Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

Sad day for me. Evert single chicken in my flock, are all under the porch steps, (And I can't play with them at the moment) They are just beating the heat, I guess!Even the roosters!

Update: They all came back out. Rocks-Anne jumped up on my lap, and I held her for a while.
(She even gave me a little kiss on the cheek) I love that bird! Beetov-Hen is being a butt as usual!

 

[LozzyR]

Poor Baxter.

What on Earth were the hunters thinking I wonder? Did they think he was a kangaroo? Or a feral cat?

Lacy is a very small cat and her fur is soft and rippled, like wide corduroy. She likes to keep warm so sleeps on my youngest's neck or head.

I think they were incredible morons that just shot anything that moved.

Baxter’s fur was so soft and silky, and he did like a bedtime cuddle. We’ve got a picture of him with a party hat on somewhere, I’ll have to see if I can find it.

 

[LozzyR]

I was worried about Tsuki on Wednesday morning. She didn't seem herself.

She didn't push the others away from the breakfast bar. She wasn't interested in cracked corn or (gasp!) mealy worms. She seemed rather subdued and not her usual bossy self.

I offered her some coconut oil which she took a couple of pecks at but everyone else crowded around and scoffed it down.

I administered some lubricant to the rear end in case she was blocked up (she was most offended!) and kept a close eye on her.

She seemed more lively in the afternoon but this morning she was back to her bossy self.
She hasn't laid an egg since June but she did have a poo mark on her bottom several hours after my ministrations.
Any ideas what might have been troubling her?

Here are some photos of Tsuki bossing the others around this morning to reassure Bob.

Driving Edwina (black hen) away from the right side of the breakfast bar
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"Oi! What are you doing on the left side? That's my side too!"
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"Geroff!" Poor Edwina
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Do you have access to an avian vet?

 

[featherhead007]

My hen Canna, seems a little slow in action tonight too. I think I will let her in with me tonight, after dinner. She has a perching spot on a TV stand mounted in my bedroom, (With a box underneath) for any possible

 

[RoyalChick]

Usually in my anxiety dreams I am running late for something.

I have usually lost something. The other night it was my passport - which is bizarre as I cannot really use it these days!

 

[micstrachan]

Hi folks,
Just checking in. I miss you, but I just can't keep up right now. Work is busier than ever with COVID. Plus, I finally did a vegetable garden, which is taking time. Also, Millie went broody again and I got her chicks, which did not work out, so I'm raising them in the kitchen.
Things have just been really bizarre lately. It feels like being in the twilight zone. We have had record heat here, so I've been running up the hill at lunch to do the mister fans and ice the water. We also had our power out a couple times recently. Traffic was so bad recently I had to walk up the hill in work clothes in near 100º weather to meet my husband for a ride home. That must have been a site to see. I was literally walking on the freeway. Finally... and this is the biggest thing... you may have heard of the unusual lightning storms that went through northern California recently (over 10,000 strikes over four days!) Lightning hit the ground in many places, and wildfires abound all around from the lighting. We are one zone away from being evacuated. So far, the nearest fire (8 miles) is not necessarily moving in our direction, but things can change quickly. Therefore, I have three medium sized dog crates set up in the back of my vehicle ready to evacuate chickens, if needed. The chicks would just go in a pet carrier.
I miss you and I'm sure I've missed some stuff. Apologies that I can't keep up right now, but I'm thinking of you! I just wanted to explain why I have been absent.
Michelle

 

[LozzyR]

Hi folks,
Just checking in. I miss you, but I just can't keep up right now. Work is busier than ever with COVID. Plus, I finally did a vegetable garden, which is taking time. Also, Millie went broody again and I got her chicks, which did not work out, so I'm raising them in the kitchen.
Things have just been really bizarre lately. It feels like being in the twilight zone. We have had record heat here, so I've been running up the hill at lunch to do the mister fans and ice the water. We also had our power out a couple times recently. Traffic was so bad recently I had to walk up the hill in work clothes in near 100º weather to meet my husband for a ride home. That must have been a site to see. I was literally walking on the freeway. Finally... and this is the biggest thing... you may have heard of the unusual lightning storms that went through northern California recently (over 10,000 strikes over four days!) Lightning hit the ground in many places, and wildfires abound all around from the lighting. We are one zone away from being evacuated. So far, the nearest fire (8 miles) is not necessarily moving in our direction, but things can change quickly. Therefore, I have three medium sized dog crates set up in the back of my vehicle ready to evacuate chickens, if needed. The chicks would just go in a pet carrier.
I miss you and I'm sure I've missed some stuff. Apologies that I can't keep up right now, but I'm thinking of you! I just wanted to explain why I have been absent.
Michelle

Michelle! Good to see you.

 

[micstrachan]

So I need to go to bed. I got to the slow mo videos with mealy worms. Awesome, @BY Bob! Ned seems to be a boy, but has not crowed yet (I think). Can't wait to hear it! @featherhead007, did Ben ever show up?

 

[micstrachan]

Not sure about the galvanized bit Bob. I won't use them here and not will many other chicken keepers. The galv is poisonous. Big clay dog bowls might be a better option.

That's good to know, Shad. I used to use galvanized waters, but noticed it was clouding the water! So I stopped. Now I use plastic, but it's tricky to keep clear of algae in warm California.

 

[micstrachan]

And now for the Insects

This is the time of the year when my bank yard explodes with flowers designed to bring in bees and butterflies. The crown jewel of pollen feeders is my 110 foot white butterfly bush. From time to time I am going to share butterfly and bee pictures now along with chicken photos. I hope everyone likes them.

Check out this butterfly from today.

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Beautiful swallow tail! I got a (small) purple butterfly bush this year.