LGBTQ+ Poultry Keepers

[fluffycrow]

He's doing fab! We have to get him some proper toys as he's pretty dang bored.
No owners have come forward... he's a very sweet boy and he's much loved by us all already.

On another note, I've done it! I moved ducks and my goldfish up... the journey dragged out for about 7 hours, the goldfish all survived, bit stressed but they're settling really well! Only one of my smaller ones is sitting on bottom of the tank adjusting, and he'll likely be okay tomorrow.

Dougie hated the journey, a lot. Lots of panting/heavy breathing, meanwhile Sprightly had a blast. Tell me why, because I have no clue... she was chatty the whole way, pottering about in the crate, napping and pestering me for food. (I sat beside them feeding them bits of fruit now and then). This certainly improved the journey for Dougie, but she still hated it. We took two decent breaks, allowing them a drink of water, I then sorted myself out and then gave them a second drink before heading off each time. They coped. I got the fish bags open and acclimatising while I went out to put the ducks in their pen, and they were overjoyed, straight to the grass they now have to hunt for bugs, Dougie turned the water bucket into mud grass soup.... and they had a swim in their pool, a very thorough and excitable swim. They're in bed now and it's midnight here so I'm going to sleep too. Been a super busy day.... very stressful but it's done, I'm officially and completely moved. Hopefully Doug and Spry are feeling good in the morning.

Night y'all!

Glad they all made the move! Now the girls are going to enjoy a wonderful duck coop

 

[fluffycrow]

He landed on my head

Sounds smarter than my guy. I was really worried he’d crash land on the windows, so I always covered them when he was out. His solution? Crash land on the walls

 

[fluffycrow]

Does a tiny yellow bump (doesn’t really look like a pimple, and it doesn’t look painful) always mean coryza? Foureira has one right over her brow

There have been no additions to the chickens for years now, so I don’t see how anyone could have caught it. The last additions were the seramas themselves, and the coop they came from had no sick birds when I visited. Even so, the serama chicks were kept separately, and were hatched in an incubator. Foureira is looking and acting completely healthy otherwise. Adding to that, she is at the bottom of the hierarchy, and regularly gets pecked in that area due to her mobility issues caused by her genetic SLM.

Please let it not be coryza. This year has been full of losses. First the fox attack, then Kolovos and a few senior hens (that disease still remains a mystery, as it had no symptoms other than looking lethargic right before passing, but the birds were treated nonetheless, and there have been no other deaths). Yesterday Cruella died (from what is likely a heart related issue, as she was healthy as could be not even two hours before her death, and was brooding a few eggs). The other deaths definitely weren’t caused by coryza. It’s been really tough, the last thing I need to hear right now is that all the birds are coryza positive

 

[TwoCrows]

He landed on my head

Sounds smarter than my guy. I was really worried he’d crash land on the windows, so I always covered them when he was out. His solution? Crash land on the walls

I always trimmed my birds primaries so they didn't get too much lift. Short enough to gently glide down to the floor but not long enough to fly up into things.

 

[fluffycrow]

I always trimmed my birds primaries so they didn't get too much lift. Short enough to gently glide down to the floor but not long enough to fly up into things.

Never thought of that! Figured that letting him keep all his feathers would help his ability to manoeuvre around, and as such, would avoid those situations. Clearly figured wrong

 

[TwoCrows]

Does a tiny yellow bump (doesn’t really look like a pimple, and it doesn’t look painful) always mean coryza? Foureira has one right over her brow

There have been no additions to the chickens for years now, so I don’t see how anyone could have caught it. The last additions were the seramas themselves, and the coop they came from had no sick birds when I visited. Even so, the serama chicks were kept separately, and were hatched in an incubator. Foureira is looking and acting completely healthy otherwise. Adding to that, she is at the bottom of the hierarchy, and regularly gets pecked in that area due to her mobility issues caused by her genetic SLM.

