Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Lilion]

I've been SO lazy today! Like I've done 100% of nothing. I really have to get moving.

 

[Skyewatcher]

This is what I've done today (besides gathering eggs) wanted to protect the wood-

 

[Ponypoor]

How do you stand the winter? And last winter you were working in the tundra!

Hence all those weather whining tax

I suffer in the winter, my hand and feet always cold, arthritis so stiff… not to mention the dark days.

And I bet my horses and chickies also don’t like winter!

Today it was wonderful weather for all - everyone was ‘oot an aboot’ digging, eating and scaring the bejeeeeeebers out ome!

Big kerfuffle everyone in a flap, screaming blue murder. I dragged them all in and did a head count….. couldn’t find Martina

I searched high and low, in the barn everywhere….

Back outside and dumb arse was outside with the rest !!!

Not sure what had them all in an uproar, but that’s it! No more outside without me!

 

[Ponypoor]

This is what I've done today (besides gathering eggs) wanted to protect the wood-
View attachment 3570667

Looks wonderful! Good job!

 

[Ponypoor]

Well I have noticed Tippy’s voice changing. She is starting to get that whiny pullet sound. She is now 12 weeks old and likely in a month or so will be laying eggs! They grow up so fast!

She is a Sophia daughter so I will keep her.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Initial reaction: they need to see her too. If you take a companion, then the companion travels home alone....

If you take all of them, 1. Can they travel together reasonably well? 2. Can the vet check the others over at the same time?

Agree it doesn't seem right to take her alone. By that thought, it isn't right for the companion to travel home alone either, nor is it right for the one left behind to be alone. Based upon all that, I think the right way is for all to go, if possible.

You're making a tough decision for all of them.

I am so sorry. I believe that you should take them all, and I think that you are an amazing person for not letting Peanut suffer. Most people would probably wait until they die on their own, or try to extend the time they have with them, but you are letting her go while hopefully the pain is not the worst it could possibly be.
You are such an amazing person. I am sending tons of hugs right now.

I think it's obvious you don't like the idea of Peanut being alone. Do you know how long and painful the ride there is, if there will be a lot of waiting, and if it's not too stressful ? Depending on how difficult it would be I would either just take Butter because she's more calm, or all of them.

I had the experience not of euthanizing at the vet, but of Caramel dying alone while being there. I showed the body to the other hens. I'm not sure if it meant something for them. I know they felt something was very wrong, especially as they had already lost Vanille a week ago.
I personally felt terrible for letting Caramel die alone at the vet, it made things much more worse, and I promised myself I would do all I could not to have this situation happen again.

I'm trying to say I think you also need to take your own feelings and wishes into account. We know there is no right or wrong choices in such matters, but when you make a choice you "think" is right but feel terrible about, it takes a long time to get over it.

So sorry. And I know how difficult this is.
I don’t know that I can help. Of all mine who died, they died at home and on their own timetable.
Typically they retreated somewhere quiet like a nestbox for their final 24 hours and I spent a lot of time sitting with them.
Mostly other chickens stopped by like theybwere saying farewell. That was most noticeable with Eli as I posted here (may have done the link wrong).

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-26930660

I am not sure that staying still is only about pain. I think it is what happens as we die. Maggie spent her last 24 hours without moving and every hour I thought of ending it. But she responded to my voice with a tiny chirp and I decided to let her go on her own terms.

I did once take Bernadette to be euthanized because her leg wasn’t improving and she was holding back her brooder mates. She couldn’t walk and it was no life. I took her on her own but at the vet she staged a recovery so she came back.

Honestly all this is a long winded way of saying that we can all only do our best by them and to think carefully that we are acting genuinely in their interests not our own.

First they should see her to say goodbye. I think it's very important that they get to say goodbye much like it is essential for cats to know.

I would not take just one hen because that hen has to then come home alone. You have a bit of a conundrum then. Taking them all seems like a lot. I'm not certain what is best here. Maybe just take Butters. The ride home won't be that bad.

I'm sorry. I wish I had a more definitive answer. Know that I'm praying for you and you will be in my thoughts all day.

Sorry, but only you know your birds. And that decision is yours and yours alone. My concern is for Peanut and how she’s doing and feeling.

I haven't read ahead, so other may contradict what I am about to say - but ultimately, do what you think is best from all of our suggestions.

1) Chickens mourn. I think it is VERY important that they know she has passed - I don't think the 'just disappearing' is good at all.

