Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ribh]

I check ~ just because I like saying good night to my girls. Once they've settled it's so peaceful!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

That is so hot. I was in 114°F (45.5 C) the first time I went to Arizona. It took my breath away. I cannot imagine the kind of heat you are having. It is like this every year, right?

Yes lately.

I can remember when I thought 39C (102F) was ridiculous. I feel I will be looking back in a few years and reminiscing fondly about 48C

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Sometime's the temp in the summer here in AZ. can reach 118°F. That's why I'm working with the Naked Neck's now. They can handle that kind of heat better. Along with that heat if you aren't getting much rain everything dries out (tree's, bushes, long grass and weed's). That's when there is danger of fires starting, and why California and part's of Arizona get all of those fire's here too.

That's what it's like here at the moment @BlueBaby . We haven't had a proper rain for so long that even some of the established old trees look like they are about to curl up their toes. The gums and wattles that are adapted to the dry are dropping lots of leaves which adds to the fuel load.

Of course we have many natives, like Banksias that need fire and smoke for their seeds to germinate, but they haven't adapted for the sheer ferocity and intensity of these fires.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

These are closeups from the photos BY Bob mentioned.

She's always been scruffy, now I know why. I ought to have considered the cost of her beak to her grooming.

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Poor darling. They did a right good hack job on her didn't they?

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Here’s my poor girl. She’s still a happy little thing though.

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Oh dear. Poor Chickie! Her beak reminds me of my brother-in-law's right middle finger which was taken off just above the first joint by a badge making machine. Kind of rounded off and dry and callousy. I believe the medical term is "gnarly"

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Is it wrong that I feel before you can trim a chickens beak you should have your dominate index finger removed?

Such cruelty. Humans can really suck sometimes.

I totally get where you're coming from Bob. I get more upset with animals suffering than I do with humans mainly because the humans tend to bring it on themselves where as most other species are just caught in the cross fire of human stupidity or cruelty.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Just to clarify for you and @ValerieJ we all have some fairly strong opinions ( very negative) on beak “trimming” here, and this is why. It’s a horrific practice, and those of us with girls who have beaks like this are usually caring for rescues of some sort. None of us support, agree with, or participate in this barbaric disfigurement for human convenience.

I have 8 girls I’m working with and have been helping them reshape their lower mandible (very gently and slowly with a fine file) to a more normal beak shape. Beaks do grow a bit... like nails. And given access to rocks and hard surfaces the girls will rub them down on their own as well. I always try to make sure my rescue girls have at least one good rock in their run area for this. I’ll see if I can get some current shots now that I’ve had them for a year, to show their improvement on the lowers, most of them are wholly self improved. Their Rooster is a bit of a over protective nut case though, making photos challenging.

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Oh dear Kris, that's dreadful!

Are these the girls you rescued from the in-laws "coop from hell"? I didn't realize they'd de-beaked them too. They must feel that they are in paradise now with the new life you've given them. You are a chicken saint, "Saint Kris-of-the-chooks"!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I do love the name Fluffy Butt Acres...it's what I wanted to call my chicken run. Great minds think alike!

Yours could be "Fluffy Butt Palace" @ValerieJ , filled with all the Princess' Of Fluffy Butt Kingdom.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Kris, If Chickie Hawk is that unsociable and you need him out of the way for a bit, you can drop a large and thick towel over him

Oh dear Shad. At first glance I read that as "you can drop a large brick on him"

I thought to myself
' Jeez, I know Shad is brutally pragmatic but I didn't think he was quite as hardened as that!"

 

[Ribh]

Oh dear Shad. At first glance I read that as "you can drop a large brick on him"

I thought to myself
' Jeez, I know Shad is brutally pragmatic but I didn't think he was quite as hardened as that!"

Good grief!