Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RebeccaBoyd]

Ya…. And you guys really want me to give Marty chicks?!!! She and Raven likely took the same martial arts classes together!

Marty is little though, her karate kicks will not have much weight behind them.

 

[Ponypoor]

The majority won in the end and they are all roosting on the tiny, and slightly wobbly roost inside the brooder house.
Piglet traded her vote for her choice of spot on the little roost. She created a lot of fuss as she threw each incumbent off so she could try out their slot before deciding which one she liked best.
Sylvie held out for a very long time and made a lot of noise yelling, multiple times she disrupted proceedings by running in and out of the brooder house trying to get her fellow Pentagonists to follow her lead.
She was not graceful in conceding defeat and continued to yell even after she was on the little roost and the matter was settled.
Sylvie actually had the best answer. Hers is a better roost and in a better place. But the solution is definitely a step forward from the cardboard tray.
So progress has been made, but not as fast as some (me and Sylvie) would like. Maybe Sylvie will be able to be more persuasive tomorrow.
And no, nobody should draw any parallels between tonight's roosting activities and whatever legislative process operates in your country. That is nothing like this: there are no Piglets willing to sell their votes for personal gain, and those with the best answers for the population as a whole always win the argument.
This is only how chickens behave.
Just saying.

Sounds a bit like how my township is run…. Just saying! And we’re run by a hen!

Tonight at have a line of chicks roosting with their heads hanging down - and wouldn’t you know I decided not to put my camera in there (I just had it sitting on the step stool last night), I didn’t want it to get damaged - but darn it would have been a great photo - even better than Rico with his head last night

All I need now is for Mr P to sleep with his head hanging down over top of them to complete the image. But he had pretty much learnt to sleep with his head tucked against the wall.

Well RC, aren’t you glad the enablers on here ‘talked’ us into getting chicks? I sure am! So much fun.

Oh and I have decided to not set Sophia, I want to get a couple of Azures, Noirans, Bielefelders, dark Brahma next year. Those will be my chicks for next year. I won’t hatch any of my own eggs, I don’t want to deal with Roos.

Meanwhile I am enjoying these ones

 

[Ponypoor]

Marty is little though, her karate kicks will not have much weight behind them.

Hahaha ya, I’ll take a photo of the bruise she left on my shin for trying to grab her tonight! She has turned into a real devil child! She was such a sweet little thing till I got Mr P! She really blossomed then, into a hellion hahaha.

I am gonna have to separate her from Mr P , she is really missing a lot of feathers, and with winter coming (sooner than we think) she is gonna need those feathers. I am thinking of putting the silkies all in the Summer House, and the big ones can have the rest of the barn.

I am also toying with the idea of another run outside, but it’s not a practical idea as I have no way of connecting it to the Summer House, or keeping the silkies separate from everyone in the barn, and getting to the run. Unless I built a whole new coop outside, which I don’t want to do.

First world problems….

 

[featherhead007]

It’s now the time to say goodbye to all our company! (Chicken House club) It’s the end of a nice chickeny day, and everyone in “The Chick-Inn” are happy and satisfied, getting ready to perch for the night. Now I can go relax too!

 

[knoturavggrl]

Ask Aurora
Today's question comes from @RoyalChick Bernadette.

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And she asks.....

Dear Aurora,
I am a huge fan and have followed all the advice you have given me before. I also study all your writings and responses to others so I can continue to learn from you.

This has all been a great help to me and I have risen to become the undisputed leader of my small tribe.
I remember your teachings about bringing new chicks into the group and so I was excited when my servant deposited 5 small fluff balls into the Chicken Palace. Oh boy do they make a lot of noise going peep-peep-peep all the time! And I have to watch my step as I could very easily squash one - I will admit I have outsized feet - but they are also ridiculously small. So in practical terms it is all a bit trying.

But I am OK with all that because, as you have taught me, they will increase the number of chickens I will get to boss around and that makes me happy.

However, here is my issue, and I feel more than a bit foolish admitting this, but I am a bit nervous around them.

There are so many of them, and they are so fast! Only this morning all five of them (did I mention there are FIVE?!) flew from the roost right at my head. I confess that I ducked and moved to one side rather than be hit five times (FIVE times!). And then when I went to teach them some respect they all took off in different directions so I didn't land a hit on any of them.

Fortunately I don't think either Eli or Babs saw this humiliating event, and my servant is of course completely loyal, so word will not spread. But still, I need to figure how to stop this nonsense ever happening again.

