Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[LhickenChicken]

Would someone tell me what the cheek muffs are called again?

I think they're just called muffs. Or ear muffs

 

[RoyalChick]

You people are making me crazy!

I am not sure that is accurate.
It is possible you were already crazy when you met us.
Just saying!

Tax - The Odd Couple out and about snacking this evening - I think they are worried in case I don’t feed them enough

 

[ChicoryBlue]

All safely tucked in last night when I got home from the gig. Two this week, Thurs & Sat. The burn is doing okay. It’s my right hand and my fingers are mostly unaffected now. Only the blistered area is a problem. I felt an inflammation soreness on the back of my hand Thursday but not last night. I have to be careful picking up things, setting up & loading equipment, but for playing it’s fine.

That's Butters eating grass seeds in the color pictures below. Her left eye is the same, as far as I can tell. I got her on my lap a couple days ago and looked closely at both eyes and sides of her face, and I don't see anything out of place. Just did that again now; I’d say her face, wattles, and somewhat her comb are paler than I remember her being. I will try to compare photos. She really is paleface around her eyes, especially compared to Hazel and Popcorn now. Maybe her heart is failing, but she’s not anemic according to the blood work.

She is eating slightly better on her own. She ate several worms today helping me move a compost pile. Maybe one to every five to ten that Popcorn got, and Popcorn also got several discards. Also a few pecks from Butters, a good sign she wants to claim the foraging scene even if she doesn't eat much. Saw her find and eat a tiny, 1/16" beetle, and, interestingly, parts of some sorrel leaves, and also today she would eat tiny bits of dried mealworms. She seems to have to get used to the idea of eating something before she gets to doing it, and that takes a while. The competition and social scene, the hunting and manipulating of the food - all the systems have to click into place for anything to actually get down her throat. Frankly it reminds me of a human in late-stage dementia, getting it all to work perfectly right in order to eat.
I’m guessing this is Hazel

Butters and Popcorn I think

Butters

See her left eye, same….

 

[BY Bob]

Considering the hours of the day you have said he is using his chainsaw - and the noise that makes, I really don't think he would have a leg to stand on regarding a noise complaint. When yours are locked up in the bard at night - even with the windows open - the barn and the fan running, blowing IN in the windows will do a lot to muffle the sounds and take the 'sharp edges' off of it.

Just as an CYA, though, I would start documenting the noise, burning, cutting, time, locations etc. in a permanent spiral bound notebook (not loose-leaf where pages can be added/subtracted). Keep detailed records! The loudest complainer and/or the one with the most evidence wins. Make sure you are the one to have the most evidence. I would also take pictures of the burn pile - proximity to tree-line and fence-line, and also note if he has a water source at burn pile. I don't know about with Canadian rules, but i my state you have to have a permit (restricted to spring UNLESS you have a farm ) either way, you MUST call and let FD know you are burning - and they can tell you 'no' if it is severe wildfire alert conditions - AND you have to have a water source near the fire (garden hose, small pump (plug in or generator operated) with line to nearby stream or pond, etc. AND it must be a certain distance from any buildings, and a lesser distance from any trees not being burned.

Keep track of his burning, noises you have complained about, times, location, duration, etc. Unfortunately, my SOB Boss has taught me that I need to document, document, document. She has learned to NOT put anything in writing - so I follow up ALL meetings with her with an email stating 'this is what I understood you to say during out meeting 'in your office/in the hallway/phone , etc.)

