Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Roast chicken anyone?
Crazy birds. It is 92 in the shade. I just missed Maggie who started it all but has gone elsewhere for a bath. View attachment 3229665

The hawk is back with two friends. Ugh. I wonder if the drought is pushing them to hunt further afield. The nature reserve has a lot of swampland which I assume means there is good hunting - but the water levels are very low.

Be careful of those hawks. They are brazen here.

 

[LozzyR]

This is just the icing on the cake for a very crappy and stressful few days. I received a phone call about 9 friday night. My biological father who while I do not have the closest relationship with I try to see at least once a month and talk to at least once a week was hospitalized Wednesday with suspected pneumonia. He took a turn for the worse, unresponsive and was transferred out to a different hospital and they were calling the family in. They think he's had a stroke but is not stable enough for a MRI to confirm even though 2 ct scans say otherwise. I had to confirm this afternoon that he does not want life support and officially sign the DNR over the phone. He is not expected to make it through the night, but due to strict covid and ICU policies I am not allowed there until 8 am in the morning.

I’m so sorry Rebecca, you are having a terrible time!

 

[lightm]

Near Death Experience

I almost lost either Aurora or Sydney this afternoon.

That's right, one or the other was dead meat but somehow Aurora saved them both.

Here's what happened.

It was really hot today and for once I did not have any major tasks I needed to do this weekend so I decided to take a swim in the pool. The girls were hiding in the shade under the magnolia tree and in Hattie House.

I swam over to the skimmer and decided to empty it for the ladies. Aurora and Sydney came trucking over and started to dig through the leaves for bugs. They were not more than 24 inches from me.

View attachment 3230161

Not only was I standing there half out of the pool, so was my daughter as she stood next to me as we watched them dig for bugs.

All of a sudden Aurora squawks and takes off. When Aurora moves she is going so fast she is using her wings to go faster. Sydney was head down when Aurora's wing hit her and startled she jumped straight up and took flight.

Jumping straight up likely saved her life as a very large Cooper's Hawk swooped past where Aurora had been and underneath Sydney.

That right, UNDERNEATH Sydney!

The hawk was so close to me I still can't figure out how its wing did not touch me! Here is an illustration.

View attachment 3230162

If the hawk has successfully hit one of the ladies, I could have reached out and strangled it with my bear hands. I likely would have.

I did not think I had to worry about a Cooper's Hawk trying to take out one of the big ladies. I figured they were too large for a Cooper's Hawk. Sure a Polish or Glynda. Aurora is a big lady. Similar is size to the Cooper's.

This hawk is a super threat to the girls and I don't know what to do. I had no chance of shooting it today. Éowyn was in the house at the time. Maybe her presence would have dissuaded the hawk because he would see her as a threat. It certainly has no fear of me at all.

After this attack the hawk did not return today. (I think I need to give the hawk a name. Maybe Satan.... )

I am locking the girls in all day tomorrow but that is also not the answer. I'm truly scared for them.

that is terrible. I am just glad everyone is safe. So you are saying Aurora saved the day?

My chicken friend has a big open yard and there are frequent hawk visits. I don't know what kind, but we have lots of seahawks here. They've saved chickens literally from hawk's claws.

On a happy note, I think you can draw chickens better than humans.

 

[LozzyR]

Near Death Experience

I almost lost either Aurora or Sydney this afternoon.

That's right, one or the other was dead meat but somehow Aurora saved them both.

Here's what happened.

It was really hot today and for once I did not have any major tasks I needed to do this weekend so I decided to take a swim in the pool. The girls were hiding in the shade under the magnolia tree and in Hattie House.

I swam over to the skimmer and decided to empty it for the ladies. Aurora and Sydney came trucking over and started to dig through the leaves for bugs. They were not more than 24 inches from me.

View attachment 3230161

Not only was I standing there half out of the pool, so was my daughter as she stood next to me as we watched them dig for bugs.

All of a sudden Aurora squawks and takes off. When Aurora moves she is going so fast she is using her wings to go faster. Sydney was head down when Aurora's wing hit her and startled she jumped straight up and took flight.

Jumping straight up likely saved her life as a very large Cooper's Hawk swooped past where Aurora had been and underneath Sydney.

That right, UNDERNEATH Sydney!

The hawk was so close to me I still can't figure out how its wing did not touch me! Here is an illustration.

