Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[drstratton]

Phyllis says be patient. Only 2 weeks to go. Winter is going to fight on for a couple of more days.

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Yes, it's on my calendar! Come on Phyllis!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Sansa is not Herself

I have commented before that Sansa was stand-off-ish with me. Watching her interact with the whole flock yesterday tells me it is not just me.

I took the flock a great snack yesterday and split it into 2 bowls so that all could partake. Sadly Sansa was not herself. Normally she is a bully and pushes those below her around. This did not happen yesterday.

She will be getting a full check over. But I am wondering if being in close proximity to Aurora has resulted in a loss of confidence. You can see how quickly she reacts to get away from Aurora. Neither Sydney nor Phyllis react the same when Aurora intimidates them.

If anyone has any thoughts, I am interested.

Bob, this would concern me, too. Ruby is doing this around Roxy, and I know Ruby is unwell.

So Lilly is not laying, but Sansa is, correct? I did not see her take a single nibble in that video; did you? Do you know how well she is eating in general? I know I should read ahead before posting these questions.

 

[drstratton]

So I went out and informed Louis of Phyllis's prediction and that it was ok to let go of his winter coat.
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He pondered that for a moment.
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And thought better of it, sorry Phyllis.
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That is the layer of Ice that fell last night, by tomorrow night, if the weatherman is right, 6 inches of snow on top of that.

He is definitely a wooly boy and from the sound of it needs that coat!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Sansa Update

Since I believe that I may be the cause of Sansa's anxiety, I have been trying to think of how I can examine the situation better without effecting it with my presence. The solution came to me this morning, the cameras. I observed Sansa for over an hour this morning via the cameras and the hen I was watching seemed to behave as she should and normally does. She was eating, scratching, hanging out with Lilly. She just really seemed normal.

Then the sun came out and I released everyone from the complex. As you saw in an earlier post, everyone came to the deck except Sansa. She would not come. So I took her over her own bowl of chopped up cheese omelet and fried potatoes. She ate them. After that initial visit, everyone went back to the coop to hang out with her.

Later in the afternoon I look out the door and I see Sansa standing alone in the 1 yard square grass patch looking at the deck. That is when I realized everyone except her and Sydney are on the deck. Well everyone that braved the killer pool cover deserve snacks and so I provide them. In this case some leftover Taco meat and walnuts. Sydney must have been laying an egg and before you know it a Barred Rock hen is sailing over the pool. Flying for all she is worth. Well she did not quite make it but the pool is solid ice. She hit, skidded, and would up on the deck like she planned it that way.

Feeling bad for Sansa, I grabbed a couple of walnuts and went over to the coop to share them with her. She is very much anxious being around me but she did take one from my hand. I went to put the rest on the pavers and we wound up switching positions with her now between me and the deck. I went to go back and in order to stay away from me, she went first. So Sansa wound up on the deck with everyone else this afternoon. I learned that apparently I am scarier than the pool cover.

As I said, they enjoyed their day playing on the deck, grooming under the table, eating exotic foods from foreign countries (taco meat), and in general, enjoying a day out. Sansa seemed to enjoy it as much as everyone else, especially the Killer Corn!

I did not see everyone else leave and go back to the coop so I have no idea how long Sansa was left behind but I came out and found her alone on the little fence. I could tell right away she was measuring for flight and before I could even get my phone out of my pocket, she was airborne. Over the pool she sailed. Sadly, just like Sydney, she did not make it. About a foot short of the other side she hit the ice, slid, and was up on solid ground like she planned it. Into the complex she went.

Everyone roosted as usual and I sit here wondering what to do next. Aside from her new found fears of me and the pool cover, she seemed fairly normal today. What to do?

Well, Bob, I'm sorry Sansa is "off" with you, but I am hugely relieved to hear she is seeming normal with her tribe.

Have you used any new tool or yard equipment lately that could be freaking her out? I know she's laying, but can you remind me of her molting status? Mine act very wary of me before they go into molt... even the most affectionate ones. Could that be a factor?

 

[drstratton]

Everyone all snuggled up for the night as the cold wind blows in from the West.
Those road-runners puff themselves up like crazy. Maggie can get a good puff on her too, but you can’t tell because she is completely smushed against the wall.
I wonder if Legbars are particularly cold-hardy given how much they can inflate?

