Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Yesterday was a insanely stressful day with the chicks, and I think I got a few grey hairs in the process. Of course for the first time in a couple years we have a cold snap and snow flurries in the middle of October, normally it is in November before it gets this cold. So what do my chicks try to do? 5 tried to kill themselves, 3 succeeded for a few minutes. It stayed in the low 30s all morning yesterday and early afternoon, so Blueberry was in no rush to get her chicks off the nest. I had brought them food and water so there was no need. I come out about 2 to check on them and find a crisis. 3 had gotten out of the nest and must not have been able to get back in and were lifeless. I quickly grabbed them and saw they were not breathing, heard no heartbeat, but they were not stiff yet so I ran inside. I did not have time to track down the hair dryer instead I stole grandma's space heater. Cranked it up to 80 and turned the blower on high and sat in front of it with them and started rubbing them. I was about ready to give up when one of them twitched. It took a few minutes but I got all 3 breathing so I knew hope was not lost. I sat in front of that heater rubbing the chicks with what felt like my hands burning for a hour. About 30 minutes in they finally started cheeping. Once they were able to stand and walk if I set them down I gave them to grandma and she tucked them in her bra and sat in front of the heater. I went outside, weather she was ready or not Blueberry had to get off the porch with the babies. I took the tote, bedded it with sawdust and fresh hay and placed it in the coop. It is on the opposite side of Bunny's nest. The coop is insulated so it is warmer in it. I then moved Blueberry and the 4 chicks she had with her. Once they were settled in her new box I came in for the other 3. I found them still inside grandma's shirt, but 2 had their heads poked out of her collar happily cheeping away. I took them out to Blueberry and for the next hour came out every few minutes to check. All are fine, happy and eating and drinking and staying under momma. That was enough stress for one day, but when I went to tuck everyone in at dark I found my day was not over. Bunny decided for once the stall was not the place to sleep and took them to her nest in the coop on her own. But I hear loud distressed cheeping and realize she only has 2 chicks. Instead of following their mom into the coop 2 of them squeezed into the gap between the coop and the house and were too far in for me to reach. I had to find a fishing pole and gently prod them out the other side. That took a while as they did not want to move. When I finally got them out they were very cold as well but were happy to be reunited with their mom. It was dark by then, but before I came in I had made sure to stuff the opening on both sides of the coop about a foot high so they should not be able to get trapped again. Another check on Blueberry and her chicks which are all under momma asleep and then I go look for Raven. The night before I had to move them to their box from underneath the 4-wheeler but thankfully last night she behaved and had taken them to her box on her own. It's days like yesterday that I question having chickens, and my thinking that letting the momma's do the brooding is easier.

Oh wow how terribly stressful for you

But so glad it’s all over ok at the end of the day.

You keep the snow it’s pelting rain here.

 

[Ponypoor]

I rolled my own sushi today! Yum
The chooks got some rice, avocado and cucumber. I used up all the crab I had. I also had salmon . The price of crab legs is skyrocketing.

The snow crab fishery is closed, so I bet the prices will be crazy!

Wonder of chickens like crab legs and salmon

 

[featherhead007]

The snow crab fishery is closed, so I bet the prices will be crazy!

Wonder of chickens like crab legs and salmon

If they do like crab legs or salmon, they are out of cluck here. (Maybe a can of tuna)

 

[Ponypoor]

Moult update

View attachment 3296459Poor Storm still looks like she's trying to imitate a naked neck, although it's a mass of pin feathers.
View attachment 3296456Blanche still doesn't seem to be doing much...other than starting to look rumpled (yay, she's finally moulting). Meanwhile PITA has a new tail sprouting and seems to be popping a few more darker patches.

View attachment 3296463Cheetah's tail is down to the long flag feathers and nothing else....
View attachment 3296460Twirp still looks as smooth as ever, but I did notice one wing appears to be missing a feather in the middle, so she's doing something.

View attachment 3296461Pear is the epitome of misery. She came out....briefly, then bolted back into the coop to huddle on top of the nest boxes when the IDIOTS came back to check on things. She's moving very carefully, so I suspect pins on her belly/around her legs. Will not add to the misery by checking.

View attachment 3296473
Nellie is still growing feathers but seems back to normal, dodging the camera to the right behind Lark. Indigo is the feet to the left behind the fine, stylish Lark.

I've had a couple of white eggs show up, so I think Nellie and Thing have started laying again. Nothing small enough for Lark or Indigo, but based upon Lark's color, any day is likely.

Cuckoo is the only one who still doesn't seem to be moulting.
View attachment 3296457Discovered a few lingering flowers (lows 28-32F, with highs upper 70s), but rain/snow in the forecast for the weekend.View attachment 3296462Color has climbed up the slopes. Not the spectacular color New England is known for (no maples) but the aspens contrasting with the evergreens makes for some nice displays.

Oh dear moltin just isn’t fun is it, Buttercup has decided to start a molt - I can’t believe it! It’s so miserable and she is molting

My Poplars (we call Aspens Poplars) are golden also.

I think Fluffy might just be giving up on being broody - finally! And she is molting - darn it!

 

[Ponypoor]

If they do like crab legs or salmon, they are out of cluck here. (Maybe a can of tuna)

Same here hahaha

 

[rural mouse]

Took this for your bedtime pleasure.

 

[rural mouse]

Oh dear moltin just isn’t fun is it, Buttercup has decided to start a molt - I can’t believe it! It’s so miserable and she is molting

My Poplars (we call Aspens Poplars) are golden also.
View attachment 3297098View attachment 3297099

I think Fluffy might just be giving up on being broody - finally! And she is molting - darn it!
View attachment 3297100

Just for you, an up close look at low slung aspen leaves...

The change started, then the frost...

 

[Ponypoor]

Took this for your bedtime pleasure.

Do you think it’s the sound of the chainsaw causing him to chortle so? I haven’t heard my rooster making that noise.

You know I worry about Mr P - is it normal to be so quiet? And I haven’t heard him crowing in a bit? Is it the time of year? Should I be worried?

 

[Ponypoor]

Just for you, an up close look at low slung aspen leaves...
View attachment 3297124The change started, then the frost...

Awesome photo!

 

[Ponypoor]

Took this for your bedtime pleasure.

All o have to compare with is Pangoo who was so aggressive