Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ribh]

Deep Sadness and a Return Visitor

Only after some direct encouragement from @RoyalChick yesterday have I spent anytime with the remainders of my tribe since Sunday. Somehow I just could not face them. So this morning I forced myself to go visit them. Here are some photos of everyone.
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No one has been permitted outside the complex since the event except for a short time when I allowed everyone out to say a formal goodbye to Sylvie. They were briefly interested in the grave but quickly when back to the complex and huddled. They are scared and rightfully so.

While I sat with them today in the big run, this showed up and landed on the pool shed.
View attachment 2916195

I was able to get a reasonable estimate on its size. It is about 15 inches head to tail. So still a juvenile. It is a good thing everyone was locked in the complex. They hide from predators in air in the apple trees and trumpet vine. Here us the view the hawk had from the top of the pool shed.
View attachment 2916198

Here is the tribe hanging out thinking they were safe. They are not.
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This hawk clearly knows its business. For now I'm stuck. I can't let them out at all. To everyone with a suggestion on how to deal with the hawk. I simply am not interested at this point. The hawk wins. The tribe will live in the complex until spring. I could not stand another loss and I'm not willing to take any risk at all any longer.

Thank You
I know that there are many hugs waiting for me to go and catch up on. Thank you all for you sympathy and support. I don't know that I will be going back and catching up for some time. I still haven't stopped crying myself without reading all of those posts. I promise I will.

To everyone who wonders how I am doing, I'm not doing well at all. I thought by now I would feel better or at least start to be over it but I am simply not. Perhaps I never will be. I do know that when I did look at the tribe today all I saw was the ladies who are no longer here. Some by my failures, some not, but missing none the less.

You are loved & you are missed. So nice to *see* you. Thank you for popping in.

 

[fuentemoon]

Deep Sadness and a Return Visitor

Only after some direct encouragement from @RoyalChick yesterday have I spent anytime with the remainders of my tribe since Sunday. Somehow I just could not face them. So this morning I forced myself to go visit them. Here are some photos of everyone.
View attachment 2916194View attachment 2916196View attachment 2916197

No one has been permitted outside the complex since the event except for a short time when I allowed everyone out to say a formal goodbye to Sylvie. They were briefly interested in the grave but quickly when back to the complex and huddled. They are scared and rightfully so.

While I sat with them today in the big run, this showed up and landed on the pool shed.
View attachment 2916195

I was able to get a reasonable estimate on its size. It is about 15 inches head to tail. So still a juvenile. It is a good thing everyone was locked in the complex. They hide from predators in air in the apple trees and trumpet vine. Here us the view the hawk had from the top of the pool shed.
View attachment 2916198

Here is the tribe hanging out thinking they were safe. They are not.
View attachment 2916228View attachment 2916230

This hawk clearly knows its business. For now I'm stuck. I can't let them out at all. To everyone with a suggestion on how to deal with the hawk. I simply am not interested at this point. The hawk wins. The tribe will live in the complex until spring. I could not stand another loss and I'm not willing to take any risk at all any longer.

Thank You
I know that there are many hugs waiting for me to go and catch up on. Thank you all for you sympathy and support. I don't know that I will be going back and catching up for some time. I still haven't stopped crying myself without reading all of those posts. I promise I will.

To everyone who wonders how I am doing, I'm not doing well at all. I thought by now I would feel better or at least start to be over it but I am simply not. Perhaps I never will be. I do know that when I did look at the tribe today all I saw was the ladies who are no longer here. Some by my failures, some not, but missing none the less.

I am sure your presence was a comfort to them. Take the time you need.

 

[micstrachan]

Hoping little Emily and Sunshine are feeling better today, Alex and Michelle.

Thank you. No egg from Sunshine and she is swollen, but she did come out to eat and cuddle.

 

[micstrachan]

Well it is official, Lil Bit is a Boy dangit. Went out to let them out of the coop and he crowed at me. He's actually been crowing longer then I thought as it sounded identical to Branch's crow. This evening I have to break the news to Rosie and I will place a add for him. As much as I'd like to with only 3 silkies I cannot keep a 2 to 1 ratio of boys. It would not be good for Poppy. Thankfully people in my area love silkies even the boys and see them as pets so I should not have a problem finding him a good home and I will take my time to ensure that he gets a good one.

Awww, dangit!

 

[micstrachan]

Another mini update on Minnie.
Her comb is getting a bit more red. I am not sure what that dry crusty stuff is on it though. Looks like she needs moisturizer. Like my elbows!
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I think she looks great! Is she standing slightly penguin-like or is that her normal stance?

 

[BY Bob]

I bet they missed you Bob.

While I had corn to offer, they certainly did.

 

[BY Bob]

You are loved & you are missed. So nice to *see* you. Thank you for popping in.

Thank you so much. That is very nice of you to say. Trust me, I could feel it even if I wasn't here.

 

[micstrachan]

Deep Sadness and a Return Visitor

Only after some direct encouragement from @RoyalChick yesterday have I spent anytime with the remainders of my tribe since Sunday. Somehow I just could not face them. So this morning I forced myself to go visit them. Here are some photos of everyone.
View attachment 2916194View attachment 2916196View attachment 2916197

No one has been permitted outside the complex since the event except for a short time when I allowed everyone out to say a formal goodbye to Sylvie. They were briefly interested in the grave but quickly when back to the complex and huddled. They are scared and rightfully so.

While I sat with them today in the big run, this showed up and landed on the pool shed.
View attachment 2916195

I was able to get a reasonable estimate on its size. It is about 15 inches head to tail. So still a juvenile. It is a good thing everyone was locked in the complex. They hide from predators in air in the apple trees and trumpet vine. Here us the view the hawk had from the top of the pool shed.
View attachment 2916198

Here is the tribe hanging out thinking they were safe. They are not.
View attachment 2916228View attachment 2916230

This hawk clearly knows its business. For now I'm stuck. I can't let them out at all. To everyone with a suggestion on how to deal with the hawk. I simply am not interested at this point. The hawk wins. The tribe will live in the complex until spring. I could not stand another loss and I'm not willing to take any risk at all any longer.

Thank You
I know that there are many hugs waiting for me to go and catch up on. Thank you all for you sympathy and support. I don't know that I will be going back and catching up for some time. I still haven't stopped crying myself without reading all of those posts. I promise I will.

To everyone who wonders how I am doing, I'm not doing well at all. I thought by now I would feel better or at least start to be over it but I am simply not. Perhaps I never will be. I do know that when I did look at the tribe today all I saw was the ladies who are no longer here. Some by my failures, some not, but missing none the less.

Awww, Bob. There you are. Thank you so much for checking in. I am so very sorry. I know there is no way to take away your pain and sadness, but I hope you feel our love and support.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Well it is official, Lil Bit is a Boy dangit. Went out to let them out of the coop and he crowed at me. He's actually been crowing longer then I thought as it sounded identical to Branch's crow. This evening I have to break the news to Rosie and I will place a add for him. As much as I'd like to with only 3 silkies I cannot keep a 2 to 1 ratio of boys. It would not be good for Poppy. Thankfully people in my area love silkies even the boys and see them as pets so I should not have a problem finding him a good home and I will take my time to ensure that he gets a good one.

Too bad about Lil Bit, sorry you have to re-home him. Glad you are able to though, and to find him a good one! Or, you could get some female silkie pullets for him

 

[ChicoryBlue]

She poses like a pro!
Glad her comb is redder...I'm curious about the crusty stuff too. Maybe an injury healing?

Maybe Minnie itched her comb and had poo on her feet?