Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

I’m sorry I’m behind and haven’t had a chance to check if you figured this out, but I don’t recall my first year pullets molting significantly. Maybe a minor molt. Have you checked for parasites? Are you certain they are not getting pecked?

I'm not certain of anything right now.it doesn't help any that it's still dark when I leave for work and mostly dark when I get home. Today was going to be observation day (along side getting things done). However, discovered last night that Sherlock has a broken toenail, so he's going into the vet first thing this morning to make sure nothing is in it. The rest of the day will be up in the air.

 

[Ponypoor]

In memoriam

This morning the Chicken Palace lost a brave, and much-loved leader.
In the early hours of this morning Bernadette-the-brave stirred a bit on her roost. She moved a bit awkwardly but settled down and went back to sleep.
And then a few minutes later she suddenly fell off the roost dead.
She was just shy of three years old.
I take comfort that it was quick and that she was snuggled with her friends. I am also glad that she never lost her leadership position in the flock, and that her last days were joyous. I actually thought she was getting over her heath issues. Most of her new feathers had come in, her crop was beginning to be less full in the morning, her appetite was good, and she was enjoying being outside and eating turkey scraps.

Bernadette was an unusual hen and a force of nature. She had a difficult start in life as she lost the use of a leg when she was only 3 weeks old. Even though she was unable to walk she was still very much in command of her brooder buddies.
Her recovery was an uplifting journey that was documented here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/3-week-old-chick-with-a-bad-leg-any-advice-please.1519956/

Bernie eventually grew to be a very tall hen with some rooster-like attributes. She did lay beautiful brown speckled eggs, but very rarely.

She carried herself upright and had a 'special relationship' with Babs. As far as I could see, this was a fully consensual special relationship but once Babs died, Bernie made only a few half hearted attempts with the other hens.

When Pooh was attacked by a hawk, Bernie rushed in and laid into the hawk with her feet and beak. Most of the feathers flying were from the hawk, who was forced to give up its attack.

In recent weeks Bernie has been under the weather. She was molting, lost weight, and was not fully emptying her crop overnight. I took her to a vet who could feel a small mass - possibly a tumor - deep in her abdomen. But she continued to have a real zest for life up until the very end.

Farewell Bernadette. I will miss your funny ways. I am sure Tassels will take over your leadership position, but for now your little flock-mates are a little in shock and have decided to roost away from your favorite spot.

View attachment 4004903
View attachment 4004904
View attachment 4004905
View attachment 4004907

Oh no! Oh I had no idea she was so seriously ill - how sad for her flock-mates. I am so sorry to hear this RC.

I sending a 100 hugs for you and your feathered friends.

 

[Ponypoor]

I am happt to hear this, Kelly. I’m so sorry I’m not up to speed and didn’t even know you had an unwanted roo. I’m glad Bert has a new home.

No worries. He was fighting with Mr P and I had to keep them separate all the time.

Now he has his own harem and Mr P is back to being the King.

 

[Ponypoor]

60-ish?

Great guess! But keep reading

 

[BY Bob]

In memoriam

This morning the Chicken Palace lost a brave, and much-loved leader.
In the early hours of this morning Bernadette-the-brave stirred a bit on her roost. She moved a bit awkwardly but settled down and went back to sleep.
And then a few minutes later she suddenly fell off the roost dead.
She was just shy of three years old.
I take comfort that it was quick and that she was snuggled with her friends. I am also glad that she never lost her leadership position in the flock, and that her last days were joyous. I actually thought she was getting over her heath issues. Most of her new feathers had come in, her crop was beginning to be less full in the morning, her appetite was good, and she was enjoying being outside and eating turkey scraps.

Bernadette was an unusual hen and a force of nature. She had a difficult start in life as she lost the use of a leg when she was only 3 weeks old. Even though she was unable to walk she was still very much in command of her brooder buddies.
Her recovery was an uplifting journey that was documented here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/3-week-old-chick-with-a-bad-leg-any-advice-please.1519956/

Bernie eventually grew to be a very tall hen with some rooster-like attributes. She did lay beautiful brown speckled eggs, but very rarely.

She carried herself upright and had a 'special relationship' with Babs. As far as I could see, this was a fully consensual special relationship and once Babs died, Bernie made only a few half hearted attempts with the other hens.

When Pooh was attacked by a hawk, Bernie rushed in and laid into the hawk with her feet and beak. Most of the feathers flying were from the hawk, who was forced to give up its attack.

