Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

In celebration of Fat Bird roosting, the universe brought me a special moment. It frankly was a situation that has not occurred in years. I got alone time with Lilly.

Lilly is never alone. Someone is always with her. Usually Sansa but also Hattie and Aurora.

It developed purely by chance. I was sitting under the magnolia tree sipping some coffee and visiting with the ladies. It was starting to get dark and Lilly was considering going to bed when Mrs BY Bob opened the back door. The rest of the flock took off for the deck expecting one last treat before bed. (they were not disappointed) but Lilly lingered weighing treats with roosting. Which way to go.

I have learned from @Shadrach to keep walnuts in my pocket and I had some at just that moment. So I called her.

Lilly

Lilly

She looked at me.

Lilly

Lilly

She looked at the coop, then the deck, then back to me..

Lilly

Over she came. Very quietly, I held out my hand, cracked walnut pieces in it.

She gobbled them down. I broke up another. Gobbled down again. We talked about things, the snow, Aurora, her egg laying prowess, lack of respect in this next generation, and how to make a proper nest. I told her about Fat Bird and she told me to send her hugs to Fat Bird.
Everyone else was on the deck and no one troubled us. It was one of sweetest moments her and I have had. The timing could not have better. I did not even think to take a photo.

This photo below is from this morning when she popped up to visit me. I was able to bookend my day with Lilly.

That is a special day.
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How wonderful for you and Lily, Bob!

 

[micstrachan]

I know this feeling. I work hard to try and make it fair too.

x3

 

[micstrachan]

Good morning fluffy butt friends. Hopefully by this afternoon the insanity of the past 36 hours will be over. And I just want to say, I hate the new management at my family dr's office. Will go into detail later, after my brain is not so foggy, but long story short, my insulin pump bit the dust with no warning what-so-ever. This happened in the middle of the night, and i spent all day yesterday on the phone, then went in person trying to get them to change my prescription so I could go back on the shots like i was in the past. It was my dr's day off, and finally this morning got them to switch me back over "If I wanted to". So hopefully tonight my blood sugar levels will be back down into the normal range and I can kiss the 400 to 500s goodbye.

Oh goodness, Rebecca. I'm so glad you are OK. Keep us posted!

 

[micstrachan]

It's usually the second in command that does the enforcing in the tribes here.
It's also the most junior rooster that's expected to do the chick watching and the escort call responses.
Seems very like humans in this respect. The ones who start the wars never seem to get killed fighting them......

Interesting. I think it was the same when I had a second in command. Since Bridge is the only remaining hen from the original four, she is Boss Bird and there isn't a real second in command from the next batch. It could possible be Buttercup, who is a bit rough on the younger ones, but I'm not sure. Bridge decides who roosts up top with her, and it varies wildly.

 

[Cynthia12]

Look how pretty the feathering is coming out on this one. And a cute face. .

 

[Cynthia12]

Good morning fluffy butt friends. Hopefully by this afternoon the insanity of the past 36 hours will be over. And I just want to say, I hate the new management at my family dr's office. Will go into detail later, after my brain is not so foggy, but long story short, my insulin pump bit the dust with no warning what-so-ever. This happened in the middle of the night, and i spent all day yesterday on the phone, then went in person trying to get them to change my prescription so I could go back on the shots like i was in the past. It was my dr's day off, and finally this morning got them to switch me back over "If I wanted to". So hopefully tonight my blood sugar levels will be back down into the normal range and I can kiss the 400 to 500s goodbye.

Thoughts and prayers going your way. I have a sister on meds. She's having problems right now.

 

[micstrachan]

I think for me one of the hardest things to watch is when a mother hen decides it's time for the chicks to fend for themselves. Some are more abrupt than others but watching the chicks, now fully feathered I must admit, trying to get underneath one of mums wings and getting pecked quite hard for their trouble is heartbreaking.
Thankfully it doesn't last for long and many of the mums here end up as friends with their offspring. Ruffles for example was extremely tolerant of her chicks when the grew older.

Soooo brutal!!! I agree. I've only had one broody raise chicks, and she did a wonderful job and protected them a long while, but it was heartbreaking when she was over it.

 

[micstrachan]

Look how pretty the feathering is coming out on this one. And a cute face. . View attachment 2565959View attachment 2565960View attachment 2565961

Soooo beautiful!

 

[fuentemoon]

Soooo brutal!!! I agree. I've only had one broody raise chicks, and she did a wonderful job and protected them a long while, but it was heartbreaking when she was over it.

Just like most mama animals

 

[micstrachan]

Hello!! Just a quick check in, I've been busy helping with vision screenings for the incoming kindergartens.

I did manage to let the chooks out for a bit before dark today. Ned and Rex had a bit of a tussle this afternoon. No one was hurt but Rex has learned that Ned gets as much room as he wants with his ladies.

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A moment later, Rex was yawning not trying to eat Ned.
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You tell him, Ned! LOL.