Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Cynthia12]

So, Hi again… it’s been far too long I know! And I am very sorry to have dropped out on everyone here. Life just got a little out of control, overwhelming and I have been having a really rough time. 2022 is getting better, it really is. So long story short, the contractors/goat hunters that were helping build our house didn’t. They totally ghosted us, didn’t return my calls and had asked for $20k, which I got (through primarily saving, and borrowing a bit from my family… I briefly considered a go fund me, but asked my dad for some help instead). I also lost cell phone/internet service for a little bit due to funding issues. I fell into a really, really bad depression, and was barely managing the day to days here.

Then DH (Andrew), who was working his behind off, became very ill. For anyone who doesn’t know, he has a congenital heart defect, pacemaker, and has had multiple heart surgeries since he was a young child. I almost lost him. He spent three weeks in Hospital, his was when the Flooding hit our province, we were fairly lucky on our island, but I was literally trapped for quite a while with no help or ability to get fuel/feed. While trapped by the Washed out roads I had to Put down my cat Charlie. Then I had a Mink attack literally the next day (it found a little hole in the floor of the coop by the door) and lost 31 birds, some I had quite close relationships to.

I got Arduinna a friend and slept out in the Barn with the two goats for several nights in early December. She’s moved outside and wasn’t too happy about it, but being completely distraught over Daddy not coming home… it seemed like a now or never time for bringing home Jimmy (especially as webhad lost a few other “goat friend” prospects to freezer camp with their owners not wanting to wait on my fencing getting done). There was another In-laws family blowout situation which culminated in a “If anyone harms my pets statement” so yeah, you can imagine. Andrew finally made it home the second week of December (with many new meds, and some upcoming surgeries are likely this year). We had to put down my last kittie Bullet, just before Christmas. That’s the really dark place I’ve been trying to climb out of for most of last year. Things are doing better…

I still have Sammy and Dean, we lost Cass to a raccoon attack. Roostie’s boy Chunk survived the mink attack, as did my Bully Girl, Tailless, Ziptie, and my Rogue mama who hatched out 11 babies in late summer, in my house trusses. It mostly took my broody hens and up and coming layers, as well as some of the core laying flock.

We have fully scrapped our second floor, replacing it with a planned attic, I reframed a lot of the first floor to accommodate the loss of the upstairs, and make it the wheelchair accessible space we had requested in the plans. I have been working everyday for the last three weeks for 5-9 hours on the build, often alone, sometimes with Andrew’s help, regardless of the weather. I also hired a local kid for a few days as well ($50/hr got me some general labour, and I knew I was in trouble when one of the first things she said was “so, what do you mean when you say “stud”…”)! But I’m making progress, and feeling a lot better about things.

Oh my. I lost my husband last May.
That was enough. I know what you mean about .. that dark place. You and I, we're looking for that 2022 miracle. You are one strong woman! Keeping that chin up ey? I'd say so!

 

[rural mouse]

So, Hi again… it’s been far too long I know! And I am very sorry to have dropped out on everyone here. Life just got a little out of control, overwhelming and I have been having a really rough time. 2022 is getting better, it really is. So long story short, the contractors/goat hunters that were helping build our house didn’t. They totally ghosted us, didn’t return my calls and had asked for $20k, which I got (through primarily saving, and borrowing a bit from my family… I briefly considered a go fund me, but asked my dad for some help instead). I also lost cell phone/internet service for a little bit due to funding issues. I fell into a really, really bad depression, and was barely managing the day to days here.

Then DH (Andrew), who was working his behind off, became very ill. For anyone who doesn’t know, he has a congenital heart defect, pacemaker, and has had multiple heart surgeries since he was a young child. I almost lost him. He spent three weeks in Hospital, his was when the Flooding hit our province, we were fairly lucky on our island, but I was literally trapped for quite a while with no help or ability to get fuel/feed. While trapped by the Washed out roads I had to Put down my cat Charlie. Then I had a Mink attack literally the next day (it found a little hole in the floor of the coop by the door) and lost 31 birds, some I had quite close relationships to.

I got Arduinna a friend and slept out in the Barn with the two goats for several nights in early December. She’s moved outside and wasn’t too happy about it, but being completely distraught over Daddy not coming home… it seemed like a now or never time for bringing home Jimmy (especially as webhad lost a few other “goat friend” prospects to freezer camp with their owners not wanting to wait on my fencing getting done). There was another In-laws family blowout situation which culminated in a “If anyone harms my pets statement” so yeah, you can imagine. Andrew finally made it home the second week of December (with many new meds, and some upcoming surgeries are likely this year). We had to put down my last kittie Bullet, just before Christmas. That’s the really dark place I’ve been trying to climb out of for most of last year. Things are doing better…

I still have Sammy and Dean, we lost Cass to a raccoon attack. Roostie’s boy Chunk survived the mink attack, as did my Bully Girl, Tailless, Ziptie, and my Rogue mama who hatched out 11 babies in late summer, in my house trusses. It mostly took my broody hens and up and coming layers, as well as some of the core laying flock.

