Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

Hello from Fluffy Butts Farm! I raise standard Cochins, the ultimate fluffy butt!

Hello Kirkland1610.

 

[Shadrach]

I know... a bit like this one! We all seem to be chatty today! I think Shad might have gone to bed though.

I did.

 

[BY Bob]

Long Post Warning

The next post is quite lengthy. It has taken quite a while to write and even longer to locate the photos that are in it. Based on number of photos alone, you can tell how Daisy, the greatest hen ever, changed my focus towards chickens. I have thousands of pictures of her and her flock, not so many of those that came before.

If it seems like the story is unfinished, that is because it is. I purposely only told Elphie's story from the time she arrived through Daisy's arrival. At that point Elphie's and Daisy's are combined and I will complete the story with them together.

I had intended to tell this story and post it on the 1 year anniversary of the thread but it just took much longer to put together than I had anticipated.

 

[BY Bob]

The Story of Elphie

Elphie’s time with us was not very long and her story is a tragic one. Her story is one that is integral to my deep affection for the amazing animals that chickens are. Elphie is the hen that reminded me of what wonderful companions they can be. The fact that her death was directly my responsibility is ironic and still haunts me to this day.

The initial flock that we had were primarily raised by my wife as we agreed. They were her companions in the backyard. When Dolly was attacked and killed by the hawk the innocent fun that they were for my wife went away. In fact her initial response was that she did not want to keep them anymore. After I reminder her that it would not be fair to Trisha, she agreed to let me look for another hen to keep Trisha company.

So I hit up craigslist and found someone selling full grown leghorn hens about 45 miles away. (Yes @Shadrach , I did purchase her for $10). We went that night to get her and placed her onto the roost with Trisha that very night. There was very little fuss as Trisha accepted her right away. I guess Trisha figured Elphie was better than living alone.

My wife having raised Trisha from a chick was her best friend. Trisha hung out with her when we would be sitting outside. However, Trisha was not what you would call a cuddly hen. She hung around but not like Daisy, the greatest hen ever, would do. Where Daisy was obsessed with humans and would jump in your lap, Trisha would come by, say hello, hang out for a minute and then move on. It turned out that Elphie determined I was a weak spot and could get me to feed her some of whatever I had. She loved people food, especially Cheese Itz, which she quickly figured out was my usual snack.

So Elphie focused her attention on me. Frankly I loved it. She had personality plus and we started hanging out together whether I was working in the backyard, reading in my chair, or relaxing in the pool.

When not interested in us, Elphie and Trisha were a good flock with little pecking and what seemed to be an easy companionship.

Then tragedy struck again.

I was outside with them one day and they were both in the coop. I figured they were laying their eggs for the day. Well Trisha was laying her egg and doing so unsuccessfully. Eventually she would come scrambling out of the coop with Elphie running right behind her. All kinds of squawking accompanying them.

Obviously I was drawn to them and rushed over to see what was occurring. Elphie was trying to peck at Trish’s butt. When I finally caught up with them I found an egg stuck in Trisha’s butt. Elphie was trying to peck it and break it.

Lord help me I did not know what to do. I had never seen anything like this before. I placed Trisha into a cardboard box and brought her inside. I the hit up the web to try and locate a veterinarian anywhere near us that would treat a chicken. I remember the phrase I used begging vets to help me, “She is a dear pet and I desperately need help to save her”. It was all to no avail; I could not find anyone willing to try and help me.

I was getting desperate. Running out of options, I found a vet online that would consult with me over the web for a fee. Not finding any other help, I signed up.

I can hear you all now. What about Backyard Chickens? I so wish I had known about this site at that time. Unfortunately I did not.

The online vet worked me through a couple of things but I simply could not get the egg loose. I eventually had to break it and then make certain I had gotten all of the shell out of her. He then advised that I shorten her daylight exposure to try and suppress Trisha’s laying instinct for a while. So every night for two weeks I would go and gather Trisha off of the roost and would place her in a cardboard box in a dark room and keep her there for more than 13 hours. I would then place her back out with Elphie.

