Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Grandma The Chicken]

Complete and Utter Tragedy

I have terrible news. We lost Nimue today.

It had to be a hawk attack but the hawk did not kill her. She must have fallen in the pool when trying to get away and drowned.

I came out of the house to hear Lady Featherington bawking at the top of her lungs and no one was answering her. She had been in the coop laying her egg when the attack occurred.


No one was answering her.


I could find no other chickens anywhere.


I called and called and finally they started to emerge for an old main bird house I had stashed in a corner of the yard. 5 of them were in there.

It was like a clown car. First Aurora, then Aster, Niamh, and Hattie. Sydney would not come out. Here she is hidden inside the martin house.

View attachment 4217962

I could not find Nimue. Then I noticed the feathers in the pool. She was gone.

I fished her out and laid her on the cement. When Aurora saw her, I can't explain the sound. She ran back and forth wailing for a few minutes until she settled down.

Niamh came over to the body and prodded it. Trying to get her to wake up.

I buried her next to Glynda.

Niamh came and said goodbye.

View attachment 4217963

Once again my heart is broken by these chickens. The ones I am most close to seem to have the shortest lives. It's almost unbearable this time.

Niamh slept alone in the nest box tonight. She started on the roost but got down and went into nest box. I think it felt safer to be covered on all sides.
View attachment 4217964

I'm so very worried for her. I have no idea if the other chickens will adopt her now. The two of them were their own unit in s lot of ways. If she is always alone from now on I don't think I will be able to bear it.

I don't know if I will posting again here for a while. I just don't know. My heart is broken and I don't know if I can bear talking about it for a while.

It was very hard to write this but you need to know where I've gone.

I like how Niamh went over to say goodbye. Even chickens understand grief and have their own way of doing so. I felt the same way when I lost Grandma so I understand if you need to take a break from here. Even I don't post some days, even if I am feeling fine.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

How are they doing now?
I would expect they will figure it out and it just takes time. What's going on here might be helpful to know - the five pullets here are 15 weeks old. They are still getting pushed/chased around by the four Bigs, but they all are getting a routine established. It seems much calmer than it was. The pullets have figured out when and where they can eat, drink, preen, snooze and forage throughout the day. They do have to periodically break camp and change locations. So I've tried to put water and feed in widely separated spots. Come winter I'm aiming to provide more breaks in sight lines and more "up" places in the covered run.

Pullets still yell loudly the same way (never been any blood, though you'd think they were getting really beat on) but there is much less panic. They are learning the routine and recognizing who is more tolerant and who to avoid. Two Bigs just want them to acknowledge the superior status and move on (Hazel, Tedi), though both will do a little chasing too, it seems to brighten their day). The pullets know who is likely to always give chase so it's better to clear out before they get too close (Annie somewhat, who is fast, but especially Diane, who is protecting her bottom status and really means it).

An interesting bit is the Buckeye pullets seem to pay most attention to reading faces, which makes sense in understanding another's intentions. I can have one of the Buff O.'s on my lap, and if they're facing away, like with their head snuggled under my "wing" (Tedi), some of the braver pullets will approach and hang out and explore my feet and legs. They have a little wariness seeing the Buff O. feathers and butt, but don't seem to feel much threat. If Tedi pulls her head out to look around though, even if Tedi doesn't move otherwise, they will move away. Beware the eye!

They have actually been doing a bit better. It doesn't seem like Tony is fighting them but whenever Tony approaches the little ones, they see it as danger and start running amok. And yes, the eye can be helpful to some but harmful to others. What I did is I have allowed the little ones have the space to themselves for some time before having them share with the older chickens. Raven seems to like the box with dirt in it and takes a dust bath in there when the older chickens aren't around. Hawk and Raven like to bask in the sun when the others aren't there. Tony isn't always bothering them, she and the twins go to a different area of the space and leave them be. I'll have to observe more.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Complete and Utter Tragedy

I have terrible news. We lost Nimue today.

It had to be a hawk attack but the hawk did not kill her. She must have fallen in the pool when trying to get away and drowned.

I came out of the house to hear Lady Featherington bawking at the top of her lungs and no one was answering her. She had been in the coop laying her egg when the attack occurred.


No one was answering her.


I could find no other chickens anywhere.


I called and called and finally they started to emerge for an old main bird house I had stashed in a corner of the yard. 5 of them were in there.

