Thumper AKA fuzzy butt!

[JBun]

I don't have mushy poop(thank goodness), but I do have fleas. Uggghh!! I was trimming nails today and saw one crawl across Flopsy's nose. What are fleas doing here in Utah, in the winter? They're all supposed to be dead.

That's really good to hear that Thumper's poops are looking better. Once you get him to where you feel good about his poop quality being all good, you could try either increasing greens one at a time, to see how he does, or very slowly increasing pellets. This way you can maybe pinpoint what caused the soft poop.

 

[Chrisdoc]

Haha, my sister found it a bit weird me talking about poop all the time. Houdini was having a bit of a poop war in the corner of the room and they were all lovely, perfect poops...she found it hilarious I kept commenting on it everytime I cleaned it up.....maybe I should get a life lmao.

 

[PaGal]

I bought Thump some Orchard hay by Ox Bow in case he had started eating less hay from being bored with his old hay. Can I start giving it to him or slowly introduce it to him? I didn't think we have to go slow with hay but I certainly don't want to be wrong with Thump's poos being back to normal.

 

[whitelop]

I don't think you have to go slow with grass hay like that. If you were to give him alfalfa you would have to start slowly because its a different kind of hay.
But with the orchard you should be able to give him some handfuls and he'll be fine.
I don't know how your allergies go with hay and grass and stuff, but I don't have problem with any hay other than orchard. It made me break out in bumps and made my breathing not great when I was around it. I only got one bag and the dust tried to kill me. haha. So if you're more sensitive to hays, you could have an issue. Just a heads up. But my coastal, I could roll around in it and be fine.

I think sometimes they like different hays and it makes them want to eat more hay when they have something special. Last year I picked the roses that were wilting off the bushes and then let them dry and I put them in the hay for Foo and she would eat so much more hay digging through it to find the rose petals. So if you have rabbit friendly flowers maybe you can put them in the hay, thats what they do with the botanical, its timothy with dried flowers and herbs. You could dry out some herbs and make your own botanical hay. I think I'll do that this summer when I get roses and lavender and good stuff for Ellie to eat.
Yep, hay rant over.

 

[PaGal]

I'll keep that in mind. I don't have allergies other than to shellfish that I know of but wouldn't be surprised with the headaches and sinus pain I suffer from. One of the girls is allergic though. Doesn't seem to affect her being around Thump's though.

The store didn't have any hay except for orchard, timothy and alfalfa. The dried herbs sounds wonderful, I bet Thump would love it. I even have a drier if I want to use that or could slowly dry in the toaster oven. We don't have much landscaping done here. The previous owners did very little. Last years I planted a few bushes and some phlox but do plan on doing so much more over time and will be checking the safe plant and flower list so I can keep Thump and any future buns in mind.

I have parsley and sage growing now. It made it through the winter staying green the whole time, or bluish green in sages case.

 

[HolyHandGrenade]

When I got Monty her first bag of orchard grass, I just gave her a handful right away. She loved it and had no issues. I don't think switching between grass hays requires any transition, just watch for any excessive sneezing. (not that Oxbow's orchard is very dusty)

 

[PaGal]

I gave him some and he seemed to really like it. He now has some of that and some timothy in his so called hay rack. I'll put some of the other in later. He seemed to have drank a ton of water. When I got home some was spilled but it wasn't that much. I guess because his veggies have been cut back.

I need to stop looking at animals. Someone nearby has two Californians. So pretty.

 

[PaGal]

I am happy to say Thumper is turning back into a hay eating maniac. I went in just a little while ago and his hay rack was empty. It also looks as if he ate some of the hay on the other side of his room I have in a box. When I went in he was wanting to play and all wound up. Well he wound up having a head covered in hay because he wouldn't wait for me to get done refilling his hay rack before sticking his head in it and I know it wasn't empty long because three minutes before I went in there my husband commented on him eating.

Which reminds me, I must find the charger for the video camera. I couldn't find it, then didn't have the time to look anymore and then I forgot about it. I think you all would get a kick out of seeing him charge and bowl me over trying to get pellets in the morning. As soon as he here's one hit the dish he's zoom in there and pushing me out of the way. So this morning after just getting a few I used his paper towel tube outside the cage to fill it up like I do when he as to stay in his cage in the morning. He's not mean about it but still...

I think kitty may have stopped putting on weight. She is being less active, sleeping more and is staying on the ground. I put one of those kids nap mats on the floor for her so she'll be comfy. I figured the plastic can be cleaned easily, it should feel cooler to her since it is hot out and it gives her plenty of room to stretch. She's so funny, the epitome of a pregnant woman. She acts like it's difficult to get up and she sleeps in funny positions. Seeing her run is hilarious but I do feel for her. I got to feel the kittens kicking today. I have been trying for a while now but as soon as I would put my hand on her she would move wanting her head rubbed but she stayed still today so I know it was the kittens moving. She loves a head rub.

