What did you do with your flock today?

[Shetland lover]

Would some vet student like to co-op with you on this opportunity?

I'd love to be hands-on but for legal reasons (since I'm not a vet!) I can only observe. I'm more than happy to do bumblefoot surgery or anything else I can use a local or topical anaesthetic for on my own birds (If I think it's safe to do so and no appropriate vet care is available) but if it requires gas induced anaesthesia, I'm stymied by lack of kit and also the fear it will go wrong, given birds are notoriously risky to knock out safely.

 

[Shetland lover]

This is what he does everytime i take him outside. I only got a little video of him running cause i tried to walk fast so he didn’t run so far. But he is standing proud with the girls.
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He's certainly not letting his injury hold him back! A great sign!

 

[Shetland lover]

I gave Molly her first dose of Baytril. She's been really vocal and active today, so I think she's already feeling better even without the rest of the infection cleared up.

In other news, The Royals have been getting along really well. They've been non-stop preening each other and then the other day Duchess laid an egg. At one point they were both cuddling in the nest together. They're going to need a bigger basket, lol.View attachment 3372675
They're so sweet. Before I got Duchess I couldn't decide whether to look for a boy so they could partner up, or a girl so they could just be friends, but it looks like I ended up getting the best of both worlds. <3

They are so, so perfect with/for each other!

I'm glad Molly is feeling happier today! Fingers crossed for continued improvement

 

[ChicksnMore]

Fly trap saga. Store bought traps are still grabbing the masses. View attachment 3372320Home made jobbers... catching some flies still and also attracting freeloadersView attachment 3372321View attachment 3372318
This little cutie was there all day long scaring the flies away

That little guy is sooo cute! Can the store bought one be emptied and reused?

I gave Molly her first dose of Baytril. She's been really vocal and active today, so I think she's already feeling better even without the rest of the infection cleared up.

In other news, The Royals have been getting along really well. They've been non-stop preening each other and then the other day Duchess laid an egg. At one point they were both cuddling in the nest together. They're going to need a bigger basket, lol.View attachment 3372675
They're so sweet. Before I got Duchess I couldn't decide whether to look for a boy so they could partner up, or a girl so they could just be friends, but it looks like I ended up getting the best of both worlds. <3

I have my fingers crossed that treating her ear will help her swelling . Really glad to hear Molly's showing signs of feeling better.
The Royals look so happy!

Thankfully not too much flooding where I’m at, but it’s been an issue all around us! Biggest issue is that the ground is SO saturated that trees are just falling all over the place! We have gotten lucky so far, but I hold my breath every round of storms we get! The storm Sunday night was crazy—70 mph wind gusts in the Valley! We had thunder and lightning and hail…the thunder was so close and loud our window shook a little bit! Each round has a day in between of no rain, so Sunday afternoon before the storm rolled through we spread Koop Clean straw over the runs to dry out the mud…it helped immensely! We need the rain SO bad, but I sure wish it would come in a less chaotic and destructive manner! My poor chickens are so bored…and I miss our daily visits and they miss treat time! I can’t wait for a break and some dry ground

Crazy weather for you guys! We're still 3" under normal rainfall here for the year. As much as we need rain though, I wouldn't want to go through what you are right now. Hope you stay lucky!

Between the chickens and the wild birds, I don't get a single cherry - and it's my favourite fruit too!

I struggle getting any kind of fruit here too. This last summer it was hornworm caterpillars though. I love the moths they grow into so instead of killing them, I'd move them into the catsclaw I know they can also eat. I swear the buggers kept crawling back to my garden huckleberries and chowing down. I should've treated my chickens instead.
Never seen so many hornworms in my life.

 

[TropicalBabies]

That little guy is sooo cute! Can the store bought one be emptied and reused?

Yes, I have been reusing them for a few years. They work great. I obviously need to get over my cheapo self and just buy more of what works. It is really bad with flies right now. I've never experienced flies this bad ever!
So, I did order some sticky traps. Guess next time I go to town I can pick up a few- 5 more functioning.

But honestly how hard can it really be to make a functioning trap right ?! Maybe I will try the water bottle one and see if I can have good luck with that b4 I lower myself to purchase more plastic.

 

[ChicksnMore]

Getting ready to head to a friend's house. Have a bunch of cages I decided to get rid of so taking them to her along with a pair of yokos. Going to pick up one of the birds I gave her a couple years ago too. Little hen that's getting picked on by a full sized hen. One of her newer birds keeps cornering this one and she's getting hurt. She should do well with Manchego's little flock after a proper quarantine and introduction though.
Starting to make headway on my to-do list. Getting rid of these cages opens up some storage space which I'm always in need of more of.

 

[TropicalBabies]

struggle getting any kind of fruit here too. This last summer it was hornworm caterpillars though. I love the moths they grow into so instead of killing them, I'd move them into the catsclaw I know they can also eat. I swear the buggers kept crawling back to my garden huckleberries and chowing down. I should've treated my chickens instead.
Never seen so many hornworms in my life.

That is frustrating! Oh your kind heart I hope you were blessed and swarmed by beautiful buttlies for all of your efforts

 

[ChicksnMore]

Yes, I have been reusing them for a few years. They work great. I obviously need to get over my cheapo self and just buy more of what works. It is really bad with flies right now. I've never experienced flies this bad and honestly how hard can it really be to make a functioning trap right ?! I did order some sticky traps too. Guess next time I go to town I can pick up a few- 5 more lol. Maybe I will try the water bottle one and see if I can have good luck with that b4 I lower myself to purchase more plastic.

I love that cheapo thought process though! Wish everyone tried to find ways to reuse and repurpose We struggle with flies in the summer here. I'm sad to say the worst area is actually my garden. Not a stinky area! But when I water, the flies appear in droves where ever the moisture is...think they're thirsty and even fresh clean water draws them. It stops once we get rain...but rain brings the mosquitoes.

 

[ChicksnMore]

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[TropicalBabies]

I love that cheapo thought process though! Wish everyone tried to find ways to reuse and repurpose We struggle with flies in the summer here. I'm sad to say the worst area is actually my garden. Not a stinky area! But when I water, the flies appear in droves where ever the moisture is...think they're thirsty and even fresh clean water draws them. It stops once we get rain...but rain brings the mosquitoes.

The rains seem to have brought the flies... usually my compost attracts them and keeps them in a specific area and I can just hang a few traps close by but this time they are everywhere, but especially in wet sand areas, under trees etc. It is just crazy.
I think all roads point to me needing to thin my flock. Something I don't want to do because getting rid of the old lady's is a no go. I could get rid of the L. brahmas. Something I have been thinking about but they are Spiders favorites and well, he stays. Keeping buffs. The only choice is my young mixes and those girls are my guilty pleasures plus egg producers and feed buyers. I wish I had good trading partners like you or thought more cerebral as opposed to personal and emotional on this one.
Well, I need to adjust somewhere...