View attachment 3230162

If the hawk has successfully hit one of the ladies, I could have reached out and strangled it with my bear hands. I likely would have.

I did not think I had to worry about a Cooper's Hawk trying to take out one of the big ladies. I figured they were too large for a Cooper's Hawk. Sure a Polish or Glynda. Aurora is a big lady. Similar is size to the Cooper's.

This hawk is a super threat to the girls and I don't know what to do. I had no chance of shooting it today. Éowyn was in the house at the time. Maybe her presence would have dissuaded the hawk because he would see her as a threat. It certainly has no fear of me at all.

After this attack the hawk did not return today. (I think I need to give the hawk a name. Maybe Satan.... )

I am locking the girls in all day tomorrow but that is also not the answer. I'm truly scared for them.

How scary! I’m glad they are both ok but what a worry having it hanging about!

 

[MotherofOrpies]

Wow, what a close call, I hope your chickens have 9 lives usually netting the run is the only safe way to protect them from arial predators, some hang cd‘s in the run…Iˋve heard of people putting a fake owl with reflecting eyes in the run to scare them off, but they are smart, even if you move it every day, most of them figure out it’s not the real thing…

 

[BY Bob]

The new chickens really like the camera.View attachment 3229764

I love those shots!

 

[BY Bob]

Hi everyone, I'm back and caught up. A lot has happened this week. First I want to thank each of you for your prayers and warm thoughts. I really would like to forget this past week has ever happened but I can not. I managed to get through my daddy's funeral barely. I really did loose it at the end when we put his hat on him before the casket was closed like he wanted and it hit me like a ton of bricks that he was gone. I never saw him without his hat on, putting it on him made it all to real. My grandmother is back with us. She called Tuesday and said we needed to come get her she was sick and needed to stay a few days. I do not know what is wrong with her but she is having random dizzy and nausea spells. We made her a dr appointment but cannot get in until next Monday. Loosing Ezzie, Cricket and Granny has also been tough. I finally got in contact with the dogs owner this afternoon. They are in Tennessee until Monday. He apologized, and apparently lives in Tennessee, but works here through the week. He has been on vacation this week and thought he had someone coming to feed and water her and make sure she was ok. He asked if I could feed and water her until Monday and he will take her to his place in Tennessee. I have her locked up in a stall down at the barn now and will make sure she is ok and fed and watered. Once I put her up I was able to finally let my flock out of lockdown. They had all been locked in the coop for almost 5 days and were going crazy and starting to fight. If anything good came out of their lockdown I can say Raven and Corona are finally officially broken up over being broody. Once they were let out this afternoon all Branch wanted to do was be held. I bear hugged that little rooster and yes broke down and had a good cry while doing so. Afterwards while watching the group have a massive dust bath session in the new load of sawdust I felt better for the first time in a few days. Rosie also started high school Thursday among the madness. I was proud of her before her first day, but yesterday they actually got out of homeroom and switched classes and she brought home her syllabus's. Her Geometry class, is Honors Geometry. What was listed as Physical Science on her schedule is Physics. Both of those typically are only offered to juniors at her school. She is really excited about her science teacher. He informed them that not only did he have a masters in biology, but a bachelor's in chemistry as well as forensics. Seeing as how she wants to be a forensic toxicologist she cannot wait to have time this year to pick his brain and get advice on what classes to focus on to make her dream come true.

What a lovely thing to put his hat on him. I can see why that would be so moving.

Your heart shines through as you take care of the dog that did so much damage to you and yours. You are a special lady. Don't you ever forget that.

 

[BY Bob]

Sitting out on the deck watching the tribe while writing reply to Rebecca.... Cheetah and ladies are out near the rose patch, usually Hector's turf, but grasshopper heaven and Silver and Pear go bonkers for them so have been going out. I think the rest followed. They saw me and came back across the drive where Kren spotted them. Jess got separated from the rest by the close hedge and he went to take full advantage. She set up to squawking and flew half up/over and half around the hedge to find Cheetah, Kren in hot pursuit. Apparently Cheetah doesn't quite realize that the cockerels smaller than himself also need discipline because he mostly stood there while she's in front of him screaming for help. He did knock Kren off, but then stood there like "now what?". Kren and Horus both need to go after Twirp and Storm who need to turn and wallop the both of them. Unfortunately for their education, the both of the Horny Brats are smart enough to avoid pestering any of the ladies likely to beat the feathers out of them. Currently, Jess is fine, wary and staying within a couple of feet of Cheetah. View attachment 3230059Kren is hunting more hens, and Horus just joined the group up here, also looking for likely targets.... sigh, growing up is a trial on patience.

