Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChaosMom]

Good evening, everyone. I'm going to do a health update. I usually keep this stuff private but I don't know what to do anymore. So I might as well tell you what has been happening along with pictures of the little ones.
I decided to stay at home today because my nausea just wasn't going away. Now, my dad is telling me do these exercises to boost my immune system as if that's supposed to help me, but I guess it's worth trying. I feel upset because this has been going on for 2 weeks and I've tried to change my diet. I've avoided dairy, spicy and greasy food and I even ate less sugar, which wasn't my motive but I'll keep it that way. I went to see the doctor and she told me to eat a banana and yogurt for breakfast, which I did but nothing has improved. I've tried to stay hydrated and drank Pedialyte. I don't have a fever or headache but last time I measured my temperature, it was 98.7. This morning it was 99.1. I know that none of you are doctors but this is just how I've been feeling. I can't lie and say "everything is fine." Last night, before going to sleep, I felt nauseous but I slept well.
I don't know why this is happening to me for 2 weeks, but there's something happening. Anyways, here are photos of the little ones that I took today.
This one is just learning to flap her wings and jump, so we had to switch to something taller.
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Something is wrong with Raven. She's always sitting and Shakira can't seem to stop standing on her and running her over every time she walks by her.
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Here's a twofer.
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I’m so sorry. This sort of sounds like a low-grade* viral infection, but it sure is lingering a long time.

*low-grade meaning not crazy symptoms of high fever, violent nausea/ vomiting/ diarrhea, etc. But it’s certainly miserable as is!

You’re right, specific exercises don’t do anything for immunity, although general exercise and fitness activities like walking around the block do help your overall health. Your best bet is to eat sensibly, hydrate-hydrate-hydrate until your pee is completely clear and keep it that way, get some general exercise as mentioned above, and just generally practice some self-love. I haven’t been around here long, so I don’t know your story, but if you’re biologically female, are your menstrual periods regular? Mine were all over the place in my younger days, and that definitely affected my wellbeing.

If it doesn’t clear up in another week, I’d go back to your doctor. If she blows you off, think about getting a new doctor. Be careful with the Pedialyte - there can be such a thing as too much of a good thing. You don’t want your electrolytes to get out of balance, because that can cause some of your symptoms (not saying that’s it, but it can be a “confusing factor.”

And your chicks are darling! I started chickening with 7.5 week old pullets, which was the right decision for us, but these pics of baby fluffballs do make me jealous!

Edit to add: I don’t want to get nosy about your private health, but I did want to mention that I hope your doctor did pull blood for lab work, including fasting blood glucose and HgA1C (sometimes called an A1C test or glycated hemoglobin test.) Having well-controlled blood glucose (blood sugar) is incredibly important for your health and well-being.

 

[Marie2020]

I did sand! The chooks destroyed my festive garden prepared for them

The little tykes. We will have to have have a very stern word with them

 

[BY Bob]

It was not making any sounds. I just happened to glance into the brooder and saw it flat on it's back gasping. I quickly grabbed it and I guess out of instinct started massaging it's chest. In the midst of another gasp I saw food in it's mouth and I ran the tip of my pinky finger in it's open beak to dislodge it. I then held it upside down and massaged it's crop to dislodge the rest of it. I think it stuffed itself on the chick feed and then took a good drink of water which caused it to swell as it was very wet food. Once I cleared all the food out it started loudly cheeping and sneezing. I just pray it did not aspirate. I tucked in under my shirt on my chest and kept rubbing, irritating it to keep it stimulated for a good 10 minutes. It gasped and sneezed for a few minutes and I waited until it stopped that before I put it back in the brooder. Right now it is acting like nothing ever happened. I think I am going to withhold the feeder and the water overnight. I will give it back to them in the morning. The water first and then about half a hour later the food.

First time I have ever had one pull a stunt like this. I also did not realize just how tiny their beaks are until I am trying to run the tip of a finger through it to clear it.

Amazing. Quick thinking on your part. Well done.

 

[Ponypoor]

It's getting late, so here's a photo before I go to sleep.
View attachment 4123637

Gosh they are adorable

How are you today?

 

[Ponypoor]

I did sand! The chooks destroyed my festive garden prepared for them

Yup, they sure can move dirt!

I have been putting in a garden this year, I have made sure to fence it off! And I have a couple hanging geraniums.

