Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

It is. I had been on a pump previously for 10 years before it malfunctioned. I like the pump, but, with my medtronic one again there is only so many places I could insert the catheter. Me and my Dr noticed in the last year before it malfunctioned that I was needing more insulin then normal to keep my numbers under control. It was determined that over the years I had built up scar tissue in the insertion sites and the insulin was not absorbing properly. So when it quit a little over a year and a half ago it was suggested to go off the pump and back on shots for a time being. If I did not use those sites the absorption issues can resolve themselves. I have been off the pump long enough that she wants me back on it. It is a new system that is wireless unlike the medtronic one. It can also be inserted in my upper arm or thigh instead of only my stomach area. Hopefully this helps even out my numbers. They have went stupid since my surgery. I was warned this would happen and can take up to 6 months to level off again as hormones also play a role in a type 1 blood sugar levels. The sensor takes 2 hours to come online after insertion. It just came on about 10 minutes ago. First reading was a dangerous low alert of 52. Double checked it with my meter, it read 55 so the system does work. And of course since I do not react normally to low blood sugars, I felt perfectly fine.

That’s a lot of information to digest for me. I have known people who had pumps also, but never explained how they actually worked. What do you say to people who don’t have diabetes and (what to watch out for when they think they do)?
I for one, appreciate your input on the subject.

 

[featherhead007]

I also know someone (sadly) who has type one and type two diabetes. But he seems to not care for himself and eats whatever he wants. He has emergency insulin shots and a strict diet he just ignores. And he’s 200lbs overweight.

 

[RoyalChick]

That one is awesome

It actually works really well. It telescopes down small enough to store conveniently and it adds almost 2’ of reach.
The egg fits nicely in the hand though you do have to focus not to tip it off.
Before getting this I used an empty cat food can nailed to a wood broom handle.
That worked just fine but was awkward to store.

 

[elisabeth_]

It is. I had been on a pump previously for 10 years before it malfunctioned. I like the pump, but, with my medtronic one again there is only so many places I could insert the catheter. Me and my Dr noticed in the last year before it malfunctioned that I was needing more insulin then normal to keep my numbers under control. It was determined that over the years I had built up scar tissue in the insertion sites and the insulin was not absorbing properly. So when it quit a little over a year and a half ago it was suggested to go off the pump and back on shots for a time being. If I did not use those sites the absorption issues can resolve themselves. I have been off the pump long enough that she wants me back on it. It is a new system that is wireless unlike the medtronic one. It can also be inserted in my upper arm or thigh instead of only my stomach area. Hopefully this helps even out my numbers. They have went stupid since my surgery. I was warned this would happen and can take up to 6 months to level off again as hormones also play a role in a type 1 blood sugar levels. The sensor takes 2 hours to come online after insertion. It just came on about 10 minutes ago. First reading was a dangerous low alert of 52. Double checked it with my meter, it read 55 so the system does work. And of course since I do not react normally to low blood sugars, I felt perfectly fine.

Sorry to randomly interject on this thread, but I just wanted to say congrats on getting an omnipod!! I’m a student care aide for a little girl with T1D, and the technology really is a lifesaver for her. I had never even heard of it before this year, but it didn’t take me long to get the hang of it at all. I hope it all goes well for you

 

[ChicoryBlue]

The white probably fades or doesn't show.

No, no fecal done on her. She is a very healthy little fat pullet. I suspect it is related to her oviduct though. Somehow it is affecting the pressing-down-feather since its maturity. My other hens don't have this problem.

Risking SHRA I want to ask what you mean by "pressing-down-feather" please?

 

[lightm]

One of mine has always had a poopy butt, Nougat. She's in good health but she doesn't manage to maintain her butt clean. We trim her butt feathers every three months or so and it definitely helps. Even if she has no health issue, poopy butt can attract pests and flystrike at worse, and she is not a hen that tolerates bath easily.
I don't know if Meimei has an health issue that causes this, just saying it's not always the case. I saw it explained as lazy butt.

Nougat.
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@knoturavggrl I've been also struggling with Merle who gave signs of broodiness I didn't get as soon as she started to lay and went broody 10 days after. Now she's on and off, going inside her nest seems to set her in trance when she's normal before. What I do is that if she's been in the nest for more that two hours I take the eggs off and sometimes that's enough to get her out. If not I tempt her with treats (sunflower seeds). I'm trying to get her to come out on her own...it works most days but sometimes I have to pull her out.
I think just laying pullets are confused with their hormones acting out and I don't want to be too hard breaking her..but not sure i'm doing right, I'm new to broodies too. The only one I've seen before was Chipie when she hatched last year...
Merle
View attachment 3384541

Hope everyone has a good day. @TX Chick Noob, I'm also sorry about your injury and hoping for the best outcome.
************
Gaston and Léa for Tuefer Tuesday. They have become very good friends but poor Léa has to bear Piou-piou's terrible jealous bullying.
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Thank you for the information. Hopefully this is the case for Meimei too. It's been two days since her butt cleaning, and so far it looks good. I have a feeling that her slight red butt skin in one spot is an irritation from the caked poop, which is why I wanted to wash her. Luckily it is not too hard to give her a bath.

 

[lightm]

Risking SHRA I want to ask what you mean by "pressing-down-feather" please?

When chickens make poop, they press down their butt feather so poop don't land on feather. I hope I clarified myself?

 

[knoturavggrl]

That's interesting that they won't use those. I was going to get some similar, but the shipping was ridiculous, so I just used random bins that I had around my house.

They are inexperienced and young, the reviews are great for them.

Is there a place where you could hang a curtain for privacy? I did that at one point, but have since taken it down. It was just an old towel that I poked some holes in to thread a stretchy cord, nothing fancy.

Yes I could and have been thinking about doing just that. One roll of velcro tape and some old cloth I am sure I have about somewhere. I am going to try that Thursday and keep putting in little bits of non perishable food like seed or peanuts maybe someone can be tempted to take a look see at least.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

When chickens make poop, they press down their butt feather so poop don't land on feather. I hope I clarified myself?

Yes I think so. What I've observed is the vent area changes shape some as they expel poop.

Drippy poop will touch feathers, and roll off if they've gotten enough oil on there. From the pictures I agree with @Ponypoor I don't see urates, and with @BY Bob it doesn't look good, imo it looks excessive for a poopy butt. Remember she won't act or appear unhealthy until she's in a bad way, so unless there's some other explanation (it's suddenly new after eating certain new food? She's molting? She's drinking a lot because it's hot?) I would be concerned too. Fecal float test is warranted imo if there's weird diarrhea, which this might be.

Others have more experience, and here's my newbie knowledge for what it's worth - I would check her skin back there too -the poop can be very irritating, that's what I've found with my hens, and that's something you can help her with. How red/raw is her skin there? Damp-clean it if possible. An Epsom salts bath might be soothing if her skin is red and not broken/infected after you've gotten most of the poop off. When she's clean and dry (air dry, or blow dry if the weather is cold) applying some coconut oil to her skin and a bit on the feathers will be soothing and help poop stay off. You can trim some feathers in the landing area too. If her skin is very irritated and/or broken I would go for vetericyn on that area instead, with coconut oil surrounding.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I thought I was going to have to recycle a picture for 2 for Tuesday. Then I looked out my window and my girls did not disappoint.
Mother and daughter Corona and Lilly. Lilly is standing on top of the cage.

Lilly

Corona