Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

You can actually buy calcium (mix of citrate and carbonate) with Vit D as a powder (look in bulk supplements on Amazon). Or you could grind up the tablets with a pestle & mortar. A powder is easier to mix in with mash or coconut oil or whatever.
That said, I wouldn't give up on the pill method. My chickens are sociable with me but not cuddly either. I find if you get them off the roost at night and hold them like a football under your arm you can quite easily pop a pill down their throat and then put them back on the roost with no fuss.

My gals are fairly good about handling, but I have found your method to be a good way to check their health with less stress and sqwaking! Oh and beating me in the face with wings!!

Singing to them is also handy - they seem that enjoy me singing to them. Music to tame the savage beast!

 

[RoyalChick]

My gals are fairly good about handling, but I have found your method to be a good way to check their health with less stress and sqwaking! Oh and beating me in the face with wings!!

Singing to them is also handy - they seem that enjoy me singing to them. Music to tame the savage beast!

Not sure my singing would have the same effect!

 

[bgmathteach]

It hasn't opened it's eyes yet

They don't for a week or so...aren't they just so cute at that stage! Only one? That is very unusual for a cat to birth just one!

 

[RoyalChick]

Breakfast
Apparently dinner was so good s/he came back for breakfast.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Ok, before I go any further into the conversation with grandma last night I have to state that what she wants cannot happen this year and she is aware.

Alright, so the other evening she asked for a magazine or catalogue. I had nothing to offer her besides mom's horse magazine so I handed her my cackle and McMurry catalogues. I told her they were my new Christmas wish books. As I was fixing dinner last night she informed me she had went through both books and she found something she wanted and that I did not have. Bob will love this, grandma wants a Polish. Apparently it is the only breed in the books that she liked, she loves their head dresses as she called them. She said she does not care on color but next year I'm supposed to get a polish chick. Honestly if I had room I'd run and get one now, but, I'm pushing numbers I'm comfortable with at the moment. If more were added, I would have to have to place some others. Her solution is she knows momma hen is old, when her time comes she is seeing as her opportunity to add the polish chick. I agreed to that, and now I hope the bat lives a few more years.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Breakfast
Apparently dinner was so good s/he came back for breakfast.

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I know your chicken palace is like fort knox, but that visitor worries me. I would be inclined to treat him the same as I did the coyote.

 

[bgmathteach]

I might have this issue with one of my 2 year old hens. I've found 2 soft shelled eggs on the poop board. Thought I knew who it was, then wasn't sure.

My girls aren't cuddly, so no opening the beak and stuffing in a Citrical. I have to disguise it as a treat some way. Still working on that method. I'll let you know if I find something that works well.

They eat 20% all flock and have access to both egg shells and oyster shell on the side. The one good thing: No one has discovered how tasty eggs are. Whew!

Sometimes if they are stressed that can happen. Has there been any changes lately to coop/flock dynamics, etc? Are there predators starting to prowl outside at night?

If it self corrects, I wouldn't worry about it....especially if something has changed. However, @ 2 years old, unless stress or just starting up lay again after winter or molting....I would be concerned.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

.........and with all the sunshine, a little rain must fall so there are flowers

On the morning of April 19, 2022, while I was half a world away and unable to be here for her, Lilly passed from this world.

She was at least 7 years old and the longest lived of any chicken which we have been blessed to care for at Fluffy Butt Acres.

As I sit here in the yard with them today I keep looking to see where she is. Lilly will cast a long shadow. I'm sure in time the tribe will appear normal without her but it is going to take a while for certain.

I'll be burying her in a bit in between Patsy and Sansa. I can think of no better place. I may just plant more phlox over them all as I did with Mal. It's as if Mal knew and sent her flowers to inspire me.

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I know that Sansa and Lilly are now together again.

Farewell my friend.

May the sun always be shining and warm
May the dirt always be just right for the perfect dust bath
May the meal worms be plentiful
May there always be young ones to tease and torture
May your favorite nest box always be open when it's your turn to lay
May your coop be dry and warm
May it never snow or be cold
May the Thanksgiving cherry pie be tasty
May the squirrels and ducks be slow
May the grass be young and tender

And most importantly, May your best friend be ever by your side.
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For those who would like to relive a tribute to Lilly here is the celebration of her life I did back in November on the anniversary of her coming to live with us. Scott Hamilton's story was much in my mind last week.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-25063917

Oh, not the news I hoped to hear. I want to put both and the sad emoji there, but right now I feel sad. RIP Lilly! She had a great life with you!

 

[micstrachan]

The Wedding

So much has happened in the past 2 weeks and I have so much to catch up on here. The most important thing was the wedding which was perfect. My daughter was so happy.

The weather was dicey right up until the wedding day when the sun came out and the wind died down. This is what we saw when we woke up the morning of the wedding. It had rained mercilessly the day before. Soaking the wedding party as we changed locations from Positano to Amalfi. To wake up to the sunlight sparkling on the Tyrrhenian Sea like this was heavenly.

I did not take any pictures of the ceremony. I hired a photographer for that. Instead I remained in the moment and savored every moment. I did take a couple of photographs at the cake cutting and a couple of candids which I will share.

A candid of the bride before the ceremony.
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After the ceremony we exited to an area where centuries ago the roof had collapsed. You can see the remains of the walls. We hired a mandolin and guitar to serenade the guests while bride and groom had all of their photos taken.

The bride and groom after the formal photos were taken.
View attachment 3084814

And the cake cutting ceremony.
View attachment 3084815

It was a blessed special day and I am so happy for them that they got the wedding they wanted in the end.

Wow, Bob!!! How truly magical! Your daughter is STUNNING and looks like her mother. She looks so radiant and happy, and what an amazing venue. I am so happy for her and for you.

 

[featherhead007]

Eight feet up.

They all came down successfully, and without any trouble or injury. (I got up to watch them dismount)