Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Wow, 14...she was beautiful!!! We had a yellow lab that lived to be 14...he was always smiling!

Oh, she's still with us. I took that photo yesterday after she had done zoomies around the back yard.

Three of our Guide Dog puppies were Labs. They are such adorable goof balls.❤

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

So I did something late yesterday evening that I will probably end up kicking myself over. For over a year now a local fellow chicken guy has been friends on facebook. When I would post pics on of my Marans, especially those this past fall/winter of the ones I had hatched for myself he would always ask was I sure I was keeping them. He's young, 2 years out of high school but has a lovely flock of show bantams that he showed in 4-H in school. He messaged me last night again after I posted pics of the new chicks. He's sold off most of his show stock only keep a few to supply chicks to the local kids for 4-H and wants to switch over to big stock chickens. Again he asked me if there was anyway I would let go of a couple pullets. Gut reaction was no, those Marans are my babies. But then I got to thinking, I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to squeeze in a couple Lavender Marans that Rosie desperately wants for her birthday in may. Plus a month ago my grandpa had taken my last mix cockerel toothless's son, to go with 2 isa browns he'd gotten to start his own flock. Only to have a Bobcat take both of his hens, so he brought "crybaby" back last Wednesday in fear it would be back. Now i'm stuck with 3 boys again and one a mix which I cannot have. While contemplating this and yet to reply he sends another message. "Name your price for 3, and i'll even take the mix roo and pay for him too." So me and mom have a long serious talk. Right now i'm sitting at 16 chickens. 10 Marans, 6 mixes including crybaby who if I do not rehome will be eaten sadly. Rosie wants at least a trio of Lavenders, but really, 4 to 6 would be better. We talked about which girls were definitely off the table and came to a agreement. I told him if he was serious I had 2 4 1/2 month old pullets, plus 1 6 month old pullet I would let go plus crybaby and threw out a price of 100. I am secretly hoping he passes. Didn't phase him, I'll know 100% sure this afternoon but as of right now most likely he's coming after work tonight. He's also interested in my half game Snickers, and if he can catch her he'll probably take her as well. Do I want to let them go, NO. Do I need to let them go to manage numbers a bit so possible future additions can me made, yes.

Sounds like a difficult decision Rebecca.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Sounds like a plan... we have discussed again, and in light of the weather, we are delaying until DH is back on Thursday. It’s cold and miserably wet＝mud, and our mud=liquid fecal matter. This will let Andrew get some sort of topical numbing agent as well as hopefully some styptic powder. We are due for drier weather Wednesday through Saturday. Also we will be able to do the procedure in the afternoon, so he will be less active and settle in for the night afterwards.

How will you be treating the wound after the procedure Kris? Superglue? (only half joking here ☺)

 

[MaryJanet]

I don't think so.

That photo was from the summer storm a week ago (or thereabouts).

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Stella is lovely. I'm on my 2nd Golden, and will always have at least 1 from here out. My first one passed at 12 1/2 years old and my current one is 8. Personally I think there is nothing cuter then a golden puppy, but I really have a soft spot for the older ones who's starting greying around the face.
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This is my favorite picture and will treasure it always. My old girl Ginnie 2 days after we had gotten Gracie.
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Gracie last year under the tree.

Chicken tax
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Your Gracie could be Stella's identical twin! So huggable.

I affectionately refer to Goldens as the dumb blondes of the dog world. They LOVE everybody and everything and are so sweet and goofy. ❤❤

They really do have the best natures.

Chicken tax

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Oh my heart! They get old too fast. Our first..Grizz..View attachment 2511922 Our second, Toby..this is the photo that gal on BYC drew for me.View attachment 2511924 This is our third, MissyView attachment 2511942. Love them! Wish I could have another.

They are all so beautiful. Griz is looking very noble in the first photo.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Dogs aren't chickens, so, here's my very first chicken tax! ..... Excuse me! I don't care that there are 5 other best boxes, I want this one! View attachment 2511958

What a beautiful photo! Almost Yin & Yang ☯

 

[ChicoryBlue]

They really are lovely. Hi Queenie!

Queenie was put in her place today, really put in her place. By Popcorn!

Today I tried some cooked oatmeal for a treat. Rolled oats with some water, microwaved about 2 minutes. Not saucy-goopy, the water is all absorbed, it's soft-firm, and sticks together. Well it turned out to be a major hit! Not sure if they'd like it I made enough for one bowl. I should have divided what I had.

Queenie sometimes can't get in to a food dish crowded around by the Buckeyes, but she nips in and out and does get some. I try to makes sure everybody gets a good amount of every treat. With this oatmeal, you could get a nice big chunk in your beak and take it away to eat, which some did, including Queenie. But Queenie also used her other strategy: to be a Thief.

Popcorn had grabbed a chunk and stepped away, and Queenie went after it. They dipped and dived, and I think Queenie got some or all of it, but Popcorn was having none of this Thieving business. In a flash she somehow grabbed it and jumped right on to Queenie's back at the same time. Popcorn stood there, hiked down the chunk of oatmeal in her beak, and then stayed there another 3 seconds at least, just because. She might have lightly pecked Queenie's neck, I don't remember, I was stunned. Queenie had her head lowered and wasn't moving. Then Popcorn jumped off. They went back to the bowl, and with one look from Popcorn Queenie backed away. She immediately tried to steal from Peanut.

I ought to try to train them to get their treats one at a time, because this is like the Hunger Games!

 

[BY Bob]

Queenie was put in her place today, really put in her place. By Popcorn!

Today I tried some cooked oatmeal for a treat. Rolled oats with some water, microwaved about 2 minutes. Not saucy-goopy, the water is all absorbed, it's soft-firm, and sticks together. Well it turned out to be a major hit! Not sure if they'd like it I made enough for one bowl. I should have divided what I had.

Queenie sometimes can't get in to a food dish crowded around by the Buckeyes, but she nips in and out and does get some. I try to makes sure everybody gets a good amount of every treat. With this oatmeal, you could get a nice big chunk in your beak and take it away to eat, which some did, including Queenie. But Queenie also used her other strategy: to be a Thief.

Popcorn had grabbed a chunk and stepped away, and Queenie went after it. They dipped and dived, and I think Queenie got some or all of it, but Popcorn was having none of this Thieving business. In a flash she somehow grabbed it and jumped right on to Queenie's back at the same time. Popcorn stood there, hiked down the chunk of oatmeal in her beak, and then stayed there another 3 seconds at least, just because. She might have lightly pecked Queenie's neck, I don't remember, I was stunned. Queenie had her head lowered and wasn't moving. Then Popcorn jumped off. They went back to the bowl, and with one look from Popcorn Queenie backed away. She immediately tried to steal from Peanut.

I ought to try to train them to get their treats one at a time, because this is like the Hunger Games!

Wow! I try to put out multiple bowls to make certain that Sydney and Phyllis get their share. With treats I try to at least split them in 3s so the ladies pair up and eat together and everyone gets some.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Wow! I try to put out multiple bowls to make certain that Sydney and Phyllis get their share. With treats I try to at least split them in 3s so the ladies pair up and eat together and everyone gets some.

I like that - in 3's from now on, for sure!