2) You are in sort of a dilemma as far as 'traveling companion's because you have exactly 4 hens. If you take 1 with Peanut, they will be alone on the trip home - when, I am sure, they will be in grief. If you take 2 with Peanut, that will leave 1 home alone the whole time; also, imo, not ideal. I suggest 1 of the 2 following options.
A) If someone else can do the driving, hold Peanut on your lap. She knows you and is comfortable with you - and it will probably, in a sad way, be comforting for you, too. When you get home, do let them see her passed, so they can grief and 'pay respects', and, most importantly, know for sure she has passed.
B) Take them all. And let them all see Peanut as she passes (if the Vet will allow it. Let them be next to her when they give her the muscle relaxant or whatever prior to the actual euthanasia, so they see her pass calmly), and be next to her - both for Peanut's sake and for theirs.


You are a very strong woman, CB. I am in tears right now, and I never actually met Peanut in person. It is a very hard situation - but you are doing the right thing. My thoughts are with you and all the girls.

Many thanks to all of you, helping me think through things. It’s so hard, and your views are really worthwhile to hear. Thank you.

There’s been a surprising turn of events and I cancelled the emergency appointment, for today. I was assured that another can be arranged with little notice. I am now wondering if another draining would help her, as she doesn’t seem to be in the discomfort she was, or out of it and very sleepy like she was. Peanut wanted to join the tribe today and do chickeny things. So different from the last two days. This morning was nice and cool. She decided to get up and out of the nestbox, perhaps prompted by me feeling her belly which is more full, of course.

In the nest box she peeped to me softly, but it was in her flutey way, not the faint grunty bok from before, and was quite alert, snapped at a fly, looked at the others I had let out to forage, seeing them through the open back of the coop, got up and went across the roost bars and out to the veranda, looking down the ladder. But then she sat down on the edge. I went around to her and gave her the meloxicam in a blueberry and she ate some eggs. She seemed very interested in the world and took in the view from there for a little bit. Then she stood up, took one or two steps down the ladder and flew the rest of the way, landing well. She immediately began foraging and went around and out of the aviary to join the others. Her tail was up. She was lower to the ground than she should be, but not a penguin. I didn’t see her scratch, but she was beaking around, turning over leaves and pulling dirt.

Everyone took drinks of the rain drops on the new welded wire shady run which isn’t arranged yet but the door is open so they go in and out. It looked like Hazel and Peanut had a little face off. Hazel was scratching in damp dirt and Peanut wanted to move in and lie on it. Hazel held still, standing, looking down a bit, and Peanut was below her, resting, looking determined. Then it ended.

DH and I left to exercise after they all decided to rest under the lilac. When we came back, all four were in the winter main run, and Peanut was sitting tail up. Her tail is much more down or horizontal now but she’s talking with soft but normal peeps, and still wanting to be active. She foraged on the north side of the barn, went all around the barn, then rested on that north side again. Then she foraged again, and ate some meal worms. Maybe this is her last hurrah? I’d like to give her that.

I think taking all four will work as far as space when the time comes. Not tons of room, but the roosting platform fits in the dog cage, and all four fit that pretty well. It could fit six comfortably for roosting.

Peanut in foreground out this morning, Popcorn rushing to see if I have some goodies, think that's Butters in the back. Hazel was out of the shot scrounging under a Juneberry tree for fallen berries.

Preening with Hazel, Peanut's in the pool, tail very down

Sunbathing with Butters, Peanut's against the wall

Walking and eating grass with Hazel, Peanut's in back

Foraging with Popcorn on the north side of the barn

Late afternoon preening, tail down, again with Hazel, Butters' fluffy butt peeking in, on the left.

 

[rural mouse]

Many thanks to all of you, helping me think through things. It’s so hard, and your views are really worthwhile to hear. Thank you.

There’s been a surprising turn of events and I cancelled the emergency appointment, for today. I was assured that another can be arranged with little notice. I am now wondering if another draining would help her, as she doesn’t seem to be in the discomfort she was, or out of it and very sleepy like she was. Peanut wanted to join the tribe today and do chickeny things. So different from the last two days. This morning was nice and cool. She decided to get up and out of the nestbox, perhaps prompted by me feeling her belly which is more full, of course.

In the nest box she peeped to me softly, but it was in her flutey way, not the faint grunty bok from before, and was quite alert, snapped at a fly, looked at the others I had let out to forage, seeing them through the open back of the coop, got up and went across the roost bars and out to the veranda, looking down the ladder. But then she sat down on the edge. I went around to her and gave her the meloxicam in a blueberry and she ate some eggs. She seemed very interested in the world and took in the view from there for a little bit. Then she stood up, took one or two steps down the ladder and flew the rest of the way, landing well. She immediately began foraging and went around and out of the aviary to join the others. Her tail was up. She was lower to the ground than she should be, but not a penguin. I didn’t see her scratch, but she was beaking around, turning over leaves and pulling dirt.