In recent weeks Bernie has been under the weather. She was molting, lost weight, and was not fully emptying her crop overnight. I took her to a vet who could feel a small mass - possibly a tumor - deep in her abdomen. But she continued to have a real zest for life up until the very end.

Farewell Bernadette. I will miss your funny ways. I am sure Tassels will take over your leadership position, but for now your little flock-mates are a little in shock and have decided to roost away from your favorite spot.

View attachment 4004903
View attachment 4004904
View attachment 4004905
View attachment 4004907

Such a special lady. One of the great ones who will always be remembered by all.

Wonderful tribute to her.

Our deepest sympathies for all.

 

[BY Bob]

It’s so beautiful!!!

It truly is special. I think we have picked out a spot to hang it where Mrs BY Bob can see it all the time.

 

[Debbie292d]

There might be a reason it is illegal to do so in a state. Maybe it's not a good idea.

Good point to consider!

But, the same state also has a law that it's illegal to fart in public after 6 p.m. on Thursdays, or for a woman to fall asleep under the hair drier in a salon...etc.

If the dye used is safe for children, I'd consider it safe for animals, too, and that's all I would use. It's water-based and will wash out, but I would just let it wear out.

Again, just for fun on one of them. I'd hate to cause a different-looking chicken to get picked on though, so I could be creating a problem here.

I'll think about it and check into it further. We'll see. If I do it, this'll be the first place I post a picture.

 

[BY Bob]

Great work, Bob! Now they areall clean and cozy.

Aurora looks so vibrant and healthy. Some of my older girls, Bridge and Little Mill in particular, both of whixh have bum legs/feet, are slowing WAY down. Poor Bridge can hardly walk now. But she is still the boss bird and I help her down every morning. I may give her some CBD and aspirin this weekend so she can get around better. Sometimes I find her laying on her side with her bad leg stretched way out behind her. Kind of looks like Merricks but I think it’s more that she’s relieving her pain somehow.

Hattie is always laying down these days. She is moving better than earlier in the year but she does not scratch any longer. She gets up to eat and move with everyone but lays down between. She was not moving with everyone over the summer so this is a major improvement.

Aurora shows no signs of showing down at all. She is still all out.

 

[Debbie292d]

In memoriam

This morning the Chicken Palace lost a brave, and much-loved leader.
In the early hours of this morning Bernadette-the-brave stirred a bit on her roost. She moved a bit awkwardly but settled down and went back to sleep.
And then a few minutes later she suddenly fell off the roost dead.
She was just shy of three years old.
I take comfort that it was quick and that she was snuggled with her friends. I am also glad that she never lost her leadership position in the flock, and that her last days were joyous. I actually thought she was getting over her heath issues. Most of her new feathers had come in, her crop was beginning to be less full in the morning, her appetite was good, and she was enjoying being outside and eating turkey scraps.

Bernadette was an unusual hen and a force of nature. She had a difficult start in life as she lost the use of a leg when she was only 3 weeks old. Even though she was unable to walk she was still very much in command of her brooder buddies.
Her recovery was an uplifting journey that was documented here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/3-week-old-chick-with-a-bad-leg-any-advice-please.1519956/

Bernie eventually grew to be a very tall hen with some rooster-like attributes. She did lay beautiful brown speckled eggs, but very rarely.

She carried herself upright and had a 'special relationship' with Babs. As far as I could see, this was a fully consensual special relationship and once Babs died, Bernie made only a few half hearted attempts with the other hens.

When Pooh was attacked by a hawk, Bernie rushed in and laid into the hawk with her feet and beak. Most of the feathers flying were from the hawk, who was forced to give up its attack.

In recent weeks Bernie has been under the weather. She was molting, lost weight, and was not fully emptying her crop overnight. I took her to a vet who could feel a small mass - possibly a tumor - deep in her abdomen. But she continued to have a real zest for life up until the very end.

Farewell Bernadette. I will miss your funny ways. I am sure Tassels will take over your leadership position, but for now your little flock-mates are a little in shock and have decided to roost away from your favorite spot.

View attachment 4004903
View attachment 4004904
View attachment 4004905
View attachment 4004907

So sorry, RC. She had a great life because of you.

Beautiful pictures!

 

[BY Bob]

I haven't had a good day yesterday so some positive affirmations or anything would be nice.
Here's Grandma. This is for Pony since she can't seem to get enough of her.
View attachment 4004944

None of us can get enough of her! Hi grandma!