Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

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

Wow that is the power of nature for sure, amazing photos thanks for sharing.

 

[RoyalChick]

Wanted to say, Very sorry for disappearing on everyone, Say Hi, I miss everyone… and let everyone know what’s been happening here. I still have Chickens, and Arduinna… and am working on the house building! I received a beautiful Christmas card last week and have been meaning to log back in. I am sure I have missed so much.

She’s back!!!!!!

As you can tell Kris we have been missing you.

 

[RoyalChick]

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.

For all the losses.
And For the better times to come.
I have said this before Kris, but once again I am in awe of your strength and resilience.

 

[RoyalChick]

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.

Oh I am so happy to hear that!

 

[Marie2020]

Hello little sunshine what a love

 

[Marie2020]

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.

You sure are standing up against a lot of pitfalls and coming through it all. Stay strong! I deeply admire your courage

 

[Marie2020]

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.

That's such wonderful news. I'm just ecstatic for you

 

[Ponypoor]

And if anyone is wondering the just tacked in place plywood by the ladder is covering some I ram out of 2x10’s and had to improvise with some 2x6 joists, I’ll replace the plywood and cut to fit when I get around to replacing the undersized lumber… it’s an attic and not really a load bearing area… I’m also cutting up our trusses to make them fit and will be adding two knee walls over the interior load bearing walls to support the rest of the roof, creating a 12x40’ attic storage space.

Wow you're a great Handy Woman! Do keep us in the loop as to the progress!

 

[bgmathteach]

Aaaaahhhhh, nothing like a good, community, dust bath!!

Lovely Sunshine mug there, too

?Little Mil was limping...is she okay?

 

[featherhead007]

Aaaaahhhhh, nothing like a good, community, dust bath!!

Lovely Sunshine mug there, too

?Little Mil was limping...is she okay?

Well, there was this jacuzzi that me and three ladies shared, one evening (long ago)