Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

OK I haven't read ahead, I am behind a lot in the thread, but found this when I googled the phrase veterinary medical ethics. Bolding is mine. From the American Veterinary Medical Association:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/avma-policies/principles-veterinary-medical-ethics-avma
7. A veterinarian shall, in the provision of appropriate patient care, except in emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate, and the environment in which to provide veterinary medical care.

Now here is finally something to use against them!

Chicken Tax

 

[Kris5902]

I don’t want to say I told you so. But I told you so!
Just don’t try and pull the ‘tough farm girl’ stunt with us. You are the biggest animal softie I know (and I don’t even know you!).
Does the goat have a name yet?

Two days at least before I name her... I need to make sure she will survive (I’m pretty confident she will) and I have to find something that fits her... she smells like the forest!

 

[BY Bob]

Duct tape on the whole edge (both sides) where there isn't a factory grommet, and then punched or sliced holes in there for reuseable zip ties (attaching to welded wire run, no wood there). You could use wood slats that would look better. I did it this way because I doubt that a shower curtain will last much beyond one year much less one season in UV light, at least that's what I've heard from others. We'll see. It's cheap enough to get a new one each year. My chickens won't be year-round in the run though (tractor situation), only late Fall/Winter/early Spring. For the year-round part I have a clear durable and moveable tarp which cost $

I throw mine away every spring when I take it down.

 

[BY Bob]

OK, finally, is this video visible? This was right after Queenie flew out of the divided area. [EDIT - last week! It was their first physical encounter] Hazel had flown into it, pecked at her some, ate her food, foraged a bit, pecked her more, and then flew out after I was stepping over to change the water. I see this is small and narrow. Should I video with the phone sideways (like panoramic?)

That really did go well. Video either way. Whichever matches the situation.

 

[BY Bob]

To me it doesn't look like aggressive pecking. It almost looks like they are soft, inquisitive pecks. I wonder if her comb is attracting them or if she happened to have food on her face.

It was very gentle. I agree. I do think there might have been a tougher one when her head was way down but like I said, that wasn't bad at all.

 

[Kris5902]

I would do the same thing you did I think, when it comes down to it, if there was no sign of the rest of the herd around. I have a neighbor friend who keeps pet and meat goats, plus wool sheep & meat lambs, chickens, turkeys, horses, & bees. And three rescue Alpacas that keep lookout. She loves them all but is closest to the pet goats of course. All the goats need penning (moveable fencing) though, and rotation in pasture, etc. She leads them around to the new pastures by running lead in the front of the herd, very interesting to watch. They use them for help with clearing new pasture too, the chewing is very handy on brush and small trees. You cannot expect to free range goats unless you have nothing else going on. My friend lets only one, an extremely old, very old and gentle goat, go where he likes. He doesn't do much damage.

You might try to put her with an existing domestic goat herd, if there is one near you. How is "joining the feral herds" going to come about?

She is definitely missing other ovines. She had a moment, after finally getting a decent amount of milk into her and as I was beating a hasty retreat from the in-laws with my “stolen” milk replacer And bottle, where she was near the rams and I offered her to them for sniffing. There was mutual interest in a “who are you” way. I may introduce her to the sheep I penned as they were eating my chicken feed and generally being pests.

We don’t have any domestic herds on island, just a dwarf Nigerian? dairy trio. So, I won’t disbud her. When she gets older she will just decide to join a herd, plenty pass through here, once she goes into heat it’s a near certainty. Here’s a few goat pics from Saturday. Stinky Billy bachelor herd licking my gasoline jerrycans...

 

[BY Bob]

And.... as I said, “a very bad decision” I am sure. Glad she is a “she” and you’re right on the chewing, she’s not even a week old, I’m guessing 2-3 days, she likes to eat paper, plastic, hair, shirts, charging cables...and she has piddled on several towels, shirts, and blankets. But not in the bed! Thankfully... I broke down between 4 am feeding and 6 am and just brought her in to sleep next to me, because she wouldn’t stop bleeting. Maybe when she is grown she will join the feral herds?

You big old softie. Isn't the barn safe?

 

[Kris5902]

We had more at our last house, here they seem to be keeping the few we have seen under control, I have only had to trap 1 in the garage.

If you haven’t gotten there in the thread yet, I won’t spoil it for you... it’s fairly recent, but two epic rodent battles are detailed in amongst the chicken and other random stories.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes photos tomorrow. I think it's Hazel! Congratulations due are hers. I'm just trying to hang on, everything is happening all at once over here!

It gets like that. If Hazel has laid like we think she has, the other Buckeyes aren't far behind her. It's going to get even crazier soon.

 

[MaryJanet]

Fluffy butt Friday!