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Everyone is snuggling together tonight RC...nobody on their own? I can't wait until I get my camera's set up!

 

[micstrachan]

Treacle not doing very well in keeping all the hens together.
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Cillin guarding Mel while she lays an egg.
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Cillin guarding Mel while she baths.
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Treacle short staffed again.
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Cillin having a bad day. He goes up to the sheep shed and talks to Jenny and Solomon the muscovy ducks when he can't get near the hens.
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Cillin on guard outside my house.
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Tribe 1 helping me pack.
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Late afternoon and Treacle has gone to roost minus Fat Bird and Moon. Cillin escorted them up later.
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Cillin's bumble foot is improving. The scab has gone and the core is working it's way out slowly. Gloria reckons at least another week until all the crap is out.
I think I lost a week at the begining due to not getting that pad right. I'll try and get some pictures when I re bandage next.

I love this update, Shad. Cillin is such a good boy!

 

[micstrachan]

All Together Now

Somehow Sansa made her way to the deck to join the rest of the tribe. She just enjoyed some blueberries but not quite with her usual vigor.

View attachment 2533448

Maybe it really is just the cold? Bridge has been a bit off in the mornings, but fine in the afternoon after the morning chill is gone.

 

[drstratton]

Sansa Update

Since I believe that I may be the cause of Sansa's anxiety, I have been trying to think of how I can examine the situation better without effecting it with my presence. The solution came to me this morning, the cameras. I observed Sansa for over an hour this morning via the cameras and the hen I was watching seemed to behave as she should and normally does. She was eating, scratching, hanging out with Lilly. She just really seemed normal.

Then the sun came out and I released everyone from the complex. As you saw in an earlier post, everyone came to the deck except Sansa. She would not come. So I took her over her own bowl of chopped up cheese omelet and fried potatoes. She ate them. After that initial visit, everyone went back to the coop to hang out with her.

Later in the afternoon I look out the door and I see Sansa standing alone in the 1 yard square grass patch looking at the deck. That is when I realized everyone except her and Sydney are on the deck. Well everyone that braved the killer pool cover deserve snacks and so I provide them. In this case some leftover Taco meat and walnuts. Sydney must have been laying an egg and before you know it a Barred Rock hen is sailing over the pool. Flying for all she is worth. Well she did not quite make it but the pool is solid ice. She hit, skidded, and would up on the deck like she planned it that way.

Feeling bad for Sansa, I grabbed a couple of walnuts and went over to the coop to share them with her. She is very much anxious being around me but she did take one from my hand. I went to put the rest on the pavers and we wound up switching positions with her now between me and the deck. I went to go back and in order to stay away from me, she went first. So Sansa wound up on the deck with everyone else this afternoon. I learned that apparently I am scarier than the pool cover.

As I said, they enjoyed their day playing on the deck, grooming under the table, eating exotic foods from foreign countries (taco meat), and in general, enjoying a day out. Sansa seemed to enjoy it as much as everyone else, especially the Killer Corn!

I did not see everyone else leave and go back to the coop so I have no idea how long Sansa was left behind but I came out and found her alone on the little fence. I could tell right away she was measuring for flight and before I could even get my phone out of my pocket, she was airborne. Over the pool she sailed. Sadly, just like Sydney, she did not make it. About a foot short of the other side she hit the ice, slid, and was up on solid ground like she planned it. Into the complex she went.

Everyone roosted as usual and I sit here wondering what to do next. Aside from her new found fears of me and the pool cover, she seemed fairly normal today. What to do?

All you can do is just give it time! You really didn't do anything to her...just keep bringing her treats and she will hopefully warm back up to you soon!

 

[micstrachan]

Bob, when is your storm due in?

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

He is definitely a wooly boy and from the sound of it needs that coat!!!

All 3 boys grew in thick coats, Louis is just longer. If they need it all 3 have blankets. They are still new in bags. With their coats, heavy bedding especially on the colder nights and plenty of water and hay they have yet to shiver once. First sign one is shivering they will get blanketed. I'm actually glad they've yet to need to be blanketed.