Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Maggie takes for forever in the nest box and because of her history I am always anxious when she isn’t around. I think she just wants some ‘me time’. I totally empathize with that need so I try to leave her alone.

Lilly can spend 1/2 a day in the box and not lay an egg. Who am I to interfere in her alone time.

 

[MaryJanet]

Sorry, everyone. I’m not really joining the cull all sick birds camp. I was just upset because the cancer was so extensive and I felt so bad for Ruby, questioning whether I was responsible for some of her suffering. Sorry for behaving like a child.

Thank you for setting me straight. You’re right; Ruby had lots of good days. Once her ratio of good days to bad days flipped, she was ready to go and it happened quickly. Now that I’ve calmed down, I honestly don’t know what I would have done differently besides ask more questions and request more tests instead of blindly treating. We played the odds and Ruby seemed to respond.

Thanks for letting me rant and for all the support. I still think we can all learn from it.

Now I am really done hogging the thread on Ruby. Let’s talk Chuckle Hut and the babies’ night out with Phyllis!

Actually, Michelle, would you please put together a celebration of Ruby one day? Not now, only when you have an hour to reflect on her photos and stories. I would love to read it.

 

[Shadrach]

If I stick to chickens, this is probably one of the harder things things I have done in my life as a chickeneer. Your comment got me thinking as to why.

• First, I think it is clear that we have bonded. I know that it is an artificial thing because they had no Mum to raise them. I have provided food and safety for them.
• But why did these bond with me while Hattie and the others we brooded did not? This is the first time I brooded them in my office. In the past we have used the spare bedroom or the basement. These ladies were with me most of the daylight hours 5 days a week and several hours each weekend.
• After the disaster of the mail order chicks, I was essentially "like a mother hen". I worried over every sound, every peep. I was (am) constantly watching them sleep on camera. I am going from watching their every move to letting them be on their own now. This is not a gradual pulling away but a dramatic shift in the time we spend together.
• It was very difficult to give up Ned and Lucky last year. But I knew from the start I would need to and I kept a little distance because of that. Not that they accepted that. I knew they were going to a great home and just look at them now. @CrazyChookChookLady has given them a better home than likely even I could have done. I have had no need to keep a distance from these two and have thus dived into the relationship with no restrictions.
• I have great anxiety about this next portion. Raising them in the brooder was essentially the easy part. Now we are going to find out if they can live with Phyllis and if this whole project will be a success. There is a lot at stake here. I could mess it up and ruin some chicken lives in the process.

This is just a smattering of what I think is driving me emotionally right now. They are only 6 weeks old right now. We have a long way to go and many bridges to cross. At this point though, their first night outside seems to have been a success. I will take that and try not to worry too much about the next step and just enjoy each challange as they come.

But it definitely is hard to give them up. Even a little.

I know when I've had chicken guests to stay I've often squeezed in an extra night or two if I felt I could without causing harm.
But, from experience the difference in the chickens speed of recovery and their obvious delight to be with their tribe after some absence has helped me get them back with their kind as quickly as possible. I miss them when they are gone but the next day watching them interact with their tribe and do the stuff that chickens do without me interfering makes missing them worth it.

 

[BY Bob]

We are getting used too each other

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Babies in the sun
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My girls
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It is so wonderful to see these rescues blending in with your tribe. You have done something special and kudos to your ladies for being welcoming to them.

 

[Marie2020]

Where in the coop are you thinking about putting wood ash Marie and more importantly why?

I want too use the deep bedding method. It makes sense from what I have read.

Someone has mentioned getting me an oil drum but thinking a new bin would be better too make this charcoal.

 

[BY Bob]

This is going well, Bob. High hopes there will be no dramas @ all.

Maybe I can start a sub group that does not have a society based upon pain and intimidation. Fingers crossed.

 

[Marie2020]

Even though I descend from the tribe of David, I am quite concerned about the safety and security of those phyllistines

Come here you silly man

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

@BY Bob @featherhead007
Today I braved leaving the girls too mingle for most of the day until their last meal.

The littles ran to me everytime I went out and I think the girls now know they mustn't be to harsh too them or big bird here (me) will be on their tails.

I waited until it was almost dark and put the babies into the big coop and fed them from the plate and made sure they had plenty too drink before making sure the wire was in place too separate them from the big girls. So all five are spending their first night together.

I feel like I did when I gave birth clucking around like a hen over her chicks.

Maybe I'll get a larger coop one day and just sleep with them

Hahaha! Big Bird.
I love it!

 

[Marie2020]

Maybe I can start a sub group that does not have a society based upon pain and intimidation. Fingers crossed.

You have already succeeded, right here

 

[BY Bob]

I know when I've had chicken guests to stay I've often squeezed in an extra night or two if I felt I could without causing harm.
But, from experience the difference in the chickens speed of recovery and their obvious delight to be with their tribe after some absence has helped me get them back with their kind as quickly as possible. I miss them when they are gone but the next day watching them interact with their tribe and do the stuff that chickens do without me interfering makes missing them worth it.

I have been very good today using mostly the camera to check on them. It is fun to swing by the front window and look in on them too.