Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[lightm]

That’s way less expensive than it would be here, a visit like that would be close to a thousand here I bet.

So you know how to tube feed? I really need to learn to do this, I must ask my vet to show me.

No, we did not know how to tube feed but the nurse showed us yesterday. It was helpful to see her do it. She also showed us how to syringe her medicine.

With the two of us, we successfully tube fed her 45ml of food mix this morning. Hopefully she will get better soon!

 

[lightm]

I didn’t find any scientific research papers on sand in the crop but a few posts by people whose chickens had similar issues.
The sense I got was that sometimes chickens eat sand to use as grit but it isn’t as effective as grit so they eat more and it all sludges up.
Treatment was similar to other blocked crop issues - oil as a lubricant and regular string crop massages along with providing plenty of the right size of grit.
I do hope she recovers.

Thank you for looking things up. She is a sweetie and a fighter.

 

[lightm]

Getting Storm and babies into the coop was a 2 hour process. When went out (7pm), she was warming the babes just outside the hatch. Instant understanding. They couldn't get in. She moved. Under the olives.
View attachment 3589354
I builtView attachment 3589348Also did a similar one inside in front of the big door. Not good enough. She snuck them back out to her nest. I circled out and approached from the opposite side. Wound up almost "stepping" on her so she could attack the bottom of my shoe and get uncomfortable with her nest sight getting torn apart (breaking the grasses). Eventually, she headed back to the olives.
View attachment 3589356Reluctantly

View attachment 3589347Settled here for a bit (one of the popular dust baths). Then tried sneaking back out to the hillside. I beat her back around and stood out there. She retreated to next to the bricks where I wound up adding smaller pieces, shrinking the steps. Finally got dark enough had to pry her up with a stick (she BITES), carefully so as not to hurt babies under her. 2 had made it up the step/ramp, but they kept trying to follow her voice (inside) while they were outside. She kept coming back out before I could snatch the babies for a lift to the top. She'd then settle back on them to warm them again. Finally saw her eyes closing so one last attempt. She headed in (after some effort with the stick), back out, back in...snatched a chick up...2...3...4....gosh darnit! The little blonde snuck under a brick! Storm, STAY IN THERE! Where is the little rascal? Moved the brick, 5 up! Nudge nudge, in you go littles. Finally hopped in. Followed Storm across the coop. I reached through the hatch to unlatch the inside hook. Storm went for me, AGAIN. She's showing good instincts. Ok. Got in unlatched and pulled shut. They're are ALL in the coop. Going to have to be good enough. I'm not going in to latch from the inside. Storm is likely to go for me again and stir up all the others. (I did put a couple of banana boxes in for more shelter this afternoon, too.)

Hector and Enigma did a side by side size comparison tonight too.View attachment 3589359

That was not easy. Good job!

 

[rural mouse]

That was not easy. Good job!

When opening the coop thus morning, she obviously wants out. The babies aren't quite big enough to follow out (haven't added all the micro-steps inside). Food and water in the chick sized feeders are inside. (Feed is same protein quality as the adult pellets, so if they eat it, is fine.) Mama Storm is now sitting in front of the door where she can see outside. Babies under/around her. Looks like she's going to be encouraging them to follow her out all day. If she's going to be "stuck" somewhere, inside the coop is the best spot. I'm not particularly stoked about the idea of repeating the babies into the coop process. If she can get them out of the coop, then they should be capable of getting back in (it's easier). Will be watching all day. Having a couple of days to grow before venturing forth again would be good for them.

The little blonde Havoc mini (with chipmunk back, so different) seems a bit weaker than the others, maybe the last to hatch? Meanwhile the blonde is the boldest/most venture some, 1st to hatch? The chocolate and one of the blacks were the 2 onto the steps last night. They're all game to follow mom, so doing fine.

 

[Ponypoor]

I'm not fond of them (often don't wear them in the house), but at least twice they have saved my eyes from very serious injury.
Tax:
View attachment 3589492
Another two-fer of Pip and Sunny.

Awww they have you well trained

After Penne pecked my eye and hurt it, I started wearing my glasses when I handled the chicks.

But one of them managed to peck me behind my lenses hahaha! Brats!

 

[Ponypoor]

No, we did not know how to tube feed but the nurse showed us yesterday. It was helpful to see her do it. She also showed us how to syringe her medicine.

With the two of us, we successfully tube fed her 45ml of food mix this morning. Hopefully she will get better soon!

Oh good for you! It’s a scary thing doing something like that first time.

I sure hope she improves also

 

[Ponypoor]

Wattle Wednesday

Just sitting here listening to the cacophony of 7 squawking hens (Buttercup laid an egg), and I am sure that hens make more noise than roosters!

Penne, he isn’t as bad as Rico but he is naughty

 

[featherhead007]

Wattle Wednesday

Just sitting here listening to the cacophony of 7 squawking hens (Buttercup laid an egg), and I am sure that hens make more noise than roosters!

Penne, he isn’t as bad as Rico but he is naughty
View attachment 3589627

ALRIGHT RICO!

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

ALRIGHT RICO!

*Whispers* @Ponypoor, I think that Featherhead will have your head if you don't keep Rico

 

[Sir Sacabambaspis]

Wow this is positively renaissance in composition and poses, 1900's in color. Calendar worthy!

You're right! I would be absolutely perfect for a calendar!