Now to make sure I keep the chooks away from it all!!

 

[Ponypoor]

Good grief one of my partridge silkies just tried to shave years off my life. I get home and topped up their food and water, everyone is fine. 10 minutes later it is flat on it's back choking to death and not breathing. I panicked but got it's beak clear and essentially did cpr on it to get it back to breathing. I just put it back in the brooder and removed the food and water for now. I'm watching it closely and it seems to be doing ok. I just pray it did not aspirate any of the food into it's lungs.

First time I have ever had a chicken choke. I never want to have that happen again.

Holy cow! So glad you caught her early. I never heard of this! You did great.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

I’m so sorry. This sort of sounds like a low-grade* viral infection, but it sure is lingering a long time.

*low-grade meaning not crazy symptoms of high fever, violent nausea/ vomiting/ diarrhea, etc. But it’s certainly miserable as is!

You’re right, specific exercises don’t do anything for immunity, although general exercise and fitness activities like walking around the block do help your overall health. Your best bet is to eat sensibly, hydrate-hydrate-hydrate until your pee is completely clear and keep it that way, get some general exercise as mentioned above, and just generally practice some self-love. I haven’t been around here long, so I don’t know your story, but if you’re biologically female, are your menstrual periods regular? Mine were all over the place in my younger days, and that definitely affected my wellbeing.

If it doesn’t clear up in another week, I’d go back to your doctor. If she blows you off, think about getting a new doctor. Be careful with the Pedialyte - there can be such a thing as too much of a good thing. You don’t want your electrolytes to get out of balance, because that can cause some of your symptoms (not saying that’s it, but it can be a “confusing factor.”

And your chicks are darling! I started chickening with 7.5 week old pullets, which was the right decision for us, but these pics of baby fluffballs do make me jealous!

Edit to add: I don’t want to get nosy about your private health, but I did want to mention that I hope your doctor did pull blood for lab work, including fasting blood glucose and HgA1C (sometimes called an A1C test or glycated hemoglobin test.) Having well-controlled blood glucose (blood sugar) is incredibly important for your health and well-being.

There's a possibility that I might get a blood test soon, or some test, in general.

Gosh they are adorable

How are you today?

Still not doing so great.

 

[featherhead007]

Yup, they sure can move dirt!

I have been putting in a garden this year, I have made sure to fence it off! And I have a couple hanging geraniums.

Now to make sure I keep the chooks away from it all!!

This is funny: I have a gardener who has been weeding my yard. He complained to me that he would rake the cut grass into piles to pick it up, but soon as he was done with one pile, my chooks were on the previous pile, at full speed destroying the pile looking for bugs. He told me about it.
I said “what’s your problem? They are just trying to help you. You still get hourly pay anyway.” I had to go in the house and laugh my head off!

 

[Ponypoor]

It was not making any sounds. I just happened to glance into the brooder and saw it flat on it's back gasping. I quickly grabbed it and I guess out of instinct started massaging it's chest. In the midst of another gasp I saw food in it's mouth and I ran the tip of my pinky finger in it's open beak to dislodge it. I then held it upside down and massaged it's crop to dislodge the rest of it. I think it stuffed itself on the chick feed and then took a good drink of water which caused it to swell as it was very wet food. Once I cleared all the food out it started loudly cheeping and sneezing. I just pray it did not aspirate. I tucked in under my shirt on my chest and kept rubbing, irritating it to keep it stimulated for a good 10 minutes. It gasped and sneezed for a few minutes and I waited until it stopped that before I put it back in the brooder. Right now it is acting like nothing ever happened. I think I am going to withhold the feeder and the water overnight. I will give it back to them in the morning. The water first and then about half a hour later the food.

First time I have ever had one pull a stunt like this. I also did not realize just how tiny their beaks are until I am trying to run the tip of a finger through it to clear it.

Good instincts! Well done! Scary isn’t it? I once cared for a premie infant who had this issue with stopping breathing. He had a monitor on him to track his respirations, first time that alarm went off I rushed over and shook and briskly rubbed his wee body - he gasped and started screaming! Best sound ever. My heart was racing! I was congratulated by the others for remembering what to do. But really it was more instinct. I can see why mama animals try to ‘wake’ their babies who have died. Sad but it’s instinct.

 

[featherhead007]

The little tykes. We will have to have have a very stern word with them

Yeah, come on over the pond and talk to them! Bring the dog!