Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

I am way behind, still have to read Tuesday through today. And have several things I want to post about, but this post is dedicated to Miss Z. Ironically it is “Pony Sunday”, the day we post about the other animals besides chickens that we love. This will be a long, sad post.

We don’t expect Miss Z to make it through the night. For the past three weeks we have been doing everything we can for her. Unfortunately what we originally thought was just an injured front leg turned out to be a parasitic infection that got into her central nervous system. We were unaware that there is a worm that is common in whitetail deer that uses snails as part of its lifecycle, and we are overrun with both. When llamas accidentally ingest the snails (or vegetation that they have been in and left the parasitic larva on), they make their way to the spinal cord. It causes lameness and weakness in the hind end, and progresses to cause lots of other issues.

There are treatments that are frequently successful if caught early enough and if the animal is otherwise healthy. We had taken her to a vet when she started limping, but like with chickens there are very few vets that know much about llamas and the ones that will agree to treat them are usually just large animal/livestock vets with limited experience with camelids. It wasn’t until almost two weeks after the initial symptoms that I called the person who comes to shear her every year to get advice, both because it was over the July 4th holiday and the vet was closed for four days, and also because I know she has had llamas for almost 25 years. She is the one who helped me figure out the real issue, and gave me advice on how to treat her.

We have been doing all we can, but she has been unable to stand for six days. She had started to show a little more control of her tail the past two days, and could move her legs a little with assistance. But even with appetite stimulants and trying to yemot her with mashed and treat this past week she wasn’t eating enough and also became dehydrated. With the horrible heat we have been having she needs more guide than normal, not less, and she has gotten too weak to keep fighting.

We had made the decision that as long as she still seemed alert, still acted like she wanted to fight, we would do everything we could for her. Today I could tell she was starting to give up. I still have her medication and used our jerky gun to help her eat some mash, just in case she rallied. But tonight when I went to check her one more time before bed she looked like she had been trying to roll over and had her neck twisted at an awkward angle and was barely responsive. So I helped her get rolled over into what looked like a more comfortable position, told her it was ok to go if she was ready, sat with her a little while and then left her in peace. I am hoping she passes peacefully in the night, but if she doesn’t I will make arrangements to help her pass on tomorrow.

We love her very much, and will miss her.

Here she is a few weeks ago, watching the chickens. She seemed to really enjoy them and would frequently watch them or sleep in front of their coop on guard duty.
View attachment 3572185

Sending you my prayers

 

[Marie2020]

This clever old girl laid me two eggs this week and I've just given one back too her and Tina beaten up with flaxseed and thyme

 

[Ponypoor]

At least you're a great substitute. I'd love to hang out with you Kelly

This morning he decided that I needed my ankle pecked and my foot attacked. He was also doing his rooster dance for me.

I took pity on him and let him have a bite to eat in the feed room. He was being pushed out from everyone, he doesn’t really fit in with the Tweens and school chicks who all grew up together, he grew up with his mums and the grups. Now he is pushed out by his mum and the grups, last night he slept by his Dada.

I may have to put him in the Summer House with the other youngsters, though I have a feeling that may not end well socially for him.

 

[Ponypoor]

I clicked on the picture links and it won't work for me... how do I make it so that it works?

It may have been flagged as inappropriate. It looks like you placed the elements correctly, but maybe if they were graphic they may have been removed.

 

[Ponypoor]

I'm guessing the last week of July

I can’t wait! So I guess candling is not an option.

 

[Ponypoor]

I'm sorry Kelly


He's really gorgeous

Can I have them, pretty please

If I could get those two suckers over there I would send to you

 

[Ponypoor]

That's what I use plus my ever faithful bicarbonate soda which helps too dry things up then I add lavender and rosemary because these pesky flies hate them.

No this is some kind of wool fibre that's appeared. I had a dead rat in that area when I took on this place. If its a mouse ill cage it. I can't kill a squater

Might be insulation in that case. If you have a small stick to gently poke it back into the hole it came out of that would work, then some plaster tape.

 

[RoyalChick]

I am way behind, still have to read Tuesday through today. And have several things I want to post about, but this post is dedicated to Miss Z. Ironically it is “Pony Sunday”, the day we post about the other animals besides chickens that we love. This will be a long, sad post.

We don’t expect Miss Z to make it through the night. For the past three weeks we have been doing everything we can for her. Unfortunately what we originally thought was just an injured front leg turned out to be a parasitic infection that got into her central nervous system. We were unaware that there is a worm that is common in whitetail deer that uses snails as part of its lifecycle, and we are overrun with both. When llamas accidentally ingest the snails (or vegetation that they have been in and left the parasitic larva on), they make their way to the spinal cord. It causes lameness and weakness in the hind end, and progresses to cause lots of other issues.

