Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Sylvester017]

There's been a cheeky feral boy hanging around for this year. He's not friendly with anyone in particular and never bothered with pusscat up until his last days. It really threw me when my lad jumped over the fence to get near him.

My heart stopped because I thought he would have been attacked. But too my astonishment they were fine and rubbed cheeks so I let them be.

As I went back out to check my puss was sat in the chair in my porch and Oliver the stray sat near him. I didn't know how Ill my boy was at the time but he wasn't eating as well, so I called Oliver back to eat a little with him and it worked.
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Here's Oliver thanking me for his lunch.
He's a strange one because even though he won't let me touch him there's a lot of eye contact between us. View attachment 4002972
He protected me from a cat a few weeks ago. It started hissing at me while on top of my shed and Oliver left his precious dinner too go and chase him off.

So I'm kind of grateful to him now for three very good reasons. He comforted Pusscat and got him to eat, protected me plus has been invaluable at keeping the rats and mice away. We haven't seen any around here since he has arrived.

I've ordered him a flea killer. Heaven only knows how I'll get it on him but he's being wormed through his food and a monthly flea treatment is on its way.

I hope to trap and get him neutered soon.

He never once ever tried to hurt my chickens and I found it ever so amusing how with him being so very brave amongst other creatures, he was terrified of princess.

Does Oliver have an owner? Is he feral? It's almost like he was a brother to Pusscat. You must be a cat whisperer. Animals gravitate to your kindness.

 

[Sylvester017]

Pony Sunday
The snow is melting!

Beautiful animals! What do they find to eat in a snowy pasture ~ amazing.

 

[Marie2020]

Does Oliver have an owner? Is he feral? It's almost like he was a brother to Pusscat. You must be a cat whisperer. Animals gravitate to your kindness.

I don't think so, puss was around in 2017 to my knowledge. I got extremely worried when we went through the "Beast from the East" in 2018 because I didn't see him for ages.
Then he started sleeping in the dog kennel. He was fixed in September 18


Oliver and Amori started coming here early this year. Amori is AOL now but Oliver keeps on coming.
They may be related I really don't know my Puss had a much narrower face, Oliver has really wide cheeks in comparison.

I often wonder what mix of breed he is. He hates humans and I can't blame him. I'm pleased he comes to eat here though

 

[featherhead007]

Well the youngsters finally got a taste of snow! They were totally freaked out some of them kept trying to fly to get over it! I had to finally go and rescue about half a dozen of them. Mr LC was one of them - poor fella he is not built for winter!

Mrs LC flew out and up onto the run fence landed in the snow on top of it glared at me and flew back into the barn - she was definitely not going out there!
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Betty and Fluffy were the only ones who spent any time out there, I threw down some old bedding, but it started snowing and they also came back in.
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Love how they wouldn’t go on the snow, stick to the path I made.

Just look at all that hot and steamy white stuff!

 

[Marie2020]

@Syvester017
How are you feeling today? I hope you have this pain under control

 

[Marie2020]

Count Oliver

 

[Marie2020]

Tax.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Extra protein…..

BFTP

Henny with Bert and Betty, December 2023. Betty is used to snow being a winter baby

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There was always mama to snuggle with if too cold.

Besides the added worry on my part, I actually like fall to early winter chicks. If there is a Momma to do the brooding. I will not hatch and raise them myself in the fall winter.

Momma Hen hid and hatched winter chicks twice on me. First time they were discovered November 1st. The second group hatched I think January 6th. Strong healthy robust chicks who come to think of it, all survived chickhood.

Chiquita went broody the same time Momma hen hid with her January clutch. I tried to break her, she was a stubborn silkie who refused to give up. 5 weeks later in the 3rd week of January she was given the Marshmallows *leghorns*. She did loose 1 of the 6 after 3 days but they did come from Rural King so not a huge shock. She did a wonderful job with them and kept them warm even through the coldest weather and snow.

Raven and Blueberry and I believe Bunny also were given and allowed to hatch fall chicks. Their chicks hatched in the first week of October. Once again strong heathy chicks with only 2 losses between the 3 of them. I think total they hatched out 20ish chicks.

The positives to these later hatches, the momma's were not technically freeloaders during the eggless winter months. The chicks were ready to lay around March to April when everyone else was just getting started with chick rearing. The downfalls to these hatches. Of course my girls gave me boys. Lots and lots of boys.

 

[Marie2020]

 

[Sylvester017]

Gosh he’s adorable.

I saw online a video of OEGB bantam Roos at a show and they didn’t have comb or wattles - didn’t know why. Thought they were a different breed.

Turns out they CUT them off the poor bird. OMG! How utterly cruel. I can’t believe that shows condone this just for some stupid ‘look’ thing.

Those combs and wattles are what make them a rooster and so adorable. If they don’t want combs and wattles them breed for non, like in silkies.

I have no problem with Vets removing the Dew-claw off a dogs leg - seen many a torn claw going through snow mud or heavy underbrush. But to remove or trim a body part for looks is nuts!

Ditto! They cut the OEGB's for show! Why? For illegal fights the combs/wattles were cut so the other roo couldn't use it for leverage but why do that for show birds?

I got out of breeding Persian cats when the trend was to breed for flatter deformed faces! Snouts on kittens help them birth thru the birth canal easier. Flat faces are harder to birth for the momma cat. Same problem goes for very pug nose puppies too.