Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

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Raven here everyone. I hope Queen Aurora does not mind but I thought I would take a minute to pass words of wisdom and warnings to those hens out there gunning to become a future Queen one day.

First off let me state. If a Queen does not want to give a mugshot to your human, you no loner have to. I now have 1000 other duties I MUST perform. Looking at a humans black box is way down on my list of priorities.

So all you young pullets and hens of any age who aspire to one day be leader of your flock, this is to you.

Do you have energy and stamina in spades? I only ask because as I have shockingly found out, a Queens work is never done. I do not know how Butter did it. She settled spats between flock members. Protected and still kept in line troublesome teens when their mothers let them loose. Made the roosters toe the line while still letting them believe they were in charge. Was first and got the tastiest bits to any food offered or found. Threw a hen off the nest when she needed to lay, and then to assert her dominance sat in the nest spot for a hour napping because she could. If a hen is dust bathing, I now have to go sit on her to make her move over to dust bath there because it is my responsibility. I am now a Better, THE BETTER in fact. There is simply not enough hours in the day and those days are getting shorter. No wonder The Great Queen Aurora throws her minions off the roost at night. She is tired, she is cranky, and as I have found out, sometimes you just have to throw a minion off the roost or you will loose your mind. It is greatly stress relieving if you wait until everyone is settled on the roost and you decide to charge several hens off at once to watch them scatter. You do not need to physically touch them, just charge, they get the point.

Future Queens, if you truly aspire this role I want you to think long and hard in the meantime if you aspire to also be a mother. You see, I am a mother, and I was happy in that role under the good Queen Butter. My children did not need to be mine or even hatched by me. I had love and guidance to give and gave it freely to the little ones. I protected them fiercely. I was and am called a troublemaker, I shared with my children the love of pranks and I hung onto them longer then some of the other mothers. If it were not for the Good Queens passing I would probably be plotting on my next brood of children and could have lived blissfully in that role much to my humans ire. I am no longer just a mother now you see, I am also their Queen. I have had to let my brood go and earn their place among the flock. Now I am torn. I desire to protect them, but, I must now also put them in their place. I tell myself as I peck them for eating before me that I am doing for their own good, yet their confused looks hurt me. I am fully aware now why Good Queen Butter never reared chicks of her own. She was able to both protect and discipline the youngsters without any guilt. Think of this future Queens. While you can be both, and do a good job, it will come with heartbreak.

Future Queens, another piece of advice. Before you assume your role you need to know who your allies are. Who can you trust to do your bidding when you are not present. As much as I try I cannot be everywhere at once. One would naturally assume the other hens who challenged you but you put in their place would be good at seeing to things. You would be wrong. They cannot be trusted with this responsibility. You see, they too wanted your role. Too much authority and they may get it in their heads they can do the job better and once again challenge. Holly and Squirrel sometimes try to act in my behalf. They wanted my spot so I must remind them I am their better each time and I do not need help. Truthfully I do need help and am carefully recruiting my helpers. Butter had Chiquita as her main enforcer and now both are gone. I am eyeing the 2 cinnamon Queens. They do not wish to lead, but have proven in the past they can break up a spat if needed. They also love to give a good peck to a unsuspecting flock member if the mood strikes. I admit, I may have taught them that when they were younger. They have joined me many times in our games of chase the Squirrels and defended the yard from songbirds. They have proven they can follow my directions without question.

Take heart though future Queens, once you rise to the top you will find it all worth it. I may be tired, I may be grouchy but I have proven to myself and to the flock that I am truly their better. In time I will figure out how to lead and relax like Good Queen Butter. I am quickly learning who I can depend upon. The rooster Branch is the best with child care, and I already knew this. I will soon take a step back and let him continue to teach and reprimand the youngsters as needed. Momma Hen and the Marshmallows have proven their expertise in spotting and evading predators. Very soon I will relent and rely on them for lookout duty. That just leaves my other great joy brooding and teaching the next generation my ways. I do not need to brood to ensure future generations, we have more then enough hens who desire to raise chicks for that. They are all very good at their jobs but as in everything else I feel I am better. Actually I feel I am the best and if Good Queen Butter had not passed I would have proved it and out-brooded Momma Hen. Can I take a page from Good Queen Butter's book and step away from the call of motherhood. That future Queens, I have yet to decide.

That is all for now my fellow future flock leaders. I know you follow The Great Queen Aurora's words to heart and do not wish to step on her toes. I just thought I would throw these thoughts out to those striving to be a better. Being a better and queen comes with responsibilities one could not dream of before finding oneself a Queen. Before you take up that role of a better, prepare yourself and make sure you are truly worthy.

The newest better and queen.
Raven the troublemaker.
P.S.
I earned the title "troublemaker" as a young pullet. I worked hard for it and I perfected it. Queen or not I shall not let that title go.
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Oh Dear Raven, MUCH respect to you!

It is so nice that you wrote in MULTIPLE paragraphs!

 

[bgmathteach]

Because Jaffar got his steak , I thought it was only fair that the other chooks get a bowl of spaghetti.

I'm not quite sure how steak = spaghetti, but if the other chooks didn't know he got STEAK, I guess all is well.