for me, this does 2 things - put it in writing - which she usually ignores/won't respond to - that is tacit approval - OR she will deny, because she is aware it is completely wrong - then I have documentation that I CAN do X, Y, or Z, and she can't later try to turn it against me for doing it. (trust me, this is a constant battle of harassment. 'Why did you call in sick - you weren't sick - what was wrong - oh, just take 'X meds. she is aware that X meds does not work for me - commonly doesn't for people who are taking 'y' meds.) It doesn't matter that it is illegal to ask why someone is out sick as it is an invasion of personal privacy/medical conditions. AND our contract states that no notes are needed unless we will be out 3 or more days in a row. (and she is aware of that. If I call in 2 days in a row - rare, but does happen - she will say - 'You know you will need a dr. note if you are out again - so, you better get one or be here'. While it would be nice for a boss to remind you so you don't get into trouble if you don't have one (i.e. make sure you have an appointment scheduled or go to walk - in clinic), it is the tone - and the fact that she will deny she said it - that goes to the harassment piece. She got her hand slapped (though not fired, which she should have been) when someone went to HR with over a half dozen emails that were harrassing and illegal - but she is protected and told the person filing claim 'oh, you just mis-understood her'...but Boss has NEVER put thing in writing since - and it has made the harrassment worse. A colleague of mine just tested pos. for Covid last Monday, and was VERY SICk (hence the testing in the first place) texted boss. Boss CALLS back (not text - god forbid there be a record) and told her 'Covid protocols went away - you need to get your butt into work'

This person popped into my work zoom, in tears - she was so weak she needed help to get up and go to bathroom. She didn't know what to do. Well, the 'covid protocols' boss was talking about was that there was no longer a mandate to be vaccinated to be on campus/take in person courses. Our policy & Statewide policy is that if you test positive, you MUST stay out of work for 5 days. At that point, you can choose to either return to work and/or be retested - depending on symptoms. AND, it is illegal for Boss to request proof of Covid (invasion of HIPPA rights) Our state allows employees to just report that need to be out 5 days, and/or get a Dr. note stating needs to stay home/be out of work for 5 days. No reason should EVER be put on that. The ONLY time work needs information with DR. notes is if there is any accommodation needed, and then they only need limitations and/or accommodations medically/physically needed. They are NOT allowed to ask for specific condition(s).

Okay, I owe lots of tax for this off topic rambling:

A couple of chick pics, and one for Pony Sunday

People like your boss make me so angry. Keep documenting and report every infraction no matter how small. If she spends her life dealing with HR maybe she will decide to move on. She absolutely should not be managing anyone. So sorry that your organization allows this to continue.

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

They were having a good time out there

Yep!

 

[BY Bob]

Oh your majesty your muffs are splendid! I feel that miss Petunia and miss Muffy will also have splendid muffs and beards just like you

One can only hope. There should be more beards and muffs in the world.

Spicy food for everyone!

 

[bgmathteach]

People like your boss make me so angry. Keep documenting and report every infraction no matter how small. If she spends her life dealing with HR maybe she will decide to move on. She absolutely should not be managing anyone. So sorry that your organization allows this to continue.

View attachment 3587066

Oh, what a great profile shot of Aurora's beard!!

We are documenting. I am going to have a discussion with the Union about the best way to proceed. There are some others who are very vulnerable that are afraid to speak up. I have offered to be the spokes person so they aren't targeted. Honestly - at this point if I get 'pushed out', it might just be a blessing in disguise considering the mental and emotional toll it is taking on me. I can always get a job at TSC...and I could then get my chicken feed at a discount!!!

My boss is still around because she is tight with, and protected by, a very powerful person in the College. My boss has ramped up the meanness - I think -because she is scared and is 'lashing out' because her protector is retiring. While they aren't formally retired yet - they are out 4 out of 5 days using up their vacation time prior to their official retirement date.

And, unfortunately, my boss is a few years younger than me, so no hopes of her retiring and giving me a few peaceful years prior to me retiring. What really floors me is her degree is an MSW - and some of the things that come out of her mouth! I am actually thankful she did not go into counseling!

Anyways, if push comes to shove & the college backs her - I will at least try to negotiate staying officially until my birthday in Dec. I do want the two very vulnerable people - who are excellent at their job and wonderful with the students - to be protected. Neither has tenure, so could easily be 'non-renewed' by the college with no justification needed. we have a new college president who started this month, and is supposedly intelligent, student centered, and a good listener. Lets hope that is the case. The one that retired 'let go; some great new hires (hired by her) because they turned out to be thoughtful people that could make their own determinations, and would put forth their own opinions (shame on them!) So, anyone who raised questions that contradicted the 'grand poohba's ideas were nixed.

