Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

Soggy Saturday.
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Is this Blueberry? I love the droplets of water sparkling on her back!

You know, in the wild they would have to forage in this weather if they were going to eat. We are probably overly worried about them...as long as it isn't COLD & wet, they should be okay (and for the chicks, as long as they all fit under momma at once!) They have a sheltered dry place if they need it (to warm up in) We may think them fools, but it is what they do. Strong drive to fulfill natural instincts

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Is this Blueberry? I love the droplets of water sparkling on her back!

You know, in the wild they would have to forage in this weather if they were going to eat. We are probably overly worried about them...as long as it isn't COLD & wet, they should be okay (and for the chicks, as long as they all fit under momma at once!) They have a sheltered dry place if they need it (chilled!) We may think them fools, but it is what they do. Strong drive to fulfill natural instincts

Nope that is Flurry one of my 2 remaining Cochins. After all summer of both of them being semi-broody they both have finally broken up. Instead of broody they are now molting.

 

[micstrachan]

Hello everyone. I have no success at all in getting thirsty pictures today but wanted to chime in about a few things.

@ChicoryBlue regarding sweet peanut. I'm no expert at all, but I've unfortunately had experiences with both egg bound hens and internal laying leading to egg yolk peritonitis. An egg bound hen will not act better if she hasn't laid. However in the cases I've seen the eggs that come out are not normal and the hens don't consider that they are eggs so they will basically pop them anywhere. Yes, if the egg comes out with a soft broken shell and the hens get to it first, it's possible that there remains almost nothing and you miss it. Sometimes I've found just a tiny piece of membrane under the roost or saw that the straw was damp.from the egg white they couldn't eat. However, usually you can find a least a little trace of something if you look everywhere.
Next, regarding EYP and possible salpingitis. Do you remember the exact last times peanut laid, and whether her egg was typical for her (big and oval,) or if something specific had happened ? Have you seen her trying to lay in the nests without success ? These were signs I didn't understand to be indicating EYP for my hen Caramel. In her case, she had also a mass in the abdomen which stopped her from breathing normally. Can you feel anything when handling Peanut, either a mass or an abnormally loose abdomen ?
What the vet told me is that antibiotics will cure the infection only if given early enough, and they do not treat the reproductive disorder. Amoxicillin is the generic antibiotic used. I remember @micstrachan advised me another stronger one, I will look for her post. Caramel was diagnosed too late, so she had to be opened up to exfiltrate all the yolks and sterilized definitely, and she died from the anesthesia, as you may remember. A standard procedure if diagnosed earlier would be to permanently put the hen on an implant to stop laying like supralorin which means going to the vet every three to six months, and accepting changes to the hen's metabolism.
I had a lot of hesitation when bringing Caramel to the vet. Now my choice will be to accept that a hen dies of reproductive disorder among her flock and try to make her as confortable as possible. I will finally say that the real confirmation of EYP is having the hen go through a radiography, which on a very unwell chicken is an invasive procedure.
You will find a lot of useful links explaining EYP and detailing the symptoms on the internet. I don't want to give advice, but I will say from my experience that if taking Peanut to the vet is a possible option for you, don't wait to do it.
It's a very painful thing to watch your chicken go through this. Don't hesitate if you want to ask any question or send a pm.
One of my last picture of Caramel
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What a lovely photo of sweet Caramel. RIP, Love.

Oh no. I’m gonna have to read back and see what’s going on with Peanut. Yes, if it’s EYP or salpingitis, I would go straight for the big guns… That would be enrofloxacin (Baytril) or if you can’t get that, Doxycycline (Bird Biotic).

I would also get her to the avian vet right away, if possible. They can draw fluid from the coelom and analyze it so you have a better idea if what it is. I have (suspectedly) had two birds go septic on EYP infections. Both Leghorns. One confirmed by necropsy, the second is my best guess based on her behavior, rapid decline, and history of soft eggs.

I’m so sorry, sweet Peanut is unwell. You know how I love Buckeyes.

 

[BY Bob]

I did not get any pictures for Fluffy Butt Friday. It poured the rain all day. I did take these yesterday afternoon from my back door. They had no business looking like this. They did not need to leave their covered dry spots as they had fresh food and water. Every single one was soaked, even the mommas and they chicks were out happily drenched all day in the rain. I know it is caturday, but for this post I'm calling this Soggy Saturday.
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This black looking drowned rat is actually Karen
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For those of you who love wattles, they do pop when you take soggy pictures of chickens.

My chickens tend to love the rain as well. They were locked in the complex all day yesterday though so no rain for them.

 

[BY Bob]

It Works!

Around 3 inches of tropical rain yesterday from the hurricane. Bone dry inside the coop.

 

[BY Bob]

Just Another Party at Hattie House

 

[featherhead007]

My chickens can go 4 days if the feeders and waterers are full. Are you saying they left them with no feed? That is inexcusable. You are sure there are no feeders about with feed in them?

Bob, you know me! I would never say otherwise. I fed them about 15 minutes ago. All 36 count . Not tame like my birds are, but hungry birds they were.

 

[featherhead007]

You are very pretty.

I think both of those Marie’s are pretty! My SkyHawk and our UK friend! (Just saying)

 

[Lexicon]

Just Another Party at Hattie House

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Wowsers!! Look at how big Lady Featherington has gotten! I am glad that she got an invitation to the party!

 

[Ponypoor]

I did not get any pictures for Fluffy Butt Friday. It poured the rain all day. I did take these yesterday afternoon from my back door. They had no business looking like this. They did not need to leave their covered dry spots as they had fresh food and water. Every single one was soaked, even the mommas and they chicks were out happily drenched all day in the rain. I know it is caturday, but for this post I'm calling this Soggy Saturday.
View attachment 3320343View attachment 3320344View attachment 3320345View attachment 3320346View attachment 3320347View attachment 3320348View attachment 3320349View attachment 3320350View attachment 3320351View attachment 3320352
This black looking drowned rat is actually Karen
View attachment 3320353View attachment 3320355View attachment 3320360View attachment 3320361
For those of you who love wattles, they do pop when you take soggy pictures of chickens.

Well first I love the one where she is sitting under the BBQ - both a good and bad location!

And that torrent of water sure looks like a nice milk chocolate icing