Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

This is a great idea. Thanks.

I like it too. It would be wonderful to read a few more of your Mal stories Bob.

 

[BY Bob]

Oh Bob, I am so sorry. She was a lovely girl, I just can't believe it. You can't help being sick and these things happen so quickly there may have been nothing you could have done even if you were well. I wish I could come over to comfort you even if it is just to hold your hand and cry with you.

Please take care of yourself and your girls, it is such a kick in the gut, be kind to yourself.

Thank you.

 

[BY Bob]

Here is a picture of your favourite chicken in my flock in action Bob.

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I hope it helps to soothe your wounded heart a little

Thank you for this picture. It made me smile. I needed that! She is beautiful!

 

[BY Bob]

From the moment I read the title I was so sad, just dreading the post. I’m so sorry to hear about Mal. Her life was too short, but she had a wonderful life packed with the best things a hen could ask for—attention, companionship, enrichment—and she gave it back in spades. I hope you feel better soon, and Mal will live on in your heart, just as Daisy, the greatest hen ever.

I just want to hug all of them right now.

 

[Shadrach]

Maleficent is Gone

Today was supposed to be a great day. It will go down as one of the worst in my life.

I have been traveling all week and have spent no time with the girls. It was going to warm up a little tosay and I had blocked my calendar for some late afternoon quality free range with them. I was excited.

I woke up this morning violently sick. There would be no quality time with the girls. I went from the bathroom to the bed all day.

My wife had to work today so I was home alone. She came home after dark and woke me up to check on me. I quickly checked the coop cam and Maleficent was not roosted.
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So asked my wife to find her and put her in the coop. She found her on the ground dead.

I just checked her body. Her neck was torn apart. Weasel or raccoon I am thinking. I have seen raccoons around here and have never seen a weasel.

Either way there will be coop upgrades tomorrow even if I crap myself while I'm doing it.

Quite frankly I am devastated. I could not be there for her. If I had not been sick she would have been fine. I would have checked everything at dusk in person just to spend time with them.

We were so close. I can't stop crying. I just can't right now. What a crappy day. I have to try and bury her in frozen ground tomorrow. How am I going to do that?

I'm just heartbroken.

Rest in Peace my besty
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Oh Bob, that's terrible news. I know Maleficent has a special place in your heart.
I wish I could come and dig her grave for you. I have the right tools.
You could wrap her body and freeze it until you get a bit of a thaw. She won't mind mate, she's past suffering. It's just you that feels the pain.
Give the rest of her family a hug from me.

 

[RoyalChick]

In a few days, when you are feeling up to it, I think you should put a memorial post or thread dedicated to Malificent and all her great stories. I know I would enjoy it! So many of us have grown fond of her along with you!

I love that idea. We would all appreciate it, and it would honor her. @BY Bob I know it would be painful to write but also healing for you in the way that all rituals for the dead are there to help the living to mourn. I wondered also if the sign on Fluffy Butt Acres should have a place for past residents so they never fully fly the coop. You probably think that is a crazy idea but I was thinking of doing something like that for Scary in the Chicken Palace that she never even got to see finished. I can’t remember who but someone said they do memorial stones so that could work too. I would up so sad thinking of you this morning. Look after yourself.

 

[RoyalChick]

Oh Bob, that's terrible news. I know Maleficent has a special place in your heart.
I wish I could come and dig her grave for you. I have the right tools.
You could wrap her body and freeze it until you get a bit of a thaw. She won't mind mate, she's past suffering. It's just you that feels the pain.
Give the rest of her family a hug from me.

I hate to be morbid but @Shadrach is right. A couple of years ago I had to do that with Chutney a cat who was with me for 20 years. I spent an hour trying to dig a hole while weeping and just couldn’t do it. I wrapped him in his favorite blanket and put him in a box and froze him. I thought i would have to wait until spring but then a week or so later a very kind guy I know offered to come over with his digger which worked out well.

 

[BY Bob]

Oh Bob, that's terrible news. I know Maleficent has a special place in your heart.
I wish I could come and dig her grave for you. I have the right tools.
You could wrap her body and freeze it until you get a bit of a thaw. She won't mind mate, she's past suffering. It's just you that feels the pain.
Give the rest of her family a hug from me.

Thank you Shad.

 

[BY Bob]

I love that idea. We would all appreciate it, and it would honor her. @BY Bob I know it would be painful to write but also healing for you in the way that all rituals for the dead are there to help the living to mourn. I wondered also if the sign on Fluffy Butt Acres should have a place for past residents so they never fully fly the coop. You probably think that is a crazy idea but I was thinking of doing something like that for Scary in the Chicken Palace that she never even got to see finished. I can’t remember who but someone said they do memorial stones so that could work too. I would up so sad thinking of you this morning. Look after yourself.

I have all of the old butt silhouettes. I plan on adding an "in memory" section. I think on the side.

 

[BY Bob]

I hate to be morbid but @Shadrach is right. A couple of years ago I had to do that with Chutney a cat who was with me for 20 years. I spent an hour trying to dig a hole while weeping and just couldn’t do it. I wrapped him in his favorite blanket and put him in a box and froze him. I thought i would have to wait until spring but then a week or so later a very kind guy I know offered to come over with his digger which worked out well.

My wife suggested it tonight as well. Maybe that's the best course.