We have fully scrapped our second floor, replacing it with a planned attic, I reframed a lot of the first floor to accommodate the loss of the upstairs, and make it the wheelchair accessible space we had requested in the plans. I have been working everyday for the last three weeks for 5-9 hours on the build, often alone, sometimes with Andrew’s help, regardless of the weather. I also hired a local kid for a few days as well ($50/hr got me some general labour, and I knew I was in trouble when one of the first things she said was “so, what do you mean when you say “stud”…”)! But I’m making progress, and feeling a lot better about things.

That's quite the update! And entirely understandable dropping off of byc for so long. Sometimes the time is that bit too much.
You've had some major stress, battles and exhaustion on top of heartache and anguish and worry without much support and help physically present.

 

[Kris5902]

Well, it looks like BYC, my phone, and the cell connection are still grumpy about sharing pictures! Lol so Here’s Mr. Jimmy Pickletoes and Arduinna:

One of the Mudslides here on the Farm (I literally haven’t left the property since last November…)

Some of our Flood action

 

[Kris5902]

We also had a really nasty cold snap, and I finally have had to deal with Frostbite. Dean was an idiot and literally went outside in unreasonable temperatures with a nasty wind. It was just ridiculously cold when he went out, with a few brave (dumb) ladies. They at least took shelter under a bush, I looked out and saw his silly feathered butt standing near the bush, hunched up in the wind. I ran out and returned everyone to the coop, but the tips of his comb ended up blistered and black, so of course a hen pecked it for him… he was bleeding and she wouldn’t leave him alone so I brought him into the trailer for a night. The very next morning he picked a fight with Sammy, several times (I guess the eggs for breakfast made him feel a little too good?).

Sammy ended up with a black eye, can you believe it? And I ended up with a house Rooster for over a week! I was thinking about @featherhead007 a lot that week!

 

[micstrachan]

@Kris5902 !!!! There you are!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Well, it looks like BYC, my phone, and the cell connection are still grumpy about sharing pictures! Lol so Here’s Mr. Jimmy Pickletoes and Arduinna:View attachment 2985002
One of the Mudslides here on the Farm (I literally haven’t left the property since last November…)
View attachment 2985011
Some of our Flood actionView attachment 2985013

OMG, I was thinking of you during the floods! I have a sister in law in Vancouver.

 

[BY Bob]

So, Hi again… it’s been far too long I know! And I am very sorry to have dropped out on everyone here. Life just got a little out of control, overwhelming and I have been having a really rough time. 2022 is getting better, it really is. So long story short, the contractors/goat hunters that were helping build our house didn’t. They totally ghosted us, didn’t return my calls and had asked for $20k, which I got (through primarily saving, and borrowing a bit from my family… I briefly considered a go fund me, but asked my dad for some help instead). I also lost cell phone/internet service for a little bit due to funding issues. I fell into a really, really bad depression, and was barely managing the day to days here.

Then DH (Andrew), who was working his behind off, became very ill. For anyone who doesn’t know, he has a congenital heart defect, pacemaker, and has had multiple heart surgeries since he was a young child. I almost lost him. He spent three weeks in Hospital, his was when the Flooding hit our province, we were fairly lucky on our island, but I was literally trapped for quite a while with no help or ability to get fuel/feed. While trapped by the Washed out roads I had to Put down my cat Charlie. Then I had a Mink attack literally the next day (it found a little hole in the floor of the coop by the door) and lost 31 birds, some I had quite close relationships to.

I got Arduinna a friend and slept out in the Barn with the two goats for several nights in early December. She’s moved outside and wasn’t too happy about it, but being completely distraught over Daddy not coming home… it seemed like a now or never time for bringing home Jimmy (especially as webhad lost a few other “goat friend” prospects to freezer camp with their owners not wanting to wait on my fencing getting done). There was another In-laws family blowout situation which culminated in a “If anyone harms my pets statement” so yeah, you can imagine. Andrew finally made it home the second week of December (with many new meds, and some upcoming surgeries are likely this year). We had to put down my last kittie Bullet, just before Christmas. That’s the really dark place I’ve been trying to climb out of for most of last year. Things are doing better…

I still have Sammy and Dean, we lost Cass to a raccoon attack. Roostie’s boy Chunk survived the mink attack, as did my Bully Girl, Tailless, Ziptie, and my Rogue mama who hatched out 11 babies in late summer, in my house trusses. It mostly took my broody hens and up and coming layers, as well as some of the core laying flock.