 

[featherhead007]

CBD can be made from cannabis or from hemp, and you can get this without the cannibis’ THC - but it is more effective as a pain control with the THC (yes my sacrum/hips feel good) from the studies I have read from McMaster U - they have a long term study underway for effective treatment using both CBD and Cannibis.

My issue is being tested and coming up with a positive test with the THC component also read up on the interactions of it and my prescription meds for my RLS - seems that what I am applying to he skin is not absorbing hardly any systemically - so thankfully answers both my worries, likely wouldn’t show up on a D&A test and won’t interfere with my pregabalin.

Now taking it orally is a different story! And seeing as how dosages have never been established yet (another thing McMaster U is working on), it is something I am absolutely not interested in.

And while my arthritis is oven some relief it has some diddly squat for my RLS - of course I didn’t think it would help that being a neurological issue. Now if it did help that I would be happy to imbibe!

Not to worry Alex I am not planning any trips to the US with it! Though I do wonder at why I can go across with my script for Tylenol 2 and yet if one has a medical script of cannibis that is not permitted. From what I know codien of far more addictive than pot … ? My
One big issue with THC is how it’s stored in body fat especially in the brain which is all fats.

I want to read any reports McM U has on elderly and the use of THC products and cognitive function. Quite fascinating how the different components are available in cannibis, they have really only just scratched the surface with its elements. I see there is also a Nature of Things episode about it I will watch.

Oh the trials and tribulations of finding a med for treatments - I told my mum medicine/doctors were not Gods - they can try to help but many times it’s just a bandaid helping with a condition. There are no miracle cures out there. Meanwhile I am taking a course of Iron to see if it aids with my RLS, likely I will need an IV solution for the iron to be used as one’s intestines regulate the intake of iron, and whatever is not absorbed is eliminated - expensive poop .

That’s quite the explanation. And I thank you for that. Now take your hands off your head and put them behind your back. I’m going to read you your rights.
“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, and if you can’t afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you free of charge. With that said, is there anything else you would like to discuss with me regarding your legal options?
The only other way that you might be able to avoid this situation is if you have chickens. And if you have chickens, they are allowed to come to your aid at any time during this process. Do you understand all that has been explained to you?

 

[bgmathteach]

The Thirsty Clown

What a happy, silly puppy. I'm so glad you happened to get him when you did - he will be good for you. Laughs are always welcome, but especially so when you are grieving!

 

[featherhead007]

Happy Friday

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Bob always brings out the big guns for Fluffy Butt Friday!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Now we are up to 4 kittens. The first 2 are dried off and a light silvery grey tabby. The last 2 I think will end up being the same, grey tabby. 1 of them is iffy still wet, either a dark grey tabby or possibly black. I informed Trixie she failed, no a single white hair on any of them so far. Her markings are my favorite on a tabby, she could have at least had one mini me.

 

[featherhead007]

I'm not quite sure how steak = spaghetti, but if the other chooks didn't know he got STEAK, I guess all is well.

I’m sure he waddled right out and told his ladies that he had the steak !

 

[featherhead007]

My mum has been plagued with a repetitive stress injury in her shoulders from shoveling snow last winter and then cutting down the apple tree with my reciprocal saw. I told her not to do either tasks but she did.

My BIL went and got her some CBD lotion to apply to her shoulders and it seemed to do some good. So I figured I would try it on my lower back/hips as my RLS has been aggravated by my arthritis lately.

After a couple days I seeemes to have some relief so today I skipped my mid day application of it and my arthritis again was bothering me. So applied more this evening in the hopes it would aid in some relief and maybe some sleep.

That’s when I figured I should read what was written on the jar, hunted down my magnifying glass and read the ingredients: cbd oil, but it was the thc that freaked me out (25mg of it - not sure is that’s a lot or not). Darn it all, I do not need to be testing positive for thc if I get a project come my way.

I wonder how long it takes for that to clear your system sheesh! All those years of just saying no!!!


It darn well better help my arthritis or I will really be annoyed!

Drink up kiddos
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I went back and re-read this post. You seem worried that THC might be detected in your body when tested. I can assure you that in my neighborhood, just being outside breathing, could register me a “dirty test” as they say. Such Crazy neighbor nonsense!

 

[bgmathteach]

Got lots of catching up to do. It was a busy week at work. Did a project with an old buddy of mine. Charles is super smart and talks as much smack as me so we had everyone cracking up even when we were struggling. At the end of today we had everything going our way as we usually do when we work together. Taxes to be paid tomorrow.

Everyone needs days like that at work - at least once in a while! I'm happy you had a good co-worker/colleague day!

 

[RoyalChick]

Angela mentioned a videographer and I agree. I just need to drop some weight to eliminate some of the shock to my knees.

OMG - I don't think I would even be able to watch on video. As I age my fear of heights gets worse and worse. I can't even really describe it as 'fear' - it is a very physical thing - a bit like butterflies in the pit of the stomach but worse. I got a tinge of it even reading your post about it so I think I will have to just sit out the visual!
Good luck though - I could well be convinced it is an amazing experience.