaryJanet]

I am not quite sure I am ready for this, but I have to face facts. Her comb is quite red and she just squatted for me.
I think we may be approaching first egg time.
Isn’t that waaay too soon?
She also jumped onto my arm - she is still my little alien baby!

View attachment 3186328

They grow so fast!

 

[Ponypoor]

My day of doing diddly-squat ended abruptly at 2 min to 4 when the fire alarms went off in the workplace….

Of course my first thought was ‘you have got to be kidding, I was just about to leave!’

So much had to go through the exit the building go muster in the emergency area, do the head count, then wait for the all clear. Now I should point out that I work in safety on my real work so I take it very seriously. BUT having said that I should also point out that the fire safety guy was working on the system and there was a 99.9 percent chance he tripped the system - which he did….

It was a great exercise for everyone but I just wish it could have happened at 2pm rather than 4pm

More whining tax for being a big baby

Finally made it home so I can play with the chooks and geegees

You miss him...until morning drama starts up again.... just saying...

I'll go away now..

yep I was thinking that afterwards

But I still miss him….

 

[RoyalChick]

Ok, here you go!
View attachment 3186112

That is a Monday and a Friday picture all in one!

 

[Ponypoor]

My day of doing diddly-squat ended abruptly at 2 min to 4 when the fire alarms went off in the workplace….

Of course my first thought was ‘you have got to be kidding, I was just about to leave!’

So much had to go through the exit the building go muster in the emergency area, do the head count, then wait for the all clear. Now I should point out that I work in safety on my real work so I take it very seriously. BUT having said that I should also point out that the fire safety guy was working on the system and there was a 99.9 percent chance he tripped the system - which he did….

It was a great exercise for everyone but I just wish it could have happened at 2pm rather than 4pm

More whining tax for being a big baby

Finally made it home so I can play with the chooks and geegees

yep I was thinking that afterwards

But I still miss him….

For crying out loud



@bgmathteach

I was trying to upload photos and whining tax when I accidentally replied and posted on my comments to your comments….. that’s what I get when I am being pestered by someone (my mum) and trying to get supper and post whiny comments and back taxes.

Gonna go hide in the barn again, in the loft where no one can find me

 

[Ponypoor]

Ok whiny taxes for being such a miserable whiny brat today

The gals enjoying the dirt and sunshine

Old Penelope enjoying some sunbathing

And Truly tells me, get a life lady, let me eat in peace

And my cactus is blooming

 

[Ponypoor]

I don’t want more chicks, (at this time)

I hear ya, and yes way too hot for that.

She will give up, one day she will just give up and go back to being a chicken

 

[Ponypoor]

My network seems to be wonky also… not sure if my photos posted or not I don’t see them.

On the up side the weather is splendid!