Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Maybe everybody should have a house goat !

Less grass in the house...

 

[BY Bob]

Hi everyone, been super busy the last week and have not had much time for much time on the computer lately. I candled Holly's eggs 2 days ago and not expecting much from the silkies at day 8 each one had a dancing embryo inside. I think her own egg is developing but it was hard to tell. I'm going to re candle tomorrow as I think the Henrietta egg I let her have as well is a dud. This past Saturday was the first horse show down at the ring in 2 years. Rosie had been super excited when she found out they were starting them back up but by Wednesday anxiety was starting to get to her. Tried calming her down, even told her if she wasn't ready she did not have to show but she was determined to show. When they put up the show bill she picked out 4 classes she wanted to enter Russ in. She chose "go as you please", "Country pleasure", Juvenile country pleasure", and Doubles with her best friend. The show drew a big crowd and each class had between 10 to 14 entries. I'm super proud to say she overcame her anxiety and placed 2nd in "go as you please" and 3rd with her best friend in doubles. Those 2 ribbons and the $75 in price money has her back hooked and she can't wait until the next show. In the meantime since it is not until next weekend poor Russ is being meticulously groomed every day. She is braiding his tail nightly as she wants it to be wavy, and calling Louis a few names as he's chewed some of his mane off. Russ is in heaven with the extra attention, although he would prefer she skipped the soapy baths every week. I didn't take my camera down to the show as now that it is coming on 11 years old its one glitch is it does not do well taking pictures at night anymore. Instead used mom's cell phone. The first picture is after her first class when she was still a bit nervous, the last one was after her last class when all her anxiety was gone and she was finally having fun.
View attachment 2689662View attachment 2689664

It is wonderful to see them gain confidence and be successful isn't it. congrats to her!

 

[BY Bob]

Chaco says “hi”View attachment 2689771

Hi Chaco.

 

[BY Bob]

Biting my tongue... trying to shove the soapbox out of sight... I can resist the urge...

Nope... can’t do it! DH and I were actually discussing this issue ourselves as I tried to catch up a bit here. Everyone feel free to tune out, if you’ve heard this rant before.

It’s a complicated situation. Inspection is very important for public safety, especially in food production. If you’re selling a product the consumer needs to know it was handled safely. That said, I also firmly believe you should be allowed to do whatever you want with your own property, so long as it doesn’t pose a threat to others. Live in a yurt, process your own pigs/chickens, government should butt out and let you have tea with your friend without fining you $2000 (Covid rant to follow, sold separately, JK) But, if you’re selling the products then it needs to be traceable, just in case. Not saying raw milk or home processed meats are unsafe, just that if it’s being offered for sale to an outside entity then it should be properly inspected and handled in accordance with current food safety regulations.

When a farmer sells directly to an end user (neighbor etc) the end user has a direct relationship to the producer and makes that choice in the safety of the product for them and their family. But, if she sells to the local store or restaurant and a tourist purchases it or is served it, that end consumer needs to be able to feel secure in the safety of the item being consumed, and doesn’t have the opportunity to see the farmers practices and make an informed decision for themselves. That’s why inspection is needed and good. You can eat in a restaurant without worrying about Mad Cow disease.

As to animal cruelty, and the living conditions in those big factory farms... people just have to pay more for their animal products. That’s the only way it will ever change. They aren’t threatened by the small farmers (who can barely make a living) or backyard homesteaders (a tiny portion of society). Consumers need to stop buying cheap eggs, cheap meats, cheap milk. Until the average consumer is able to afford good products (better wages) and values the animal products and welfare that goes into them, giant corporations with no interest in the lives of the animals they are raising will continue to cut expenses and produce cheap products at the expense of the animals health and living conditions, so long as they are ok to pass that inspection, the producer doesn’t give a

chicken tax:

Tailess and Ziptie staying up late and chatting before bedtime:View attachment 2689692View attachment 2689693

I have for sure missed you! That was like a nice warm hug.

 

[BY Bob]

We need smarter people, not bigger turtles

This needs it's own response.

 

[BY Bob]

All jokes aside, I take salmonella seriously. While handling raw chicken and preparing raw chicken. After I'm done, everything is wiped down and dishes done with chlorox added to the water. Cleaning up coops or pens or even stalls, it's so simple. Come in and wash your hands with soapy water. Of course now that in the last week typical summer weather has hit early with miserable humidity after chores are done its straight to the shower.

Perfect.

 

[BY Bob]

I've got one of them. It took me a week to learn how to answer a phone call.

You do have to consider the user's capabilities before blaming the phone..... just saying......

 

[Scrambles83]

Hi everyone, been super busy the last week and have not had much time for much time on the computer lately. I candled Holly's eggs 2 days ago and not expecting much from the silkies at day 8 each one had a dancing embryo inside. I think her own egg is developing but it was hard to tell. I'm going to re candle tomorrow as I think the Henrietta egg I let her have as well is a dud. This past Saturday was the first horse show down at the ring in 2 years. Rosie had been super excited when she found out they were starting them back up but by Wednesday anxiety was starting to get to her. Tried calming her down, even told her if she wasn't ready she did not have to show but she was determined to show. When they put up the show bill she picked out 4 classes she wanted to enter Russ in. She chose "go as you please", "Country pleasure", Juvenile country pleasure", and Doubles with her best friend. The show drew a big crowd and each class had between 10 to 14 entries. I'm super proud to say she overcame her anxiety and placed 2nd in "go as you please" and 3rd with her best friend in doubles. Those 2 ribbons and the $75 in price money has her back hooked and she can't wait until the next show. In the meantime since it is not until next weekend poor Russ is being meticulously groomed every day. She is braiding his tail nightly as she wants it to be wavy, and calling Louis a few names as he's chewed some of his mane off. Russ is in heaven with the extra attention, although he would prefer she skipped the soapy baths every week. I didn't take my camera down to the show as now that it is coming on 11 years old its one glitch is it does not do well taking pictures at night anymore. Instead used mom's cell phone. The first picture is after her first class when she was still a bit nervous, the last one was after her last class when all her anxiety was gone and she was finally having fun.
View attachment 2689662View attachment 2689664

Congratulations to Rosie and Russ! Great job

 

[Ribh]

We need smarter people, not bigger turtles

Definitely needs its own response!
So lovely to *see* you Kris. Anxiously waiting on a house update. Am hoping you will be in before winter this year.

 

[Lady Red]

Hey everybody!
I'm sorry I didn't run the game longer yesterday...next time!

And for all of you that guessed 5 past the submission time....you would've won today's count!