Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Oh no, Bob! I am so sad and sorry to hear this news. Huge hugs to you and Mrs. BY Bob.

Thank you.

 

[micstrachan]

So, those of you experienced with broodies (@RebeccaBoyd , @rural mouse @BY Bob Sorry if I missed someone) @Ponypoor - you just toss them...not sure...but

So, you all know one of my White Rocks went broody. She started last Monday, I let her sit a couple of days to be sure...Then I moved her to the broody hut on Wed., and made sure the move didn't affect her, gave her eggs Thursday night. So, she has now been on the eggs 1 full week.

I have 2 questions/looking for info/suggestions:
1) She 'threw' one egg out of the nest overnight Saturday. In 48 hours (48 - 56 in reality), would she really know if one was bad? It just doesn't seem possible she would know so quick! However, I did NOT put the egg back for 2 reasons: i) the nest is raised, so I was pretty sure the drop would NOT be good for the embryo - if there was one. and ii) it was completely cold.

2) Since she has been moved, she pooped in the nest box once, and I have seen one poop in the bedding on the floor - that is IT. Every morning I take her off the nest and set her on the floor right in front of the feeder (and next to the waterer). She won't eat...she immediately hops back on the nest. If I block her from that, she hops onto the roost and paces on it - facing the nest - until I allow her back in. I have taken to clipping a water dish to the outside of the nest box, and feeding her at morning and night with some feed, then a handful of scratch or sunflower seeds. I only started with the scratch and sunflower seeds because she would eat one or two pellets, then no more, and I was worried. Since I clipped the water dish directly to the outside of the nest box, she has been drinking some, but not much (maybe 6-7 ounces since Monday morning. What she is eating with the scratch feed is 1 tablespoon worth twice a day. If I come back with a second handful at a feeding time, she just fluffs up and starts screeching and doesn't eat any more. While she seems okay at the moment, she has 2 more weeks to go and I am VERY concerned if she doesn't eat & drink more (and poop!) Suggestions?

P.S. I did leave some halved grapes on a small piece of paper next to her in the nest box yesterday morning, and they were gone at night...I though some calories and some water ?? Should I be doing this morning and night every day after I get her to eat what she will? Is there something else I can try? She is young 7.5 months old, and no, none of her eggs are under her...hers are still, I think, on the smallish side.

Miss Broody (note water dish in upper left corner of pic....it was just before I put the camera down, rinsed it out and refilled.)
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Hard to tell from the pictures, but the back half is 'extra fluffy' as I reached down and she 'puffed up' twice as much as she was prior to me reaching in. If you compare the two picks, you can see the back half is poofier, but, again, pictures don't do it justice! She is so not happy with me when I reach in and/or pick her up off the nest.
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I'm hoping that if she goes broody again next year, she will be more experienced and will cooperate better on the 'eating, drinking, & pooping' bit!

I recognize that extra fluffy position. Have you tried dampened feed or a mash? When I had a broody, I would bring her raw egg to the nest, as it would provide nutrients and fluid.

 

[micstrachan]

Farewell

My Ginger left us and went to chicken heaven, in the morning of April 24th, 2023. She was 25 months old. She stayed with us for her first 17 months and was the unquestionable alpha hen.

I am very fortunate that this is the first time I lost one in my 25+ months of chicken keeping, if she even counts as we rehomed her 8 months ago. (knock on wood)

We picked up Ginger and 7 other babies on March 12th, 2021 at our local feed store. I am pretty sure they got their chicks from some big hatchery.

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Ginger at 3 months old.
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Ginger was a freedom lover. She got out of the fence all the time.
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She is the best with treats and a great forager.
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She's named Ginger because we were not creative with names and she was the darkest among all golden buffs.

She was not overly sweet. But when she wants to be on your lap, she really let you know and demanded to be picked up.
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In August 2022, Inky was bullied very bad by Ginger (perhaps because Inky molted after going broody) so we sent Ginger to my friend.

Goodbye, Ginger, we will always remember you. We will keep talking about you as the escape artist. I am glad that you are pain free now.

