Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Yes, and Bridge is almost nine. I don’t know if I want to risk anesthesia. I might bring her in for an opinion, though. She also has what seems to be a cyst just above her crop.

I missed that Bridge wasn't well. Praying for the best for her.

 

[BY Bob]

Even with a heated waterer, there was a thin layer of ice on the water this morning. And it's not even that cold yet! Single digits next week, for a couple days at least... Oy vey. I'm going to have to check their water every few hours.

I have never had ice in my heated waterer. And we have gone down to -10°F (-23C)

 

[LhickenChicken]

Why does the owner have livestock when he/she is not there for them? Seems weird?

He's trying to get a house up but it's winter now and he has to wait till spring. He lives further away.

 

[BY Bob]

Porch Pirates

I always love to see the ladies sunbathing on the porch in the winter.

They come out of the coop at different times and seem to take turns in the sun. Hattie spends the most time on the porch.

With the near constant winds we have been having the ladies have been spending their days in the coop so to see them getting their vitamin D is nice.

I meant to add a second porch in the run last year but never got to it. I need to do that this year.

 

[RoyalChick]

Step one of my arctic plan implemented....

Total fail


I wrapped the bare metal with nice cushioned rug underlay and Sylvie would not set foot on the hot lava I had apparently created. She went back to sleeping in the nest box. I think I will leave her that way until the worst of the arctic blast is over and then she can go back to bare metal roosting if she chooses.

Why don't I learn? I really am not qualified to decide anything for my chickens. They have minds of their own and it is not my place to question their life choices.

 

[Sylvester017]

He's trying to get a house up but it's winter now and he has to wait till spring. He lives further away.

That makes sense. Still its weird to get animals before having a residence on premises to monitor their own herd. Reminds me of people who acquire chicks or chickens before they have a coop or run to put them in !

 

[Sylvester017]

English Sussex hens CAN have floppy combs
View attachment 4028252

That doesn't look floppy? I looked up over 100 Sussex images both here & abroad & no Sussex hen breeds have floppy combs that cover their vision. Med's are the only group w/massive droopy combs. For a Sussex to sport a large floppy comb it has to be a mix w/a Med bird ~ Leghorn, Ancona, Exchequer, Minorca, etc.

I know a Sussex hen has a nice somewhat compact straight comb but not floppy or massive as the Mediterranean breeds. I know cuz about a decade ago I was offered a mated pair of Coronation Sussex to support a diverse breeding project & I didn't want to deal w/floppy combed breeds ~ so I researched Light, Speckled, & Coronation Sussex before accepting the project. I was satisfied the Sussex hen's comb size was not floppy & I was sorely tempted to accept the rare chicken breed project but sadly we are not zoned for roos so I declined the rare opportunity.

I wasted so much time dealing w/the rare Breda Fowl that, had I been able to, the Coronation Sussex project would've been much more fruitful & still would've been promoting a diverse pool for a rare breed.

 

[Sylvester017]

I know. Poor baby. I may call and ask a vet if it’s worth bringing her in, at least to find out.

The "not knowing" what's wrong w/ our birds & could it be possible it can be fixed is the question that plagues all us owners. Sometimes an Xray is enough to let us know if it's a fixable issue or not.

 

[notabitail]

The "not knowing" what's wrong w/ our birds & could it be possible it can be fixed is the question that plagues all us owners. Sometimes an Xray is enough to let us know if it's a fixable issue or not.

Sad thing is it's completely unaffordable for most people.

 

[Sylvester017]

Sad thing is it's completely unaffordable for most people.

Sadly, I know...those are the risks we take on as pet owners.