Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[TX Chick Noob]

I got some very upsetting and disturbing news today. I have posted a few times about a friend of ours who got four chicks last spring. He lost one of them to a fox several months back, so he has been keeping them locked up most of the time and only letting them out in the yard when someone will be outside. Especially since a hawk has been hanging around. About a week ago he told us that one of them had died suddenly. She hasn’t been acting sick, other than the fact that all of them had been acting stressed and haven’t laid any eggs in over a month. This seemed really unusual to me for pullets in their first winter, especially as far south as we are. But he couldn’t figure out why she would have died so suddenly. She was a beautiful Buff Orpington, and he said she was definitely their sweetest one.

Today he called to tell us he figured out what happened. The story his 11-year-old son told just didn’t seem quite right. He was outside playing, which was why the chickens were getting some time out in the yard. He had come in and said there was something wrong with one of the chickens, and when our friend went outside to check she was already cold and getting stiff. The son said he hadn’t seen anything happen. Well a few days ago our friend decided to ask his son again if he had seen her acting strangely or anything else. The boy finally said the chicken had been chasing him and pecking him, so he kicked her! Our friend and his wife were very upset, especially since the son has also been having behavioral issues in school. They took him to see a psychiatrist yesterday, and he was diagnosed with ADHD and put on meds. But in my opinion things still don’t add up. I find it hard to believe that a small boy was able to kick the chicken hard enough to kill it almost instantly with a single kick, especially if he was also trying to run away from it. I think he was a little more deliberate in his actions, and probably cornered her and kicked her numerous times or dis something else to her. And just ADHD doesn’t excuse that behavior. We also think he has probably been chasing them, throwing things at them for some time, which could help explain why they are acting stressed/nervous and not laying. The poor chickens. We told our friend he needs to keep a VERY close eye on his son, and I think he also needs counseling. They have taken away all his screen time as punishment, he isn’t even allowed to be in the same room if they are watching television. But I am so worried about the other chickens, and he definitely shouldn’t be allowed around them unsupervised any more.

Here is a picture of the poor chicken that he killed, I can’t remember her name.

 

[Cynthia12]

Rosie's fever broke this afternoon and she is feeling better. I hate that she has huge dark circles under her eyes but I no longer feel we are on the verge of being hospital bound. It was almost 70 today and about a hour before dark she wanted to just go sit outside for some fresh air. I agreed and we went out and opened up the coop and sat with Chiquita and the chicks. They are still wary of me but were eventually all over Rosie. While feeding them out of her hand she spotted the older group of youngsters and informed me it was time to name them. Yeah, too late, they are named. She really loved the name Athena. She was like you know that is a greek goddess. Yup, but she is named after Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" since her momma is Raven. That made it even better for her as she fell in love with his poems when they covered him in 8th grade. She then asked me if the leghorns were named. Nope just 1, little Peep. That changed almost instantly. 3 were immediately named after her favorite poem of Edgar Allan Poe's that she still has memorized. We have a Anna, Bell, and a Lee. After she came up with those 3 she proceeded to recite the poem to me. She then decided since we have a Athena, we needed a Persephone. She wants to name the last one Flower after Bambi, but I have another idea. I want to call one Turkey. I have a Loosey Goosey, and now a Ducky, I need a Turkey Lurkey.

I used to ride my sister in law's horse..named Athena. Little Arab mix.

 

[BY Bob]

I got some very upsetting and disturbing news today. I have posted a few times about a friend of ours who got four chicks last spring. He lost one of them to a fox several months back, so he has been keeping them locked up most of the time and only letting them out in the yard when someone will be outside. Especially since an hawk has been hanging around. About a week ago he told us that one of them had died suddenly. She hasn’t been acting sick, other than the fact that all of them had been acting stressed and haven’t laid any eggs in over a month. This seemed really unusual to me for pullets in their first winter, especially as far south as we are. But he couldn’t figure out why she would have died so suddenly. She was a beautiful Buff Orpington, and he said she was definitely their sweetest one.

