Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

Do you put your meally worms on ice cream? I do, or at least I tell the store cashier that I do!

Feed store response:
Walmart response:

 

[RoyalChick]

Thank you, Michelle!
An avian vet did see her, and X-rays showed cancer. I saw a lot of tumor, especially later when we looked at Butters X-ray which was clear, it was plain this was not quick as I had thought, that I did not catch how her behavior changed from very mellow to stand-offish. I know better now that the belly I felt a few weeks ago, more firm than usual but flat, was this, when I thought then she might have to lay.

So I am not surprised Peanut is not moving around much. The goal now is comfort until she can’t do chickeny things and be “happy” however that is defined… which she is not doing, right now. Earlier today I thought the time for euthanasia is now, she was sleepy alternating with awake and deftly catching mosquitoes and flies when they came near to her set position. I think the possible heart failure related to tumors could be at work. She’s perked up a bit since then, maybe because of the lower heat, the food and painkiller, and if the meloxicam can make her comfortable for awhile then the inevitable will be some more days.

Today she did move herself 50 feet to the winter run from the coop, back 40 feet to the cool moist woody chips and dirt underneath the lilacs, then back 40 feet to the run when there was a brief shower. I didn’t see her do any of these. She is not inclined to move much when she’s set herself down, so she is not acting comfortable yet, on one dose of meloxicam so far. She was eating and drinking well when I got under the lilacs with scrambled eggs and blueberries, and I snuck the meloxicam in a blueberry. Later she ate the rest of the scrambled eggs, some sunflower seeds, a few walnut bits and a bit of oatmeal.

Popcorn came over but interestingly got the message that this was mainly for Peanut and didn’t try too much to get around my arm (Popcorn got some specially handed to her though, and I would call her name), and she went away after awhile.

This vet expressed willingness to help me learn lots of things, she was explaining how she was doing whatever she was doing and mentioned training me on tube feeding if it came to that with Butters (as a jump-start to eating she said it can help, for instance). But this is not a situation of repeated draining yet, at least it doesn’t seem to be, as Peanut hasn’t really perked up to her old self since this one.

Today is the Buckeye’s Hatch Day, three years old. I’m sorry it’s not a happy day, but I am thankful the other three seem to be doing okay. Butters and Hazel are eating some, but weirdly, hopefully only because they are molting, and Popcorn is her same zany zesty self. I have a “flock check” scheduled with this mobile vet for the 19th, where she will come here and see Popcorn and Hazel for the first time, and re-check Butters. I doubt poor Peanut will be alive then, but we’ll see.

I know it is hard. I will say to you what you all said to me when my beloved Maggie died - she had a wonderful life and that is a gift you gave her.
I am so glad you have a vet available to help you both through this.

 

[RoyalChick]

Pooh was also panting and was brave enough to sample the ice water. She first tried eating the block of ice directly but it floated away from her. So she settled for some water.

 

[Ponypoor]

Thank you, Michelle!
An avian vet did see her, and X-rays showed cancer. I saw a lot of tumor, especially later when we looked at Butters X-ray which was clear, it was plain this was not quick as I had thought, that I did not catch how her behavior changed from very mellow to stand-offish. I know better now that the belly I felt a few weeks ago, more firm than usual but flat, was this, when I thought then she might have to lay.

So I am not surprised Peanut is not moving around much. The goal now is comfort until she can’t do chickeny things and be “happy” however that is defined… which she is not doing, right now. Earlier today I thought the time for euthanasia is now, she was sleepy alternating with awake and deftly catching mosquitoes and flies when they came near to her set position. I think the possible heart failure related to tumors could be at work. She’s perked up a bit since then, maybe because of the lower heat, the food and painkiller, and if the meloxicam can make her comfortable for awhile then the inevitable will be some more days.

Today she did move herself 50 feet to the winter run from the coop, back 40 feet to the cool moist woody chips and dirt underneath the lilacs, then back 40 feet to the run when there was a brief shower. I didn’t see her do any of these. She is not inclined to move much when she’s set herself down, so she is not acting comfortable yet, on one dose of meloxicam so far. She was eating and drinking well when I got under the lilacs with scrambled eggs and blueberries, and I snuck the meloxicam in a blueberry. Later she ate the rest of the scrambled eggs, some sunflower seeds, a few walnut bits and a bit of oatmeal.