Elphie never acted up and Trisha remained top hen. Trisha acted like a normal hen and everything seemed good. Trisha would never lay another egg but we did not care about that. Unfortunatley a month or so after we stopped the darkness treatment my wife would find her passed in the run one morning. We have always assumed it was a result of the egg binding. I did not feel the need to have her autopsied, at this point what difference did it make why she passed.

This hit my wife hard and she wanted to pack it in again. At this point I had gotten attached to Elphie and I simply waited until my wife was gone on a Saturday and I went and got Daisy. I was not done with chickens at all. Elphie was slowly worming her way into my heart and sucking me into the chicken lifestyle.

What Elphie would teach Daisy over the next few months and the way in which they were fascinated with us would make us chicken people forever.

Here are some photos of Elphie. I don’t have a lot as I was not quite into chicken photography yet.

Elphie with her birthday cupcake

Enjoying Captain Crunch for breakfast

After Falling in the Pool

Raiding the tomatoes out of the garden with Trisha

Legally entering the garden after the growing season with Trisha (Elphie is on the left)

Enjoying Thanksgiving stuffing with Trisha. (Elphie is on the right)

Braving the snow to come see us at the backdoor

Finally, enjoying a strawberry

Daisy's Story
I have been telling Daisy's story here but it has taken several months. Here are links to the story. I am listing them in the chronology of Daisy's life, not the timeline in which I have written them.

Jan 7, 2020. The Story of Elphie. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fluffy-butt-acres-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/page-365

Nov 3, 2019. The Story of Daisy, the greatest Hen Ever (Entry 1). https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fluffy-butt-acres-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/page-210

Dec 14, 2019. Daisy meets Elphie. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...s-of-our-flock.1286630/page-281#post-22020233

 

[Shadrach]

The Story of Elphie

Elphie’s time with us was not very long and her story is a tragic one. Her story is one that is integral to my deep affection for the amazing animals that chickens are. Elphie is the hen that reminded me of what wonderful companions they can be. The fact that her death was directly my responsibility is ironic and still haunts me to this day.

The initial flock that we had were primarily raised by my wife as we agreed. They were her companions in the backyard. When Dolly was attacked and killed by the hawk the innocent fun that they were for my wife went away. In fact her initial response was that she did not want to keep them anymore. After I reminder her that it would not be fair to Trisha, she agreed to let me look for another hen to keep Trisha company.

So I hit up craigslist and found someone selling full grown leghorn hens about 45 miles away. (Yes @Shadrach , I did purchase her for $10). We went that night to get her and placed her onto the roost with Trisha that very night. There was very little fuss as Trisha accepted her right away. I guess Trisha figured Elphie was better than living alone.

My wife having raised Trisha from a chick was her best friend. Trisha hung out with her when we would be sitting outside. However, Trisha was not what you would call a cuddly hen. She hung around but not like Daisy, the greatest hen ever, would do. Where Daisy was obsessed with humans and would jump in your lap, Trisha would come by, say hello, hang out for a minute and then move on. It turned out that Elphie determined I was a weak spot and could get me to feed her some of whatever I had. She loved people food, especially Cheese Itz, which she quickly figured out was my usual snack.

So Elphie focused her attention on me. Frankly I loved it. She had personality plus and we started hanging out together whether I was working in the backyard, reading in my chair, or relaxing in the pool.

When not interested in us, Elphie and Trisha were a good flock with little pecking and what seemed to be an easy companionship.

Then tragedy struck again.

I was outside with them one day and they were both in the coop. I figured they were laying their eggs for the day. Well Trisha was laying her egg and doing so unsuccessfully. Eventually she would come scrambling out of the coop with Elphie running right behind her. All kinds of squawking accompanying them.

Obviously I was drawn to them and rushed over to see what was occurring. Elphie was trying to peck at Trish’s butt. When I finally caught up with them I found an egg stuck in Trisha’s butt. Elphie was trying to peck it and break it.

Lord help me I did not know what to do. I had never seen anything like this before. I placed Trisha into a cardboard box and brought her inside. I the hit up the web to try and locate a veterinarian anywhere near us that would treat a chicken. I remember the phrase I used begging vets to help me, “She is a dear pet and I desperately need help to save her”. It was all to no avail; I could not find anyone willing to try and help me.

I was getting desperate. Running out of options, I found a vet online that would consult with me over the web for a fee. Not finding any other help, I signed up.

