Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Are you putting hot salty water on your eye with a cotton ball? That seems to help. Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you

Just a very warm compress, I haven't had a stye since I was in my 20s! Now that wasn't yesterday haha! And never this bad.

 

[Ponypoor]

I am dreading that moment. It is coming fast. All my strategies to have a slow integration are failing because the Hooligans are an adventurous bunch.
So far they are getting away with it but I don’t think they would come to me if they got lost.

I hear ya, it was always a worry for a newbie like me.

Now my gals are grown, but still you have those gals who just feel the need to roam... Freaking me out when I can't find them. I cannot wait to get my permanent run installed so they can't make run for it!

 

[Ponypoor]

We had an adventure...

Went to in-laws for dinner (April birthdays party), a bit over an hour away. Warm ish day, heat turned off, babies bouncing, checking out the door. I'm inside getting stuff done before leaving. Cheetah and company all up by the house except broody Jess. Cheetah lights up (3rd time today, 1 & 2 false alarms). Head out: neighbor's cat is in the yard. chase her off, check coop, all good. Leave mid afternoon, have great visit, dinner, cake, ice cream...head home, arriving 830ish. Go to close coop: 11 adults, baby pile in corner. Turn on light, start moving babies: Mera, Primula, Hector, Asphodel, Nox....wait a minute ... Head count ....5...flashlight app, check corners, nooks, crannies of coop...5...outside, still light, but sun is down. Check around coop, around olives, nothing...listen carefully, nothing....back to coop (have been certain someone was missing and found just fine inside next morning)...check again...still 5...back outside, start check again, more calling....hear cheeping....where from? Finally spot Belladonna on the side of the fenced garden closest to the house, up the hillside. Head over, talking to her the whole way. Crouch down in front of her but outside of arms reach. Hold out hands, still talking to her. She takes a few steps towards me, pauses, I close the distance and pick her up without any fuss (usually a bit of fuss). Snuggle her in. The bottoms of her feet are cool. Pack her back to HER door. Set her in the doorway, she finally heads over to rejoin her cuddle buddies. This is the first (that I'm aware of) exploration outside the coop. They've had access for a couple of weeks, but the cooler temps have been keeping them back from the door.

I expected the first to be either Asphodel or Box. It's possible they were and just got home safely, but the big adventure starts now.

So glad all turned out ok! I was dreading reading on!

Always one that causes you some grief and worry!

 

[Ponypoor]

After I got back grandma was sleeping. So I sat outback with the chickens for a hour until she got up. At first all was well. Branch made his way in the back door and came to visit. I was holding him and he was sleeping in my arms when she asked to hold him. I handed him over and he melted. 20 minutes later Branch is still asleep and she asked me to take a picture of them. Here it is.
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Not long after these were taken her brother showed up. She was having a good visit with him, when out of the blue she blew up. I do not know what started it, but she started shouting she was going home. She was tired of being held here against her will and if we did not let her leave she was calling 911. Her brother was trying to calm her down, saying she was not being held here against her will, and then said if we let her leave he was calling the health department to have her place condemned due to the mice and her hoarding. She threatened to shoot him. Mom had to intervene and she jumped down her throat and said me and her were treating her like dirt, starving her and keeping her here when she was able to go home. Then just like that she was calm and forgot entirely about that incident. After her brother left a hour later she calls him and asks why did he not visit today. Rages like today, are becoming more frequent, and me and mom are coming to the end of our ropes.

The photos are lovely

I am sorry to hear about the mood swings, it's very hard to deal with these. Is it possible to drive her to her home when she gets emotional? And she can calm down, then bring her back to your place?

Sending you hugs

 

[rural mouse]

I am dreading that moment. It is coming fast. All my strategies to have a slow integration are failing because the Hooligans are an adventurous bunch.
So far they are getting away with it but I don’t think they would come to me if they got lost.

I don't know when she went exploring. I suspect she'd been out long enough to feel lost. Familiar person and I didn't loom over her helped. Tomorrow, between school and work, I'm hoping they decide to wait. If I calculated things right, Jess's eggs are due later this week. Hoping the lot follow her and learn as She teaches babies....

This is more complicated than the last one....Cheetah has more girls to watch over than Rusty did....

 

[rural mouse]

Mugs

Storm

Hector (with Mera as tail bomber)

 

[bgmathteach]

After I got back grandma was sleeping. So I sat outback with the chickens for a hour until she got up. At first all was well. Branch made his way in the back door and came to visit. I was holding him and he was sleeping in my arms when she asked to hold him. I handed him over and he melted. 20 minutes later Branch is still asleep and she asked me to take a picture of them. Here it is.
View attachment 3077998View attachment 3078002
Not long after these were taken her brother showed up. She was having a good visit with him, when out of the blue she blew up. I do not know what started it, but she started shouting she was going home. She was tired of being held here against her will and if we did not let her leave she was calling 911. Her brother was trying to calm her down, saying she was not being held here against her will, and then said if we let her leave he was calling the health department to have her place condemned due to the mice and her hoarding. She threatened to shoot him. Mom had to intervene and she jumped down her throat and said me and her were treating her like dirt, starving her and keeping her here when she was able to go home. Then just like that she was calm and forgot entirely about that incident. After her brother left a hour later she calls him and asks why did he not visit today. Rages like today, are becoming more frequent, and me and mom are coming to the end of our ropes.

That is so tough!

Are you able to call and have a talk with her neurologist? I know you are having issues (or had) with the appointments. However, I do think it is important that you let him/her know. I suspect it will cause issues discussing that in front of grandma at the next appointment. However, he/she should be aware, as there may be (?) some meds or something that may help temper the episodes. I wish I knew something to help...my heart goes out to you!

All I can say is: remember, it isn't really your grandmother talking/yelling when this happens. It is the disease. Try really hard to remember that, as the emotional piece for you is, I'm sure, the worst part of it.

Just remember, you ARE doing a wonderful job, and clearly grandma knows that too...when she is in her rational state. Just look at her with Branch!

 

[RoyalChick]

Here is Bernadette’s mugshot for Monday. She has settled down on Maggie’s favorite roosting spot. Playing with fire!

 

[bgmathteach]

I am dreading that moment. It is coming fast. All my strategies to have a slow integration are failing because the Hooligans are an adventurous bunch.
So far they are getting away with it but I don’t think they would come to me if they got lost.

You might be pleasantly surprised. When you are little and scared and in a 'big bad world', the slightly scary mom is a much better option!

 

[RoyalChick]

Mugs

Storm
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Hector (with Mera as tail bomber)
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Storm is a very elegant looking hen.