Everyone took drinks of the rain drops on the new welded wire shady run which isn’t arranged yet but the door is open so they go in and out. It looked like Hazel and Peanut had a little face off. Hazel was scratching in damp dirt and Peanut wanted to move in and lie on it. Hazel held still, standing, looking down a bit, and Peanut was below her, resting, looking determined. Then it ended.

DH and I left to exercise after they all decided to rest under the lilac. When we came back, all four were in the winter main run, and Peanut was sitting tail up. Her tail is much more down or horizontal now but she’s talking with soft but normal peeps, and still wanting to be active. She foraged on the north side of the barn, went all around the barn, then rested on that north side again. Then she foraged again, and ate some meal worms. Maybe this is her last hurrah? I’d like to give her that.

I think taking all four will work as far as space when the time comes. Not tons of room, but the roosting platform fits in the dog cage, and all four fit that pretty well. It could fit six comfortably for roosting.

Peanut in foreground out this morning, Popcorn rushing to see if I have some goodies, think that's Butters in the back. Hazel was out of the shot scrounging under a Juneberry tree for fallen berries.
View attachment 3570634

Preening with Hazel, Peanut's in the pool, tail very down
View attachment 3570635

Sunbathing with Butters, Peanut's against the wall
View attachment 3570636
View attachment 3570638

Walking and eating grass with Hazel, Peanut's in back
View attachment 3570684

Foraging with Popcorn on the north side of the barn
View attachment 3570686

Late afternoon preening, tail down, again with Hazel, Butters' fluffy butt peeking in, on the left.
View attachment 3570687

Glad she's having a good day. Wonder if it took a couple of days for the meds to get into her system enough for effects. Having plan in place for when the time comes helps too.

 

[Lilion]

Many thanks to all of you, helping me think through things. It’s so hard, and your views are really worthwhile to hear. Thank you.

There’s been a surprising turn of events and I cancelled the emergency appointment, for today. I was assured that another can be arranged with little notice. I am now wondering if another draining would help her, as she doesn’t seem to be in the discomfort she was, or out of it and very sleepy like she was. Peanut wanted to join the tribe today and do chickeny things. So different from the last two days. This morning was nice and cool. She decided to get up and out of the nestbox, perhaps prompted by me feeling her belly which is more full, of course.

In the nest box she peeped to me softly, but it was in her flutey way, not the faint grunty bok from before, and was quite alert, snapped at a fly, looked at the others I had let out to forage, seeing them through the open back of the coop, got up and went across the roost bars and out to the veranda, looking down the ladder. But then she sat down on the edge. I went around to her and gave her the meloxicam in a blueberry and she ate some eggs. She seemed very interested in the world and took in the view from there for a little bit. Then she stood up, took one or two steps down the ladder and flew the rest of the way, landing well. She immediately began foraging and went around and out of the aviary to join the others. Her tail was up. She was lower to the ground than she should be, but not a penguin. I didn’t see her scratch, but she was beaking around, turning over leaves and pulling dirt.

Everyone took drinks of the rain drops on the new welded wire shady run which isn’t arranged yet but the door is open so they go in and out. It looked like Hazel and Peanut had a little face off. Hazel was scratching in damp dirt and Peanut wanted to move in and lie on it. Hazel held still, standing, looking down a bit, and Peanut was below her, resting, looking determined. Then it ended.

DH and I left to exercise after they all decided to rest under the lilac. When we came back, all four were in the winter main run, and Peanut was sitting tail up. Her tail is much more down or horizontal now but she’s talking with soft but normal peeps, and still wanting to be active. She foraged on the north side of the barn, went all around the barn, then rested on that north side again. Then she foraged again, and ate some meal worms. Maybe this is her last hurrah? I’d like to give her that.

I think taking all four will work as far as space when the time comes. Not tons of room, but the roosting platform fits in the dog cage, and all four fit that pretty well. It could fit six comfortably for roosting.

