Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Not likely wild predator: no marks on pullets (except the last one), just somewhat squished (like large mouth/broken bones but no blood). The fox took the bodies. This left all but the last 1 and didn't shred/eat any. The 6 pullets were 13 weeks old, so small enough that a red-tailed hawk could take one. A hawk won't take that many though. Weasels will kill just to kill, but there's blood everywhere, and the only bloody body I found was on the last body I found. I suspect a dog, not a starving stray as didn't try to eat any of the early kills, just part of the last (and took the final body with).

Likely just a dog having fun.

 

[BY Bob]

Correct. Crushed bodies, some feathers loose around for the 1st 4 pullets and Mama. Rusty had lots of feathers missing, tail, leg stripped but no attempt to watch the naked leg. The pullet farthest out was a bigger mess. I'm thinking dog started tasting blood with Rusty, but he was too big to deal with, then spotted the pullet. The final one probablyw as taken with. Maybe owners will find at home and realize what happened. Word will spread, so...?

I promise you that if the owners find their dog with a chicken, they are not telling anyone. They know they are a bad owner and they might actually keep control of the dog for a few days. But the dog will be back.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I did have the camera out with me this morning and these pictures of Butter make me laugh. As a treat I fixed up a bucket of whole corn and the horses grain. I scattered some on the ground and put some in one of the feeders for everyone. That was not good enough for Butter, she had to have hers straight from the bucket.

 

[BY Bob]

So I was out with them all morning, no signs of anything and the chickens are acting normal. Everyone is in the horses stalls now napping so it's a good time to come in. Have to get Rosie started with her school work. Until she's off quarantine she is virtual. She may get to go back Friday but it depends on what her covid test comes back as. I suspect as does the doctor that she is positive. 4 days ago she started complaining of a headache and earache. She also woke up that morning with her nose on fire, exactly how my symptoms started. The rapid test came back negative but they then did a different test which is supposed to be 99.9% accurate and takes up to 48 hours to come back with results. According to them the rapid test is only 90% accurate. Either way there was fluid on her ears so they started her on antibiotics and musinex for a ear and sinus infection. She is pretty much on everything besides the steroids that they treated me with, so if it is covid she has a jump start on medication.

How are you doing? Are you over your infection?

 

[BY Bob]

I did have the camera out with me this morning and these pictures of Butter make me laugh. As a treat I fixed up a bucket of whole corn and the horses grain. I scattered some on the ground and put some in one of the feeders for everyone. That was not good enough for Butter, she had to have hers straight from the bucket.
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That is such an Aurora move. She would do the exact same thing.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Let’s not confuse Covid, with a typical ear infection, or common cold or flu. Because Covid has been proven deadly to the weak, doesn’t mean that everyone exposed is in mortal danger. Don’t panic (relax and get an much true information as you can) I say this because I love you my BYC friends.

I understand that. When I tested positive though, all my symptoms were those typical of a really bad sinus infection. To be honest, if my sister had not tested positive I would have not went and got tested myself when I got sick. I would have assumed it was simply a sinus infection, especially since I get them this time of year when everything I'm allergic to is in full bloom. I know covid is deadly, I've been terrified of catching it. Since it never traveled to my lungs or hit me as hard as it did my sister who is unvaccinated I can only assume my vaccines gave me some protection. Rosie has 1 of her shots, was actually due for the 2nd one yesterday but can't get it while she is sick. If she is positive I can only hope it treats her the same as it did me. All she is complaining with is a headache and earache and her nose burning. No fever, sneezing or coughing so that is good.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

How are you doing? Are you over your infection?

I feel completely normal now other then still not fully having my sense of taste back. I long for the day I can brew a pot of coffee and it taste right.

 

[RoyalChick]

I did have the camera out with me this morning and these pictures of Butter make me laugh. As a treat I fixed up a bucket of whole corn and the horses grain. I scattered some on the ground and put some in one of the feeders for everyone. That was not good enough for Butter, she had to have hers straight from the bucket.
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That made me smile.

 

[BY Bob]

I feel completely normal now other then still not fully having my sense of taste back. I long for the day I can brew a pot of coffee and it taste right.

That is excellent news. My friends tell me that taste takes a while to come back but it does. I am very happy to hear that!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

That is such an Aurora move. She would do the exact same thing.

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I do not expect nothing less from Butter. It is such a normal thing for her. The princess is too good to eat from the ground or a communal treat bowl. No matter what the snack she takes hers in her own way. If its raisins she must get them directly from the box or bag. Buns, she prefers to tear her own pieces from the bun, not have it tore up and tossed. Today she was only picking the whole corn from the bucket and trying to toss the rest.