Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[lightm]

TO EVERYONE

I started this thread back in 2019 as a way to document and tell the story of my chickens. For most of its existence it has been just that. However, in the past year plus, this thread has grown into something more. It has become a safe haven for people to use the internet for good. A place where like-minded people come to talk about their chickens, to find help and support in times of trouble, to find comfort in times of tragedy, to share the joys these wonderful animals bring to our lives, and most of all to share chicken pictures.

Many of you wish to give me credit for creating this environment. I say that all of you have created this environment. I have absolutely no control over what is posted here. I cannot block people. I cannot censor people. It is up to you to police yourselves.

This has worked beautifully.

For whatever reason you all have found your way here and enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow chicken enthusiasts. It has been wonderful to see people who have 50 or more chickens hanging out with people who only have 2 hens. We have people ranging from older retired chicken keepers to teenagers just beginning their first relationships with these amazing animals. Somehow people from all around the globe have found their way here and enjoyed their time on the thread. The diversity of chicken keeping represented on this thread astounds me. I feel connected with people I will never meet and have learned so much from them along the way.

Amazingly, there are people on this thread whose first language is not even English (I am including Australian in this. There are some very non-American English words and phrases in use when they speak that force me to google things sometimes.)

Despite the fact that such variety exists in this thread, different cultures, different languages, different appreciations for chickens and how to respect and care for them, we have been able to coexist peaceably and enjoy each other’s company. This is a rare thing in the world today and we are truly blessed to have found each other.

There are ways to disagree with someone cordially, without offending them. We will never all have the same opinions. One thing is certain, calling someone a name never gets them to alter their point of view. You will never bring someone around to your way of thinking by insulting them. It only hardens their position and causes them to at best shut you out and ignore you. At worst it causes them to lash out and attempt to harm you back. This is what the internet in general has become and unfortunately what our world seems to be devolving into.

If you cannot disagree with someone respectfully here on this thread, do not say anything.

If you cannot be civil without hurting others, this is not the place for you. Please go find a thread of like-minded people here on BYC and hang out with them.

I know that I have not been present much lately. I do not know if that is the cause of the deterioration in kindness which has popped up lately. If that is so, I am going to be very concerned about the future of the thread.

To be frank, I am dismayed that the real world has found its way into our community. Sadly, I am not surprised. It gives me no joy to write this but while I cannot block comments or posters, there is one thing I can do. I will not have this thread that I started contributing to the anger and hate that rolls through the internet. I can and will simply shut it down before I allow anything I started or was involved in to be used for that purpose or become that kind of environment.

It is important for all of us to remember that we all have bad days. We can be irritated and say things we don’t really mean and which we regret. The right thing to do in those situations is to own up to what we have done and apologize to the person whom we may have hurt with our actions.

However, to be clear, I do not want public apologies. Those discussions, if they happen, should occur in private. The PM system here is the perfect place for any such exchanges to take place. My hope is that I am so late to the party that this has already occurred.

I expect that no one here is going to gang up on anyone who might have said things they may regret. We will not be choosing sides and going to war. There is enough of that out in the real world.

The business of this thread is to raise each other up to be better.

Better chicken servants and just as importantly, better people. Oh, and to have some fun. Let’s get back to it.

I feel truly blessed. Thank you Bob.

 

[The Chick Addict]

Gtg everyone! May be back later! GN!

 

[bgmathteach]

And while on the subject of Sylvie, she has noticed the rafters. I may be in trouble.

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You go girl! Eli would be proud of you, you know!

 

[lightm]

Oh I am so sad to hear this. Your husband will miss her when the time comes

Always drama with chickens, but we need to let them work it out themselves.

I am sorry

Beautiful pics.For all the drama and the stress of not being there for Tina.

Oh no, I am so sorry.
Sending prayers and hugs ❤

Don't give up hope on her! Has your husband brought her inside?

Thank you all.

He brings her inside morning and afternoon. He also monitors them closely for bullying.

 

[bgmathteach]

Got out today and sat with the chickens for a bit. My cats were out hunting so I didn’t manage to get any photos of them today

The newbies are getting more curious about me. I noticed something today they all have olive green eyes. Myth, somewhat unwillingly, modeled them for a picture.
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Oooh, look at those spangles coming in! (yes, I know I was supposed to focus on the eyes but those SPANGLES....nope, no ADHD here! Actually, I control/compensate for it very well...but visuals are distracting to me ...or attracting to me?????

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

Well, I'm heading off to bed. I will show you guys Willows home tomorrow.
❤ Stay safe

 

[bgmathteach]

It's been hard to catch up with traveling. I want to share some update on my flock.

Tina has been sick. She laid a lashed egg about 2 weeks ago. She just finished a course of 10 day antibiotics. She is not better.

She perked up a bit today but before that she was not moving much at all. My husband has been thinking where to dig her grave. He said he has come to terms with it. He spends a lot of time with her. I'm really sad that I won't be there when it comes the time.
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Due to Tina's weakness, she has started to be bothered by other chickens.

Meimei was chasing poor Tina in the yard.
Shortly after, Wendy, the alpha, was fighting Meimei.
Meimei, being the junior, did not submit. So the two had a serious fight.
Light wanted to help Wendy, but Wendy did not want it.
Foxy, meimeis only ally, helped meimei.

In the end Wendy won.

Meimei the instigator
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Wendy
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Foxy
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Poopy has been super nice to Tina. She would sit by her during the day.
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Light
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[notabitail]

LOL, my whole entire family is scared of June Bugs except me! I think their nice and cute but everyone else screams bloody murder! (including Addicted to Chickens)

They are cute but I do not like then hitting me.

 

[rural mouse]

Oop, annoying parent talk tax:
All of the guinea eggs we found in out coop from while we were gone, and all of the infertile eggs that Willow was on.
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You may want to be careful with the eggs she was on....crack in a separate bowl individually before adding to any cooking....

 

[LhickenChicken]

Yes, she has some genetic problems but she's a sweetheart! My sister, ADC, (Addicted to Chickens) has an RIR that looks very similar to your girl!

My Little Bananas looks like that. Here's a picture of her sunning on my railing. She is molting, so that's why some of her feathers are missing.