Any suggestions would be most welcome. I am including a picture of them, and yes, I know they look very cute and all that, but when they all fly at your head it is quite scary!

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Respectfully yours,
Bernadette

Dear Bernadette,
I am pleased that you were able to follow my suggestions and achieve the lofty status which you so richly deserve. Welcome to the ranks of leaders. Always remember though, as William Shakespeare said, “Heavy is the head that wears the crown”. Of course, crowns are physically heavy but that is not what olde Billy was referring to. In this case, it is a mighty responsibility which you have accepted. Of course, no one else is capable of doing it correctly, so good for you. You have stepped up and are ready to utilize your superior intellect and wisdom to guide your tribe. It is for their own good that you have assumed this mantle. Be certain to avail yourself of all the benefits to which you are entitled.

I mention this because during the hectic day of telling everyone where to go, when to preen, when and where to dust bathe, etc., it is easy to forget of the benefits to which we are due. Things like:

1. The best roosting spot
2. The best dust hole
3. The choicest bits of food
4. The pleasure of smacking Phyllis around (that is just for me but you should try to find your own Phyllis. It is truly enjoyable to have your own “pecking bag".)
5. Having someone inform your human servant so you get the treats to which you are due
6. Having a minion laying your egg for you. (This of course is not true but it would be a real life changer if it were possible)
7. Having someone else stand sentinel
8. Perching on the human’s chair and surveying your kingdom

You will note that 5, 6, & 7 are all things that your minions perform at your direction. You are right to point out in your letter that more chickens = more minions to do your bidding and serve you and the rest of the tribe.

Something to remember that can be forgotten, the primary purpose of minions is to work at your direction for the betterment of the tribe. Some Queens have forgotten this and have their minions so busy taking care of them personally that the tribe suffers. This is dangerous and can foment revolution. For an idea of how that can turn out, check up on what happened to Czar Nicholas II of Russia and his family. Not great. Whatever you do, do not have your techie hen google it for you. That could be bad.

More Minions = More Good

Some of my Minions
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You have the Minion concept down. What you are running into now is the conundrum that comes with pullets. They are adorable, cute, and the future of your society. However, they are still silly pullets. Most of them think they are real birds and will fly all over the place. Now flying at your head is clearly unacceptable. You have made it known that it is unacceptable by chasing them. You do not have to connect to discipline. Your anger alone is enough for them to get the point. In fact, it can be dangerous to connect in rage. While for example I can go all out and smack Phyllis around in ager without really worrying about hurting her severely, if you lose your temper and impact too hard you could actually hurt pullets pretty badly. So, chase and peck at them but don’t worry if they get away.

There is one thing you do need to remember.

Patience is your friend.

Soon they will be larger and not able to fly nearly as well. Most if not all of them will likely be slower than you. You will be able to connect then when needed.

This is all part of “The Way of the Chicken”. The speed, agility, and flying ability of chicks and pullets is to help them avoid danger. Whether that danger is a peck done in anger which is too hard or a predator does not matter. Eventually they mature and join the ranks of your minions and will then be subject to your firm but needed discipline.

By the way, do not be embarrassed that you ducked when they came at your head. That is a natural chicken response to things coming at our heads. Normally those things are predators. It is essential that you have good instincts and continue to protect yourself. Just imagine the tragedy that would befall your tribe without you leading them. I know that it would be a complete catastrophe for mine. I imagine yours is the same.

One last thing while I am providing advice. You do need to start succession planning if you have not already done so. Someone else needs to have your wisdom. You need to identify someone who, with your guidance, will someday be capable of taking over should anything happen to you. The tribe must go on. This is “The Way of the Chicken”.

Yours,
Aurora

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Wonderful advice from her highness and the minions Very well done!

 

[featherhead007]

It’s now the time to say goodbye to all our company! (Chicken House club) It’s the end of a nice chickeny day, and everyone in “The Chick-Inn” are happy and satisfied, getting ready to perch for the night. Now I can go relax too!

Ps. Hen-Rietta is growing stronger each day!

 

[Ponypoor]

Good night all, the chicks are all snug

The horses seem to be behaving now I can try to get some sleep (if my RLS stays away)

 

[Ponypoor]

It’s now the time to say goodbye to all our company! (Chicken House club) It’s the end of a nice chickeny day, and everyone in “The Chick-Inn” are happy and satisfied, getting ready to perch for the night. Now I can go relax too!

Have a great evening!

 

[BY Bob]

Wonderful advice from her highness and the minions Very well done!

Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

 

[BY Bob]

Ps. Hen-Rietta is growing stronger each day!

Fantastic news!