Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Do you have a 'leave something/take something' area at your local dump/transfer station? ( We have a small area where still good/usable items may be placed) I got a wooden coffee table from there once. Put 2x4 runners under legs ( to both raise it a teeny bit and give the legs more stability), then draped an opened up feed bag over the top (so the long sides were 'loosely enclosed'), put 1x2 s along the top on each side to hold bag in place & give 'lift' for 2 roosts I added. It has becoem a chunnel (chicken tunnel). My hens will bolt through it to escape boys. I will toss a bit of scratch grain (when I give it) for the lower girls to be able to get some, and sometimes a hen oor two will lay there when they are thinking about being broody. PLUS, though just a small amount, it doubles that usable space as they go both on top of and underneath!. An end table, coffee table, kids table - all would work equally well. Plus, chickens always like to hop up higher....and if you have any scrap wood around, plus a branch or two (for the roosts)...it is a win-win!

My equivalent of that is my Habitat for Humanity Restore chairs. Got a bunch of chairs for a dollar each and the chickens jump on them, perch under them, perch on the back etc.

 

[featherhead007]

My equivalent of that is my Habitat for Humanity Restore chairs. Got a bunch of chairs for a dollar each and the chickens jump on them, perch under them, perch on the back etc.

Do your chickens realize that those chairs are for humanity? Not poultry

 

[featherhead007]

 

[RoyalChick]

Do your chickens realize that those chairs are for humanity? Not poultry

The dollar went to humanity.
And a few times I have cleaned them off and donated them back!

 

[Ponypoor]

Yes, it could work with poultry if you are able to flush deep enough into the would. With the duck, she had one tear and a coupleof puncture wounds. I stitched the tear.

Honestly, I don't think I was able to flush deep enough into the puncture wound - and it was the first puncture wound I had dealt with. I later had a sort of abscess/puncture wound that was slightly bigger that I could sort of stuff with thin strips of gauze ( soaked in betadine and then coated with honey. Flushed & repacked daily) That worked quite well! But the tiny (diameter) wound on the duck - plus the thick abundance of feathers making ot more difficult - just wasn't possible.. If something like that happens again, I would probably cut/pluck feathers surrounding the wound, and possibly even cut the wound itself open a bit for better flushing..though I hate cutting them - so not sure I could do that WELL...especially given my assistant (hubby is not really the best at holding them - but he tries!)

They are all so nerve-wracking! I just do the best I can, and, hopefully, learn more each time. Do wish there was access to an avian vet - if for nothing else but suggestions and possibly anti-biotics!!

You know, @BY Bob - you said you like teaching. Maybe you (?with help of vet or something?) could develop the equivalent of EMT training - but for chickens and backyard pets. I would certainly pay to take that - especially if you were teaching it!!!

I should approach my small animal vet, she does avian work and she also has her own flock (also has horses and cattle).

 

[featherhead007]

The dollar went to humanity.
And a few times I have cleaned them off and donated them back!

Kinda like playing musical chairs

 

[featherhead007]

There’s a mouse caught in my trap (and squeaking) Jaffar and Dakota are both wondering what I am going to do about it.

 

[ValarieF]

Cocorico.......just sayin

 

[Ponypoor]

Do you have a 'leave something/take something' area at your local dump/transfer station? ( We have a small area where still good/usable items may be placed) I got a wooden coffee table from there once. Put 2x4 runners under legs ( to both raise it a teeny bit and give the legs more stability), then draped an opened up feed bag over the top (so the long sides were 'loosely enclosed'), put 1x2 s along the top on each side to hold bag in place & give 'lift' for 2 roosts I added. It has becoem a chunnel (chicken tunnel). My hens will bolt through it to escape boys. I will toss a bit of scratch grain (when I give it) for the lower girls to be able to get some, and sometimes a hen oor two will lay there when they are thinking about being broody. PLUS, though just a small amount, it doubles that usable space as they go both on top of and underneath!. An end table, coffee table, kids table - all would work equally well. Plus, chickens always like to hop up higher....and if you have any scrap wood around, plus a branch or two (for the roosts)...it is a win-win!

Love that chunnel idea! I will definitely do that with the outdoor run, I have an old cedar rail that I have laid along some bricks they like to roost on. I will make that higher for them when I get home (make it more permanent). I have a tree with a crook in it that I am surprised some haven't flown up onto! It would be a simple matter of hopping way up into the branches then haha!

 

[Ponypoor]

There’s a mouse caught in my trap (and squeaking) Jaffar and Dakota are both wondering what I am going to do about it.

Brunch?