Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Oh no, Bob! I am so sorry. Are you ok? Is Phyllis ok?

I will update everyone later today.

 

[rural mouse]

Currently reading through last fall...the molt...my adults are molting (based upon the feathers I'm finding: no naked backs) (the babies are too but expected at 9-10 weeks). Is a hard molt breed related? Or will a bird have a hard molt (naked pincushion) one year and a gradual another? If the latter, ideas on cause? If the first, which breeds are more prone to it? We've been known to get the occasional summer snowstorm (rare, but it happens), endangering naked pincushion birds.

 

[BY Bob]

No. Do not go there. We all do the best we can with the knowledge we have. As @BY Bob is always pointing out to me when I lose a chicken, they are experts @ hiding illness & symptoms & by the time we realise it's serious it's already too late. You did what you could & nobody can expect more. She had a wonderful life with you & we all know that breeding has caused enormous distress in some breeds & there is just nothing to be done about that. It is not our fault. I have resolved to the best of my ability not to perpetuate the horror by knowingly buying birds prone to genetic issues. I did it once. Never again. I lost an entire flock of 12 birds in a matter of days.

Thank you for responding to her. This is what I would have said. You can't discount the wonderful quality of life she had with @micstrachan

 

[BY Bob]

Bob, I know you will not likely see this until Sunday night at the earliest, but I want you to know you have been on my mind and in my heart. You are such a loving, kind man, and deserve the very best. Your intentions were pure. I’m so sorry this happened, and I hope you can forgive yourself, because it really wasn’t your fault. And while Phyllis may have a broken heart, I think she will recover, too. In all honesty, when Cashew lost a chick, she didn’t even seem to care. They seem to understand when there’s nothing to be done.

Thank you so much. These are very kind words and they are helpful. I suppose that eventually I will appreciate the idea that I should not carry all the blame. I don't see myself every letting it all go though. I put this all in motion. I need to accept some responsibility for the outcome for that reason alone.

 

[BY Bob]

Today is my birthday and I got to spend it with my family and amazing friends.

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Bob was kind enough to invite us down for a swim and a visit. I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting his daughter, Mary and sweet Eve.

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They surprised me with an ice cream cake and everything!

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All the chooks came by to say hi and beg for treats. Phyllis is ok, she has switched nests but is still sitting. It was a lovely day all around!

It was a real gift to have you come by. Thanks for including us in your special day.

 

[rural mouse]

Alarm!

While I was filming the girls snacking the other day, Hattie sounding warning and Aurora picked it up. This video is 3 minutes long. They stood stock still for almost the entire 3 minutes. Hattie had 1 foot only 1/2 way on the ground and she never finished her step. You will see Hattie and Aurora on my right with Sansa frozen behind the pool heater. Sydney was to my left.

The initial alarm sound (a short squeak repeated once), which is not loud, came from Hattie and then Aurora takes charge, makes the loud warning and maintains what I call the "rumble".

I've been suspecting for some time that Aurora has been picking up more Sentinel duty from Hattie. This may be an example of them working together while on duty.

Mine pulled a teamwork about a month ago. Rusty went off by the kitchen window, sounding like a disgruntled broody hen (from a rooster?!). While out looking at him like an idiot, Ir realized I was hearing the same sounds from the area around the coop (Mama was still incubating). I headed out there...without my glasses on...found all the noise was coming from Silver, my lead hen. Babies (7 weeks?) are either in the coop or just outside, not under the Russian olives. Large white patch under one of them. Get closer...white patch is the neighbor's cat, Trouble, who is quite the hunter and not intimidated by chickens, also not willing to leave just yet...i had to get the hose out. NO birds were harmed and the cat just got a bit of an early bath. The teamwork between Silver and Rusty was interesting to see, especially since Silver helped raise Rusty.

 

[featherhead007]

Currently reading through last fall...the molt...my adults are molting (based upon the feathers I'm finding: no naked backs) (the babies are too but expected at 9-10 weeks). Is a hard molt breed related? Or will a bird have a hard molt (naked pincushion) one year and a gradual another? If the latter, ideas on cause? If the first, which breeds are more prone to it? We've been known to get the occasional summer snowstorm (rare, but it happens), endangering naked pincushion birds.

I have been lucky this year. Beethov-Hen only lost tail feathers. Hen-Rietta didn’t molt. Rocks-Anne lost a few feathers, but I rubbed her down with vitamin e oil , and she didn’t lose another feather . But I do have five more rocks to be concerned about. Anybody want eggs? I have eggs flowing out my ears now. Every one of my beautiful hens are laying now. I’m getting a carton a day!

 

[BY Bob]

More tomatoes:

She eats like my Sydney.

 

[BY Bob]

I’ve just read through the last little bit of this. I’m so sorry to hear about Sylvie. Poor mama Phyllis.
Sylvie was so cute.
(Was she named after the Loki character? I’m guessing not, but if so that’s adorable.)
Anyways, hugs to everyone.

Mrs BY Bob did get the name from Loki. I expect that she may try and use it again some day but we shall see. She loves the name.

 

[BY Bob]

I have not been on my computer lately, so I just spent almost an hour catching up on this thread. What a roller coaster of events and emotions! I am so sad for you and Mrs. BYBob.
I can’t believe how this venture (ordering chicks by mail) turned into such a disaster. But you did everything humanly possible to help them survive. Three days in the US Mail was too hard on them.
Please don’t blame yourself, or feel guilty. You fought for them.
Thank you for sharing this experience with us, your BYC Buddies.

Thanks Kat. It is very kind of you to say. I really appreciate the thoughts.