Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[knoturavggrl]

Butters has passed. She was still breathing when I checked her on camera at 5:40 this morning. Her body is stiff but still warm. No big spasm, her head and feet look like she was sleeping though she had moved forward from before. Rest In Peace dear Butters

It is a mystery what ailed her, her molt had been progressing with the tube feeding and then her own eating, but seemed to slow, and on Monday her weight was down again.

She couldn’t have been more loved, fly high sweet girl!

 

[featherhead007]

As I was passing my last beacon marker, at 8000 feet, I thought I saw a golden hen with beautiful spread wings, flying up ever higher into the sky. If it was Butters, she makes a beautiful angel !

 

[featherhead007]

As I was passing my last beacon marker, at 8000 feet, I thought I saw a golden hen with beautiful spread wings, flying up ever higher into the sky. If it was Butters, she makes a beautiful angel !

Maybe it was just the tears in my eyes that caused me the vision, but whatever it was, Butters is in my thoughts today for sure!

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

Just wanted to share this drawing I did of My roosterView attachment 3651717

So great! You must be very artistic!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Thank you everyone for your condolences about Butters, it means a lot to me, all your help, advice and comfort!

 

[Ponypoor]

Thank you everyone for your condolences about Butters, it means a lot to me, all your help, advice and comfort!

I am so sad, having pets is so much fun but also so much heartache at times.

Can I ask after Anna today? How is she doing?

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

When it comes to taking photos of my chickens, I feel like they just can't behave...
Seriously, get out from behind the bushes, you two...

Mozzarella. This is not going in the book if you keep turning your head away. And we don't want half faces.

Now this is perfect.

 

[Ponypoor]

When it comes to taking photos of my chickens, I feel like they just can't behave...
Seriously, get out from behind the bushes, you two...
View attachment 3651976
Mozzarella. This is not going in the book if you keep turning your head away. And we don't want half faces.
View attachment 3651979
Now this is perfect.
View attachment 3651982

Perfect

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I've been keeping busy with the rest of the chickens today. I also dug Butters a grave, next to Peanut, who is next to the two little Spuds that died. I laid Butters in the corner of the run where she liked to rest. Popcorn and then Hazel came by, they stood and pecked around, then they both rested near her for a long time.

Later I saw them dustbathing there.

I decided to spend the afternoon working in the run and I would think about whether to have an autopsy done.

I think not. Even if it could determine the cause of death, I'm not sure how helpful it could be to me going forward. So I will bury her after I post this.

I've been digging and hoeing and hauling and got another section done, plus half the entrance to the adjoining run is prepared more or less.

Spuds on my shoe (Tedi) and lap (Ida) right now. Okay now just Ida.

She just went into alert mode because Hazel just came by, and Popcorn is lurking too.

Stern Queen Hazel, who cunningly surprises the Spuds when they least expect it. She is a master and conserves her effort. Even if she just stands and stares from a distance she is scary. If she is suddenly in view 15 feet away when a Spud flys and lands somewhere, that sends the Spud running while screaming.

The Big Bad Wolf (Popcorn), a molting terror. Not much strategy, just terror. See and pursue. Then casually rest and forage, maybe in their direction, maybe not. See and pursue at will.

Earlier the Spuds foraged near the back of the house. They are getting some fluff! Anna is getting her muscles and coordination back from her illness. It seems she is about a week behind the others in growth / development now. Her eyes are finally starting to turn color and are greenish instead of the blue, whereas the others are pretty yellow now.
Anna

Her feathers and fluff just seem late. She may end up being smaller. But she's got spunk and way more energy now than she had. She is flying to join the others if she gets left behind. Ida hangs with her at rest, so she is not left out. But Ida and Tedi are equal in abilities and faster and stronger. Anna on the left.

On the back of my chair on a perch strapped to it. They preened and Anna needs a quick nap. She needs more rest than the others, she is not all well yet. I'll bring them in now.

 

[rural mouse]

We have had a great stretch of gorgeous weather with this week being in the 29c - 30c range, the chooks have been enjoying it and me too.

Today I was able to get some photos of the Hoover Hatcher Sophia chicks, they are 14 weeks old and as big as my others.

Babe - wonder what colour eggs she lays
View attachment 3651922

Ruth - not sure what she is…
View attachment 3651920

Sue - such a beautiful red colour
View attachment 3651921

Cash - supposedly a Bielefelder …?
View attachment 3651919

Cash does look Bielefelder like. Sue looks like a Rhode Island Red. Ruth looks kinda like a cream legbar (maybe a cross?). Babe looks like Enigma.