Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[knoturavggrl]

And I have some sad news. Had a call from the down below neighbor while I was in the shower early this afternoon. His pup (several months older than Sherlock) came up with a dead chicken. I went out to look around. Found feathers looking like possibly Cheetah. Found Cheetah under the Russian olives with Tuff, Havoc, Shan, Chia, and Enigma. Headed down to check the body. It was Zulu. Couldn't tell what killed him. Possibly the dog, possibly the other roos due to presumptive behavior. Ok, keep an eye out see if catch the dog chasing the chickens. Headed back up. Just above the fork in the track, found Nox. Headed back down to let the neighbor know. His pup is the culprit. He's charging up a shock collar for the pup and is planning on being out with the pup hence forth. We will see how that goes. At this point, I don't know how I feel. The boys started sounding all clear as I was taking Sherlock for another walk after clean up. Pear was doing some lookout duty with Cuckoo watching another direction.

Last pic of Nox, taken this morning. View attachment 3652048Fly high, darling. Now I'm in tears.

Oh no, I am so sorry.

 

[rural mouse]

Oh no not Zulu and Nox

Gosh how tragic

I fear I would not be so civilized with your neighbour if this were me

He called me to find out if we were missing a bird as his dog brought one home. Neither of us saw the dog actually messing with the birds until that point. He is the likely culprit at this point. I have to respect the neighbor for making the call. He also knows he's facing the task of keeping the dog from doing it again. The other close neighbor also has chickens which we could see out roaming on their place. Now we wait.

 

[Ponypoor]

He called me to find out if we were missing a bird as his dog brought one home. Neither of us saw the dog actually messing with the birds until that point. He is the likely culprit at this point. I have to respect the neighbor for making the call. He also knows he's facing the task of keeping the dog from doing it again. The other close neighbor also has chickens which we could see out roaming on their place. Now we wait.

I am not unsympathetic to this gentleman, esp with his situation, but I sure hope he does keep his pup under control, as Rebecca pointed out, dogs learn really fast what fun chasing livestock is.

Oh I am just so sad for you.

 

[Ponypoor]

View attachment 3652080

That’s wonderful you’re very good at drawing roosters

 

[CCsGarden]

Aww thank you

That’s wonderful you’re very good at drawing roosters

 

[CCsGarden]

I might do some more

 

[Ponypoor]

I might do some more

We look forward to seeing them

 

[featherhead007]

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.
View attachment 3651965
View attachment 3651966

Spuds on my shoe (Tedi) and lap (Ida) right now. Okay now just Ida.
View attachment 3651969
She just went into alert mode because Hazel just came by, and Popcorn is lurking too.
View attachment 3651968

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.
View attachment 3651990

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.
View attachment 3651991

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
View attachment 3651987

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.
View attachment 3651975

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.
View attachment 3651978
View attachment 3652010

Oh, the joys of being young!

 

[featherhead007]

I was just on Hoover site and from their coloured egg layer group they could be just about anything….

I love Sue’s colour she is such a lovely red chestnut colour, she reminds me of one of lightm’s hens.

Seeing what colour eggs they lay will be fun. Will they be blue? Or green? Olive even… my luck white!

I would love a Rock that lays blue eggs.
S&@& (I mean darn!) I would love any chook that would lay an egg here lately.

 

[Ponypoor]

I would love a Rock that lays blue eggs.
S&@& (I mean darn!) I would love any chook that would lay an egg here lately.

Got nine eggs today
All 4 silkies (pink/peach eggs)
All 3 Azures (blue eggs)
Buttercup (1blue egg)
Misty (1 blue/green egg)

Raven usually lays daily and if she did I have no ideas where she laid it today, still waiting on Tippy to start laying she is 24 weeks, and the school chicks are 21 weeks old.