Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Same here! I think I’ve shared this before, but once I uncovered a trap door spider in the run. Dorothy devoured it. I had never seem a chicken dismember anything so quickly before!

Another reason I like chickens!

 

[micstrachan]

It’s weeks and weeks for a real molt to finish I think. I set up a Cozy Coop in a draft free corner of the big run but it’s not on yet. It’ll be a while before Popcorn has her full fluff and I want to offer it once it gets colder. I tested it a few times and wonder if they can see the radiant heat maybe as infrared? They had seen it before but looked more closely at it when they got near it when it was on.

Popcorn has a lot of long pins under her outer feathers, discovered when I’ve given them their mites permethrin treatments. I apologized for how uncomfortable it was for her with me ruffling them up getting the spray onto the skin on her back. Poor girl!

So I’ve been battening down this afternoon, closing up the big and little runs drafty spots with tarps getting ready for the cold. The drafts have been fine until today, which is cooler but very windy. At one point this morning I couldn’t find the ladies (with my eyes) anywhere in the yard or runs, then I checked the coop cam. There they were taking their late morning break back inside.

Peanut is still eating the bread antibiotic balls. Kind of funny today. Had to hold her to get her alone after treating everyone with meal worms. So I sat with her after locking everyone else up. She didn’t want the balls, so I offered her meal worms again, shaking the container, which she ate, then offered the balls, which she didn’t want, then the meal worms again (yes), then the balls (no). So then I put the meal worms away temporarily, and kept the balls in front of her. I waited, and waited, then said, “Well it looks like we might have to do the pill popping thing?” And waited. Then suddenly she began eating them! Lack of choice was the key here? Or the gentle threat?

Made the teepee poles for the electric and up a few days ago and the tarps roughly in place. Picture of the Buckeyes, when Peanut was acting pretty unwell. She's been appearing to feel way better, and her diarrhea is ended I think, haven't seen her poop but observed that in this second permethrin treatment her butt and feathers were very clean, all the mites sores and poop mess is gone and skin is a nice pale yellow-pink. Fingers crossed for the future, but for now she's enjoying herself again.

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Yay, Peanut! What antibiotic were you able to get?

 

[BY Bob]

Yay, Peanut! What antibiotic were you able to get?

Baytril or Enrofloxacin. She had it on hand ready to go.

 

[Ponypoor]

You all are right I cannot count. My current layers are the 5 new girls from Royal king. Plus Lilly, Karen, Chiquita, Holly, Butter, Baby and Corona. That makes 12 hens currently in lay. I shall add this along with mood swings and hot flashes onto the side effects of the new medicine.

Welcome to menopause

Once your innards are gone make sure you discuss that little purple pill with your dr…. Estrogen is your friend

Girl Talk Dues
No one wanted put today, they were rather subdued

 

[Ponypoor]

Another reason I like chickens!

Glad i am not a spider!

 

[Ponypoor]

Misery misery misery

Because of my new pipeline project, I am being extremely cautious and not taking any medication that may show up on the D and A test I have to do Tuesday,

As a result since Friday night I have had some miserable nights, with my legs and arms ( yes I am one of those who’s RLS also includes arms jerking and spasms), add I. My arthritis in my
Feet and hands and it is a recipe for misery. And not sure why my right shin aches….

Aaaaaaaagggggggh!

“Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting That would not let me sleep.” (Shakespeare, Hamlet)

 

[LozzyR]

She is such a pretty chicken and what gorgeous photos you got!

So sweet! I love when one comes over to visit me of course but I also cherish the time spent just watching them be chickens, it so peaceful. You captured that beautifully in this photo.

Those are some very filled out bottoms

HA! I love that last photo of Truly, hello sweet girl!

Beautiful but also . Winter is coming and I am not ready for all that.

That is such a lovely hen! I love her is she a frizzle or something else?

Thank you! Yes, Snowy is a Frizzle bantam Sussex cross. She’s a sweetie and even tolerates a cuddle now and then!

 

[LozzyR]

Are they actually dangerous? Or just scary because they are big?
I confess to quite liking spiders, though I prefer not to be surprised.

They’re not venomous but they’re aggressive. One chased my dad across the road once! And yes, they are big. Not quite tarantula-big, but big enough. Charlie thought they were quite the delicacy though!

 

[LozzyR]

Poor spider, minding its own business….

Spider-Man spider-man does what ever a spider can……

There are no spiders in this barn from 2’ off the barn floor, the chickens take care of them

It had no business being in my car!

 

[LozzyR]

GORGEOUS!!!

Snowy I’m guessing, not the spider…