Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[lightm]

Went out to close the coop this evening. Probably the first true head count I've done in a week. Between shock, grief, exhaustion, and home after full dark, the head count hasn't happened.

Silver was missing. Went looking. Finally found her body. Other side of the olive trees, near the favorite dust bathing area. Over the last several weeks, I would occasionally see something that made me look at her more closely. I checked her over and the only thing I found was she was on the skinny side. Mixed up an easy to eat, loaded with extra nutrients mash which got her eating again. Kept an eye on her to make sure she was eating (she was), but the niggling thought of something internal going on popped up. I suspect that's what took her. She passed with the whole tribe around her, but I couldn't say for sure when.

Silver was the Queen. She was also the last of the 4 that started my tribe, gift from my much-loved MI, who raised her as a chick. Silver is now with the wonderful lady who raised her, cuddled her, and let her go to become Queen here.

I will have to do some observation to see of Pear stepped up or not. She was up around the house some yesterday (kind of unusual for her) and Cheetah and Blanche were on the south side at one point (also unusual) and Twirp was on the west side (not unusual). All while we were dressing for the funeral. Pear is next oldest. After her, Cheetah and the 7 ladies are the same age: Blanche, PITA, Cuckoo, Thing, Twirp, Jessica, and Nellie. Storm is 9 weeks younger and was raised jointly by Silver and Pear when she was orphaned at 3 weeks.

Rest in peace sweet lady. May your raising of every single one of the rest of the tribe demonstrate your smarts, sweetness, and common sense.View attachment 3617021View attachment 3617023View attachment 3617026View attachment 3617027

I am so sorry about Silver. She was very beautiful! How old was she?

 

[Ponypoor]

Tail up is a good sign! Neck looks scrunched in that lower pic though

Yes - I think she was looking to the side though

She was out on mount poopmore and I had to chase her in I was worried she would get her wounds icky.

Edit: wound still looks dry and I do not see any nasty critters.

Just have to monitor her eating now, if she doesn’t eat enough I may bring her to the Vet and get her to show me how to tube feed her.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Same experience for me. Tube feeding much less stressful. And for small volumes the drop at a time or soak a piece of bread works well.

Yes and I should have mentioned you because I remember you said that and I was thinking of you when I wrote it!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Went out to close the coop this evening. Probably the first true head count I've done in a week. Between shock, grief, exhaustion, and home after full dark, the head count hasn't happened.

Silver was missing. Went looking. Finally found her body. Other side of the olive trees, near the favorite dust bathing area. Over the last several weeks, I would occasionally see something that made me look at her more closely. I checked her over and the only thing I found was she was on the skinny side. Mixed up an easy to eat, loaded with extra nutrients mash which got her eating again. Kept an eye on her to make sure she was eating (she was), but the niggling thought of something internal going on popped up. I suspect that's what took her. She passed with the whole tribe around her, but I couldn't say for sure when.

Silver was the Queen. She was also the last of the 4 that started my tribe, gift from my much-loved MI, who raised her as a chick. Silver is now with the wonderful lady who raised her, cuddled her, and let her go to become Queen here.

I will have to do some observation to see of Pear stepped up or not. She was up around the house some yesterday (kind of unusual for her) and Cheetah and Blanche were on the south side at one point (also unusual) and Twirp was on the west side (not unusual). All while we were dressing for the funeral. Pear is next oldest. After her, Cheetah and the 7 ladies are the same age: Blanche, PITA, Cuckoo, Thing, Twirp, Jessica, and Nellie. Storm is 9 weeks younger and was raised jointly by Silver and Pear when she was orphaned at 3 weeks.

Rest in peace sweet lady. May your raising of every single one of the rest of the tribe demonstrate your smarts, sweetness, and common sense.View attachment 3617021View attachment 3617023View attachment 3617026View attachment 3617027

I am so very sorry about about the passing of Silver. May her legacy live on in your flock. I hope I am not overstepping here, and if I am please forgive me. Last August my biological father passed away. He and my grandfather sparked and nurtured my love for chickens when I was a small child and into my teens. Life happened and eventually both he and myself found ourselves chicken less for decades. When the opportunity arose for me to get back involved with chickens, *Thank you Momma Hen* he encouraged it. He never again was in a place where he could have chickens, but, he loved to hear stories about mine and see the pictures. Every Wednesday he would call and eventually the conversations would lead to the chickens. He would reminisce about his flock. He would offer advice on breeds he used to have. He thought I should have multiple game hens, best mothers as he put it and he and my grandpa always kept a few around for that purpose. I remember those hens, I also remember the floggings I got because I had to see the babies. He met my flock in person a few times. Drumstick impressed him as did Bubba. He called me crazy for loving the weird looking Branch but admitted he was a sweet heart. The day after daddy died, the then neighbor at the barn's dog got loose and killed Ezzie, one of the Cinnamon Queens and the white feather footed Butter daughter that I finally got. That about broke me. I cannot remember if it was my brother or Rosie who pointed out that daddy loved chickens and while it hurt he now had a small flock of chickens in heaven to look over. Including a weird but lovable silkie rooster. I still felt the raw grief of everything, but at the time it was a tiny bit of comfort thinking about that image. I hope it helps you a bit to imagine your beloved MIL in heaven holding and tending to the chick she once raised and gave you to start your flock.

