Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Are those the square ones? I accidentally picked up a box of those the other day and when I got them home I thought it was some kind of joke!
I can’t engage with the star ones either!

Tax for taking us off topic: the Hooligans discussing recent experiences out in the wild.
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Is that a butterfly bush I see growing there?

 

[BY Bob]

Or, a tiny flat head when you need a big one, or a big one when you need a little one!

Hmmm, at this rate, I'm going to need to take more pics to keep up to date on my taxes. Recycled ones will have to do for now:

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A very good boy that I am going to have to put down. He is only a year old, and near as I can tell, he has Mareck's. All my chicks have been vaccinated and/or hatched on site....no birds brought in but vaccinated chicks, so I am not sure how he got it, but it seems to be the classic symptoms and I can find no other reason. He can't use his legs. I have been working with him trying to supplement vit. B and exercising legs 2 x per day...and it has gotten worse, not better. Poor guy, he is sweet and was a good boy to the girls..... this is so hard, but, watching him quietly yesterday...I realized that I was so attached that I ignoring the obvious. He initially (quite suddenly - after a fight with another roo) was very weak in the legs and I brought him inside to protect him and work with him (initially thinking it was pain from injuries.) Despite my efforts, legs are worse...now he has no control of lower legs at all, no reflex nor grip motion with feet, nothing. He does have a will to live....but it is no life not being able to move. He can't even tip himself from one side to the other with his legs when laying...he has to use his wings. These pics were from March.

I'm so sorry. That's very sad. I know you will do what is best for him.

 

[RoyalChick]

Some changes are coming to the Chicken Palace today.
I have a ‘safe space’ for the Hooligans with entrances too small for the big chickens. The trouble is Bella is so big and Minnie is so small that my dog panel dividers are no longer separating the two groups.
A regular pattern is that Minnie enters the Hooligan area and starts eating their food. The Hooligans flee in terror and settle down to eating the big Princesses food.
This makes no sense!
Time to get rid of the panels and maybe even add another feed station. Though it is only the Hooligans and the Roadrunners who have issues. Maggie and Diana just ignore both groups and get on with doing their own thing!

Tax: Bernadette strides out

See what I did there? I created an excuse to share a picture of Bernadette because I am so enjoying her now she is able to enjoy her environment. I also think she is pretty.

 

[RoyalChick]

Is that a butterfly bush I see growing there?

Yes. It is a volunteer that appeared and as I was planting the chicken yard to create shelter I realized I already had a starting point.
It is now quite big and provides good cover and shade and the ladies love it.
Please don’t tell me it is toxic to chickens! None of them have died in contact yet, though I don’t think they eat it.

Roadrunners in the Butterfly bush.

 

[BY Bob]

Some changes are coming to the Chicken Palace today.
I have a ‘safe space’ for the Hooligans with entrances too small for the big chickens. The trouble is Bella is so big and Minnie is so small that my dog panel dividers are no longer separating the two groups.
A regular pattern is that Minnie enters the Hooligan area and starts eating their food. The Hooligans flee in terror and settle down to eating the big Princesses food.
This makes no sense!
Time to get rid of the panels and maybe even add another feed station. Though it is only the Hooligans and the Roadrunners who have issues. Maggie and Diana just ignore both groups and get on with doing their own thing!

Tax: Bernadette strides out
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See what I did there? I created an excuse to share a picture of Bernadette because I am so enjoying her now she is able to enjoy her environment. I also think she is pretty.

You can post as many pictures of Bernie as you want. She is beautiful and my heart soars when I see her recovery and remember what you both went through.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes. It is a volunteer that appeared and as I was planting the chicken yard to create shelter I realized I already had a starting point.
It is now quite big and provides good cover and shade and the ladies love it.
Please don’t tell me it is toxic to chickens! None of them have died in contact yet, though I don’t think they eat it.

Roadrunners in the Butterfly bush.
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The butterfly bushes in my yard are beloved in the heart of the summer. They are not dangerous to them in any way.

Some butterfly bush pictures from years gone by...

 

[BY Bob]

2fer Tuesday

Today's theme, Barred and Beautiful

 

[bgmathteach]

Long painful night. Instead of sleeping, I decided to take out my slide rule and do some calculations. Weight, drag and maximum engine propulsion for my SkyHawk, can be altered for more efficiency, longer distance flights, and maximum fuel economy. I can reconfigure the wing supports, the landing gear materials, wind resistance to the airframe. Only materials would change. From ACR aluminum to CF “carbon fiber” struts, ailerons, basic trim of all wind resistant surfaces. This project might be quite fun!

Hugs for the painful night.

Be careful you don't become like Icarus! That said, mental work is good for both the mind and the soul!

 

[bgmathteach]

Twofer Tuesday: Lulu and Bella

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Oooooo, Lulu can contact the aliens, and Bella can repel attacks with her irridescent green sheen!!

 

[bgmathteach]

When did the fight happen and for how long has he been loosing control of his legs ?
I'm so sorry, it's so hard having to put him down after having taken so much care of him, especially if he is a sweet boy.

I think it has been a month now. Honestly I have lost track of time, but at least that long, probably closer to 6 weeks. Went from suddenly weak in the legs to now nothing, despite exercises twice a day, sometimes (weekends) 3x. The injury was only on one leg. Broken spur and a gash. Both have healed just fine weeks ago....