Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

I just can't imagine. Poor her and poor you. I'm not at all sure I could do it. I guess you never know until you have to.

Look what I found when I went to shut the chicken coop!View attachment 3617029

That's right! Little Eenie with her huge children tucked up under her, up on the platform! I'd rather they were over by the roosts instead of by the nests, but I'll take it!

It's progress. Baby steps.

 

[RoyalChick]

Went out to close the coop this evening. Probably the first true head count I've done in a week. Between shock, grief, exhaustion, and home after full dark, the head count hasn't happened.

Silver was missing. Went looking. Finally found her body. Other side of the olive trees, near the favorite dust bathing area. Over the last several weeks, I would occasionally see something that made me look at her more closely. I checked her over and the only thing I found was she was on the skinny side. Mixed up an easy to eat, loaded with extra nutrients mash which got her eating again. Kept an eye on her to make sure she was eating (she was), but the niggling thought of something internal going on popped up. I suspect that's what took her. She passed with the whole tribe around her, but I couldn't say for sure when.

Silver was the Queen. She was also the last of the 4 that started my tribe, gift from my much-loved MI, who raised her as a chick. Silver is now with the wonderful lady who raised her, cuddled her, and let her go to become Queen here.

I will have to do some observation to see of Pear stepped up or not. She was up around the house some yesterday (kind of unusual for her) and Cheetah and Blanche were on the south side at one point (also unusual) and Twirp was on the west side (not unusual). All while we were dressing for the funeral. Pear is next oldest. After her, Cheetah and the 7 ladies are the same age: Blanche, PITA, Cuckoo, Thing, Twirp, Jessica, and Nellie. Storm is 9 weeks younger and was raised jointly by Silver and Pear when she was orphaned at 3 weeks.

Rest in peace sweet lady. May your raising of every single one of the rest of the tribe demonstrate your smarts, sweetness, and common sense.View attachment 3617021View attachment 3617023View attachment 3617026View attachment 3617027

Oh I am so sorry. You are really going through it right now. Huge hugs.

What a wonderful legacy she leaves with your wonderful flock.

 

[rural mouse]

Oh I'm sorry.

I was ok about it....until I started writing it up. I suspect more numb than anything else with the whole week. She helped raise every last one of the chickens, Pear included (She's next oldest). She survived the foxes making off with most just before a late spring blizzard that lasted a week. She survived a stray (ish) dog killing almost half the pullets (Cheetah and those ladies) and Storm's parents. She's called me out to deal with a hunting cat who WASN'T afraid of the chickens. She placed herself between the other birds and the cat while the rooster (don't remember if it was Cheetah or Rusty (Storm's papa)) came up to echo the call by the kitchen window. She dealt with snow blowing powdery fine and piling up to a foot deep. She found the best places out of the wind and the places that stayed cooler in the deep summer. She loved grasshoppers. We had to catch and collect them so she could eat the big ones while the babies (Pear's group) ate the littles. Silver wasn't broody, but we (didn't know the "proper" way to raise chicks) put her in with the babies anyway. She didn't start the broody buk-buk, but she invaded their section, showed them she was in charge, and proceeded to model good chicken behavior. She would eat near them, drink near them and even did a baby round up when we let them out to explore and some deer came round the corner. The babies ran for cover and she lurked just outside it, again between the deer and the babies. She was a little over a year old at the time.

 

[bgmathteach]

Went out to close the coop this evening. Probably the first true head count I've done in a week. Between shock, grief, exhaustion, and home after full dark, the head count hasn't happened.

Silver was missing. Went looking. Finally found her body. Other side of the olive trees, near the favorite dust bathing area. Over the last several weeks, I would occasionally see something that made me look at her more closely. I checked her over and the only thing I found was she was on the skinny side. Mixed up an easy to eat, loaded with extra nutrients mash which got her eating again. Kept an eye on her to make sure she was eating (she was), but the niggling thought of something internal going on popped up. I suspect that's what took her. She passed with the whole tribe around her, but I couldn't say for sure when.

Silver was the Queen. She was also the last of the 4 that started my tribe, gift from my much-loved MI, who raised her as a chick. Silver is now with the wonderful lady who raised her, cuddled her, and let her go to become Queen here.

I will have to do some observation to see of Pear stepped up or not. She was up around the house some yesterday (kind of unusual for her) and Cheetah and Blanche were on the south side at one point (also unusual) and Twirp was on the west side (not unusual). All while we were dressing for the funeral. Pear is next oldest. After her, Cheetah and the 7 ladies are the same age: Blanche, PITA, Cuckoo, Thing, Twirp, Jessica, and Nellie. Storm is 9 weeks younger and was raised jointly by Silver and Pear when she was orphaned at 3 weeks.

Rest in peace sweet lady. May your raising of every single one of the rest of the tribe demonstrate your smarts, sweetness, and common sense.View attachment 3617021View attachment 3617023View attachment 3617026View attachment 3617027

I know that this is a huge blow, especially with everything else going on right now - but this was also a lovely tribute - to be so revered by you and her tribe, and for her to leave such a legacy. I know she will be missed - by you AND by the rest of her tribe, but she also gave her wisdom and nurturing and great leadership to the tribe to pass it on to the next generation.

Hugs for you and her tribe
For her - may she rest in peace, and may her legacy live long and strong in her offspring (real and/or adopted)

 

[bgmathteach]

I just can't imagine. Poor her and poor you. I'm not at all sure I could do it. I guess you never know until you have to.

