Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

I have searched the phone book around the whole county, but there are NO chicken psychologists to be found anywhere!

My roo needs some help. He’s moping around with me in the house now. Aurora please think on his condition and hopefully come up with a solution.
He needs his mojo back!

Never mind. I found a chicken therapist only 30 minutes away. I’m taking Jaffar in to see her this afternoon. I’m not certain of the outcome, but it’ll be interesting.
Ps. Yes chickens can be registered as emotional support animals. And therapy chickens! (I just found this out)

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

Guess what...
The BYC 2023 Calendar arrived! And I am so happy that it finally came. I took a peek and will not use it until the New Year (obviously)

 

[rural mouse]

Kren seems to like snow. He's gone walkabout.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Ask Aurora
Today's question comes from @micstrachan Buttercup.

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Dear Aurora,

I really think I should be top hen. I mean, I’m the biggest and I’m the only one here with feathered feet! But that Bridge is just not having it. I swear sometimes she scares me with her dirty looks so much I shudder! Even though I’m bigger, I cannot challenge her. All the other hens look up to her. Why can’t they see my potential? Is there anything I can do to take her seat? Here’s a picture of me on the top roost in the upper level of the coop. Of course Bridge kicked me off. Please help.

Frustrated,

Buttercup



Dear Buttercup,

You are not alone. Around the world there are billions of chickens that feel like you do. They all think they should be in charge. Of all those billions, only a handful actually take action and determine their own destiny.

Buttercup, are you prepared to make your own destiny?

This is serious question because what you are about to do is difficult. It requires a commitment to purpose that very few hens have.

It is hard and it will take time. Ask yourself, is this how you want to spend your time?

It will cost you friends. Be certain that you are prepared to jettison those friends that would hold you back from reaching your own destiny.

Only if you are truly committed should you start down the path I am about to place you upon. Many hens start down the path and give up. The cost is too high they say. Many in your position chose to just wait out the death of the hen in front of them and then assume the mantle of authority through attrition. That is a strategy.

It’s a mamby pamby strategy but it can work.

Are you Hen enough to chart your own destiny?

If your answer is yes, them it is time to start fomenting a little revolution. And I am just the guide for whom you are looking.

A famous human named Thomas Jefferson once wrote that “I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing”. The same holds true in the chicken world as in the human world. You have to believe that fresh leadership is needed at the top in your tribe and that leader is you. They will all be better off if you are in charge. A Coup d'état is what you will need.

Now that is a French phrase. It is not talking about a chicken coop where you sleep. It literally means “stroke of state”. Oh bother, perhaps I should have used a business term like “Hostile Takeover”. You need to seize the reigns of power without permission.

Another very smart human named Che Guevara once said “The revolution is not an apple that falls when it is ripe. You have to make it fall.” He was of course correct and this advice too carries into the chicken world. You are not going to wait for Bridge to get ripe and fall. You are going to make her fall.

So how do you make her fall?

Whatever you do, don’t announce your intentions. Subtlety is the key here. You need to start eroding everyone’s confidence in her but you don’t want it to seem like it is always coming from you. You need to get others to start the conversation. Have side discussions with some of the “less aware” members of your tribe. Give them juicy bits that they can then share in group settings. Remember, this is a long game. Be patient and seed your fellow hens with discontent.

You need to get everyone good and disgruntled. Once you have everyone there it is time to act.

Another smart human, Winston Churchill, once said, “Never let a good crisis go to waste”. What you are looking for is a good crisis. It really doesn’t have to be anything big but bigger is better. Of course, you can always invent one if you need to. It doesn’t matter what the crisis is the important thing is that Bridge seems to be incompetent and you seem to have all of the answers.

Once the crisis is underway, then it becomes a matter of how Bridge reacts. Will she bow to the desires of the tribe for you, the perfect leader with the right answers, to lead them or will she fight.

Yes, it could still come down to a fight. That is “The way of the Chicken” after all.

Hopefully you are working out and getting stronger this whole time. Hone those fighting skills when no one is looking so you are ready. Practice jumping and kicking. You must be at your best when the moment arrives.

What you have done with all this subtle work is assure that no one will help her; she is on her own now. Of course, she could, as Hattie did here, just step away and concede to your rule. Should she step aside, do not be magnanimous. You must consistently remind her that you are her better. Do not forget this part. Otherwise, you may find her plotting your downfall with everyone else. In fact, be certain to remind everyone that there would be a very high cost for betraying you. Peck them at every opportunity. Yank them off the roost for no reason. They never were your friends and surely are not once you become leader.

As a leader FEAR is everything.

If everyone was afraid of Bridge then your plan would have no chance.

Remember that.

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Thank you dear Aurora. I needed the humor in your inputs today.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Just posted. How are you feeling?

The full effects of anesthesia have worn off, and omg, 1000 bee's are stinging me if feels like in my abdomen. I will get through this though. Branch came to my window crowing earlier and I lifted it and talked to him. Did not bring him in as it is raining and he's a muddy wet mess

 

[knoturavggrl]

The full effects of anesthesia have worn off, and omg, 1000 bee's are stinging me if feels like in my abdomen. I will get through this though. Branch came to my window crowing earlier and I lifted it and talked to him. Did not bring him in as it is raining and he's a muddy wet mess

IThe first few days are the hardest it does get better . Resist the urge to soldier through it -and instead take whatever pain meds they gave you as often as it says you can do so. Stay ahead of the pain, its not worth the struggle to catch up to it, ask me how I know and sleep as much as your able to!

 

[featherhead007]

The full effects of anesthesia have worn off, and omg, 1000 bee's are stinging me if feels like in my abdomen. I will get through this though. Branch came to my window crowing earlier and I lifted it and talked to him. Did not bring him in as it is raining and he's a muddy wet mess

What’s a little mud among friends?

 

[featherhead007]

Stalagmites, stalagmites, whatever - Is this due to a deal failure or just normal drops when they drink? I can't tell! Only on two odf the three. Doesn't happen when I try the nozzles, and I don't see any active leak. Normal then? In summer I saw them "chase down" a drop sometimes, after they've pushed the valve, as if they're pulling a drop out and then drinking it as it falls along the side.
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[featherhead007]

Never mind. I found a chicken therapist only 30 minutes away. I’m taking Jaffar in to see her this afternoon. I’m not certain of the outcome, but it’ll be interesting.
Ps. Yes chickens can be registered as emotional support animals. And therapy chickens! (I just found this out)

Update. Seems that I might not have enough distractions in the run for the birds to enjoy. I was instructed to add a few things to the coop and run so the chooks won’t get bored. Jaffar is healthy enough, and at his age, his roosterness has no real problems. I need a treat-ball. A plastic mirror is recommended also. The therapist said that it’s okay for him to go to town with me, but only if he wants to. Jaffar likes car rides (in my newer car) I’m just glad there’s no underlying issues with Jaffar! according to the expert, he’s alert and attentive (and sweet)
So., yay, just yay

 

[RoyalChick]

IThe first few days are the hardest it does get better . Resist the urge to soldier through it -and instead take whatever pain meds they gave you as often as it says you can do so. Stay ahead of the pain, its not worth the struggle to catch up to it, ask me how I know and sleep as much as your able to!

She is 100% right - @RebeccaBoyd no silly heroics here!