Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[LhickenChicken]

Nearly missed this - just heading to bed. Now I can't stop laughing.
Flipping Phyllis
I want tails.

I want tails too.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Ask Aurora
Today's questions come from 2 Human Servants!
@knoturavggrl View attachment 3590202 writes……

@BY Bob I was wondering there are multiple people here dealing with way way to many and/or to often broody hens.

Would you mind gently requesting that Queen Aurora could perhaps issue a beak-book statement explaining that remaining chick free is a valid option and not to be so hasty about hatching out more of the adorable troublemakers.

I am certain myself, @Ponypoor, @RebeccaBoyd , @bgmathteach and probably a few other folks I missed would be so grateful and willing to send cheeseballs and/or meal worms to seal the deal .

Thank you and Queen Aurora for considering the request .



And @RebeccaBoyd View attachment 3590203 writes…….

I second this. I also request that Queen Aurora sends out another royal decree to my lot through beakbook. Please tell her that if they must hatch chicks, *looking at you Momma Hen*, then please for the love of all things holy, pullets please. I really cannot wait for that bat to hit henopause and stop laying entirely. Momma Hen is worrying me. She is spending a awful lot of time on the hillside. She should be back to laying since I sold her chicks 5 almost 6 weeks ago. Holly was within a week. Not a single egg of hers has been found. I do not trust that bat. All it takes is for her to hide away and lay 3 eggs in a single spot for them not to be disturbed and it triggers her. EVERY SINGLE TIME. Well, that or just laying for 2 weeks in general before she starts thinking about chicks again.

*edited to add*

If you can convince Aurora to get through to my lot I will pay her with blueberries. Lots of Blueberries and overripe cherry tomato's that she does not have to share.


Dear @knoturavggrl & @RebeccaBoyd

This is a first. Letters from human servants. Asking me to intervene on their behalf with their chicken tribes. And what riches they offer. Cheese Balls, Meal Worms, Blueberries, and overripe Cherry Tomatoes. Cherry Tomatoes that I don’t have to share.

Let me set one thing straight right now.

I don’t have to share.

Everything here is mine. I just happen to know the value of allowing others to share in the bounty of food that is so rightfully mine. I even let that thing Phyllis enjoy a treat now and again. Everyone gets a portion so that they can appreciate the benevolence that is my just and right rule.

Such a conundrum you present me with. On one hand, I truly love all of the snacks you have promised. They are all my favorites. Add to that the drop off in meal worms available here since the human servants figured out my trick of always having someone stationed at the backdoor and you make a compelling offer. On the other hand, it truly is the way of the chicken to reproduce and make more chickens. Chicks are the greatest gift and Momma hens do the work for all of us hens who are more career minded.

I’m certain you would agree that an over-abundance of chickens is just not possible. The more chickens there are, the more you humans get to serve, and the more you serve us chickens, the more rewarding your life is. These humans have blessed themselves with 100s of chickens to serve. They truly must be the most satisfied and fulfilled humans anywhere.

View attachment 3590200

If I were to accede to your request, I would not only be letting down my fellow chickens but I would also be denying you the joy of serving more chickens. Surely you have room in your hearts and lives for more chickens.

If I won’t do that, you are asking that I at least encourage the ladies to hatch out more hens and fewer roosters. This is much less objectionable to me. Roosters are not for everyone. They are an acquired taste and too many of them in one tribe makes it hard on us ladies. Add in the stories I have heard regarding teenage roosters, and I can easily believe that it would be better for all if there were fewer of them born compared to us hens.

What to do? What to do?

I must say I was torn. I thought about just flipping Phyllis to decide which way to go. Heads means I take the food bribes and recommend no more broodies or Tails and I say follow The Way and hatch like crazy ladies.

How do you flip a Phyllis?

You can either wait for her to finish a dust bath and flip herself (which is fun) or you can simply push her off the roost and see if she lands on her head (heads) or her bum/feet (tails). I prefer to just push her off the roost as it is both fun and rewarding.

Here is Phyllis flipping herself.

First the bath
https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/phyllis-taking-a-bath.7957584/

Then the shake and flip
https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/flipping-phyllis.7957583/

The smart ruler never resorts to just flipping Phyllis to make a decision, no matter how much fun it is. So her is the deal ladies, take it or leave it. I will advise the girls that there are enough roosters around already in exchange for all the “snacks” promised above. You deliver the snacks to me here at Fluffy Butt Acres and I will reach out to your tribes on beakbook and let them know we’ve had enough boys for this year. This way we can keep on adding chickens to the world. Your lives will be made better by serving more chickens and I get more snacks. It is a win, win, win. How often can you say that?

