Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

Dear Aurora,
I cannot tell you how excited I am that you responded to my letter. I really am your number one fan and pay close attention to your every word! I am so flattered that you see me as a kindred spirit and will always try to be worthy of that honor.
I do my very best to follow The Way of the Chicken, and I always ask myself WWAD (what would Aurora do).
It was very helpful to receive your letter before today's publication date and it came not a minute too soon - because as you suspected my human went ahead and did it.
SHE GOT MORE CHICKENS!!
As you said at first she would not let me touch them so I did my best to go chicken hunting from the other side of the fence.

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But then Diana showed me a video on Beakbook and it really helped me hone my technique (who would think sweet Diana would be so helpful in this enterprise?!).
This is the video she showed me it is very short but highly instructive:

I have done my best to copy his approach

I must say it is very satisfying to chase them around - but they haven't tried to fight me through the fence. Strangely they sometimes seem to want to chat!

The next development just happened and is truly wonderful. I am allowed to terrorize them as much as I want inside the Chicken Palace. No fence any more!
I have not had such fun EVER.
Sometimes I just look at them and they run away. I could not be happier right now!

I cannot thank you enough for helping me see the opportunities for me in Chicken Math, I feel like the possibilities are endless! Maybe she will get even more chickens? Maybe even tomorrow. I am a bit tired from all the running around, but I am ready to take on any challenge!

Yours in adoration,
Bernadette

are they the ones from Barb?

 

[RoyalChick]

are they the ones from Barb?

Intros to follow. Just need to grab something to eat first.

 

[BY Bob]

Dear Aurora,
I cannot tell you how excited I am that you responded to my letter. I really am your number one fan and pay close attention to your every word! I am so flattered that you see me as a kindred spirit and will always try to be worthy of that honor.
I do my very best to follow The Way of the Chicken, and I always ask myself WWAD (what would Aurora do).
It was very helpful to receive your letter before today's publication date and it came not a minute too soon - because as you suspected my human went ahead and did it.
SHE GOT MORE CHICKENS!!
As you said at first she would not let me touch them so I did my best to go chicken hunting from the other side of the fence.

View attachment 3366825View attachment 3366826View attachment 3366827View attachment 3366829

But then Diana showed me a video on Beakbook and it really helped me hone my technique (who would think sweet Diana would be so helpful in this enterprise?!).
This is the video she showed me it is very short but highly instructive:

I have done my best to copy his approach

I must say it is very satisfying to chase them around - but they haven't tried to fight me through the fence. Strangely they sometimes seem to want to chat!

The next development just happened and is truly wonderful. I am allowed to terrorize them as much as I want inside the Chicken Palace. No fence any more!
I have not had such fun EVER.
Sometimes I just look at them and they run away. I could not be happier right now!

I cannot thank you enough for helping me see the opportunities for me in Chicken Math, I feel like the possibilities are endless! Maybe she will get even more chickens? Maybe even tomorrow. I am a bit tired from all the running around, but I am ready to take on any challenge!

Yours in adoration,
Bernadette

That is the best response to an Aurora letter ever! I can't stop laughing. She really does look like she is having fun.

 

[micstrachan]

Thank you. So do you. Your sussex got me more interested in that breed, leading to Nox and Mera when the opportunity arose.

I love that! And aren’t those sussex feathers oh so soft???

 

[RoyalChick]

Those of you who follow 'Ask Aurora' will have noticed that Bernadette has given away my secret. I have been holding out on you all and spent Christmas and New Year introducing new chickens to the Chicken Palace.

Bernadette gave you only fleeting glimpses of them running away
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-26430083

But now it is time for me to introduce them properly to everyone at Fluffy Butt Acres.

Before I do so, I want to say a huge thank you to @bgmathteach who really succeeded in pushing me past the sadness of all my recent chicken losses to expand my flock, and who really went above and beyond to share two beautiful members of her flock with me. Thanks also to @BY Bob who provided wise advice and @MaryJanet who by sharing the stories of her laundry chickens helped me realize how I could make quarantine practical for these grown ladies - I too now have a chicken room!

Please meet the new Princesses in residence.

Eli (Elinor)
Elinor is flighty but also very food motivated. She will hide behind or underneath her sister as long as doing so does not cut off her access to the food.
She is named after Elinor Smith who was a stunt pilot in the 1920s. In 1928 she flew under all the bridges on the East River in NYC - she did it on a dare and nobody has achieved it since. This capture's Eli's character perfectly!