The one truly good boy of the lot (let me pause to knock on wood that he doesn't change, at least until after the other 2 settle)View attachment 3230063

And the biggest Brat and one of the ladies who will thump him (come on, Pear, hit him again! Kren, stand still and take your earned thumping!)View attachment 3230064

This stage with roosters is interminable.

 

[BY Bob]

“4 “?

Hey! I once was happy with 3. It could happen.

 

[ManueB]

My 2 cents only:
As long as your relatives wouldn't be upset, I would go with the name if you think it fits piou-piou!

Aphoto board or a picture on a mug is fine. How about starting a chicken garden, though?Start by planting a perennial - anything that you like and is chicken friendly. Maybe a shrub that produces berries, or a perennial herb (such a mint or lavender, or Rosemary if it will survive where you are....and plan an area that will be 'for them'?? Or, grapes and an arbor??? Just a thought. If you do one thing at a time, it isn't so overwhelming, and each chicken will be 'contributing' to the future of your flock??

The garden is a really nice idea. We actually made a small enclosed rectangle below the coop which was intended for a little garden, but it turned out the soil is too shallow and rocky, only four baby lavenders have survived. I think the idea of having it in memory of past chickens will motivate me to add some soil and compost in there, and make a real miniature garden.

Near Death Experience

I almost lost either Aurora or Sydney this afternoon.

That's right, one or the other was dead meat but somehow Aurora saved them both.

Here's what happened.

It was really hot today and for once I did not have any major tasks I needed to do this weekend so I decided to take a swim in the pool. The girls were hiding in the shade under the magnolia tree and in Hattie House.

I swam over to the skimmer and decided to empty it for the ladies. Aurora and Sydney came trucking over and started to dig through the leaves for bugs. They were not more than 24 inches from me.

View attachment 3230161

Not only was I standing there half out of the pool, so was my daughter as she stood next to me as we watched them dig for bugs.

All of a sudden Aurora squawks and takes off. When Aurora moves she is going so fast she is using her wings to go faster. Sydney was head down when Aurora's wing hit her and startled she jumped straight up and took flight.

Jumping straight up likely saved her life as a very large Cooper's Hawk swooped past where Aurora had been and underneath Sydney.

That right, UNDERNEATH Sydney!

The hawk was so close to me I still can't figure out how its wing did not touch me! Here is an illustration.

View attachment 3230162

If the hawk has successfully hit one of the ladies, I could have reached out and strangled it with my bear hands. I likely would have.

I did not think I had to worry about a Cooper's Hawk trying to take out one of the big ladies. I figured they were too large for a Cooper's Hawk. Sure a Polish or Glynda. Aurora is a big lady. Similar is size to the Cooper's.

This hawk is a super threat to the girls and I don't know what to do. I had no chance of shooting it today. Éowyn was in the house at the time. Maybe her presence would have dissuaded the hawk because he would see her as a threat. It certainly has no fear of me at all.

After this attack the hawk did not return today. (I think I need to give the hawk a name. Maybe Satan.... )

I am locking the girls in all day tomorrow but that is also not the answer. I'm truly scared for them.

Very scary indeed ! I'm really surprised that he attacked with you and your daughter so near! I think copper hawk are very audacious, but still, is this normal behaviour ?

Apart from hanging cd's, I've also heard people mention fake owls. But I think they only work for a time. Even netting would need to be really tight for a cooper hawk since they are not afraid of getting stuck like other hawks.

We have a short toed eagle that's regularly flying above and sometimes comes very near. When I see it (Théo usually gives a warning) I have a very loud and shrill little bell that I ring and I make huge gestures and it's enough to make him leave. Three days ago, he came for the first time with a lady friend good news for the specie but not for us. But he has lots of opportunities to eat chickens or snakes elsewhere which may not be the case of the copper hawk where you are.
The last serious round of attacks we had in early spring by sparrow hawks all happened when we were in the house, or far away on the property.
I think that copper hawk must be really hungry, or having babies to feed.