Popcorn came over but interestingly got the message that this was mainly for Peanut and didn’t try too much to get around my arm (Popcorn got some specially handed to her though, and I would call her name), and she went away after awhile.

This vet expressed willingness to help me learn lots of things, she was explaining how she was doing whatever she was doing and mentioned training me on tube feeding if it came to that with Butters (as a jump-start to eating she said it can help, for instance). But this is not a situation of repeated draining yet, at least it doesn’t seem to be, as Peanut hasn’t really perked up to her old self since this one.

Today is the Buckeye’s Hatch Day, three years old. I’m sorry it’s not a happy day, but I am thankful the other three seem to be doing okay. Butters and Hazel are eating some, but weirdly, hopefully only because they are molting, and Popcorn is her same zany zesty self. I have a “flock check” scheduled with this mobile vet for the 19th, where she will come here and see Popcorn and Hazel for the first time, and re-check Butters. I doubt poor Peanut will be alive then, but we’ll see.

The heart is for your dear sweet feathered friends, and hugs for you.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I do not need it. Grandma definitely does not need it. Dropping off 5 dozen eggs to a customer this evening and that is still going to leave me with 7 1/2 dozen. I also have not collected any other then what is on the porch today. I feel the need to run to the store for some lemons and cream cheese and graham cracker crumbs. I want a new york cheesecake with fresh lemon curd. That would take up about 2 dozen eggs real quick and still have plenty left over if I need to sell some in the next day or so.

 

[RoyalChick]

I do not need it. Grandma definitely does not need it. Dropping off 5 dozen eggs to a customer this evening and that is still going to leave me with 7 1/2 dozen. I also have not collected any other then what is on the porch today. I feel the need to run to the store for some lemons and cream cheese and graham cracker crumbs. I want a new york cheesecake with fresh lemon curd. That would take up about 2 dozen eggs real quick and still have plenty left over if I need to sell some in the next day or so.

 

[Ponypoor]

I do not need it. Grandma definitely does not need it. Dropping off 5 dozen eggs to a customer this evening and that is still going to leave me with 7 1/2 dozen. I also have not collected any other then what is on the porch today. I feel the need to run to the store for some lemons and cream cheese and graham cracker crumbs. I want a new york cheesecake with fresh lemon curd. That would take up about 2 dozen eggs real quick and still have plenty left over if I need to sell some in the next day or so.

You sound like me! I just gave my horse Vet 2 dozen eggs - the guy I got my hay from is going to get 3 dozen tomorrow - surprise!!

And my neighbour will get a couple dozen.

And still I have dozens here!

It really irritates me that I cannot give them to the food bank

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

You sound like me! I just gave my horse Vet 2 dozen eggs - the guy I got my hay from is going to get 3 dozen tomorrow - surprise!!

And my neighbour will get a couple dozen.

And still I have dozens here!

It really irritates me that I cannot give them to the food bank

Same here, not usda inspected so the food bank will not take them. I cannot even take them to the farmer's market without a license. Oh well, I have built up a reliable customer base through word of mouth and facebook. This time of year though I have extra. I have been really good with my sugar and somewhat so has grandma. Well, grandma's is good because of the trulicity shot and not what she is eating. I think a splurge is in order. I want cheesecake.

 

[Skyewatcher]

Same here, not usda inspected so the food bank will not take them. I cannot even take them to the farmer's market without a license. Oh well, I have built up a reliable customer base through word of mouth and facebook. This time of year though I have extra. I have been really good with my sugar and somewhat so has grandma. Well, grandma's is good because of the trulicity shot and not what she is eating. I think a splurge is in order. I want cheesecake.

A few years ago I was able to give eggs to one of the family homeless shelters in town. Then covid changed things with how they operate. I give eggs to my neighbors.

 

[Ponypoor]

Same here, not usda inspected so the food bank will not take them. I cannot even take them to the farmer's market without a license. Oh well, I have built up a reliable customer base through word of mouth and facebook. This time of year though I have extra. I have been really good with my sugar and somewhat so has grandma. Well, grandma's is good because of the trulicity shot and not what she is eating. I think a splurge is in order. I want cheesecake.

Go for it and have a piece for me too haha.

Last year I couldn’t keep up with eggs, this year no one wants them!

I am going to put a sign at the end of the driveway. I also cannot sell at farmers markets, or sell to someone who resells. I would really hate to waste the eggs.