I will be watching for the snacks.

Aurora

View attachment 3590201

Hey girls! I’m going to flip Phyllis tonight. Who wants heads and who wants tails?

Why did you have to resort to flipping Phyllis. Deep down, I want to say heads. I am done with chicks this season, I will explain more in the next post. I also do not want Phyllis harmed. For that reason alone I am choosing tails. @BY Bob add a extra layer of pine shavings and bubble wrap down for me tonight so I can choose heads please.

 

[LhickenChicken]

I know its late but i hate to wait until after work to write it today. I'm glad it made you laugh.

It made me laugh!
Does Aurora accept questions from chicks?

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

In my previous post I stated I was done with chicks for the year. I am not lying after yesterday morning I am literally done. I woke up yesterday morning to find my silkie chick had passed overnight at 8 days old. Poor Perdita is beside herself looking still for her chick. The hits just keep coming. I also have one of the cochin girls Gryffyn take ill suddenly who I am going to have to put down. For the last 3 days she has penguin walked and I feel a fluid filled abdomen. She is not egg bound as she is still laying. There is nothing I can do for her and will not see her suffer.

 

[rural mouse]

In my previous post I stated I was done with chicks for the year. I am not lying after yesterday morning I am literally done. I woke up yesterday morning to find my silkie chick had passed overnight at 8 days old. Poor Perdita is beside herself looking still for her chick. The hits just keep coming. I also have one of the cochin girls Gryffyn take ill suddenly who I am going to have to put down. For the last 3 days she has penguin walked and I feel a fluid filled abdomen. She is not egg bound as she is still laying. There is nothing I can do for her and will not see her suffer.

 

[bgmathteach]

Here in the states TSC has a minimum purchase of 4 chicks.

Well, depends on the state, Massachusetts forces them to require a purchase of 6 or more chicks. (state regulation, not TSC)

 

[bgmathteach]

In my previous post I stated I was done with chicks for the year. I am not lying after yesterday morning I am literally done. I woke up yesterday morning to find my silkie chick had passed overnight at 8 days old. Poor Perdita is beside herself looking still for her chick. The hits just keep coming. I also have one of the cochin girls Gryffyn take ill suddenly who I am going to have to put down. For the last 3 days she has penguin walked and I feel a fluid filled abdomen. She is not egg bound as she is still laying. There is nothing I can do for her and will not see her suffer.

 

[RoyalChick]

So, I like your 3rd option. It will give the flock some stability if something happens to Butters. It also will give you some love and distraction (nothing like happy, active little peeps!) And, finally, while they will require some additional time - time spent out encouraging Butters to eat will also be time spent mingling with the chicks, Since you have the time and the money at the moment, and your coop will fit another 3 for now ( as littles) and then through the winter when it is colder - it still gives you plenty of time to make adjustments like you would need to before next spring (which, btw, doesn't increase that time line any - as you would need it before getting new chicks next year and/or before summer with some chicks this year.) I say 3 bo now, and then, next spring3 or 4 buckeyes - depending on how Butters is doing, what you are comfortable with as a max. flock size, etc.

It is really, really good to think about your options! but it also sounds like your 3rd option is doable now - don't get immobilized with worry and not act now. Besides babies now and next spring - what isn't to love about that option!!!

P.S. I would really like to read RCs opinion - she had a tough time and was down to two. She may have already answered - but i will read whatever she says with rapt attention!

We are aligned.
And I should add that before the Pentagonists I got Eli and Babs as a result of an intervention by @bgmathteach for which I will be forever grateful.
I was down to just Bernie and Diana and poor Diana was elderly for a production breed and had stopped putting shells on her eggs for quite a while. Her days were clearly numbered which would have left Bernie solo.
Now she has a bestie as well as babies to chase. Bernie and Babs

 

[RoyalChick]

In my previous post I stated I was done with chicks for the year. I am not lying after yesterday morning I am literally done. I woke up yesterday morning to find my silkie chick had passed overnight at 8 days old. Poor Perdita is beside herself looking still for her chick. The hits just keep coming. I also have one of the cochin girls Gryffyn take ill suddenly who I am going to have to put down. For the last 3 days she has penguin walked and I feel a fluid filled abdomen. She is not egg bound as she is still laying. There is nothing I can do for her and will not see her suffer.

Oh no. So sad.

 

[MaryJanet]

Ask Aurora
Today's questions come from 2 Human Servants!
@knoturavggrl View attachment 3590202 writes……

@BY Bob I was wondering there are multiple people here dealing with way way to many and/or to often broody hens.