 

[Ilovemyrabbit]

Yay! I'm glad he is starting to eat more hay again! Haha, Ash does that too, he sticks his head into his hay tray before I fill it up with hay and his head gets covered with hay, lol.

Yes you should find a new charger. I think I would like to see the video. Besides I'm sure you will like to take other videos too.

I can't wait until she has the kittens she wont have to carry them in her belly anymore and I can't wait to see the pictures. I love kittens they are so cute!

 

[whitelop]

The cat sounds like my cat when she was really really pregnant and sounds like me for that matter. haha. I remember feeling the kittens move around, its kind of crazy!

Foo used to go back and forth with eating hay like that, she would eat less and then eat more. Then I stopped feeding her pellets and she ate A LOT more hay. Sometimes I think they just want different things.

I hope you find your charger or get a new one. I hate that my videos won't download to my computer because they aren't compatible. I wish I could show you guys the good videos I have of Ellie.
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see some videos of Thumper. All of his large eared glory!

 

[PaGal]

Well I know it's here somewhere, the problem is I haven't looked for it for a while and it wasn't with the video camera which it should have been. I'll try to find it this weekend. If not I could possibly try using my hubby's phone. The nice thing about the camera is I could use it at any time and I have a tripod for it so hopefully the video will me smooth and not make anyone motion sick. If I use my hubby's phone then he has to be home and not actually using it.

I felt kitten kicking again this morning. I had a dream last night that Isabelle was in labor. I was getting her box and everything all prepared, talking to her as I did so about what I was doing and just reassuring her. She couldn't talk back but in my dream she understood everything I said. Weird!

 

[PaGal]

Thumper is going crazy right now, apparently running the bun 500 by the sound of it. Funny because this is usually his lazy part of the day. Maybe just full of extra energy or because he was in his cage later than normal this morning. I got to sleep, it was lovely! It could be that the weather has cooled off from the cold front coming through. Just when I get used to not needing a jacket so now I go out and get cold because I forget to wear one. My work boots are wet from bathing the dog and those are what I usually wear at home. e don't wear shoes in our house by my orders so I just slip those on when I go out. Since they are boots and even have steel toes I am ready for anything which does often happen here. I never know what I might be asked to do or decide to do.

I haven't put Thumper back on veggies yet and he's still eating only 1/2 cup of pellets a day. I feel like I'm starving him. I started a few weeks back giving him some pellets by hand trying to get him back to climbing in my lap. I think his size just prevents him. He used to sit in my lap when smaller eating hay. Yesterday I put just a few pellets in his bowl between his usual feedings. He had been very lazy yesterday and so hadn't pooped yet and so I gave him just a few so he would. Well later in the evening around his normal time for bed I sat down in there and he was putting his legs on my lap and sniffing me looking for his pellets. Usually on the weekends I let him stay up longer since we are and he's usually happy to stay up late.

He is eating a lot of hay. I guess he just misses his pellets and so wants them. It's funny though, I have been spending more time in there with him, petting him and just watching for any signs of pain or what have you. He seems to be enjoying the extra attention and lays still longer and is letting me pet him more in his more sensitive areas like his belly.

With me he does enjoy his petting and will lay down for it but he looks to me mostly for play time. Usually it takes a couple of minutes with me petting for him to really get comfy and settle in for a pet session. But when the hubby comes into the room as soon as he lays a finger on Thump he immediately drops down and does a snuggly very relaxed meatloaf.

Oh and the past two mornings he has taken to moving his water dish which causes the water to spill. Then when I let him out he does extra foot flicks I guess trying to dry his big bun feets. He doesn't really seem to mind being wet. Spraying him with water has no affect what so ever and I have on numerous occasions seen him dunk his front paws into his water dish and stand in it when wanting to be close toi that corner of his cage.

 

[Chrisdoc]

He does sound like a real carácter and his antics do make me laugh. Houdini also does that with his hay, never gives you time to get it in his rack and it ends up all over him.

I hate chargers and programmes and computers. Mine has suddenly started correcting everything I write...I say correcting but it re-writes it wrong...it´s driving me mad but i don´t know how to stop it. I´ve just bought a new memory card for the camera my sister bought which I´ve discovered also takes video. That way, i can take photos and video and just put the card in the computer to download....how easy is that :hyper:

 

[whitelop]

You sound like me with the weather. I was getting used to no jacket, no heat, no air, just windows being open. Then last night we got the monsoon of spring and it took all the heat away and now its chilly outside. I have all my windows closed and its cold in my house, I'm under a blanket. My body is confused, then I go outside in the sun and its warmer but in the shade its still chilly. haha. I think it will warm back up though.

Ellie doesn't mind being wet either, she'll step in her water bowl sometimes too. They're so silly. Its good that Thumper likes your husband, Ellie is a little afraid of mine because I think she thinks he's going to pick her up. But he always picks her up and she always lets him, they have a strange relationship. haha.

 

[PaGal]

Chris...he is a character as they all are but he is a wonderful, funny character without a mean bone in his body. Because of him I don't ever see living without a bun.
I don't like technology much. Mostly because it tends to go wrong when I am near it.