 

[Ponypoor]

I am so very sorry about about the passing of Silver. May her legacy live on in your flock. I hope I am not overstepping here, and if I am please forgive me. Last August my biological father passed away. He and my grandfather sparked and nurtured my love for chickens when I was a small child and into my teens. Life happened and eventually both he and myself found ourselves chicken less for decades. When the opportunity arose for me to get back involved with chickens, *Thank you Momma Hen* he encouraged it. He never again was in a place where he could have chickens, but, he loved to hear stories about mine and see the pictures. Every Wednesday he would call and eventually the conversations would lead to the chickens. He would reminisce about his flock. He would offer advice on breeds he used to have. He thought I should have multiple game hens, best mothers as he put it and he and my grandpa always kept a few around for that purpose. I remember those hens, I also remember the floggings I got because I had to see the babies. He met my flock in person a few times. Drumstick impressed him as did Bubba. He called me crazy for loving the weird looking Branch but admitted he was a sweet heart. The day after daddy died, the then neighbor at the barn's dog got loose and killed Ezzie, one of the Cinnamon Queens and the white feather footed Butter daughter that I finally got. That about broke me. I cannot remember if it was my brother or Rosie who pointed out that daddy loved chickens and while it hurt he now had a small flock of chickens in heaven to look over. Including a weird but lovable silkie rooster. I still felt the raw grief of everything, but at the time it was a tiny bit of comfort thinking about that image. I hope it helps you a bit to imagine your beloved MIL in heaven holding and tending to the chick she once raised and gave you to start your flock.

I have got to stop pelting down pouring rain from my eyes! It’s steaming up my glasses



So beautiful to put it that way

 

[lightm]

A day late twofers
View attachment 3617271
View attachment 3617272

Look at their beautiful tails!!!

 

[rural mouse]

She was 4.

 

[rural mouse]

I am so very sorry about about the passing of Silver. May her legacy live on in your flock. I hope I am not overstepping here, and if I am please forgive me. Last August my biological father passed away. He and my grandfather sparked and nurtured my love for chickens when I was a small child and into my teens. Life happened and eventually both he and myself found ourselves chicken less for decades. When the opportunity arose for me to get back involved with chickens, *Thank you Momma Hen* he encouraged it. He never again was in a place where he could have chickens, but, he loved to hear stories about mine and see the pictures. Every Wednesday he would call and eventually the conversations would lead to the chickens. He would reminisce about his flock. He would offer advice on breeds he used to have. He thought I should have multiple game hens, best mothers as he put it and he and my grandpa always kept a few around for that purpose. I remember those hens, I also remember the floggings I got because I had to see the babies. He met my flock in person a few times. Drumstick impressed him as did Bubba. He called me crazy for loving the weird looking Branch but admitted he was a sweet heart. The day after daddy died, the then neighbor at the barn's dog got loose and killed Ezzie, one of the Cinnamon Queens and the white feather footed Butter daughter that I finally got. That about broke me. I cannot remember if it was my brother or Rosie who pointed out that daddy loved chickens and while it hurt he now had a small flock of chickens in heaven to look over. Including a weird but lovable silkie rooster. I still felt the raw grief of everything, but at the time it was a tiny bit of comfort thinking about that image. I hope it helps you a bit to imagine your beloved MIL in heaven holding and tending to the chick she once raised and gave you to start your flock.

That's exactly what I was thinking about when I wrote it up. It's what sparked the tears.

 

[Ponypoor]

That's exactly what I was thinking about when I wrote it up. It's what sparked the tears.

Sheesh I am so emotional these days, I think the older I get to easier I find it is to cry. I don't even bother watching sad movies now as I am bawling my eyes out. I used to watch 'Call the Midwife' and I called that my Wednesday night crying session.

I just love the way you and Rebecca put it all into perspective; but now I feel even more guilty that I didn't get hens when my grandmother wanted me to get some. And here I go with the rain-drops again

 

[bgmathteach]

She was 4.

Would yo be able to get some of her sister's eggs and hatch them? I am hoping her sister has a similar benevolent but matriarchal personality? Maybe that would be passed on through ehr sister and whatever Roo mated with her. Especially since you don't have any of her genetic offspring - maybe keep those good tendencies in the flock genetics???? I know no 2 chickens are alike, and it would only be 1/2 her sister genetics...but I am all for continuing the line when there are good traits. And, it seems Silver had good traits in spades.

I know, it may be too early to think about such things - and it might even feel like you are trying to replace her since it is so soon. (You aren't, or at least I'm not suggesting that - more suggesting that good instincts and traits you want to promote/keep)