Please let it not be coryza. This year has been full of losses. First the fox attack, then Kolovos and a few senior hens (that disease still remains a mystery, as it had no symptoms other than looking lethargic right before passing, but the birds were treated nonetheless, and there have been no other deaths). Yesterday Cruella died (from what is likely a heart related issue, as she was healthy as could be not even two hours before her death, and was brooding a few eggs). The other deaths definitely weren’t caused by coryza. It’s been really tough, the last thing I need to hear right now is that all the birds are coryza positive

Coryza is a bacterial infection of the respiratory system, it does not cause bumps anywhere in the body. So don't worry about Coryza! Can you get a photo of this bump? She could have poked herself and that is pus. Could be an ingrown feather. Old old birds can get cancerous lumps but generally these types are over 8 or 9 years of age.

Oh no, you lost Cruella?? I am so sorry Fluffy! Sounds like a heart problem and at least it was quick. I am also sorry for all your losses, chickens sure know how to break our hearts sometimes.

 

[TwoCrows]

Never thought of that! Figured that letting him keep all his feathers would help his ability to manoeuvre around, and as such, would avoid those situations. Clearly figured wrong

Yes to keep them safe from crashes, it's best to trim the primaries. Start with 1 centimeter or so and trim more if needed, just to keep them from getting too much lift.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I always trimmed my birds primaries so they didn't get too much lift. Short enough to gently glide down to the floor but not long enough to fly up into things.

Thankfully this guy is really clever, he neither goes near windows (likes the rails though) nor flies into walls... we take precautions though, ensuring curtains are closed (least until we get net curtains or something he can see clearly) and the room is well lit. He manages well, doing tidy laps around the room and perching on what he can. We need a couple perches for him really, for out of the cage... from what I've seen there are pros and cons to both clipping and not clipping, it's not something I'm opposed to but I think being able to take flight is really good for him, long as we're incredibly careful he doesn't escape!

 

[BelovedBirds]

Does a tiny yellow bump (doesn’t really look like a pimple, and it doesn’t look painful) always mean coryza? Foureira has one right over her brow

There have been no additions to the chickens for years now, so I don’t see how anyone could have caught it. The last additions were the seramas themselves, and the coop they came from had no sick birds when I visited. Even so, the serama chicks were kept separately, and were hatched in an incubator. Foureira is looking and acting completely healthy otherwise. Adding to that, she is at the bottom of the hierarchy, and regularly gets pecked in that area due to her mobility issues caused by her genetic SLM.

Please let it not be coryza. This year has been full of losses. First the fox attack, then Kolovos and a few senior hens (that disease still remains a mystery, as it had no symptoms other than looking lethargic right before passing, but the birds were treated nonetheless, and there have been no other deaths). Yesterday Cruella died (from what is likely a heart related issue, as she was healthy as could be not even two hours before her death, and was brooding a few eggs). The other deaths definitely weren’t caused by coryza. It’s been really tough, the last thing I need to hear right now is that all the birds are coryza positive

I'm so sorry Fluffy
Rest in peace Cruella

 

[fluffycrow]

Coryza is a bacterial infection of the respiratory system, it does not cause bumps anywhere in the body. So don't worry about Coryza! Can you get a photo of this bump? She could have poked herself and that is pus. Could be an ingrown feather. Old old birds can get cancerous lumps but generally these types are over 8 or 9 years of age.

Oh no, you lost Cruella?? I am so sorry Fluffy! Sounds like a heart problem and at least it was quick. I am also sorry for all your losses, chickens sure know how to break our hearts sometimes.

Oh, you don’t know how glad I am to read that! The stress from all the losses has really been getting to me lately. This year I’ve lost more birds to diseases and heart issues than in all my chicken keeping years combined. It’s definitely been hard. I’ll try to get a photo tomorrow, as it’s very mich tight time right now. I hope it’s not cancer, as she’s only slightly over 2 and a half (which is exactly the time the birds here had any sort of contact with birds from any other flock).

Thank you. Losing Cruella yesterday was really tough. I just didn’t think I’d have to think about her passing so soon. All her eggs were broken as well, some of which had embryos inside (and one of which was definitely hers. It was the first time she’d gone broody after the passing ofLady Gaga, and I was so glad to see her going back to her old self. At least I have her daughters and granddaughters to remember her by.

Thank you so much once again, I’m just really hoping for some positive chicken news right now