Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[SimpleJenn]

Nocturne dustbathing

Cuties came over to chat with kiddo

Ash likes to use the newest nest box! The bedding is DEEP so she can dig and make a super comfy nest.
Broody jail for Morinth. She got a cherry tomato and now she's trying to trick me with her normal chicken noises...but is still turkey strutting.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Dirt update.

That steroid shot is a wonder drug. Yesterday and last night Dirt was sick. He was working so hard to breathe and could not even take a drink of water. We were advised we might not see any results until after the 2nd shot tomorrow. Between Rosie and Dirt me and mom both could not sleep. We noticed about 4 this morning Dirt stopped coughing. Mom turned on the lights and rushed out to check on him thinking he had died. He was laying down sleeping soundly. This morning he is exhausted and tired but has only coughed twice. The farrier was out today. We was going to skip Dirt and have him come out when he felt better but since he was breathing ok mom decided to go ahead and do his feet. I am thankful for that because now for a few days the poor boy needs his front feet soaked in a Epsom salt bath. Our farrier said this was to be expected where he was so sick and it is sorta systemic. He has set up the equivalent of a stone bruise in both front feet. He cautioned that if it had went on much longer, think another day or two here, we would be dealing with Laminitis in both front feet. Dirt is on a 6 week rotation. He will probably be back out in 3 to double check his feet as well. Me and that horse need to have a serious heart to heart talk. Dirt is my baby. If he does not stop trying to kill himself, I'm going to do it for him.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Sad Situation

https://www.wpr.org/news/poultry-fa...fter-processor-abandons-thousands-of-chickens

I saw this story last week, very sad! Looks like they’re finding a more humane solution for some of the hens. Many have starved to death already. Why were the humane organizations not involved here? There’s live animals to deal with, subcontractors or no, the responsibility is ultimately with the owners.

 

[Sylvester017]

Hmmm, it will not allow me to edit any longer: here is the hunting ina brush pile video. I evidently waited too long to click and save the link.

TY for the video ~ they are magnificent creatures (just not in a chicken yard!). The hawk in the video got nothing for its effort on ground ~ they are more successful flight hunters w/easier talon-grasping of smaller prey.

The Cooper's we've seen/had in Spring here are not very active or alert like the video hawk. Ours are fledglings that stupidly sit & stare into space & not even afraid of human movement thru our glass door & don't even go after any hens hiding around the yard. & the one fledgling that tried to go after a hen in our (open door) coop's run knocked himself out against the dog kennel wire run & flew away again! Had to be an inexperienced fledgling cuz an adult would be sharper-eyed & smarter than that.

For us the Crow murders are chasers of Cooper's plus many of our neighbors are happy to see the Crows around the streets cleaning up scraps school kids toss or trash trucks drop, etc. We never tempted hawks or Crows w/ baby chicks in our yard & Crows don't bother our adult hens. The Crows don't even come into the yard to pilfer chicken food we leave out for treats. For our 14 yrs here we are thankful to the Creator of Crows!

 

[Sylvester017]

Dirt update.

That steroid shot is a wonder drug. Yesterday and last night Dirt was sick. He was working so hard to breathe and could not even take a drink of water. We were advised we might not see any results until after the 2nd shot tomorrow. Between Rosie and Dirt me and mom both could not sleep. We noticed about 4 this morning Dirt stopped coughing. Mom turned on the lights and rushed out to check on him thinking he had died. He was laying down sleeping soundly. This morning he is exhausted and tired but has only coughed twice. The farrier was out today. We was going to skip Dirt and have him come out when he felt better but since he was breathing ok mom decided to go ahead and do his feet. I am thankful for that because now for a few days the poor boy needs his front feet soaked in a Epsom salt bath. Our farrier said this was to be expected where he was so sick and it is sorta systemic. He has set up the equivalent of a stone bruise in both front feet. He cautioned that if it had went on much longer, think another day or two here, we would be dealing with Laminitis in both front feet. Dirt is on a 6 week rotation. He will probably be back out in 3 to double check his feet as well. Me and that horse need to have a serious heart to heart talk. Dirt is my baby. If he does not stop trying to kill himself, I'm going to do it for him.

Oh, wow! What a relief! Bless vets everywhere! I may have missed it, but how old is Dirt?

Our vet 1st came into the community as a dog/cat/bird/exotics vet but the mountain rangers have brought down a lot of sick/injured wildlife to him like owl, rabbit, fox, fawn, etc. He never turns away an animal. He kept a Starling in his office cuz its crushed wing was amputated & couldn't fly anymore & he collaborated w/a client to incubate turtle eggs at his office. We see patients in the waiting room w/guinea pigs, big reptiles, pet bunnies, my hens, etc.

Our sweetheart vet Dr. Zabihi (shared before)

 

[Marie2020]

Freedom!

Princess was out in that garden for 5 and a half hours. She was completely tired out. I had to hand feed her on her perch in the run

 

[Sylvester017]

I’ll get video tomorrow night- it’s supposed to be 15C !!!

She certainly isn’t sound by any means, she is very extremely lame. But the fact she is eating drinking and pooping is a good thing. And the fact she was trying to dig and scratch around is also good - but I don’t want her to do that!

I haven’t been giving aspirin as I want any swelling the help with keeping the site immobile. Swelling is a great help with ‘splinting’. But I’m a few days I’ll start her on some aspirin to help with reducing the swelling and pain control.

The first 72hrs are the worst for any injury, the swelling will peak at 72 hrs and then should start subsiding, pain is generally also going to subside around then. That is the heard part then, keeping them quiet and not moving too much. Thankfully she is a very calm and rather tame hen.

I was so worried when I got those Azur that they would be bat crap crazy wild being raised in a ‘factory’ setting with no handling as a chick. But they are really docile. I would love to get more, but I am so worried about them laying too much and not living too long. Such sweet lovely hens.

Flopsy
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Such pretty spotty feathers. Leghorns ~ the symbol of chicken majesty for a century. Leghorns & Leghorn mixes (dozens of production mixes plus the popular Legbar) have a reputation for sweetness. Sometimes not cuddly when caught (so undignified!!!) or aloof ~ they prefer to be the one to approach you on their terms but once they trust you will follow you everywhere. We loved our Legs but worried about their over production of L/XL eggs from a 4-1/2 lb body

 

[Sylvester017]

No worries - have had it lots here, it’s manageable. I’ll PM you so as to not bore everyone

Meanwhile here are some BFTP thirsty Thursday chicks from May 2023
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Silkie chick pullets

Too too too CUTE!!!

 

[Sylvester017]

3 is not enough! if one dies, you only have two (imo, not enough for a flock), but can only add 1??? I think they do best when added in pairs. I would think 4-6 are more reasonable limits. Certainly at least 4!!!

I AGREE!!!

 

[Sylvester017]

What is it with the doors?!

Tippy and her band of merry chickies still try to get up on the doors in the Summer House if I am not careful!

And then it’s a quick hop into the space between those beams! I wonder how many eggs are up there I better check this weekend.

Tippy! Get down!
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Butterscotch- get your butt down here!
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SOLUTION: Cut the doors in half & then see how far up they go!
Never mind! They're too clever!