Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

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.

I can give to my neighbours also, but it’s illegal to give to shelters or food banks, etc

Guess I need to up my efforts to sell ‘at the farm gate’.

 

[Skyewatcher]

I can give to my neighbours also, but it’s illegal to give to shelters or food banks, etc

Guess I need to up my efforts to sell ‘at the farm gate’.

That's too bad it's illegal to give to the shelters or food banks.
That does make it more challenging when you have a lot of eggs.

 

[micstrachan]

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’m sorry you’re going through this with your beloved hens. Honestly, I think Peanut will still be here for the mobile visit. If she is not eating well on her own, I highly recommend baby bird formula as a treat. I make it like a pudding, consistency and my chicken think it’s the best trade ever. It’s a good way to get some calories and nutrition into her without having to force anything.

The cancer is a hard one. That’s what Ruby had, along with Ester, and probably Cashew. Darn it! It’s so sad that these poor sweet babies get cancer so much.

Hugs to you. And happy hatch day, even if it’s bitter sweet.

 

[BY Bob]

Happy belated hatch day, Hen-rietta! Bridge is 7 also.

View attachment 3567730

She is looking spectacular! I sure hope some of mine get to be that old.

 

[BY Bob]

Hahaha! Thank you, Bob! I had forgotten how funny these are. “land the knockout blow” cracked me right up especially!

I'm glad you enjoyed it. That makes all the work worthwhile.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I can give to my neighbours also, but it’s illegal to give to shelters or food banks, etc

Guess I need to up my efforts to sell ‘at the farm gate’.

I see all over facebook that people set up egg stands and rely on the honor system. It is a great idea. One I would be tempted to try if not for thieves. If my neighbors daughters broken bike gets stolen out of her yard in broad daylight I do not trust setting up a egg stand. I will give them away first. I have been tempted at times to stick up a "fresh eggs for sale" sign though on the stop sign. Our road gets so much traffic it could potentially be a good idea.

 

[BY Bob]

Bob, I am just not on BYC much these days; it’s not about the thread. For some reason, I did not see any alerts until today. I miss you guys! Please feel free to text me and let me know next time, if you like.

You are the best.

 

[BY Bob]

Hen-Reitta today is hatch day View attachment 3567870

Happy Hatch Day from the crew here.

 

[BY Bob]

I’m trying to give her the best day possible.
Being 7 and being a Leghorn, is like turning 70 today

More likely 100 in human years

 

[BY Bob]

I love Queen Aurora's reply. You would think she had personal experience with leghorns.
Since this question was posted the leghorns have grew up and are now laying. Do they lead normal boring chicken lives? No they do not. They have forgone the roof in favor of a new target. They followed Momma Hen to the hill. Who needs a roof when you can see how high up a tree you can get. Thankfully they come home to roost at night. They are also not boring hens when they lay either. I tried once to reach under one of them when they were on the nest. A boring girl would let me do it. I got bit hard and then she flew past me off the nest yelling at me for daring to touch her. I went inside and watched. She came back to the nest, laid her egg and walked away. We shall not talk about the pepper plants.

I'm so glad they are being true to themselves.