Today he called to tell us he figured out what happened. The story his 11-year-old son told just did it seem quite right. He was outside playing, which was why the chickens were getting some time out in the yard. The son has come in and said there was something wrong with one of the chickens, and when our friend went outside to check she was already cold and getting stiff. The son said he hadn’t seen anything happen. Well a few days ago our friend decided to ask his son again if he had seen her acting strangely or anything else. The boy finally said the chicken had been chasing him and pecking him, so he kicked her! Our friend and his wife were very upset, especially since the son has also been having behavioral issues in school. They took him to see a psychiatrist yesterday, and he was diagnosed with ADHD and put on meds. But in my opinion things still don’t add up. I find it hard to believe that the boy was able to kick the chicken hard enough to kill it almost instantly with a single kick, especially if he was also trying to run away from it. I think he was a little more deliberate. And just ADHD doesn’t excuse that behavior. We also think he has probably been chasing them, throwing things at them for some time, which could help explain why they are acting stressed/nervous and not laying. The poor chickens. We told our friend he needs to keep a VERY close eye on his son, and I think he also needs counseling. They have taken away all his screen time as punishment, he isn’t allowed to be in the same room if they are watching television. But I am so worried about the other chickens, and he definitely shouldn’t be allowed around them unsupervised any more.

Here is a picture of the poor chicken that he killed, I can’t remember her name.
View attachment 3406621

That is very frightening and I think you may be right. He should not be around the chickens supervised. A single kick might injure a bird but unless you snapped its neck somehow it should not kill it instantly. How very sad all around.

 

[Ponypoor]

I got some very upsetting and disturbing news today. I have posted a few times about a friend of ours who got four chicks last spring. He lost one of them to a fox several months back, so he has been keeping them locked up most of the time and only letting them out in the yard when someone will be outside. Especially since a hawk has been hanging around. About a week ago he told us that one of them had died suddenly. She hasn’t been acting sick, other than the fact that all of them had been acting stressed and haven’t laid any eggs in over a month. This seemed really unusual to me for pullets in their first winter, especially as far south as we are. But he couldn’t figure out why she would have died so suddenly. She was a beautiful Buff Orpington, and he said she was definitely their sweetest one.

Today he called to tell us he figured out what happened. The story his 11-year-old son told just didn’t seem quite right. He was outside playing, which was why the chickens were getting some time out in the yard. He had come in and said there was something wrong with one of the chickens, and when our friend went outside to check she was already cold and getting stiff. The son said he hadn’t seen anything happen. Well a few days ago our friend decided to ask his son again if he had seen her acting strangely or anything else. The boy finally said the chicken had been chasing him and pecking him, so he kicked her! Our friend and his wife were very upset, especially since the son has also been having behavioral issues in school. They took him to see a psychiatrist yesterday, and he was diagnosed with ADHD and put on meds. But in my opinion things still don’t add up. I find it hard to believe that a small boy was able to kick the chicken hard enough to kill it almost instantly with a single kick, especially if he was also trying to run away from it. I think he was a little more deliberate in his actions, and probably cornered her and kicked her numerous times or dis something else to her. And just ADHD doesn’t excuse that behavior. We also think he has probably been chasing them, throwing things at them for some time, which could help explain why they are acting stressed/nervous and not laying. The poor chickens. We told our friend he needs to keep a VERY close eye on his son, and I think he also needs counseling. They have taken away all his screen time as punishment, he isn’t even allowed to be in the same room if they are watching television. But I am so worried about the other chickens, and he definitely shouldn’t be allowed around them unsupervised any more.

Here is a picture of the poor chicken that he killed, I can’t remember her name.
View attachment 3406621

Awww what a beauty. Psychosis in children is hard to manage without some serious professional help unfortunately. I fear for people also in these cases poor parents!

 

[ManueB]

Ask Aurora

Today’s letter comes from @ManueB rooster Theo.

View attachment 3406479

And he writes……..

Dear Aurora,
Let me introduce myself. I am the most beautiful, most angry, and most proud little rooster in the world.
My name is Théo and I live in France in the mountains.

Here is my problem. I have four hens who should honour and worship my beautiful self. Unfortunately, I happen to be half bantam. Can you believe that those french humans have the cheeks to call us bantams "dwarves", by the way? Anyway, my hens are bigger than me and since I live on a very steep slope, I never manage to mount and mate them properly. Because I need to maintain some balance, I must grab their feathers as I would fall otherwise, and this displease them so much that they run away from their duty to my gorgeous self.

Would you have any advice on dealing with this shameful problem? I trust your discretion not to mention this to any of your beak book friends.

Cocorico from your beautiful Théo.


Dear Théo,

You are the second rooster to write to me requesting advice. Most of my knowledge of roosters has come from stories told by Lilly and Hattie so I am relying on them some to answer your question. So don’t blame me if I miss something somehow.

Despite this, it is wise of you to seek council so that you can better understand the hen’s point of view. This speaks well of your character. So many chickens are unwilling to admit they need help and seek out creative ways to learn. In fact, the world would be a much better place if everyone took the time to understand why others are reacting to situations in the manner they may be. It is only by trying to understand the motivations of others that we can better relate to them and avoid conflict.