Lovely tribute to Ginger.

 

[micstrachan]

I have been pondering the bald patch issue. I looked in the yarn bag to see if anything would go with Babs’ coloring. I thought I could use Velcro as the quick release mechanism.

Then I got to thinking about all your advice and instead of making the bonnet I got one of these.

Spoiler

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And then because it is Tuesday I also got these.

Spoiler

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Spoiler

Yup I did it. I went on a road trip and came back with five chicks. They hatched while I was overseas last week and have been waiting for me. They are 8 days old.
We only just got home and already I am smitten.

They are precious!!!

 

[micstrachan]

As I mentally prepare myself for the sad times ahead with Eli, this moment will stand out as a moment of hilarity.
Eli visited the vet today. The vet put Eli on the floor to observe her walking to understand the balance issue.
Eli stood there and refused to walk. She just stood stock still.

She moved her head around and surveyed the vet's office. Calculating .....
She put her head to one side and surveyed the vet and her office. Calculating ...
She put her head to the other side and surveyed me and the vet's office. Calculating ....

Then with no warning she simultaneously deposited one of the world's largest chicken poops, and lifted off vertically to fly up to the top of the vet's cabinet - maybe 6' off the ground.

The vet concluded no broken bones, nothing wrong with her digestion, and no issues with her eyes or her brain's ability to sense depth.

My poor little Eli - whatever she has may kill her, but it will have to ground her first.
Love her.

Awww… Eli.

 

[micstrachan]

The boys’ wattles get a little rub each morning, although I get some serious side-eye whilst it’s happening.

Wait… you kept your boys? Yay!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Happy Mugs Monday.
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Amazing!!!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

And Then There Were 6
I have tragic news everyone. We lost Betty today. While free ranging today she fell into the pool. I have no idea how or why. None of the chickens go anywhere near the pool and yet she fell in. Before Mrs BY Bob could get her out she passed away due to hypothermia. The water is still quite cold.

I buried her between the two Blueberry bushes that Hattie bought. I will post a tribute to her later this week but her is the last photo I ever took of her.

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Yet another hen lost too soon. Mrs BY Bob is inconsolable. She blames herself of course and Betty was one of her special girls.

I myself feel as though I'm getting numb to the losses. I'm going to try and spend time with everyone who is left tomorrow morning. I need to try to reconnect with them.

I am so sorry to read this. My thoughts are with you and Mrs BY Bob.

 

[RoyalChick]

And Then There Were 6
I have tragic news everyone. We lost Betty today. While free ranging today she fell into the pool. I have no idea how or why. None of the chickens go anywhere near the pool and yet she fell in. Before Mrs BY Bob could get her out she passed away due to hypothermia. The water is still quite cold.

I buried her between the two Blueberry bushes that Hattie bought. I will post a tribute to her later this week but her is the last photo I ever took of her.

View attachment 3489859

Yet another hen lost too soon. Mrs BY Bob is inconsolable. She blames herself of course and Betty was one of her special girls.

I myself feel as though I'm getting numb to the losses. I'm going to try and spend time with everyone who is left tomorrow morning. I need to try to reconnect with them.

Nothing I can say.
Just for you and Rose.

 

[Marie2020]

And Then There Were 6
I have tragic news everyone. We lost Betty today. While free ranging today she fell into the pool. I have no idea how or why. None of the chickens go anywhere near the pool and yet she fell in. Before Mrs BY Bob could get her out she passed away due to hypothermia. The water is still quite cold.

I buried her between the two Blueberry bushes that Hattie bought. I will post a tribute to her later this week but her is the last photo I ever took of her.

View attachment 3489859

Yet another hen lost too soon. Mrs BY Bob is inconsolable. She blames herself of course and Betty was one of her special girls.

I myself feel as though I'm getting numb to the losses. I'm going to try and spend time with everyone who is left tomorrow morning. I need to try to reconnect with them.

What an awful blow. I'm so sorry Bob and Mrs Bob