Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

The gardening stool was a great idea!

Thanks, though I can’t take credit for it. I put in in there to sit on. The chicks figured out the other use for it themselves

 

[featherhead007]

Someone has too care I'm the only person that seems to have that capacity here, that poor creature. I just cannot comprehend why only me. People can be so kind why not too him

It broke me that he sat there and I couldn't get my dog in in time before he made off again. But I think he hid under a car parked by my wall and waited.

I feel he knew I was going to bring him more food, or maybe i just imagined it .

He's not stupid he survived all this time, he's such a brave soul. I'm praying to the invisible man that he will know he can trust me

Jaffar didn’t want in my house, but Dakota wanted to, so she’s in with me just kicking back eating popcorn and watching a Christian movie!

 

[Marie2020]

Good night. Hope too see you tomorrow

 

[RoyalChick]

@RoyalChick.
I had an interaction with someone about cats. This stray turned up earlier this evening and didn't run from me or my dog.

I really feel he needs help he is so old and alone. I couldn't do anything at this evening because I had the dog with me and my cat inside my door and he's so possessive.
But the little love ate and may of hidden too see I added more food and a little goat yogurt because it's gone and a little bit has been left, that's a cat sign to me. I can't get hold of a cat trap and the cat protection is to find of putting cat's down for my liking. One old guy here was heartbroken when they took away the cats he was helping.

My concern is what diseases he may be carrying. I'm not so familiar with cats as I am with dogs.

If anyone can guide me I would be so grateful as I really can't rest knowing this little soul is totally alone.

My scruff butts as tax
View attachment 2823655

Best bet with a cat is take it slowly and be patient. I would create a dry warm place for him to sleep outside. A good way of doing that is to take one of those plastic storage bins - like a Tupperware one - and cut an entry hole and put in some old towels or blankets or whatever. Hopefully he will realize it is a nice dry place to sleep. An alternative could be leaving a shed door or window open. Growing up we always kept the basement window open - the furnace was there so it was nice and toasty and always full of stray cats snoozing the day away!
Then put food out on a regular schedule so he gets used to when you are going to put it out - if you can manage it try that twice a day.
Then step back and observe.
If he is feral he will stay wary of you but slowly get more willing to eat even if he can see you. He will get used to the food timetable and sit at a distance waiting for you to serve his food. You can examine him from a distance to see if he is injured or sick.
It will take a long while before he will be brave enough to come into your house and may never get to that stage.
In terms of diseases the first thing I would think of in the summer is fleas! If you get close enough to touch him you can treat him with one of the topical treatments that you can get from the vet or maybe over the counter. Something like Frontline.
Other diseases are mainly chronic viral ones which your cat may already be vaccinated for. The most serious are Panleukopenia (distemper) and Feline leukemia. Many vets recommend all cats be vaccinated against both of those so if your cat is vaccinated I wouldn't worry about them coming in contact with each other - and you could always go get your cat vaccinated while you are wooing the poor guy outside.
I seem to remember you are in the UK in which case rabies is not a concern - but if I am remembering wrong then rabies is something you should worry about for your cat and dog and for yourself and I would be very wary of touching him if he seems sick or is behaving strangely.
Hope that helps.
If he is feral and trusts you enough to come close I would try and catch him and get him neutered at the vet - he may always be an outside cat but he will do better neutered.

 

[rural mouse]

Here are some Dorkings. They're quite similar I think.

View attachment 2823703

My dorking, Dora, was killed by the dog, a foot outside the shelter of the russian olive trees. The 5 toes are rather distinctive. color wise, Dora's back was more grey than Twirp's. Twirp also has a light shaft in the dark lower neck/upper back feathers. Head and breast feathers are identical. Twirp also has an odd comb. She could be a Whiting True Blue or the Legbar, or a bitsa (odd coming directly from a hatchery, but Cuckoo came from there too and has really weird markings for a barred rock but dead on for a barred/pencilled rock cross). Twirp is being a classic lady, mysterious, playing her cards close to her breast.

 

[rural mouse]

She might be a Dorking?

Not enough toes

 

[rural mouse]

Actually, I was rather proud of myself. I stood there and went ‘darn I wish I had caught that on camera’ and then I remembered the motion triggered coop cam. I just thought they were stunning with the bright blue sky and her feathers all spread out. I might save the best as wall-worthy (only I don’t have a wall).

You will eventually.

 

[BY Bob]

Well, mine apparently like sardines. never served before, zero hesitation . blueberries were a harder sell. sardines going on the list for moult/winter treats. 1 tin × 11 birds, well 10 (Thing hasn't figured out the idea of treats). Storm is FAST! swooped in and snatched from under beaks of bigger birds.

I love a fast hen that takes what she wants.

 

[rural mouse]

Weirdly I don’t have many walls. I live in a house that is one room thick with windows on both sides of each room and on 3 sides of the rooms at the ends. Like train carriages.
I love it because it is like living outside with the daylight and greenery, but it is a challenge in terms of furniture against walls and hanging anything!
I need to inspect the walls and see how to make space.
There are two ‘upstairs’ guest bedrooms in the attic - they have some wall but mainly only 2’ high before the roof slope.
Hmmm.

Folding screens (think oriental). Frame photos with a picture mat, mount to screens. No glass to stay light, both sides can be used and they're portable.

 

[BY Bob]

I just got back from my other property. I hugged my horse , rubbed her back washed her legs, and checked her out carefully. Gave her a few apples (Chaco loves apples) and I’m giving my chooks some ears of corn . Then me and Jaffar my roo, might take in a movie

That sounds like a full day.