I can hear you all now. What about Backyard Chickens? I so wish I had known about this site at that time. Unfortunately I did not.

The online vet worked me through a couple of things but I simply could not get the egg loose. I eventually had to break it and then make certain I had gotten all of the shell out of her. He then advised that I shorten her daylight exposure to try and suppress Trisha’s laying instinct for a while. So every night for two weeks I would go and gather Trisha off of the roost and would place her in a cardboard box in a dark room and keep her there for more than 13 hours. I would then place her back out with Elphie.

Elphie never acted up and Trisha remained top hen. Trisha acted like a normal hen and everything seemed good. Trisha would never lay another egg but we did not care about that. Unfortunatley a month or so after we stopped the darkness treatment my wife would find her passed in the run one morning. We have always assumed it was a result of the egg binding. I did not feel the need to have her autopsied, at this point what difference did it make why she passed.

This hit my wife hard and she wanted to pack it in again. At this point I had gotten attached to Elphie and I simply waited until my wife was gone on a Saturday and I went and got Daisy. I was not done with chickens at all. Elphie was slowly worming her way into my heart and sucking me into the chicken lifestyle.

What Elphie would teach Daisy over the next few months and the way in which they were fascinated with us would make us chicken people forever.

Here are some photos of Elphie. I don’t have a lot as I was not quite into chicken photography yet.

Elphie with her birthday cupcake
View attachment 1996528


Enjoying Captain Crunch for breakfast
View attachment 1996529

After Falling in the Pool
View attachment 1996532 View attachment 1996533

Raiding the tomatoes out of the garden with Trisha
View attachment 1996534

Legally entering the garden after the growing season with Trisha (Elphie is on the left)
View attachment 1996537

Enjoying Thanksgiving stuffing with Trisha. (Elphie is on the right)
View attachment 1996538

Braving the snow to come see us at the backdoor
View attachment 1996542

Finally, enjoying a strawberry
View attachment 1996543

Great story Bob,
I've never bought or sold a living creature Bob so I have no idea if that is a good price or not.

 

[BY Bob]

Great story Bob,
I've never bought or sold a living creature Bob so I have no idea if that is a good price or not.

I wasn't pointing it out for good price bad price, but rather to admit that I have purchased them. I am envious that I cannot hold your position of never purchasing a living creature. Many have been purchased to save then from a bad environment but not always.

 

[Shadrach]

I wasn't pointing it out for good price bad price, but rather to admit that I have purchased them. I am envious that I cannot hold your position of never purchasing a living creature. Many have been purchased to save then from a bad environment but not always.

I've been lucky, or maybe not. I've kept three dogs in my life and cared for numerous other animals. People who know me pretty much know if they turn up with some creature, I'll do my best to look after it. So, most of my life I've had other animals around me.
I've never been put in the position of having to pay to save an animal so I don't know if I would, or not.

 

[BY Bob]

I've been lucky, or maybe not. I've kept three dogs in my life and cared for numerous other animals. People who know me pretty much know if they turn up with some creature, I'll do my best to look after it. So, most of my life I've had other animals around me.
I've never been put in the position of having to pay to save an animal so I don't know if I would, or not.

I hope you never are.

 

[Shadrach]

This is Fudge, daughter of Ruffles.

This is Tyle. Son of Cillin and son of Mel. Sorry about the picture quality.
The thing about Tyle is how much game fowl has bred through. His great grandmother was an Old English Game hen but not classic and probably not pure bred. He's even got the chest dent that so many game fowl have.

As a comparison, this is Notch. Note the much shorter neck and he doesn't have that lean forward stance.

 

[BY Bob]

This is Fudge, daughter of Ruffles.
View attachment 1996653
This is Tyle. Son of Cillin and son of Mel. Sorry about the picture quality.
The thing about Tyle is how much game fowl has bred through. His great grandmother was an Old English Game hen but not classic and probably not pure bred. He's even got the chest dent that so many game fowl have.
View attachment 1996654
As a comparison, this is Notch. Note the much shorter neck and he doesn't have that lean forward stance. View attachment 1996655

These are very interesting. The difference in the boys is significant. They are magnificent each in their own way.