Peanut in foreground out this morning, Popcorn rushing to see if I have some goodies, think that's Butters in the back. Hazel was out of the shot scrounging under a Juneberry tree for fallen berries.
View attachment 3570634

Preening with Hazel, Peanut's in the pool, tail very down
View attachment 3570635

Sunbathing with Butters, Peanut's against the wall
View attachment 3570636
View attachment 3570638

Walking and eating grass with Hazel, Peanut's in back
View attachment 3570684

Foraging with Popcorn on the north side of the barn
View attachment 3570686

Late afternoon preening, tail down, again with Hazel, Butters' fluffy butt peeking in, on the left.
View attachment 3570687

Wonderful memories for you to keep, her enjoying the day.

I went out and did the crate setup for Eenie. We are going to cover the top better, but my husband isn't feeling well. Eenie was out doing chicken things in the coop while I did and I was a bit worried she wouldn't go in the nest, but with it pushed aside, she went right in, then I put it in place. I'm not sure if this is going to do the trick. It's temporary though. I have a better set up planned after they hatch

I don't know if you can tell, but there are two doors and the one facing the nest is open, so if she steps out of the nest she can go into the crate. The plastic "chicken wire" is 1inch squares, because I figure little chicks could get thru the crate, at least at the bottom.

I'm not sure how well it'll work.

I also doubt that the others will use the nest boxes...God knows where I'll find eggs.

This is where I found one today.

I suspect it happened while I had them locked out working in the coop. But they hate change and they have never used the top nesting boxes. Guess I'll see.

 

[RoyalChick]

Many thanks to all of you, helping me think through things. It’s so hard, and your views are really worthwhile to hear. Thank you.

There’s been a surprising turn of events and I cancelled the emergency appointment, for today. I was assured that another can be arranged with little notice. I am now wondering if another draining would help her, as she doesn’t seem to be in the discomfort she was, or out of it and very sleepy like she was. Peanut wanted to join the tribe today and do chickeny things. So different from the last two days. This morning was nice and cool. She decided to get up and out of the nestbox, perhaps prompted by me feeling her belly which is more full, of course.

In the nest box she peeped to me softly, but it was in her flutey way, not the faint grunty bok from before, and was quite alert, snapped at a fly, looked at the others I had let out to forage, seeing them through the open back of the coop, got up and went across the roost bars and out to the veranda, looking down the ladder. But then she sat down on the edge. I went around to her and gave her the meloxicam in a blueberry and she ate some eggs. She seemed very interested in the world and took in the view from there for a little bit. Then she stood up, took one or two steps down the ladder and flew the rest of the way, landing well. She immediately began foraging and went around and out of the aviary to join the others. Her tail was up. She was lower to the ground than she should be, but not a penguin. I didn’t see her scratch, but she was beaking around, turning over leaves and pulling dirt.

Everyone took drinks of the rain drops on the new welded wire shady run which isn’t arranged yet but the door is open so they go in and out. It looked like Hazel and Peanut had a little face off. Hazel was scratching in damp dirt and Peanut wanted to move in and lie on it. Hazel held still, standing, looking down a bit, and Peanut was below her, resting, looking determined. Then it ended.

DH and I left to exercise after they all decided to rest under the lilac. When we came back, all four were in the winter main run, and Peanut was sitting tail up. Her tail is much more down or horizontal now but she’s talking with soft but normal peeps, and still wanting to be active. She foraged on the north side of the barn, went all around the barn, then rested on that north side again. Then she foraged again, and ate some meal worms. Maybe this is her last hurrah? I’d like to give her that.

I think taking all four will work as far as space when the time comes. Not tons of room, but the roosting platform fits in the dog cage, and all four fit that pretty well. It could fit six comfortably for roosting.

Peanut in foreground out this morning, Popcorn rushing to see if I have some goodies, think that's Butters in the back. Hazel was out of the shot scrounging under a Juneberry tree for fallen berries.
View attachment 3570634

Preening with Hazel, Peanut's in the pool, tail very down
View attachment 3570635

Sunbathing with Butters, Peanut's against the wall
View attachment 3570636
View attachment 3570638

Walking and eating grass with Hazel, Peanut's in back
View attachment 3570684

Foraging with Popcorn on the north side of the barn
View attachment 3570686

Late afternoon preening, tail down, again with Hazel, Butters' fluffy butt peeking in, on the left.
View attachment 3570687

How lovely that she enjoyed some chickeny things today.
Take each day as it comes.

 

[featherhead007]

If she wants to squawk, let her squawk! But stay in charge!!
Dakota needed a rooster to tell her where to lay her egg. She was out on the porch inside a cardboard box, so I took the overheated hen and box inside the house.
She threw a fit! It’s her box, her spot, her egg, or it’s NO WAY!
What a spoiled redheaded little brat!