Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

Love pics #1&2

Love Shan’s colour - how lovely is that!

Shan is turning into an interesting beauty. And at 8 weeks, I think I can say with some confidence that my Invasion Crew consists of 2 boys and 4 girls.

I'm starting to get antsy re: Storm. I KNOW she was brooding eggs 21 days ago on Wednesday, but don't know about sooner in the week. With her being off during the rain storm last week, and on 13 eggs, and 1st time broody, all I can say with certainty is she's due this week. She's my first broody raised, and genetically, she's unrelated to ANY of my other birds. Whiskey was courting her hard, so I suspect most of her eggs are from him. There were at least 2 not hers in the nest. Dunno if she has kept all the eggs or not (I've avoided going out to check). My curiousity bug is itching.

Jessica: experienced broody, still sitting, no idea what's happening there.

The new hidden spot: 8 eggs, I snatched them. They've redeposited, assorted ladies. Indigo and Belladonna have both been missing breast feathers. Belladonna has the buk-buk going. Neither has committed to sitting there (or anywhere else). I could swear I heard the buk-buk out of PITA the other day, too, but again, so far, nothing.

Ladies, MAKE UP YOUR MINDS!

 

[BY Bob]

Bob, I'm sorry to say you had it coming.

I surely did. How dare I?

 

[BY Bob]

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!

No one should cry before going to work. Pull all of your documentation together. That is the definition of a hostile work place. Perhaps an attorney would be a good choice after you "retire" because of the stress and anxiety of working there.

 

[BY Bob]

Here is a mugshot from Bernie to wish you all a happy Mugshot Monday.
View attachment 3587136

Magnificent

 

[BY Bob]

Mugs for Monday, more "doctored" ljcs
View attachment 3587143Tuff
View attachment 3587144Enigma

View attachment 3587145Storm (the day I followed her to find her nest)

View attachment 3587146Cheetah

View attachment 3587147Whiskey



And a few undoctored pics

View attachment 3587148Shan

View attachment 3587149Zulu

Those are so cool.

 

[RoyalChick]

No one should cry before going to work. Pull all of your documentation together. That is the definition of a hostile work place. Perhaps an attorney would be a good choice after you "retire" because of the stress and anxiety of working there.

View attachment 3587201

Yes that. Like Bob I am appalled and had an immediate strong instinct on reading about it to drive up there and do battle!
I really think the union should intervene - isn't it there to protect its members? Or maybe the manager is a union member too.
This makes me very mad.

 

[RoyalChick]

Shan is turning into an interesting beauty. And at 8 weeks, I think I can say with some confidence that my Invasion Crew consists of 2 boys and 4 girls.

I'm starting to get antsy re: Storm. I KNOW she was brooding eggs 21 days ago on Wednesday, but don't know about sooner in the week. With her being off during the rain storm last week, and on 13 eggs, and 1st time broody, all I can say with certainty is she's due this week. She's my first broody raised, and genetically, she's unrelated to ANY of my other birds. Whiskey was courting her hard, so I suspect most of her eggs are from him. There were at least 2 not hers in the nest. Dunno if she has kept all the eggs or not (I've avoided going out to check). My curiousity bug is itching.

Jessica: experienced broody, still sitting, no idea what's happening there.

The new hidden spot: 8 eggs, I snatched them. They've redeposited, assorted ladies. Indigo and Belladonna have both been missing breast feathers. Belladonna has the buk-buk going. Neither has committed to sitting there (or anywhere else). I could swear I heard the buk-buk out of PITA the other day, too, but again, so far, nothing.

Ladies, MAKE UP YOUR MINDS!

You are responsible for a very vivid dream I had last night. Well you, but also @Ponypoor, @RebeccaBoyd, and @GregnLety .
I dreamt I was urgently trying to get everyone back into the Chicken Palace. This is an evening routine for me so not unusual except there was some menace - a storm or a pack of coyotes or some combination. I was fearful but also very action oriented.
I had just about managed to get everyone in when I spot a tiny chick running around outside.
At first I was just 'hey get in here' and then I realized I don't have any chicks nor a rooster.
And then there were more chicks.
I walked back to investigate where they were coming from and found a previously unknown (but strangely familiar) walled garden that was very overgrown and neglected and incidentally had a whole heap of the pots I need in real life to take some cuttings this Fall.
In this walled garden were at least three gorgeous roosters, a collection of unfamiliar hens, and chipmunk chicks running everywhere.
While I was standing there one of the roos - a huge beautiful chap a bit like Cholo but with more red - caught and battered to death a very large rat.
And at that point I woke up with a start.

Dream tax: hens at work

 

[Ponypoor]

Shan is turning into an interesting beauty. And at 8 weeks, I think I can say with some confidence that my Invasion Crew consists of 2 boys and 4 girls.

I'm starting to get antsy re: Storm. I KNOW she was brooding eggs 21 days ago on Wednesday, but don't know about sooner in the week. With her being off during the rain storm last week, and on 13 eggs, and 1st time broody, all I can say with certainty is she's due this week. She's my first broody raised, and genetically, she's unrelated to ANY of my other birds. Whiskey was courting her hard, so I suspect most of her eggs are from him. There were at least 2 not hers in the nest. Dunno if she has kept all the eggs or not (I've avoided going out to check). My curiousity bug is itching.

Jessica: experienced broody, still sitting, no idea what's happening there.

The new hidden spot: 8 eggs, I snatched them. They've redeposited, assorted ladies. Indigo and Belladonna have both been missing breast feathers. Belladonna has the buk-buk going. Neither has committed to sitting there (or anywhere else). I could swear I heard the buk-buk out of PITA the other day, too, but again, so far, nothing.

Ladies, MAKE UP YOUR MINDS!

Maybe if by tomorrow afternoon you don’t see anything go and check on her. I too am curious. And really can’t wait to see babies

 

[Ponypoor]

I surely did. How dare I?

That silly Dove nesting in the rain gutter was still there yesterday, haven’t checked after yesterdays deluge, crazy bird! If those eggs hatch I will be amazed, and if the chicks survive I will be beyond amazed.

 

[bgmathteach]

Here is a mugshot from Bernie to wish you all a happy Mugshot Monday.
View attachment 3587136

you are so good at picture taking!

please enter this in POW, and in the calendar one if you think it has enough 'background' to it for what they want!




p.s. I think I need another camera - my shots are crap compared to may peoples on here!!