I'm sure I have said this before - but: I have work here for 24 years. I used to LOVE going to work, and was proud to be working here. It has gotten to the point where sometimes I cry in the morning because I have to go to work. (especially on days that both I and my boss are on campus!) I can't afford to retire -most of my time here were non-benefitted positions - but health wise I can't afford to stay. The lotterys are having huge jackpots lately - maybe I should partake in ( as a former colleague called it) 'the poor man's retirement plan',


okay - I have no new tax pictures. I will try to take some when I get home from work tomorrow. Thank you for your positive energy, Bob!

 

[Ponypoor]

One can only hope. There should be more beards and muffs in the world.

Spicy food for everyone!

I think it’s the Japanese beetles - the more I give them the more beards there seems. And muffs!

But I shall try wasabi tomorrow, with the Japanese beetles

 

[Ponypoor]

I am not sure that is accurate.
It is possible you were already crazy when you met us.
Just saying!

Tax - The Odd Couple out and about snacking this evening - I think they are worried in case I don’t feed them enough
View attachment 3587010

Today was the first day mine didn’t finish off their afternoon mash, not sure why, likely all the drama of the day.

I want to feed up those cockerels, thinking of making a cockerel only run, but I hate separating them.

But I like the idea of an additional run area that is secured with a good stout mesh fence. What I would love to do is run a lovely fence down the property line we’re all the trees and underbrush is, and down to the little forest glad under the crab apple trees and back up to the Rooster Run. Fence off all the lawns in front of the barn.

Maybe next year…. Lot of work and money putting up fencing.

Tax
Tuff out and about I need to check her crop in the morning

 

[Ponypoor]

Oh, what a great profile shot of Aurora's beard!!

We are documenting. I am going to have a discussion with the Union about the best way to proceed. There are some others who are very vulnerable that are afraid to speak up. I have offered to be the spokes person so they aren't targeted. Honestly - at this point if I get 'pushed out', it might just be a blessing in disguise considering the mental and emotional toll it is taking on me. I can always get a job at TSC...and I could then get my chicken feed at a discount!!!

My boss is still around because she is tight with, and protected by, a very powerful person in the College. My boss has ramped up the meanness - I think -because she is scared and is 'lashing out' because her protector is retiring. While they aren't formally retired yet - they are out 4 out of 5 days using up their vacation time prior to their official retirement date.

And, unfortunately, my boss is a few years younger than me, so no hopes of her retiring and giving me a few peaceful years prior to me retiring. What really floors me is her degree is an MSW - and some of the things that come out of her mouth! I am actually thankful she did not go into counseling!

Anyways, if push comes to shove & the college backs her - I will at least try to negotiate staying officially until my birthday in Dec. I do want the two very vulnerable people - who are excellent at their job and wonderful with the students - to be protected. Neither has tenure, so could easily be 'non-renewed' by the college with no justification needed. we have a new college president who started this month, and is supposedly intelligent, student centered, and a good listener. Lets hope that is the case. The one that retired 'let go; some great new hires (hired by her) because they turned out to be thoughtful people that could make their own determinations, and would put forth their own opinions (shame on them!) So, anyone who raised questions that contradicted the 'grand poohba's ideas were nixed.

I'm sure I have said this before - but: I have work here for 24 years. I used to LOVE going to work, and was proud to be working here. It has gotten to the point where sometimes I cry in the morning because I have to go to work. (especially on days that both I and my boss are on campus!) I can't afford to retire -most of my time here were non-benefitted positions - but health wise I can't afford to stay. The lotterys are having huge jackpots lately - maybe I should partake in ( as a former colleague called it) 'the poor man's retirement plan',


okay - I have no new tax pictures. I will try to take some when I get home from work tomorrow. Thank you for your positive energy, Bob!

I watched a manager at Sears lose his entire team due to bad management, it left a huge hole in Sears IT department with everyone scrambling to understand what it was those 12 (yes 12!), people did for the company.

The manager got shifted the HQ building and a job were he had no direct reports. He was not management material.

Tax
BFTP remember these silly creatures? Prairie Chickens? Grouse actually