Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

I wonder if @micstrachan got any fermented feed at Oktoberfest?

Bet on it!

 

[BY Bob]

We discovered it buried under the driveway and flower beds. They do dig deep enough and it shreds easily once it's buried.

Mine dug all of them out. Down several inches under mulch that had been placed on top for over a decade. They will rip it up. I worried about them eating small pieces so I tore it all out.

 

[BY Bob]

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

She was loved by us all.
Beautiful sweet lady. We are blessed that you chose to share her journey with us here. Thank you for including us.

 

[BY Bob]

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.
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Spuds on my shoe (Tedi) and lap (Ida) right now. Okay now just Ida.
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She just went into alert mode because Hazel just came by, and Popcorn is lurking too.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Such wonderful news on Anna!

I understand on the necropsy. That is the choice I usually make.

 

[BY Bob]

Look who finally grew tails, and are indeed pullets and no longer speckled suspects.

Spot
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Dot or Dottie
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Of course Owly needed a picture
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Formerly introducing Spooky. Spooky is special and I am thrilled to say pullet. What makes her special? I had one shot at this after rehoming Twig and I was afraid to jinx myself and get my hopes up. Spooky you see, is a Twig x Goose daughter. The only one I hatched and hung onto. She is the Granddaughter of both Branch and Chiquita.
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Just lovely ladies!

 

[Ponypoor]

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.

This morning Tippy was squawking like she was thinking of laying an egg. That’s new, haven’t seen her doing that. I am eggcited to see what she lays, it will be brown as Sophia lays a dark specked egg, really need to get that Hen House B built with nestboxes. Today and tomorrow for that…

Gosh can’t wait to see what they all lay.

 

[BY Bob]

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.

I am so so sorry. How tragic. Before their time.

 

[Sally PB]

Weed block fabric, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

That's a big ol' ZILCH, weed block fabric! Just like brome grass! You two are in cahoots with each other. WBF, you try to keep out the little, easy to pull weeds so that big ol' pain-in-the-you-know-where brome grass can take over the space!

Then, when I tried putting you out at the corner to keep the weeds down so they don't block the view and people can see an oncoming car (or hubby and me walking Freya), brome pushed you up, WBF, and you tried to choke hubby's mower!

Well, ha ha! The joke is on you! Both of you! WBF, you're now in itty bitty shreds! And brome, I'm coming for you! You will fall when the string trimmer cuts you off at your knees!

Whew. Thank you. I feel better now.

 

[Marie2020]

I won't ask advice after this as I feel I'm pestering

Is this electrolyte okay along side the antibiotics? I have the probiotic to

 

[Sally PB]

Yes, I know I owe tax. I will get some new pictures today.