Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Thanks.

 

[BY Bob]

It is sad Bob but this is normal life for Mum and chicks. If it hadn't been the swimming pool it would have probably been something else in time. The mums here do not seem concerned as long as some survive. The hardest is when a hen only hatches a single chick and it dies. Then you can see the effect it has on the hen.
There is a tendency for humans to believe they can save them all and keep them safe. It's not a healthy view for the keeper or the chickens and often ends up with imprisoning the chickens in the belief that this will keep them safe. It doesn't and the quality of life is pretty appalling in many of the keeping arrangements one can see on BYC. Yes, it is better than most egg production keepinng arrangements but is a bit better good enough, especially when one thiks that the majority of breeds kept by backyard keepers only exist to cater for the backyard keeping craze. The keeping of such breeds has virtually no impact on the large meat and egg production businesses because these breeds are not used in such concerns.
For all the guilt and sadness you may feel, you've done the right thing in both letting Sydney sit and hatch and then allowing her as much freedom as possible in your circumstances. For a short period mum and chicks lived as close to a natural life as is possible in a backyard environment and that is the best gift of all.
Every hen here apart from Blue Spot has lost one or more chicks while still under their care. You will at some point I hope see the point at which mum stops full time care and the chicks pretty much abandoned to take care of themselves. This is hard to observe as well. For me it is harder than a death of a chick. The sudden transition from 24/7 care and mum ready to die for them, to getting pecked and bullied and pushed away by mum as well as the rest of the flock I've found heartbreaking.

Thank you. This helps a lot. It also helps that Sydney and the others are doing quite well. Thank you for the warning about separation time. I can at least prepare for it now.

 

[BY Bob]

Working on the eating from my hand. I think I am my own worst enemy because I can't resist picking them up for a cuddle (which they presumably find very intrusive, but they are so adorable I can't help myself.
I do the same with the Princesses and I am not sure they love it either but they tolerate it and definitely like hanging out with me.

They will come around. Be patient.

 

[BY Bob]

I can cuddle Fat Bird if I want and Cillin and Treacle. Only the boys seem to like it. Cillin gets all silly if I do it while his hens are watching, but he puts up with it. I try not to embarrass him often.
If I cuddle Treacle and Cillin sees it he goes for Treacle once I've put him down.
Cillin and Fat Bird.
View attachment 2210751

So Cillin is a little jealous. Don't embarrass me in front of my ladies but don't go cuddling with anyone else either.

 

[BY Bob]

Bessie always looked like she relaxed into a night-time pat, the others not so much. When Nyssa is laying, she’s a little more tolerant of being held. They’re so beautiful though, I just want to cuddle them all the time!

So do I. I don't have any real cuddlers now. Sansa would rather hang with Lilly and Sydney is a little busy right now.

 

[BY Bob]

Just checking in on you Bob. You saw some very painful things yesterday.

Thanks. I'm coming around. Watching Sydney with the other two this afternoon helped a little.

 

[RoyalChick]

@BY Bob so glad you are back. I was worrying about you all day. Do be kind to yourself.


Goodnight from Dotty (who seems to be developing pink feathers).

 

[BY Bob]

@BY Bob so glad you are back. I was worrying about you all day. Do be kind to yourself.


Goodnight from Dotty (who seems to be developing pink feathers).View attachment 2211065

Thanks so much. I really do appreciate the concern.

She is adorable!

 

[RoyalChick]

Bessie always looked like she relaxed into a night-time pat, the others not so much. When Nyssa is laying, she’s a little more tolerant of being held. They’re so beautiful though, I just want to cuddle them all the time!

I don't generally feel the need to cuddle them (well the littles are just irresistible!) it is enough for me that they like to hang out with me. Actually that constantly amazes me, but they certainly do seem to like the company.
But I do feel it is important to handle them just in case I ever have to. So I sort of impose on them by picking them up quite often and the Princesses seem to just tolerate it which works for all of us.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Sorry @BY Bob don't beat yourself up.