Morgan...Right now I'm hot since I'm inside and drinking a cup of coffee. It's crazy though, on Thursday I was wearing shorts and now you need a sweatshirt and jacket when in the shade.

That's funny Ellie is like that with your husband. I need to have mine pick up Thumper to get him used to it again. My husband is always confident about everything but not necessarily in a cocky or annoying was (well sometimes) but I would first want to make sure he knows all the do's and don'ts and then he'll look at me like I'm crazy.

 

[PaGal]

So I have spent a few hours reading about keeping chickens, different chicken coops, all things chicken related. First off, I'm not sure why we need chickens as I have about 3 dozen eggs right now from the neighbors chicken. In fact we all had fried eggs for lunch today. I am fine with having chickens don't get me wrong, as long as they don't attack me. So hubby was inside for a minute and I told him something about a coop and we talked for a minute about chickens and he said " we could run right now to Heretick, I'm sure they have little chicks peeping away". My reply was the only real thing holding me up is we don't have a chicken coop. I got a bunny a year ago and brought him home knowing a bigger cage would be built for him right away. At this point hubby said he was going back outside. Ha!

Not to mention until chicks are older or it's warmer out the chocks would be kept in the garage and right now there is no room. I don't even have the cat box where it's supposed to be yet.

 

[Chrisdoc]

I do love the avatar photo of him, he´s got fantastic ears and I love big ears haha.

We´re having weird weather at the moment. We had really good weather all the time my sis was here, about 25ºC and it was quite hot but the last few days, it´s been really misty in the morning and it´s quite cool cos of the humidity and you never know what to wear. By this time, I´ve usually changed my clothes from winter to summer but this year, all my summer clothes are still under the bed and I need to get them all out. I did get some things out last week but now I´ve got clothes everywhere and it´s chaotic. I just wish it would settle.

I now have to go and look at my new TV, for some reason the timer is on and it keeps trying to turn itself off...the joys of modern living :cry2

 

[PaGal]

Chris...it's funny, most of the time his ears do not seem that big to me. I guess because I'm just used to them plus he rarely ever has both up and alert. Usually all he can muster is to put one up. The avatar pic does show them well.

That's how I feel, I just want to be able to wear one type of clothing. I prefer summer stuff since I do less laundry. You can fit more short sleeved shirts and shorts in a load of laundry than pants and sweatshirts or sweaters. It was in the 80's with lows in the 60's F but now we have highs in the 60's and lows in the 40's. Next week it will probably hit 100F the way the weather has been.

 

[whitelop]

I don't think that you would have to keep them in the garage. I kept all my babies out in the winter time and it was cold. Now, they're fine. As long as you have something for them to get into that isn't drafty at night, they'll be fine. Its the drafts that bother them, not the in general cold temps.
The house that I have for my birds is a dog house that my dad built. The rooster doesn't actually have a house right now, thats coming soon.
You could always do what I did and get a dog kennel and use that. It worked great for a period of time, but it wasn't big enough when the chicks came and we had to expand.
Sometimes having chickens isn't about the eggs, its about the birds. I love my hen, she is a good girl, a good layer and a good mama. Shes also pretty friendly. The babies are much more friendly than they were a few weeks ago and not everyone has problems with their rooster like I do. Not all roosters are created equal. If I were you though, I would not get any roosters. If you want to hatch them, then wait for a hen to go broody and you can buy hatching eggs or an incubator with purchased hatching eggs. If you just have a flock of hens and you're around them all the time and go in their coop with them or hand raise them from chicks then you'll have really really sweet great birds. They'll figure out their own pecking order and they'll think you're their mama. haha.
There is nothing more gratifying than having your little babies eat out of your hand or sit in your lap. My hen will sit in my lap for upwards of 30 minutes and eat out of my hand. But you have to touch them and be with them a lot for them to be friendly.

Fencing is expensive and so are fence posts, that is one of the draw backs of building a coop. But once you get it done, then its done and you don't have to buy more. The feed is a little expensive too, but the prices are going down. Right now, I'm paying $17 for a 50 lb bag of chick starter/grower, down from $20 a few weeks ago. And then next week I'll have to buy a 50 lb bag of layer feed and thats like $18 or so, hopefully its cheaper since the prices are coming down.

And there is my chicken pep talk! haha.

 

[PaGal]

Although the reason for getting chickens might be the eggs, the way I am it will be more about enjoying just them as critters and the other focus would also be making sure they are healthy and happy. Because I am not crazy about birds I know that getting them young and raising them myself would help. I'm sure I would be fine with them having known them since they were young.

I haven't really looked at the cost of the feed yet. I do have a few places around that I know I can find any of the supplies including feed that I might need. We know that most of the expense will be right at the start with a coop and all. It's the same as it was with gardening. We spent money at first since he wanted a tiller and the fencing we use but now if we spend anything it's just on seeds and some plants and we certainly get back way more than we spend now.