Too much of the world is focused on themselves and what is happening to them. This Self or “S” focus leads to a point of view that is more “I can’t believe they are doing this to me” instead of “I wonder why they would react in that fashion”. Things are always happening to these S individuals and they take no responsibility for their own environment.

Individuals who are Other or “O” focused spend their time trying to understand why others react as they do. By understanding the motivations of others you can modify your behaviors and approach and create an environment suited to a better life for you and everyone around you.

Take Phyllis for example. I have spent a lot of time watching her and trying to decide why she reacts as she does. I have determined that those silly head feathers of hers are passing through her skull and impeding brain function. It is not her fault she reacts as she does. So being the “O” focused hen that I am, I am assisting her by trying to pull out her head feathers whenever I can. One of these days I will get enough out, or get the correct one, to fix her. I even have Sydney helping her as well. It is not easy, but it is my way of being O Focused and concerned about others.

View attachment 3406486

Let me now discuss your concern over the use of the term “Dwarves” to describe bantams. If you solely focus on those goofy dwarves from Disney’s Snow White, I could see why you would be so offended. But that is hardly the definitive imagine of dwarves. Did you know that JRR Tolkien was so offended by Disney’s portrayal of dwarves in that film that he put in his will that Disney could never have the rights to any of his materials. My suggestion is to accept this term as a compliment and picture yourself as one of Tolkien’s brave dwarves, maybe Gimli.

View attachment 3406485

Now on to your main question. Clearly you are doing some things right as your ladies are willing to have relations with you. That speaks well of you. You must bring them food and keep them safe. Great work! So what you are really asking me is why the ladies get upset when you grab some feathers to balance yourself.

You must agree that now that I have broken this down to the crux of the problem, your questions seems silly. Do you like it when someone grabs and pulls your feathers? You don’t have to be a leghorn to figure out why they might be upset.

Do try to remember that not only Roosters are proud of their feathers; hens are too. One of the most prized possessions we ladies have is our feathers. We spend a lot of time fluffing and grooming as well. Even more important is the amount of harassment a bald hen would take from the other ladies. You are doing her no favor if you pull some out.

What to do? Well, I am going to suggest you work on your balance more. Try to become more agile. Jump onto a branch and practice your motions with nothing to hold onto. Maybe even try that French training methodology, parkour.

Barring your ability to be able to complete the process without grabbing on I am going to suggest that you petition your human servant to bring in some dwarf hens for you. I fear what might happen if a full-sized rooster shows up. You could lose all your hens. At least those that wish to have babies someday.

Aurora

View attachment 3406488

Aurora did well to take a rest, she is in great shape!
I can't wait to show Théo his Gimli face . I think I'm bound for a day of cocorico!
And to tell him about S. and O. types!
Thank you Aurora for this wonderful piece of wisdom. I'm not sure if it will really help Théo but it had me laughing my butt off !
And for the record, there are some bantam hens around...they just happen to belong to a rooster five time's Théo's size!

 

[ValarieF]

I got some very upsetting and disturbing news today. I have posted a few times about a friend of ours who got four chicks last spring. He lost one of them to a fox several months back, so he has been keeping them locked up most of the time and only letting them out in the yard when someone will be outside. Especially since a hawk has been hanging around. About a week ago he told us that one of them had died suddenly. She hasn’t been acting sick, other than the fact that all of them had been acting stressed and haven’t laid any eggs in over a month. This seemed really unusual to me for pullets in their first winter, especially as far south as we are. But he couldn’t figure out why she would have died so suddenly. She was a beautiful Buff Orpington, and he said she was definitely their sweetest one.

Today he called to tell us he figured out what happened. The story his 11-year-old son told just didn’t seem quite right. He was outside playing, which was why the chickens were getting some time out in the yard. He had come in and said there was something wrong with one of the chickens, and when our friend went outside to check she was already cold and getting stiff. The son said he hadn’t seen anything happen. Well a few days ago our friend decided to ask his son again if he had seen her acting strangely or anything else. The boy finally said the chicken had been chasing him and pecking him, so he kicked her! Our friend and his wife were very upset, especially since the son has also been having behavioral issues in school. They took him to see a psychiatrist yesterday, and he was diagnosed with ADHD and put on meds. But in my opinion things still don’t add up. I find it hard to believe that a small boy was able to kick the chicken hard enough to kill it almost instantly with a single kick, especially if he was also trying to run away from it. I think he was a little more deliberate in his actions, and probably cornered her and kicked her numerous times or dis something else to her. And just ADHD doesn’t excuse that behavior. We also think he has probably been chasing them, throwing things at them for some time, which could help explain why they are acting stressed/nervous and not laying. The poor chickens. We told our friend he needs to keep a VERY close eye on his son, and I think he also needs counseling. They have taken away all his screen time as punishment, he isn’t even allowed to be in the same room if they are watching television. But I am so worried about the other chickens, and he definitely shouldn’t be allowed around them unsupervised any more.