There are treatments that are frequently successful if caught early enough and if the animal is otherwise healthy. We had taken her to a vet when she started limping, but like with chickens there are very few vets that know much about llamas and the ones that will agree to treat them are usually just large animal/livestock vets with limited experience with camelids. It wasn’t until almost two weeks after the initial symptoms that I called the person who comes to shear her every year to get advice, both because it was over the July 4th holiday and the vet was closed for four days, and also because I know she has had llamas for almost 25 years. She is the one who helped me figure out the real issue, and gave me advice on how to treat her.

We have been doing all we can, but she has been unable to stand for six days. She had started to show a little more control of her tail the past two days, and could move her legs a little with assistance. But even with appetite stimulants and trying to yemot her with mashed and treat this past week she wasn’t eating enough and also became dehydrated. With the horrible heat we have been having she needs more guide than normal, not less, and she has gotten too weak to keep fighting.

We had made the decision that as long as she still seemed alert, still acted like she wanted to fight, we would do everything we could for her. Today I could tell she was starting to give up. I still have her medication and used our jerky gun to help her eat some mash, just in case she rallied. But tonight when I went to check her one more time before bed she looked like she had been trying to roll over and had her neck twisted at an awkward angle and was barely responsive. So I helped her get rolled over into what looked like a more comfortable position, told her it was ok to go if she was ready, sat with her a little while and then left her in peace. I am hoping she passes peacefully in the night, but if she doesn’t I will make arrangements to help her pass on tomorrow.

We love her very much, and will miss her.

Here she is a few weeks ago, watching the chickens. She seemed to really enjoy them and would frequently watch them or sleep in front of their coop on guard duty.
View attachment 3572185

Oh poor girl. I am crying for her and for you

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Thank you, Marie!

Roam free lovely Peanut - may you find perpetual blueberries - you will not be forgotten here.


Hugs for you @ChicoryBlue - I am glad she passed at home with her friends.

How sweet! I buried her this evening in a spot near the main blueberry patch, where I'm going to plant or move two blueberries next year.

She did die peacefully I think, but, she did not die at home. I brought her with everyone else up to the mobile headquarters. They stayed in the car in the dog crate, so I hope that helped; we didn't haul them all out or move the crate into the building, everything is done right there (well as long as it isn't raining, though the hatch is a good cover). The crate was set back about two feet from the rear of the car with cardboard in front and a towel for footing. So at one point Butters hopped out and off the edge for a walk-about (hey she'd been there once before and enjoyed the backyard lawn).

Everyone was okay for the trip except Hazel, who did stress some, in the traveling both ways. BUT once we got there she remained somewhat vigilant, but relaxed enough to take some treats of blueberries, eggs and collard greens, and take several drinks from the hanging chick waterer. Peanut remained calm, that's her demeanor but partly because her heart situation didn't allow her getting all worked up, Butters was good, and Popcorn was great, trying to eat everyone else’s treats and very curious. Nothing was rushed, and that was good for me, too. We all hung out at various points, during the exams and when the vet went inside to mix up the Exact I brought for tube-feeding Butters, and when she went to get the meds to help Peanut pass.

They can't do "emergency" appointments - less than a day or two's notice - visits to my home because I'm just out of range, about 48-50 mins away, where the cut-off is 40-45 mins, darn! But I didn't want to put it off. If I had put it off until Monday they may have fit me in but with no guarantee of a home visit because Monday was pretty full already.

I am sad, but glad she had a peaceful passing.

Me too. Thank you.

I'm so sorry for your loss, but happy she got a wonderful day of chicken things and had you and all her friends with her.

Thank you. Yes, that was important to me, and I'm glad she had it. The vet today said the fact that it took two full days for her to bounce back and feel good after the draining on Wednesday was probably a sign of the extent of her troubles. Most chickens feel so much better immediately apparently.

Thank you so much.

Goodbye dear Peanut feathered friend. You will be missed.
Always seems that the candle that burns brightest is the one that burns faster. The Please take care of my dear friends when you get time to meet them.

I love this thought of companionship, it's brought a tear to my eyes again. Thank you!

Aw, I'm so sorry. Peanut looks like a very cute hen. I'm sorry she had to pass like that. I know she lived a full and happy life with you.

Thank you. Yes, she was a beauty.

Fly high and free, dear Peanut!

Thank you, Sally!

Oh, and when you see Rocks-Anne, give her a kiss for me please. Thanks

She will!

 

[rural mouse]

This morning he decided that I needed my ankle pecked and my foot attacked. He was also doing his rooster dance for me.

I took pity on him and let him have a bite to eat in the feed room. He was being pushed out from everyone, he doesn’t really fit in with the Tweens and school chicks who all grew up together, he grew up with his mums and the grups. Now he is pushed out by his mum and the grups, last night he slept by his Dada.

I may have to put him in the Summer House with the other youngsters, though I have a feeling that may not end well socially for him.

The grups will educate him. He'll be a better roo for staying with them.

Edit: look how Storm turned out...