Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

Oddly behaving wildlife should be reported so they can be observed and removed if rabies is the reason. That's one disease wildlife officials don't want spreading either.

 

[TOMTE]

ANOTHER FIRST EGG!

Just as I predicted, it was Magrat!

10 minutes before she finally squeezed it out...

...And minute or 2 after she laid it!

Tiny little Magrat and her tiny little egg!

Magrat's egg in the middle, between two of Esme's eggs, with Sybil's eggs on the ends and behind. The difference between color, size, and shape is so cool! They're all brown egg layers but the shades of brown will all be different!

 

[Ponypoor]

It's because they're a protected species. There are laws against capture and culling of raptors. If they have a chance to recover, they will let them. If they die, they'll likely safely dispose of the bodies (if they find them). At least, that's my understanding of it.

It's sad that our chickens aren't afforded the same thing, but we have to understand that chickens as a species aren't at risk of extinction as wild birds are, from many variables. As a domesticated species they have us to protect them, for better or worse. Wild birds don't have that and their numbers are steeply declining.


ETA be angry at the factory farms and corporations that are exacerbating the issue, not the wildlife that's suffering and the people working hard to protect it.

Yes wildlife are not culled as most of the native birds are exposed to the virus all the time. The adults likely have some level of immunity if they have not passed away by now.

In the past if chicks had passed no one would have thought much about it, but these days everything is being checked for the virus.

I don’t think one would need to worry about our domestic poultry being culled if it was found in a barnyard flock; from everything I have read, the speed at which the animals are infected and die, and the near 100% mortality would mean the chooks would be passed before anyone could even do any testing.

And that is the whole scary part, knowing that there would be nothing one could do to even help out feathered friends.

 

[Ponypoor]

The chickens are staying locked in today even though it is just above freezing.
There is a very large coyote hanging around. When I first spotted it through the window I thought it was a wolf (we don’t have wild wolves in NJ).
I am also not going out as it is behaving very oddly. I am probably overly anxious but I try to avoid wild mammals that behave oddly because of rabies.

Sorry ladies - I can only watch you on camera until he moves on.

Sorry Sylvie, yes I am talking to you.
View attachment 4040146

Did you call ‘I want to say MNR’ (ministry of natural resources) whoever your fish and wildlife officials are?

Please be careful - with the reports this year of rabies in people it is something I do not mess around with. Absolutely 100% fatal, once symptoms appear.

Anyone and I mean ANYONE bitten or scratched by any animal (wild or domestic) and you do not know the rabies vaccine status should assume they are infected and get checked immediately by a physician and demand the rabies prophylactic vax even if they say you don’t need it.

If it is a domestic animal and you cannot get a copy of the rabies cert for that animal you demand that prophylactic. Better a jab in the arse than pushing up daisies.

Eli-too: June 2023

 

[Ponypoor]

ANOTHER FIRST EGG!

Just as I predicted, it was Magrat!

View attachment 4040342
View attachment 4040343
10 minutes before she finally squeezed it out...

View attachment 4040345
View attachment 4040346
...And minute or 2 after she laid it!

View attachment 4040347
Tiny little Magrat and her tiny little egg!

View attachment 4040350
View attachment 4040351
Magrat's egg in the middle, between two of Esme's eggs, with Sybil's eggs on the ends and behind. The difference between color, size, and shape is so cool! They're all brown egg layers but the shades of brown will all be different!

Good going Magrat!

Lovely eggs

 

[Ponypoor]

The littles will hop up with her and snuggle under when she roosts. This will help them be integrated when she says all done.

They can barely hop up the 8” step into the feedroom takes a big heave-ho flap hop! Sometimes it’s a big splat into the edge of the step hahaha. But they try again.

Don’t think they will be able to follow mama up to the roost even using the step stool! Even Georgie has some issue getting up higher than 18”.

She comes back down way better

 

[RoyalChick]

Did you call ‘I want to say MNR’ (ministry of natural resources) whoever your fish and wildlife officials are?

Please be careful - with the reports this year of rabies in people it is something I do not mess around with. Absolutely 100% fatal, once symptoms appear.

Anyone and I mean ANYONE bitten or scratched by any animal (wild or domestic) and you do not know the rabies vaccine status should assume they are infected and get checked immediately by a physician and demand the rabies prophylactic vax even if they say you don’t need it.

If it is a domestic animal and you cannot get a copy of the rabies cert for that animal you demand that prophylactic. Better a jab in the arse than pushing up daisies.

Eli-too: June 2023
View attachment 4040356

Yes. I am careful.
I am vaccinated and have my antibodies checked every year. And when I am exposed I get the post exposure shots.
My usual exposure is bats who somehow find their way into the house. That means all the cats and I need shots!
Apparently rodents are less likely to get rabies, not impossible but less likely, so I was advised I didn't need to go through the shots for the flying squirrel visitor.

 

[rural mouse]

They can barely hop up the 8” step into the feedroom takes a big heave-ho flap hop! Sometimes it’s a big splat into the edge of the step hahaha. But they try again.

Don’t think they will be able to follow mama up to the roost even using the step stool! Even Georgie has some issue getting up higher than 18”.

She comes back down way better

All the more reason to practice

 

[notabitail]

Fluffy Butt Friday.

 

[Marie2020]

ANOTHER FIRST EGG!

Just as I predicted, it was Magrat!

View attachment 4040342
View attachment 4040343
10 minutes before she finally squeezed it out...

View attachment 4040345
View attachment 4040346
...And minute or 2 after she laid it!

View attachment 4040347
Tiny little Magrat and her tiny little egg!

View attachment 4040350
View attachment 4040351
Magrat's egg in the middle, between two of Esme's eggs, with Sybil's eggs on the ends and behind. The difference between color, size, and shape is so cool! They're all brown egg layers but the shades of brown will all be different!

Good girl Margrat