Would you mind gently requesting that Queen Aurora could perhaps issue a beak-book statement explaining that remaining chick free is a valid option and not to be so hasty about hatching out more of the adorable troublemakers.

I am certain myself, @Ponypoor, @RebeccaBoyd , @bgmathteach and probably a few other folks I missed would be so grateful and willing to send cheeseballs and/or meal worms to seal the deal .

Thank you and Queen Aurora for considering the request .



And @RebeccaBoyd View attachment 3590203 writes…….

I second this. I also request that Queen Aurora sends out another royal decree to my lot through beakbook. Please tell her that if they must hatch chicks, *looking at you Momma Hen*, then please for the love of all things holy, pullets please. I really cannot wait for that bat to hit henopause and stop laying entirely. Momma Hen is worrying me. She is spending a awful lot of time on the hillside. She should be back to laying since I sold her chicks 5 almost 6 weeks ago. Holly was within a week. Not a single egg of hers has been found. I do not trust that bat. All it takes is for her to hide away and lay 3 eggs in a single spot for them not to be disturbed and it triggers her. EVERY SINGLE TIME. Well, that or just laying for 2 weeks in general before she starts thinking about chicks again.

*edited to add*

If you can convince Aurora to get through to my lot I will pay her with blueberries. Lots of Blueberries and overripe cherry tomato's that she does not have to share.


Dear @knoturavggrl & @RebeccaBoyd

This is a first. Letters from human servants. Asking me to intervene on their behalf with their chicken tribes. And what riches they offer. Cheese Balls, Meal Worms, Blueberries, and overripe Cherry Tomatoes. Cherry Tomatoes that I don’t have to share.

Let me set one thing straight right now.

I don’t have to share.

Everything here is mine. I just happen to know the value of allowing others to share in the bounty of food that is so rightfully mine. I even let that thing Phyllis enjoy a treat now and again. Everyone gets a portion so that they can appreciate the benevolence that is my just and right rule.

Such a conundrum you present me with. On one hand, I truly love all of the snacks you have promised. They are all my favorites. Add to that the drop off in meal worms available here since the human servants figured out my trick of always having someone stationed at the backdoor and you make a compelling offer. On the other hand, it truly is the way of the chicken to reproduce and make more chickens. Chicks are the greatest gift and Momma hens do the work for all of us hens who are more career minded.

I’m certain you would agree that an over-abundance of chickens is just not possible. The more chickens there are, the more you humans get to serve, and the more you serve us chickens, the more rewarding your life is. These humans have blessed themselves with 100s of chickens to serve. They truly must be the most satisfied and fulfilled humans anywhere.

View attachment 3590200

If I were to accede to your request, I would not only be letting down my fellow chickens but I would also be denying you the joy of serving more chickens. Surely you have room in your hearts and lives for more chickens.

If I won’t do that, you are asking that I at least encourage the ladies to hatch out more hens and fewer roosters. This is much less objectionable to me. Roosters are not for everyone. They are an acquired taste and too many of them in one tribe makes it hard on us ladies. Add in the stories I have heard regarding teenage roosters, and I can easily believe that it would be better for all if there were fewer of them born compared to us hens.

What to do? What to do?

I must say I was torn. I thought about just flipping Phyllis to decide which way to go. Heads means I take the food bribes and recommend no more broodies or Tails and I say follow The Way and hatch like crazy ladies.

How do you flip a Phyllis?

You can either wait for her to finish a dust bath and flip herself (which is fun) or you can simply push her off the roost and see if she lands on her head (heads) or her bum/feet (tails). I prefer to just push her off the roost as it is both fun and rewarding.

Here is Phyllis flipping herself.

First the bath
https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/phyllis-taking-a-bath.7957584/

Then the shake and flip
https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/flipping-phyllis.7957583/

The smart ruler never resorts to just flipping Phyllis to make a decision, no matter how much fun it is. So her is the deal ladies, take it or leave it. I will advise the girls that there are enough roosters around already in exchange for all the “snacks” promised above. You deliver the snacks to me here at Fluffy Butt Acres and I will reach out to your tribes on beakbook and let them know we’ve had enough boys for this year. This way we can keep on adding chickens to the world. Your lives will be made better by serving more chickens and I get more snacks. It is a win, win, win. How often can you say that?

I will be watching for the snacks.

Aurora

View attachment 3590201

Hey girls! I’m going to flip Phyllis tonight. Who wants heads and who wants tails?

Awesome response