Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Hi everyone. It's been a rough month with too much work and illness. Am at the tail end of an unknown virus currently. Tested negative for cold and flu. Fortunately we are having a beautiful week so the chooks and pups have been getting more outside time.

Sorry to hear that you've not been well. I'm glad it is clearing up for you.

 

[rural mouse]

SHRA tax due

You know what I like

Not so. Suggestions including new ones.

 

[Ponypoor]

Adult eye color between australorps and giants is different. 1 has bay (orangey) and the other has black. Now I have to check Hector's eyes for which is which.

So much fun checking them out - gosh you are making it hard for me to not set eggs!!! Or get chicks right this minute!

 

[rural mouse]

Hi everyone. It's been a rough month with too much work and illness. Am at the tail end of an unknown virus currently. Tested negative for cold and flu. Fortunately we are having a beautiful week so the chooks and pups have been getting more outside time.

Get some sunshine yourself. The vitamin D is good for you.

 

[BY Bob]

Fluffy Butt Friday!
View attachment 3755536

That is very cool

 

[Ponypoor]

Not so. Suggestions including new ones.

Shhhhhh! Don’t tell him that !!! Hey I even read ahead real fast so I could say that

Bert and Betty - pretty much on their own now

 

[BY Bob]

Well, I’ve been following along ok, mostly keeping up here so far, but haven’t been chatting too much as not much has been happening here on North Beach Farms. Unfortunately that has recently changed. Last weekend a Raccon incursion happened in the pre-existing coop and one of the three hens that was here before we move in was taken off the roost. I’ve started closing the surviving two hens in and letting them out in the mornings as well. I also found out their names “Margaret” and “Maple” from their first owner, who has two kids that are absolutely in love with Mr. Jimmy (my largest goat). I thought I had it handled, but then Wednesday, we had a heavy rain while I was doing a 9 hr with no breaks day working at the abattoir with DH. My now top Rooster got soaked through as usual, and I didn’t think anything of it, he will dry off in the cooler overnight no problems. He was however too wet to fly up to the door, and coloured to blend in when I was closing them in for the night. I believe it was early morning when the raccoon returned. I feel awful for failing him, but Pretty Boy is no longer with us. View attachment 3755587View attachment 3755592View attachment 3755594
These are our most recent pictures of him. I have also now had three separate dog incursions into the field from our neighbours Shepard/husky type dog, and today Arduinna almost got him. He’s a good digger, but not particularly smart. This time at least DH was home so I had help herding my goats into the garden before attempting to catch the dog, and I was also armed with the neighbours cell number and she came and helped collect him. Everyone was a little traumatized, but no one was injured, he’s good with their chickens and goats… it’s just mine are a little more “assertive” to put it mildly. We also have the obligatory not fluffy butt spring moulting happening here, and I’ve updated my egg labels.View attachment 3755607View attachment 3755611

I'm so sorry for your losses. However I am glad to hear from you.

 

[BY Bob]

Lovely, but also sad.

Bittersweet memories. A real issue with chickens. I've been exploring a lot of old memories the last few days.

 

[BY Bob]

Taking a closer look at the australorp....skin as yellow as the barred rocks....austalorps are supposed to have white skin (Hector does). 1. Poor breeding at the hatchery, 2. Mislabeled either at the hatchery or at the feed store, 3. Chick jumped ship when they were packing.

Will have to wait and see, but, maaaaybe I have a jersey giant instead.....

View attachment 3755662Am I seeing things?

A jersey giant would be so cool!

 

[BY Bob]

SHRA tax due

You know what I like

Tax