Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[LhickenChicken]

The Broody Virus

True facts.

Also called: Broodiness
Incidence: In backyard flocks, worldwide
System/organ affected: brain/craziness
Progression: chronic
Symptoms: puffed up, sitting in nest boxes, presenting desire to sit on eggs
Percentage affected: high
Mortality: 0%
Postmortem findings: none
Resembles: no diseases
Diagnosis: past history of this virus
Cause: unknown
Transmission: unknown
Prevention: collect eggs frequently and break broodies as often as possible
Treatment: Broody breaking cages
Human health risk: annoyance

 

[notabitail]

The Broody Virus

True facts.

Also called: Broodiness
Incidence: In backyard flocks, worldwide
System/organ affected: brain/craziness
Progression: chronic
Symptoms: puffed up, sitting in nest boxes, presenting desire to sit on eggs
Percentage affected: high
Mortality: 0%
Postmortem findings: none
Resembles: no diseases
Diagnosis: past history of this virus
Cause: unknown
Transmission: unknown
Prevention: collect eggs frequently and break broodies as often as possible
Treatment: Broody breaking cages
Human health risk: annoyance

50% mortality. Agathae needs to snap out of it. She is going to kill herself being broody.
How do I stop her?

 

[BY Bob]

Update on my everything:
- The people who I thought were coming down from Washington State, found other housing in their state.
-my eastern property is now being patrolled by the sheriff department. I was asked to press charges against anyone who violates the “no trespassing” order.
-Coco seems to be doing better this afternoon.
-Hen-Rietta’s bumble foot is completely healed. And new tail feathers are coming in.
-A friend of a friend in town, wanted me to buy a horse she had been looking after. I’m not getting any more horses.
-A church friend has cancer and I went to see him today. He’s doing well after surgery, but he’s not comfortable with the pain as of now.
-seems I have jury duty next month (received a summons today) They send out summons to everyone who is registered to vote. My past career, usually excludes me from serving.
-weather has been mild and comfortable since the rain rolling through from the hurricane.
- I have bored you all enough for now.

That's a lot going on. Mostly good!

 

[RoyalChick]

Just checking in to see what’s what.

Also in news my side of things, mum found Tuff passed away this morning, we knew it was going to happen, she was old for a production breed at 5. My BIL came down and buried her in the paddock by the fence we’re she enjoyed hunting for bugs and such.

Other than that everyone is good, horses too. Mum is managing fine but tells me that horses are way easier to take care of then chickens. I did remind her that they were like 2 yr old kids.

Work is busy, lots of driving between sites; today I found an awesome farmers market which will be my new grocery shopping place, it’s close to my Air BnB.

Ok everyone have a wonderful evening, miss chatting with you all

I am sorry about Tuff. I know it wasn't exactly a surprise, but still sad. Fly high Tuff - hopefully lots of bugs where she has gone.

 

[RoyalChick]

I am afraid Honey is dying from reproductive issues. :-(
I may provide more details tomorrow. For now I just hope that she stays alive tomorrow morning for me to give her more treatment such as Baytril.

Oh sorry. That is tough.

 

[Ponypoor]

Update on my everything:
- The people who I thought were coming down from Washington State, found other housing in their state.
-my eastern property is now being patrolled by the sheriff department. I was asked to press charges against anyone who violates the “no trespassing” order.
-Coco seems to be doing better this afternoon.
-Hen-Rietta’s bumble foot is completely healed. And new tail feathers are coming in.
-A friend of a friend in town, wanted me to buy a horse she had been looking after. I’m not getting any more horses.
-A church friend has cancer and I went to see him today. He’s doing well after surgery, but he’s not comfortable with the pain as of now.
-seems I have jury duty next month (received a summons today) They send out summons to everyone who is registered to vote. My past career, usually excludes me from serving.
-weather has been mild and comfortable since the rain rolling through from the hurricane.
- I have bored you all enough for now.

Thanks for the update! Much appreciated.

 

[Ponypoor]

I am sorry about Tuff. I know it wasn't exactly a surprise, but still sad. Fly high Tuff - hopefully lots of bugs where she has gone.

Thanks, it's my first chook dying so it's sad. And more so since I am out here. My mum isn't used to handling such matters, but she was good about it.

My BIL was sad, they were really his hens not my niece's as she was rarely ever around and Ken was the one taking care of them.

 

[fuentemoon]

I had to treat poor Shanny for fleas. She had them under her wings and tail feathers. There’s more stray cats in the area than I can count, so I blame the flea infestation on them.
What I think is: I have lots of feed scattered around the yard all types of birds come get their dinner. The cats come to get the birds, and the fleas come with the cats. My chooks will use any excuse to not lay eggs. Fleas and mites are a good excuse I guess. I’m working on the flea population. I’m needing something safe to put out on the yard grass. (My chooks eat the grass) and I don’t want them poisoned.

I will try and catch up in case i need to pay shra tax.

Nematodes! Best thing ever for reducing flea (and other pests) to manageable levels. The first year after we treated our yard we had zero flea problems.
This is what used:
https://www.arbico-organics.com/pro...odes-sc-steinernema-carpocapsae/free-shipping

 

[micstrachan]

For a legbar, Glynda looks a lot more like a leghorn. She's beautiful.

View attachment 3619736

She sure does and she sure is!

 

[micstrachan]

A Bit of a Scare

We have a had a scare with Hattie but the outcome is not real bad. Last Wednesday I noticed her limping. I decided to give it a day and see if she recovered. When she was still limping on Thursday, I decided to bring her in that night and check her out.

So I picked her off the roost Thursdsy night. Her weight was on target, 6.5 lbs, 2.95 kg. There was no bumblefoot and her legs seemed uninjured. Everything moved as they should. A puzzle then.

Her bum was full of poo so we decided to bathe her. Here she is having a good soak.

View attachment 3621955

Once we got her cleaned up, a quick towel dry and some TV, then it was time for her blow dry. While blow drying her we saw this for the first time.

Spoiler: Something Unnerving

View attachment 3621956

This was located just below her chest. Immediately I am thinking cancer. She been laying around a lot. Now she is limping. I'm thinking that she has a progressive cancer.

Of course the vet is closed, Fri, Sat, and Sun. I can't even try to get an apt until Monday morning. So I emailed a photo of the wound to the vet Sunday night and called first thing this morning. We got an apt for late this afternoon.

Off to the vet her and I went. She was 0.1 kg lighter than Thursday night. I think I can blame that on a full craw Thursday night. Here she is in the vet's arms for her exam. Right after this photo Hattie popped on the vet. A nice wet runny one.
View attachment 3621958

After a full workup the diagnosis is arthritis of all things. The scabs on her belly are from her laying around so much. We need to get her up and moving again. So she is on CBD oil for 2 weeks. If she does not improve then on to metacam she goes.

So much better than I expected. In fact I did not even bring another chicken along because I was worried about that hen having to come home alone.

Interesting Note
Because of bird flu, birds are no longer allowed in the clinic. The vet saw Hattie in the back of my car. I get the need to be safe but the odds of a bird getting loose are pretty high. Aurora would have very tough to keep under control in a situation like that.

I’m glad sweet Hattie is OK and will hopefully improve!