Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

As I said before, Phyllis does not take it personally. She has never predicted for you before and understands your skepticism.

I must say that this forecast screams spring to me. I believe in her.
View attachment 2540203

As I said before, Phyllis does not take it personally. She has never predicted for you before and understands your skepticism.

I must say that this forecast screams spring to me. I believe in her.
View attachment 2540203

Wow. I have snow forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday and then again Saturday and early the following week. Feels like it will never end!

Chicken tax.
Maggie - she is not a small girl!

 

[featherhead007]

A Taste of Spring

This morning might have been one of, if not, the coldest mornings all winter. But by midday the sun was blazing in a blue sky andthe sun was warm.

View attachment 2540100

I went outside to trim up the butterfly bush before Phyllis was right and spring arrived. Well since I was out, I needed to take fresh water to the ladies along with some kind of snack. As soon as I opened the door, Phyllis bolted. She is done being in the complex with those others.

She went in and out so I did not want to contain her and I always want there to be 2 exits if a door is opened so I opened the side door as well. Everyone fluffed out thinking there was grass and found themselves trapped on the bricks.

View attachment 2540113
I went back to work and tried to renege to keep an eye on things as I worked. A short while letter I turned around and caught Phyllis in full explorer mode. Check it out.

A short time after I took this. Phyllis headed towards me and the house. Bear in mind there are no melted pathways, just Phyllis walking about on the snow. Next thing I know she is at the backdoor and Mrs BY Bob is inviting her in. After a stay of about 30 min, I went in and suggested it was time she came back out. When she did come out, she did not go back to the coop but rather hung out on the deck. View attachment 2540112
View attachment 2540115

By this time I was done with my busy trimming but I could not leave Phyllis alone without the protection of the flock. I would feel better if Hattie was there to keep eyes peeled for danger. Plus, a little black hen on a white background just screams eat me Mr. Hawk.

What to do.........

First, I dug a little pathway back to the coop hoping the others would come join her. No luck.

Meanwhile Phyllis was thirsty. She found a source of melted water that had some good extra flavor and seasoned it more with her feet.

View attachment 2540130

Phyllis did decide to try out my new pathway to see if it would enhance her exploration.

View attachment 2540132

She showed no indication of wanting to go back in.

What to do................

Did I say the sun was warm? My solution.

View attachment 2540122

I grabbed a book, a cup of coffee, and I was back in my chair!

Phyllis came over to visit and to eat some of grass that was exposed under the footrest which she had discovered on her first walkabout.
View attachment 2540133

Before long Sydney realized that something was up. Unfortunately, I did not shovel a clear path to the coop. That did not stop Sydney as she is a bird.

Flap flap flap flap flap!

There was Sydney on the path. Purple corn was her reward. I think Sydney is exceptionally beautiful against the snow.

Time for the photo shoot.
View attachment 2540141View attachment 2540142View attachment 2540143View attachment 2540144

The rest of the crew was just not interested in coming to see me but I was able to watch them. Aurora started me down several times.
View attachment 2540148
View attachment 2540149

Eventually dust baths were had and Lilly took a nap on the porch in the sun.
View attachment 2540170

Phyllis continued to roam the yard, even venturing out onto our frozen pond. Choosing to climb the snow drift on the middle of it.

View attachment 2540153View attachment 2540154View attachment 2540156View attachment 2540155View attachment 2540158

Phyllis had herself another day and I enjoyed myself reading and visiting with them. A great time was had by all.......... except Aurora who missed the party because she wouldn't walk on the snow.

You miss your grand baby don’t you? Bob we all do! I’m flying to Denver tomorrow, then off to Seattle. My neighbor is moving in to care for my birds. I will keep you all posted

 

[featherhead007]

“I’m leaving on my prop plane, don’t know when I’ll be back again, so kiss me and smile for me. Don’t know when I’ll be back again” (John Denver)

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Where do they live now?

In my maternity/ ICU coop. It's very small and on the ground for babies. The attached run is only 2' high.

The snow and ice have since collapsed the center of the run in. I'll stick to my bird netting from now on. The snow and ice don't stick and it has held up amazing well.

It was not supposed to be a long-term coop, but the Pretties were a surprise and we didn't get anything built before winter.

 

[BY Bob]

Chlorhexidine will come out of solution if frozen without a surfactant being present. The solution becomes cloudy and the chlorhexidine loses some of its effectiveness. I have the same products. Let me check the labels for the presence of a surfactant. It will be a little bit.

The lidocaine in the Aspercreme is fine. That is not damaged by freezing.

The spray is fine. It has polysorbate 20, a surfactant.

I think the gel may be a problem. There is no surfactant listed and it has this warning.

I would call the number listed and ask.

 

[BY Bob]

Wow. I have snow forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday and then again Saturday and early the following week. Feels like it will never end!

Chicken tax.
Maggie - she is not a small girl!
View attachment 2540216

I find it very hard to believe our forecasts are so different. Are you up in elevation?

 

[BY Bob]

You miss your grand baby don’t you? Bob we all do! I’m flying to Denver tomorrow, then off to Seattle. My neighbor is moving in to care for my birds. I will keep you all posted

Please be safe. Planes can be dangerous. Ask John Denver.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I just looked at my 10 day forecast, it's similar to yours BY Bob, so I'm going to have faith in her and Dirt. At least for the next 10 days anyway. Of course its supposed to rain 8 out of those 10 days. Which means I'm leaving winter and heading into mud season. I don't know which is worse, freezing, but solid ground, or sorta comfortable weather but up to my ankles in mud. Tell you the truth, I'm just ready for the end of April, first of May. Then it's my favorite time of the year. Mushroom season!!!

 

[featherhead007]

Please be safe. Planes can be dangerous. Ask John Denver.

As I lay here with Coco and the rest of the little ones. Enjoying our night together, listening to Simon and Garfunkel. Yes coco is perched on this phone! PARADISE! Comes to my mind

 

[BY Bob]

I just looked at my 10 day forecast, it's similar to yours BY Bob, so I'm going to have faith in her and Dirt. At least for the next 10 days anyway. Of course its supposed to rain 8 out of those 10 days. Which means I'm leaving winter and heading into mud season. I don't know which is worse, freezing, but solid ground, or sorta comfortable weather but up to my ankles in mud. Tell you the truth, I'm just ready for the end of April, first of May. Then it's my favorite time of the year. Mushroom season!!!

I've never heard of mushroom season before but it is rare that we are completely happy with the weather.

Chicken tax
I owe a few I think.