Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ValerieJ]

Its almost as though Aurora has rolled her sleeves up, grit her teeth and said, "Hattie, cover me; I'm going in!!"

They are so cute!!!

 

[BY Bob]

Well, it was quite scary having me show up with my iPhone, and I mostly got pictures of Surly Girl's fluffy bottom and no chick. I'd go to snap the shot and poof! they were turned around and no Lucy 2 in sight, but here are a few that show how it went.

Surly Girl & Lucy 2 on Mothers' Day 2020

"Wait. What's that in your hand? That doesn't look like a treat!"

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"Hide behind me, Lucy 2!"
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"Is she still there? Run for cover!"
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"Here...let's hide in the berry bushes."
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"There she is on the other side of the berries! Alright...take the picture and get it over with."
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That's my girls!

So beautiful. Please tell her happy mother's day!

 

[ValerieJ]

So beautiful. Please tell her happy mother's day!

Thanks! I will.

 

[RoyalChick]

Well, it was quite scary having me show up with my iPhone, and I mostly got pictures of Surly Girl's fluffy bottom and no chick. I'd go to snap the shot and poof! they were turned around and no Lucy 2 in sight, but here are a few that show how it went.

Surly Girl & Lucy 2 on Mothers' Day 2020

"Wait. What's that in your hand? That doesn't look like a treat!"

View attachment 2132710

"Hide behind me, Lucy 2!"
View attachment 2132711
"Is she still there? Run for cover!"
View attachment 2132715
"Here...let's hide in the berry bushes."
View attachment 2132719
"There she is on the other side of the berries! Alright...take the picture and get it over with."
View attachment 2132725
That's my girls!

Soooooo pretty!

 

[LozzyR]

@LozzyR I have known for some time that this post was coming; several 100 pages back when I picked up on this thread again I noticed in your signature that there was an RIP for poor Chickie. It must have been such a terrible day for you and your flock. You got to say a decent goodbye and I'm sure she went with dignity.

Thanks @Ali James . It was really hard and I had spent an exorbitant amount of money on her trying to get her well again, what with vet bills, meds and an implant. The euthanasia cost $80 as well! I’d do it again though, she was such a sweetíe, plus I can’t cull my own chickens.

 

[Shadrach]

Talking of broody (not a chicken)
The garage door has been left open a lot recently because it is a convenient place to store tools to build the Chicken Palace. As a result I acquired a broody visitor - and now I have babies!
I think this is Papa bird checking in on the nest and I see two babies and the mother in the nest at the back. She leaves the nest periodically during the day and both parents are back and forth a lot. He seems to sleep elsewhere and she sleeps in the nest.
I am not sure what they are - my current best bet is a Carolina wren. They are quite bold and are around me while I am working around the garage.

He looks busy.

 

[Shadrach]

Give him one of @Shadrach ’s leather boots.

Treacle would be most upset!

 

[RoyalChick]

He looks busy.

He really is busy! Now I have the camera up I can report that one parent comes by (either to bring food or to carry away poo) on average every 10 mins. Sometimes every couple of minutes and sometimes they are gone for as much as 15 mins.

 

[Shadrach]

I should post some pictures of my dearly departed girls. I had the thought of starting my own thread one day, but I don’t think I’d be able to keep up with four threads! I’m happy enough posting stuff on your thread, if it’s ok with you.

I thought much the same some time ago but decided against it. Some people have a knack of keeping a thread civil and interesting and I would rather contribute to those.

 

[Shadrach]

You could just put down a rug or carpet off cut in the mean time. Something that's easy to shake out.

You may be overlooking the occasional deposits of cecal poop and those make a real mess.
The normal poop forms a sort of skin around it and with one deft scoop with the appropriate spatula you can get the lot. Cecal poop just smears.
This is one area I have considerable expertise in.