Babs
Babs is larger, fluffy, comfortable, and inclined to be friendly. She is still wary of me, but settles when held. She is very vocal and is constantly talking to whoever is interested. She is no pushover will scream blue murder when I first try to touch her. She seems inclined to want to be friends with Diana and Bernie. Her name is partly inspired by Barbara Walters - a pioneering female news broadcaster in the US (and Babs can certainly broadcast) and partly in recognition of @bgmathteach, but mainly just because it suits her!

The main issue right now is that they are both roosting 10' up in the rafters of the Chicken Palace run. Getting there is no small feat, and when they come down they sometimes land right in front of Bernadette who does not appreciate when it rains chickens from the sky.

Here are a few pictures by way of introduction - more to follow I am sure.

 

[micstrachan]

For those wondering about Momma hen she is doing well. Coming off the nest every morning. If the cold did not affect the eggs we have less then a week away from chicks. Honestly it could be anytime. I do not know if when we realized what she was doing was 1. If it was, which I doubt truth be told, 21 days would have them hatching by Jan 10. I am starting to watch that hillside like a hawk. She has also always had her chicks hatch around 19 days anyway. I hope to catch her biggest tell before her chicks hatch. Every time I have known she was setting roughly 48 hours before they hatch she comes off the nest and stays off for over a hour stuffing herself and having multiple dust baths. If I can spot that I know chicks are coming soon.

So exciting!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Those of you who follow 'Ask Aurora' will have noticed that Bernadette has given away my secret. I have been holding out on you all and spent Christmas and New Year introducing new chickens to the Chicken Palace.

Bernadette gave you only fleeting glimpses of them running away
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-26430083

But now it is time for me to introduce them properly to everyone at Fluffy Butt Acres.

Before I do so, I want to say a huge thank you to @bgmathteach who really succeeded in pushing me past the sadness of all my recent chicken losses to expand my flock, and who really went above and beyond to share two beautiful members of her flock with me. Thanks also to @BY Bob who provided wise advice and @MaryJanet who by sharing the stories of her laundry chickens helped me realize how I could make quarantine practical for these grown ladies - I too now have a chicken room!

Please meet the new Princesses in residence.

Eli (Elinor)
Elinor is flighty but also very food motivated. She will hide behind or underneath her sister as long as doing so does not cut off her access to the food.
She is named after Elinor Smith who was a stunt pilot in the 1920s. In 1928 she flew under all the bridges on the East River in NYC - she did it on a dare and nobody has achieved it since. This capture's Eli's character perfectly!

Babs
Babs is larger, fluffy, comfortable, and inclined to be friendly. She is still wary of me, but settles when held. She is very vocal and is constantly talking to whoever is interested. She is no pushover will scream blue murder when I first try to touch her. She seems inclined to want to be friends with Diana and Bernie. Her name is partly inspired by Barbara Walters - a pioneering female news broadcaster in the US (and Babs can certainly broadcast) and partly in recognition of @bgmathteach, but mainly just because it suits her!

The main issue right now is that they are both roosting 10' up in the rafters of the Chicken Palace run. Getting there is no small feat, and when they come down they sometimes land right in front of Bernadette who does not appreciate when it rains chickens from the sky.

Here are a few pictures by way of introduction - more to follow I am sure.

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View attachment 3366929

Awww… welcome Babs abd Eli!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Ask Aurora

Today’s question comes from Bernadette.

View attachment 3366686

She writes……….


Dear Aurora,
I think you know I am a HUGE FAN - and although I can never have a beard like yours, I consider you a role model.

I have heard my human servant talk about wanting more chickens. She often has fanciful ideas (like asking me to sit on her lap) so at first I just ignored it. But she has now said it several times and so I am getting worried.

What does she want with more chickens? Surely I am magnificent enough to make other chickens un-necessary? I enclose a recent picture so you can confirm that I am indeed magnificent.

Also, I still have my work cut out for me ensuring that I get the prime roost spot each night and I only have to battle dear Diana for that spot. I cannot contemplate needing to handle more than Diana.

Honestly, it is exhausting just to think about!

I think I have to stop this whole idea before it gets out of hand. How can I get my servant thinking on more constructive lines like providing more treats instead of this more chickens nonsense?

Yours in complete awe of your achievements,
Bernadette


Dear Bernadette,
From the stories my human has been telling me about you I sense we may be kindred spirits. You certainly understand the “Way of the Chicken” and seem to be living up to the code. Don’t be too disappointed about not having a beard and muffs. Not everyone can grow one. You may want to try Spicey Food. I have heard rumors that it could help create facial feathers.

Looking at your picture I must admit that you are an attractive lady. You would think that someone with your superior looks would be enough for any human. However, humans do not think like chickens do. You need to learn about how humans think to understand what is going to happen to you.