Look what I found when I went to shut the chicken coop!View attachment 3617029

That's right! Little Eenie with her huge children tucked up under her, up on the platform! I'd rather they were over by the roosts instead of by the nests, but I'll take it!

By the nests is a more natural place for her to be - until they want to roost (or she takes them to roost) as the nest box will seem more private and protected.

I'm happy for you that they have finally accepted your platform!!!

 

[BY Bob]

A 2fer of some Tomato Thieves

 

[BY Bob]

Went out to close the coop this evening. Probably the first true head count I've done in a week. Between shock, grief, exhaustion, and home after full dark, the head count hasn't happened.

Silver was missing. Went looking. Finally found her body. Other side of the olive trees, near the favorite dust bathing area. Over the last several weeks, I would occasionally see something that made me look at her more closely. I checked her over and the only thing I found was she was on the skinny side. Mixed up an easy to eat, loaded with extra nutrients mash which got her eating again. Kept an eye on her to make sure she was eating (she was), but the niggling thought of something internal going on popped up. I suspect that's what took her. She passed with the whole tribe around her, but I couldn't say for sure when.

Silver was the Queen. She was also the last of the 4 that started my tribe, gift from my much-loved MI, who raised her as a chick. Silver is now with the wonderful lady who raised her, cuddled her, and let her go to become Queen here.

I will have to do some observation to see of Pear stepped up or not. She was up around the house some yesterday (kind of unusual for her) and Cheetah and Blanche were on the south side at one point (also unusual) and Twirp was on the west side (not unusual). All while we were dressing for the funeral. Pear is next oldest. After her, Cheetah and the 7 ladies are the same age: Blanche, PITA, Cuckoo, Thing, Twirp, Jessica, and Nellie. Storm is 9 weeks younger and was raised jointly by Silver and Pear when she was orphaned at 3 weeks.

Rest in peace sweet lady. May your raising of every single one of the rest of the tribe demonstrate your smarts, sweetness, and common sense.View attachment 3617021View attachment 3617023View attachment 3617026View attachment 3617027

I am so very very sorry for your loss especially at this time.

Rest in Peace dear Silver.

 

[BY Bob]

I was ok about it....until I started writing it up. I suspect more numb than anything else with the whole week. She helped raise every last one of the chickens, Pear included (She's next oldest). She survived the foxes making off with most just before a late spring blizzard that lasted a week. She survived a stray (ish) dog killing almost half the pullets (Cheetah and those ladies) and Storm's parents. She's called me out to deal with a hunting cat who WASN'T afraid of the chickens. She placed herself between the other birds and the cat while the rooster (don't remember if it was Cheetah or Rusty (Storm's papa)) came up to echo the call by the kitchen window. She dealt with snow blowing powdery fine and piling up to a foot deep. She found the best places out of the wind and the places that stayed cooler in the deep summer. She loved grasshoppers. We had to catch and collect them so she could eat the big ones while the babies (Pear's group) ate the littles. Silver wasn't broody, but we (didn't know the "proper" way to raise chicks) put her in with the babies anyway. She didn't start the broody buk-buk, but she invaded their section, showed them she was in charge, and proceeded to model good chicken behavior. She would eat near them, drink near them and even did a baby round up when we let them out to explore and some deer came round the corner. The babies ran for cover and she lurked just outside it, again between the deer and the babies. She was a little over a year old at the time.

Wonderful stories. She was a special lady for certain.

 

[Ponypoor]

Went out to close the coop this evening. Probably the first true head count I've done in a week. Between shock, grief, exhaustion, and home after full dark, the head count hasn't happened.

Silver was missing. Went looking. Finally found her body. Other side of the olive trees, near the favorite dust bathing area. Over the last several weeks, I would occasionally see something that made me look at her more closely. I checked her over and the only thing I found was she was on the skinny side. Mixed up an easy to eat, loaded with extra nutrients mash which got her eating again. Kept an eye on her to make sure she was eating (she was), but the niggling thought of something internal going on popped up. I suspect that's what took her. She passed with the whole tribe around her, but I couldn't say for sure when.

Silver was the Queen. She was also the last of the 4 that started my tribe, gift from my much-loved MI, who raised her as a chick. Silver is now with the wonderful lady who raised her, cuddled her, and let her go to become Queen here.

I will have to do some observation to see of Pear stepped up or not. She was up around the house some yesterday (kind of unusual for her) and Cheetah and Blanche were on the south side at one point (also unusual) and Twirp was on the west side (not unusual). All while we were dressing for the funeral. Pear is next oldest. After her, Cheetah and the 7 ladies are the same age: Blanche, PITA, Cuckoo, Thing, Twirp, Jessica, and Nellie. Storm is 9 weeks younger and was raised jointly by Silver and Pear when she was orphaned at 3 weeks.

Rest in peace sweet lady. May your raising of every single one of the rest of the tribe demonstrate your smarts, sweetness, and common sense.View attachment 3617021View attachment 3617023View attachment 3617026View attachment 3617027

Oh I am so sad for you, was she a Brahma ? she was such a beauty, such lovely colouring of her feathers.

 

[BY Bob]

I just checked her, I didn’t see any more maggots, and the wound is dry, but yes need to monitor it frequently, I will at least three times a day.

Hopefully the ivermectin takes care of any I missed, if I don’t see any further maggots in a few days I will start treating for the necrotic tissue. If she survives that long.

I have a feeling she is laying internally like Tuff and likely has malignant tumours - if she doesn’t perk up in a couple days I will likely euthanize her.

Meanwhile pain meds and antibiotics for the poor wee gal.

Just awful. I'm so sorry this has happened. It's a tough situation.