We have fully scrapped our second floor, replacing it with a planned attic, I reframed a lot of the first floor to accommodate the loss of the upstairs, and make it the wheelchair accessible space we had requested in the plans. I have been working everyday for the last three weeks for 5-9 hours on the build, often alone, sometimes with Andrew’s help, regardless of the weather. I also hired a local kid for a few days as well ($50/hr got me some general labour, and I knew I was in trouble when one of the first things she said was “so, what do you mean when you say “stud”…”)! But I’m making progress, and feeling a lot better about things.

So many things. You are one of the strongest people I know. So much thrown at you and you keep moving forward.

I would like to think that someday, hopefully soon, life will start to even put for you.

 

[BY Bob]

Hi everyone. I hope all is going well. It was a terrific day with the girls. You know what? I think the veggies I’m grating for them might be making them healthier. That combined with the spring-like weather we are having (drought in California is returning to scary levels after a completely dry January). Today there were two eggs. The youngins seem to be coming back into lay. The almost 5+ year olds? Not so much.

In other news… we might have a place to move to!!! The best part? The owner who lives next door is excited for chickens and tomatoes!!! I think it’s going to be OK. It’s only 7 minutes away from here and we’ll still have a bedroom for my son to come home to from college. We’ll be paying 32% more in rent (ouch) for a slightly smaller place, but we’ll just have to not be so spendy on other things. And my chickens will be welcome. I’m actually kind of excited.

This is wonderful news! I've been wishing the best for you. I'm glad it seems to be working out.

 

[Kris5902]

@Kris5902 !!!! There you are!!!

Still kicking! 2021 was just not good for me… lol

 

[micstrachan]

So, Hi again… it’s been far too long I know! And I am very sorry to have dropped out on everyone here. Life just got a little out of control, overwhelming and I have been having a really rough time. 2022 is getting better, it really is. So long story short, the contractors/goat hunters that were helping build our house didn’t. They totally ghosted us, didn’t return my calls and had asked for $20k, which I got (through primarily saving, and borrowing a bit from my family… I briefly considered a go fund me, but asked my dad for some help instead). I also lost cell phone/internet service for a little bit due to funding issues. I fell into a really, really bad depression, and was barely managing the day to days here.

Then DH (Andrew), who was working his behind off, became very ill. For anyone who doesn’t know, he has a congenital heart defect, pacemaker, and has had multiple heart surgeries since he was a young child. I almost lost him. He spent three weeks in Hospital, his was when the Flooding hit our province, we were fairly lucky on our island, but I was literally trapped for quite a while with no help or ability to get fuel/feed. While trapped by the Washed out roads I had to Put down my cat Charlie. Then I had a Mink attack literally the next day (it found a little hole in the floor of the coop by the door) and lost 31 birds, some I had quite close relationships to.

I got Arduinna a friend and slept out in the Barn with the two goats for several nights in early December. She’s moved outside and wasn’t too happy about it, but being completely distraught over Daddy not coming home… it seemed like a now or never time for bringing home Jimmy (especially as webhad lost a few other “goat friend” prospects to freezer camp with their owners not wanting to wait on my fencing getting done). There was another In-laws family blowout situation which culminated in a “If anyone harms my pets statement” so yeah, you can imagine. Andrew finally made it home the second week of December (with many new meds, and some upcoming surgeries are likely this year). We had to put down my last kittie Bullet, just before Christmas. That’s the really dark place I’ve been trying to climb out of for most of last year. Things are doing better…

I still have Sammy and Dean, we lost Cass to a raccoon attack. Roostie’s boy Chunk survived the mink attack, as did my Bully Girl, Tailless, Ziptie, and my Rogue mama who hatched out 11 babies in late summer, in my house trusses. It mostly took my broody hens and up and coming layers, as well as some of the core laying flock.

We have fully scrapped our second floor, replacing it with a planned attic, I reframed a lot of the first floor to accommodate the loss of the upstairs, and make it the wheelchair accessible space we had requested in the plans. I have been working everyday for the last three weeks for 5-9 hours on the build, often alone, sometimes with Andrew’s help, regardless of the weather. I also hired a local kid for a few days as well ($50/hr got me some general labour, and I knew I was in trouble when one of the first things she said was “so, what do you mean when you say “stud”…”)! But I’m making progress, and feeling a lot better about things.

Oh. My. Gosh. Kris, you have really been through it. I am glad you are pulling out of your depression and that Andrew is OK. I’m so sorry you’ve been having such a hard time and thst you lost so many animal friends.