Derperella, the (weird) Faverolles, & Friends

[KayTee]

in the meantime, lets play derp trivia!!!!!!!!! first question: how many times did Derp's crop impact as a chick?

Hmm - haven't got time to cheat and go back through the posts

so I'll have a guess off the top of my (greying) head - 3 times?

 

[KayTee]

I really miss the derpdates too

but I know that the fud lady is uber busy at the moment, what with being the wonderful duck stamp winner for 2015 and all!

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I think Nambroth is just really busy with the responsibilities that come along with winning the Duck Stamp honor. She has to do a lot of traveling. Here is a cartoon she created to support the duck stamp:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CTeejlBUwAAjDax.jpg:large

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Here is a link to Nambroth's Featherdust site that had some chicken pics posted back in August:

http://nambroth.tumblr.com/post/126102349847/hey-friends-things-have-been-a-bit-rough-lately

 

[FluffyWyandot]

Nope, try again!!

 

[drumstick diva]

link works for me

 

[Nambroth]

Hello everyone! Gosh, it sure has been a while hasn't it? "Busy" does not even begin to describe the mess of my life lately, haha!! I had to travel far more than I anticipated with the Duck Stamp, and the amount of 'behind the scenes' work I've had to do has been absolutely crushing. Producing the duck stamp print, which is done by the artist and not by the government (totally desperate) has been tricky, and now I am to the point where I am getting orders for them with a little original painting on each. I like making them, but they take at least a day each and many people wanted them in time for Christmas. The last two months, I have hardly had time to breathe! Still, despite how busy it was, I did enjoy almost all of it. The program is incredible and is one of the only reasons we have wildlife refuges in the USA.

Unfortunately on top of that, I've had a few losses.. both people and pets. This month my sweet pionus parrot, Gorbash, passed away from kidney failure (despite the best efforts and lots of $$$ at the vet). I had him for over 10 years, and he was like a little person. It's been very hard.

Losing Coho hit me harder than I realized and I became apathetic about sharing chicken stories. I still love my chickens, perhaps more than ever, but it broke my heart to get on here and think about how short some of their lives are. I've gotten over myself, though I still miss sweet Coho, and started thinking about my chickens and the future. You will all be happy to know that all of the rest of the flock, other than Coho, are alive and doing well!

And yes, that means Derp is still alive, well, spunky, and happy! She did grow part of her beard back in after she molted this year, though some of it didn't come back. I think Coho ate it off one too many times, and the feather follicles decided not to put the energy into it. This can happen with parrots, too. After being plucked too many times, the follicle just quits. Still, she has part of her beard and muffs and is oh so cute!

Here is a link to Derp during her molt. She looks pretty scruffy, but is quite happy to snuggle!
https://www.instagram.com/p/50xJsRvSrE/

Here's a video of snuggly Moa and Chickadee, from earlier this month:
https://www.instagram.com/p/--CzqXPSgl/

This page has some of the more recent photos of my life (including chickens) if you are bored and want a peek:
https://www.instagram.com/nambroth/

I need to get some current photos of Derp. I will try my best to get them soon and keep up with normal updates again! I'm also probably going to be on the hunt for a Serama soon. After the loss of my parrot, I want a friendly house bird... and to be honest none of my chickens like being indoors for long. They are sweet but are much happier outside! From my research, you can't get tinier or more friendly than a Serama and a lot of people do keep them indoors (it's too cold here, usually, to keep them outside comfortably). So I suppose I will begin the hunt for a Serama soon!

 

[artsyrobin]

SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!

Yes losses will knock the stuffing out of us for sure- i have lost way too many this year and am numb- if you need help with seramas, let me know they are my addiction! They are bred to be companion birds, and sweet tempered


I didn't realize you had to do the printing etc yourself?? I somehow assumed winning a contest like that they handled the particulars- wow!

 

[pattyhen]

WELCOME BACK YOU HAVE BEEN MISSED.

I'm so sorry for your losses I know how hard it is to cope.

I looked at all of your pictures and you are so talented. I am so glad that Derp is alive and well. I was so afraid that something would happen to her.


Again welcome back and tell Derp that we have missed her too.


Patty

 

[KayTee]

YAY! A DERPDATE!

Welcome back fud lady!!!

I'm sorry to hear that you have been having a hard time with both family and pets

(It can't have helped to be responsible for all the Duck Stamp stuff at the same time. I didn't realise that you had all those additional things to do - like most people I assumed that you did the painting and the government did everything else).


However I'm also glad to hear that Derp and the rest of the flock are still doing well. (I love the video of Derp being petted - none of my girls will let me near them when they're moulting!) I will be waiting with baited breath for the next Derpdate

Sooooo happy to have you back!