Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

My spoiled brat hens! They will eat from my hand, but when I throw the treats on the ground, they stick their beaks up in the air, and stare at me! (Rant over)

 

[rural mouse]

I surely pray that you are correct.

She landed in the middle of the cluster (they stopped 2 feet out to debate the merits of being out), then scurried to the edge. She launched herself from the roost both Silver and Pear were on, from within 12 inches of them.

 

[BY Bob]

I haven’t read all the way through yet, but I’m wondering if a hawk did attack and the impact caused Legertha internal injuries. I guess a necropsy will let us know. I’m so sorry, Bob.

Could be likely. No way to know based on what I've seen.

 

[BY Bob]

Ramble away. I hope it is healing for you. While none of us know what you’re feeling, we all do have deep sympathy and care so much. The biggest, warmest hug to you.

 

[rural mouse]

It's -33C here this morning, that's -27.4F. The poop platform was absolutely covered in Orpington feathers this morning!

I have turned on a heater bringing the temperature up to -13C/9F. I hope it is enough. Come on girls! Grow some new feathers!

That's cold even for us and it hits that in deep winter!

 

[BY Bob]

I am sitting out in the cold too but my Princesses won’t come out to join me. Something spooked them earlier and they are all together inside on the day perches looking out the window.
I suppose I should use the opportunity to continue my drainage ditch but I can’t summon up the energy.

I understand that. I should be doing something but I have not the energy emotional or otherwise.

 

[micstrachan]

We interrupt this program to share this:

I don’t really think the hawk is a jerk. I just don’t like that it disrupts free range time.

 

[Ribh]

It's been a rough several days as I wasn't home when it happened and Mrs BY Bob was at work when I saw Legertha dead and thought Sylvie was too but could not confirm.

Something very special has been lost and I expect it not to be seen again. You are not the only one with tears. I surely do appreciate your sympathy.

All the world is a lesser place for the loss of both her and the joy that the two of them brought to the world together. It will be a long time until I'm over it, if I ever am.

I'm sorry, I am rambling a little as I sit outside with all of them in the cold.

You know where to reach me if you need to talk. I am devastated for your loss but so happy Phyllis & Sylvie look like they are going to form a pair. Not the same I know but something is better than nothing.

 

[BY Bob]

It’s Saturday, which means all day free range time. Except, when I was sitting on a chair in the sun reading this thread, I looked up to find that almost every bird had put herself back into the run. The only two that were still out or hiding behind it. I figured they probably saw a hawk that I did not see when my head was down. So I threw a couple handfuls of millet in the litter for them to dig for lock the gate after the last two were in and I’m sitting in the run with him with Sunshine in my lap. Holding a check and just felt like the right thing to do right now. She hopped right up on her own.
View attachment 2904522Not taking any chances since I know for sure we have active hawks around here. I, of course will give them more opportunities to free ran today, but they came in here by choice. Here is my view at the moment.
View attachment 2904529

Here’s a video I took one morning this week while walking the dog. It’s not a chickens, but it is a chicken threat.

OK, now I will continue reading up on what’s going on for Bob and his girls.

Holding a chicken is great therapy. chicken hugs

 

[BY Bob]

Here’s a video I took one morning this week while walking the dog. It’s not a chickens, but it is a chicken threat.

That have me chills.