Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[CrazyChookChookLady]

It was a nice way for her to cool off today.

Our community pool opened yesterday. We're taking the kids on Saturday, it will be a good day for the pool. What's really nice is it's only 4 blocks from our house.

 

[BY Bob]

Our community pool opened yesterday. We're taking the kids on Saturday, it will be a good day for the pool. What's really nice is it's only 4 blocks from our house.

Perfect day. Its going to be 93°F

 

[micstrachan]

Working on the eating from my hand. I think I am my own worst enemy because I can't resist picking them up for a cuddle (which they presumably find very intrusive, but they are so adorable I can't help myself.
I do the same with the Princesses and I am not sure they love it either but they tolerate it and definitely like hanging out with me.

I think picking them up for a cuddle is good. I try to periodically handle all of them, even those who don’t like it. It seems it’s always the one who hates being handled that gets sick. If they are more accustomed to your touch, it should be less stressful if there is an actual need to handle them.

 

[micstrachan]

Tragedy

in the joy of new life and their first time out in the big world, tragedy struck the chicks today.

Dusty fell in the pool today and before I could get to her she was gone. It was so fast. I had just named them today.

I'm so sorry Dusty. Rest in Peace poor baby.
View attachment 2208500

Oh, no, Bob! I am so very sorry! I can’t even imagine how sad this must make you. I’m so very, very sorry.

 

[micstrachan]

Sydney is acting like no one is missing. She has moved on.

That’s very good.

 

[micstrachan]

It is sad Bob but this is normal life for Mum and chicks. If it hadn't been the swimming pool it would have probably been something else in time. The mums here do not seem concerned as long as some survive. The hardest is when a hen only hatches a single chick and it dies. Then you can see the effect it has on the hen.
There is a tendency for humans to believe they can save them all and keep them safe. It's not a healthy view for the keeper or the chickens and often ends up with imprisoning the chickens in the belief that this will keep them safe. It doesn't and the quality of life is pretty appalling in many of the keeping arrangements one can see on BYC. Yes, it is better than most egg production keepinng arrangements but is a bit better good enough, especially when one thiks that the majority of breeds kept by backyard keepers only exist to cater for the backyard keeping craze. The keeping of such breeds has virtually no impact on the large meat and egg production businesses because these breeds are not used in such concerns.
For all the guilt and sadness you may feel, you've done the right thing in both letting Sydney sit and hatch and then allowing her as much freedom as possible in your circumstances. For a short period mum and chicks lived as close to a natural life as is possible in a backyard environment and that is the best gift of all.
Every hen here apart from Blue Spot has lost one or more chicks while still under their care. You will at some point I hope see the point at which mum stops full time care and the chicks pretty much abandoned to take care of themselves. This is hard to observe as well. For me it is harder than a death of a chick. The sudden transition from 24/7 care and mum ready to die for them, to getting pecked and bullied and pushed away by mum as well as the rest of the flock I've found heartbreaking.

Well said, Shadrach. It’s heartbreaking. Minnie is a year old and still follows her mom around sometimes. She also still roosts beside her.

 

[micstrachan]

I can cuddle Fat Bird if I want and Cillin and Treacle. Only the boys seem to like it. Cillin gets all silly if I do it while his hens are watching, but he puts up with it. I try not to embarrass him often.
If I cuddle Treacle and Cillin sees it he goes for Treacle once I've put him down.
Cillin and Fat Bird.
View attachment 2210751

Interesting! Bridge, alpha hen and the oldest, demands a cuddle every morning (those pecks sometimes hurt!) She also goes after some of the lower ranked ones after I’ve set them down.

 

[micstrachan]

So Cillin is a little jealous. Don't embarrass me in front of my ladies but don't go cuddling with anyone else either.

THIS! I firmly believe chickens experience jealosy.

 

[micstrachan]

Sydney being Mama

Sydney and the chicks had some adventures today. I did erect a small fence to block them from the pool on the garden side of the yard. It won't work for long but it will buy me a few weeks.

I threw some watermelon rings and strawberries into that portion of the yard for them to enjoy. Here is Sydney showing them the new treasure. This video has zooming in and out. I hope I don't make you nauseous.

Trying to Teach them to go to Bed

How many new parents are frustrated at bed time........All of them at one time or another. Sydney cannot understand why the chicks cannot figure out to go up the ramp to go to bed. Of course it doesn't help that she does not use the ramp herself but rather jumps up. How are they supposed to learn?

I let her try and try but every night I have to gather them up and put them on the porch so they can join up with her.

Videos are filtered out here, so I’ll check in later. Glad to see you, Bob.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Sydney being Mama

Sydney and the chicks had some adventures today. I did erect a small fence to block them from the pool on the garden side of the yard. It won't work for long but it will buy me a few weeks.

I threw some watermelon rings and strawberries into that portion of the yard for them to enjoy. Here is Sydney showing them the new treasure. This video has zooming in and out. I hope I don't make you nauseous.

Trying to Teach them to go to Bed

How many new parents are frustrated at bed time........All of them at one time or another. Sydney cannot understand why the chicks cannot figure out to go up the ramp to go to bed. Of course it doesn't help that she does not use the ramp herself but rather jumps up. How are they supposed to learn?

I let her try and try but every night I have to gather them up and put them on the porch so they can join up with her.

Aaawww, cher!!