Humans are strange. They never feel they have enough chickens. They are always looking to add more. More usually means different as well. I swear my humans are trying to make a rainbow of some kind. It’s like they want one of every kind. You should see the weirdos they have added to my tribe.

View attachment 3366688

Are those even chickens?

And then there is egg color. Some humans. Like mine are fixated on special color eggs. It wasn’t enough that I gave them beautiful pink eggs, no they had to have blue. I think blue eggs are disgusting. They look like they are spoiled or something.

You need to learn this one thing. Humans are always looking to add more different chickens. They even have a phrase for this tendency. They call it “Chicken Math”.

Chicken Math is not all bad though. There is a reason the smart hen wants to be high up in the pecking order. It is “The Way of the Chicken” for a good reason. Sure we get the choicest treats and food. There is also one more thing you get that you have not experienced. We get minions.

Here are some of my minions.

View attachment 3366689

You have not experienced the pure extasy it is to be worshiped. Minions will worship you. The smart ones will even bow down when you approach.

You can assign tasks to minions if they prove themselves worthy and they will be thankful for it! For example, you do not always have stand sentinel duty anymore. One of your minions can do it for you.

Minions are free game for friendly (or not so friendly) reminders that they are below you in the pecking order. So, peck them whenever you want. Always remember, it is your sworn duty to remind them of their lowly status whenever possible. That is “The Way of the Chicken”. In fact, it can be tons of fun to ambush and surprise them and make them flee your presence in fear. You already have exceptional roosting talents, put those talents to special use by forcing a minion off the roost at night. It lends a special sense of accomplishment and closure to a long day spent teaching your minions you are their better.

Just because something is your duty doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it.

I do need to give you one warning though. New chickens may just be bold enough to try and challenge your status. You must destroy them utterly when they first arrive. Typically, the humans will try to make you all be friends. Yes, humans are silly. They do not understand that we can’t be friends until everyone understands their place in the order of things. Once everyone understands their place then we can socialize “nicely”. As you know this is ever “The Way of the Chicken”.

In order to help us to be “friends” the humans will let you meet the newcomers but will keep you separated by wire so you can’t touch them. This is the most important time. You must heed my words. This is when you must, hear me, YOU MUST, intimidate the crap out of them. Charge the wire without running into it while screaming at them. Scrape your beak on the wire like you are sharpening it. Tell them you are going to peck the life out of them as soon as you get the chance. Stare them down. Dedicate part of your day to walking back and forth in front of the wire like some crazy bull just looking for a way to tear through the wire and get at them. They need to think you are nuts.

Humans call this “fence fighting”.

I call it prep.

Then when there is no wire between you for the first time you MUST ATTACK them immediately. Chase them everywhere. Before you know it, they will accept that you are their better and you will have your first minions.

You need to look upon this as an opportunity rather than your human viewing you as not enough. Trust me. You will love being worshiped by your minions. It’s the best.

Excellent read as always! Thank you Aurora and Bob!

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

I just realized I have 2 ancona girls with no names so I need to name them. I need kool, unique names.

Zola, and Cassiopeia? Cass-e-o-pe-a

 

[lightm]

How is he today?

You have not "hogged" the thread. This kind of non-chicken-related sharing and request for support is perfectly fine IMO. Way more important than the pages and pages of non-chicken yakking that get posted here.

Making it up only means send in a chicken picture if you can. Technically you're supposed to send in the "tax" with the post but that is difficult for many to do and they post it afterwards.

I have chick pics on my PC where I am now. Here's one maybe will comfort you, I think it might be Popcorn, two weeks old maybe? It's a little fuzzy but I like how she's lifting her foot. She got the name Popcorn because she was fearless / reckless, she tried to jump out of the box she arrived in as soon as it was open and was always hopping up and jumping out of the raised brooder to greet me when I opened the mosquito netting doorway. She paid no attention to what was below or how far down it was. Of course wing flapping was not very effective. I set up a narrow window screen below the edge to be like a circus trapeze safety net! Most of the time she landed on me or I caught her. She still likes to jump on me on occasion, usually for better access to treats.
View attachment 3366687

Thank you! I've never been more anxious in my life. He has pneumonia and it is not light. He is undergoing some standard treatment. I will try to talk to his doctor today. My mom is exhausted from taking care of him because she barely recovered from covid. Going to China now still requires at least 5 days quarantine. But starting Jan 8, no more quarantine is needed. I might go to China after the 8th, which could cost $5000, in addition to some indirect route that goes through Germany that takes 36h+ travel time.

I just don't know. I've been behaving like a zombie. I just want him to be better.