Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

Poor Ruby.

So sorry to see this, poor Ruby, it is hard to watch.

 

[BY Bob]

Everyone has Laid

Except Lilly and Hattie.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

My purpose was not one~upmanship or a search for hugs [though those are always appreciated ] but to share that nowhere is 100% safe for a chicken. You choose where you take your risks. We have very few predators [the snake was something of a surprise], we are sub~tropical & our coop is open fronted, so once a predator gets in there is very little to stop it. The girls were lucky I was still awake & heard the alarm or it would have been a very different story. My biggest threat is wandering dogs & though we have hawks they prefer to scavenge than hunt. You can lock& bar as much as you like but a predator will almost always find a way in if they are hungry enough. I let my girls run their own risks free ranging but they have plenty of cover & enough savvy girls to be pretty safe. The worst attack was @ night when the girls were roosting & should have been safe & so often that is when death strikes, rather than in daylight when they are out & about.

I didn't take your story as any sort of hijack, I hope my reply didn't give you that thought, I was very tired at the time. I am grateful for all the replies (thank you! thank you! thank you!), I haven't been able to devote time to a thoughtful response on them all yet. But your story - besides being major news on your tribe, which I and others surely want to hear - did convey a perspective on risk that I appreciate. Also it was and is comforting to think that the birds can avoid prolonged terror by going into shock. And then the "going back to normal" the next day, hopefully with some experience under their feathered belts, does seem true. So thank you. Here's more hugs for your own scare, and for helping me!

 

[BY Bob]

I Found a Vet.

After 8 years of having chickens, I found a vet that will see them and treat them as pets, not livestock. She is 20 minutes from our house.

The timing could not be better as I wait for Hattie to poo. I believe that some wellness checks will be coming up shortly if nothing else!

 

[RoyalChick]

I Found a Vet.

After 8 years of having chickens, I found a vet that will see them and treat them as pets, not livestock. She is 20 minutes from our house.

The timing could not be better as I wait for Hattie to poo. I believe that some wellness checks will be coming up shortly if nothing else!

WOW - that is fantastic news. How did you find them? So great!

 

[BY Bob]

WOW - that is fantastic news. How did you find them? So great!

@MaryJanet got me started looking again. I owe her for this.

She sent me one that she found online. It turned out to be my cat's vet and so I sneakily called them from another phone so they did not know it was me. They confirmed that they still do not see chickens but gave me someone they thought might. Their website was unclear but when I called the new vet said yes they do treat pet chickens.

 

[Ribh]

@MaryJanet got me started looking again. I owe her for this.

She sent me one that she found online. It turned out to be my cat's vet and so I sneakily called them from another phone so they did not know it was me. They confirmed that they still do not see chickens but gave me someone they thought might. Their website was unclear but when I called the new vet said yes they do treat pet chickens.

That is really good news!

 

[Ribh]

I didn't take your story as any sort of hijack, I hope my reply didn't give you that thought, I was very tired at the time. I am grateful for all the replies (thank you! thank you! thank you!), I haven't been able to devote time to a thoughtful response on them all yet. But your story - besides being major news on your tribe, which I and others surely want to hear - did convey a perspective on risk that I appreciate. Also it was and is comforting to think that the birds can avoid prolonged terror by going into shock. And then the "going back to normal" the next day, hopefully with some experience under their feathered belts, does seem true. So thank you. Here's more hugs for your own scare, and for helping me!

All good. I posted then second guessed myself & thought I'd been presumptuous. I learn best from stories myself so often tell them when I am trying to explain something. Hugs are always appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Cynthia12]

Chickens are smart & good learners. My girls alarm for 1 of my cats but not the other. They know which one is the hunter! They alarm for all dogs, certain of our native birds, monitor lizards & snakes. They will go on alert @ an unknown sound but ignore most industrial noises. I have had the whole tribe hurtle into the coop & stay there for about 45 minutes though I've not seen what alarmed them that much. I rely very much on my older girls knowing when they need to head for safety & alerting the flock. Even my new, young birds pay attention when the older girls cry danger.

Interesting.. Mable is the head hen.

 

[Ribh]

You are too kind. I was about to pick on you for something but now I will let it slide.

Congratulations, Bob!