Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

This gives me hope!

Some more information.

It's just this one bird -- as far as I know. I look at night to see who roosts where, but they're down and waiting to come out when I go to open up the coop, so I don't know if they've moved around.

They all eat the same thing (Kalmbach 20% flock maker), oyster shell and crushed egg shell on the side. The main "treat" is their feed, wetted into a mash; BOSS about 1-2x a week, and rarely anything else.

I haven't seen any "Gee, I am not well/don't feel good" signs, nor any other indications that she isn't up to snuff.

I think she's laying; I have seen her in a nest box since they started back up. With the cold temps, I go out more often to gather eggs. She is not one to lounge in a nest box, so not seeing her in there regularly doesn't mean much.

If anyone has any more ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Steak and lobster once a week helps their digestion and empties that heavy wallet you carry

 

[Sylvester017]

Oh man-I forgot about your hand issue. I hope it gets well soon.

I don't think I can hit 80wpm yet. Still need some practice, but I type so much that it'll happen eventually.

Yep, it's like playing the piano ~ the more often you practice the better you get at it. Sadly w/ arthritis & a couple non-operable fused ring finger joints I can no longer play piano & donated it. I'll be happy just to hold a pen in hand again. My wrist weight arrived today & that should help w/ steadying my handwriting soon. Little baby steps. My arm was in a sling for 9 months & will take months to undo the damage.

Little Violet who declined slowly her last couple years. Wish I appreciated her more than I did. She was basically unremarkable outwardly but behind the scenes she taught all subsequent Silkies how to trim each other's eyebrows:

Violet made others trim her eyebrows too

Suzu ~ an eyebrow trim courtesy of Violet

 

[Sylvester017]

Chicken health question: What do yellow urates mean? When I looked it up here on BYC, the answer was probably fatty liver issues. That answer was from one (very knowledgeable!) person here on BYC, but I was wondering if anyone else could give an opinion?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-poop-all-there-is-to-know.77547/

Yellow Poop​

The reasons for yellow chicken droppings are just as varied as those for green chicken droppings, including coccidiosis, internal parasites, kidney disease, and typhoid. It is likely that yellow chicken droppings are caused by your flock eating a lot of these foods if there are no other symptoms:

• CornStrawberries
• Squash
• Strawberries

​

 

[Sylvester017]

It isn't warm here year round, but we are considered temperate. We usually get a bit of freezing rain every year, maybe a bit of snow, but it doesn't last. Winter usually just means wet and 40-50°f. I had flowers until we got into the teens a couple of weeks ago. This one sat and watched me for at least 5 minutes!
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Do you, or have you ever, used Hummie feeders for them?

 

[Sylvester017]

I have had hens doing those mustard poops so I looked it up at the time.
Other than what has already been mentioned , but less likely for chickens who don't go outside, avian spirochaetosis (= contamination by a bacteria called brachyspira) and colibacillosis ( contamination by e.coli). The last could be the cause of reproductive disorder.
And of course coccidiosis which also does not seem very likely in your hen's case !

This is a repost for thirsty Thursday but these two terrors are so cute.
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Pot looks like my mom's heavy Descoware pot but hers had a lid. Heaviest pot I ever picked up. At least it won't tip over!

 

[Sylvester017]

Yes! Use screws not nails - so much easier to remove when fixing things.

And yes use strapping to hold the hardware cloth in place.

List things you like and dislike about your current coop.

I did this while building my barn. I had been boarding my horses so I knew what I liked and disliked about others barns.

With the chooks I was winging it hahaha. But I am super glad I had the opportunity to build inside my barn - I hate winter so it’s very convenient for me to have everything contained.

Also you will need to figure out how to get power there. I suggest you figure out how far it is. Extension cables are only good for 100’. If it’s further then that you will need to likely get an electrician in to run some power there.

Don’t not scrimp on this it’s a safety issue for you and your chooks.

At the very least you will need a couple of lights and an outlet for a heated waterer.

Gosh I am super eggcited to see the finished product!!!! So eggciting!

How about generators for all you snowbound folks? I imagine you all have them? A small separate generator just for coop use in some cases?

 

[Sylvester017]

Coco keeps purring in my ear. Loudly and talking, she just won’t shut up

Since Doms & Barred Rocks have a shared history it doesn't surprise me Coco is talkative. Our Dana loves to carry on conversations as if she knows what we're talking about She doesn't talk to the Silkies ~ just us

 

[knoturavggrl]

Hi everyone just popped in to say hi - it's been a miserably tiring week here, the snow and cold on top of poor Lulu not feeling well has been about 3 times as much work here.

Tonight Lulu actually nickered to me to 'hurry up with my dinner'. First time all week she has been alert. She is still not moving very well, but she is doing a bit better I feel.

Laverne's toe seems ok - I have not had a chance to change out her dressing, will try to get that done tomorrow night.

OK everyone have an awesome evening.

Mr P - BFTP - I can't wait for his coiffe to grow back like this!

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Though to be fair since he is practically bald now he sure is more active - he can see better!

Glad to hear the positive update on Lulu. As for the day the song mama said there would be days like this.. pops up. It will pass and tomorrow will be better.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Glad to hear the positive update on Lulu. As for the day the song mama said there would be days like this.. pops up. It will pass and tomorrow will be better.

Panic at the disco's "High Hopes". I love that song.

 

[knoturavggrl]

Yep, it's like playing the piano ~ the more often you practice the better you get at it. Sadly w/ arthritis & a couple non-operable fused ring finger joints I can no longer play piano & donated it. I'll be happy just to hold a pen in hand again. My wrist weight arrived today & that should help w/ steadying my handwriting soon. Little baby steps. My arm was in a sling for 9 months & will take months to undo the damage.

Little Violet who declined slowly her last couple years. Wish I appreciated her more than I did. She was basically unremarkable outwardly but behind the scenes she taught all subsequent Silkies how to trim each other's eyebrows:

Violet made others trim her eyebrows too
View attachment 4054884

Suzu ~ an eyebrow trim courtesy of Violet
View attachment 4054882

Ha! What curious creatures chickens are. I think humans in general underestimate their practical intelligence. Unless you keep and care for them, then it’s easy to see. Clearly violet recognized a problem and solved it, then went a step further and taught her flock mates. What a clever girl!