Here is a picture of the poor chicken that he killed, I can’t remember her name.
View attachment 3406621

This is awful. I feel for the parents. And no, ADHD doesnt cover what he did. I wouldn't let him around any animals. Unfortunately kids who kill animals at a young age turn into very bad people.

 

[RoyalChick]

I got some very upsetting and disturbing news today. I have posted a few times about a friend of ours who got four chicks last spring. He lost one of them to a fox several months back, so he has been keeping them locked up most of the time and only letting them out in the yard when someone will be outside. Especially since a hawk has been hanging around. About a week ago he told us that one of them had died suddenly. She hasn’t been acting sick, other than the fact that all of them had been acting stressed and haven’t laid any eggs in over a month. This seemed really unusual to me for pullets in their first winter, especially as far south as we are. But he couldn’t figure out why she would have died so suddenly. She was a beautiful Buff Orpington, and he said she was definitely their sweetest one.

Today he called to tell us he figured out what happened. The story his 11-year-old son told just didn’t seem quite right. He was outside playing, which was why the chickens were getting some time out in the yard. He had come in and said there was something wrong with one of the chickens, and when our friend went outside to check she was already cold and getting stiff. The son said he hadn’t seen anything happen. Well a few days ago our friend decided to ask his son again if he had seen her acting strangely or anything else. The boy finally said the chicken had been chasing him and pecking him, so he kicked her! Our friend and his wife were very upset, especially since the son has also been having behavioral issues in school. They took him to see a psychiatrist yesterday, and he was diagnosed with ADHD and put on meds. But in my opinion things still don’t add up. I find it hard to believe that a small boy was able to kick the chicken hard enough to kill it almost instantly with a single kick, especially if he was also trying to run away from it. I think he was a little more deliberate in his actions, and probably cornered her and kicked her numerous times or dis something else to her. And just ADHD doesn’t excuse that behavior. We also think he has probably been chasing them, throwing things at them for some time, which could help explain why they are acting stressed/nervous and not laying. The poor chickens. We told our friend he needs to keep a VERY close eye on his son, and I think he also needs counseling. They have taken away all his screen time as punishment, he isn’t even allowed to be in the same room if they are watching television. But I am so worried about the other chickens, and he definitely shouldn’t be allowed around them unsupervised any more.

Here is a picture of the poor chicken that he killed, I can’t remember her name.
View attachment 3406621

Oh dear no. That is very upsetting in so many ways.
I can’t even quite get my mind around it. I always feel that the way people treat animals is an indicator of how they are as a person. I never thought of that in a child. How awful.

 

[RoyalChick]

This is awful. I feel for the parents. And no, ADHD doesnt cover what he did. I wouldn't let him around any animals. Unfortunately kids who kill animals at a young age turn into very bad people.

Yes. That.

 

[rural mouse]

I got chicken time today!!

Had my post-op visit today. Got the stitches out and have a boot now instead of a splint. When we got home, DH helped me get to the coop to spend a little time with the girls. It was so nice to see them and have a little time outside.

On a more concerning note, I noticed some of their backsides didn’t seem very fluffy so took a closer look. They are missing feathers! Don’t like the look of it at all, please feel free to read/comment on the thread I started in the disease section it you have any idea what it is or how to treat.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/missing-feathers-near-vent.1564443/

Then I got to visit Squeak (my car that lives in my office building. He had a small wound on his paw that was oozing some pus. So I cleaned that up and Vetricyn on it. DH will try to spray to once a day. Would prefer it to be 2-3 times a day but I know he can’t manage that.

Here are a few pics/video of me visiting the girls (from my chicken cam), and a pic of my fancy new boot.

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Progress!!! Glad you're able to have a visit. Not sure on the feathers. Poor little Squeak, too.

 

[ValarieF]

Fed the chooks early and let them out.Its nice out at 48 degrees. I never let them out if its below 32 degrees so I avoid frostbitten wattles and combs. Havent had to heat the coop since its been warm. Have 3 baby chicks to sell together.