It was like a clown car. First Aurora, then Aster, Niamh, and Hattie. Sydney would not come out. Here she is hidden inside the martin house.

View attachment 4217962

I could not find Nimue. Then I noticed the feathers in the pool. She was gone.

I fished her out and laid her on the cement. When Aurora saw her, I can't explain the sound. She ran back and forth wailing for a few minutes until she settled down.

Niamh came over to the body and prodded it. Trying to get her to wake up.

I buried her next to Glynda.

Niamh came and said goodbye.

View attachment 4217963

Once again my heart is broken by these chickens. The ones I am most close to seem to have the shortest lives. It's almost unbearable this time.

Niamh slept alone in the nest box tonight. She started on the roost but got down and went into nest box. I think it felt safer to be covered on all sides.
View attachment 4217964

I'm so very worried for her. I have no idea if the other chickens will adopt her now. The two of them were their own unit in s lot of ways. If she is always alone from now on I don't think I will be able to bear it.

I don't know if I will posting again here for a while. I just don't know. My heart is broken and I don't know if I can bear talking about it for a while.

It was very hard to write this but you need to know where I've gone.

I am so, so sorry, for Nimue, for you, and for Niamh and the other chickens.

 

[featherhead007]

Complete and Utter Tragedy

I have terrible news. We lost Nimue today.

It had to be a hawk attack but the hawk did not kill her. She must have fallen in the pool when trying to get away and drowned.

I came out of the house to hear Lady Featherington bawking at the top of her lungs and no one was answering her. She had been in the coop laying her egg when the attack occurred.


No one was answering her.


I could find no other chickens anywhere.


I called and called and finally they started to emerge for an old main bird house I had stashed in a corner of the yard. 5 of them were in there.

It was like a clown car. First Aurora, then Aster, Niamh, and Hattie. Sydney would not come out. Here she is hidden inside the martin house.

View attachment 4217962

I could not find Nimue. Then I noticed the feathers in the pool. She was gone.

I fished her out and laid her on the cement. When Aurora saw her, I can't explain the sound. She ran back and forth wailing for a few minutes until she settled down.

Niamh came over to the body and prodded it. Trying to get her to wake up.

I buried her next to Glynda.

Niamh came and said goodbye.

View attachment 4217963

Once again my heart is broken by these chickens. The ones I am most close to seem to have the shortest lives. It's almost unbearable this time.

Niamh slept alone in the nest box tonight. She started on the roost but got down and went into nest box. I think it felt safer to be covered on all sides.
View attachment 4217964

I'm so very worried for her. I have no idea if the other chickens will adopt her now. The two of them were their own unit in s lot of ways. If she is always alone from now on I don't think I will be able to bear it.

I don't know if I will posting again here for a while. I just don't know. My heart is broken and I don't know if I can bear talking about it for a while.

It was very hard to write this but you need to know where I've gone.

My heart is also broken. I don’t normally cuss but after reading this, I laid down and screamed into my pillow. Maybe it was an emotional breakdown. Why such innocence has to leave us? And why does it have to be you and Rose. Dam.. it Bob, I am so sorry this happened. My words fail me, but my tears are real
My condolences and concern are also real. I might be on the other side of the country, but please think that I am right with you both during this tragedy

 

[rural mouse]

Complete and Utter Tragedy

I have terrible news. We lost Nimue today.

It had to be a hawk attack but the hawk did not kill her. She must have fallen in the pool when trying to get away and drowned.

I came out of the house to hear Lady Featherington bawking at the top of her lungs and no one was answering her. She had been in the coop laying her egg when the attack occurred.


No one was answering her.


I could find no other chickens anywhere.


I called and called and finally they started to emerge for an old main bird house I had stashed in a corner of the yard. 5 of them were in there.

It was like a clown car. First Aurora, then Aster, Niamh, and Hattie. Sydney would not come out. Here she is hidden inside the martin house.

View attachment 4217962

I could not find Nimue. Then I noticed the feathers in the pool. She was gone.

I fished her out and laid her on the cement. When Aurora saw her, I can't explain the sound. She ran back and forth wailing for a few minutes until she settled down.

Niamh came over to the body and prodded it. Trying to get her to wake up.

I buried her next to Glynda.

Niamh came and said goodbye.

View attachment 4217963

Once again my heart is broken by these chickens. The ones I am most close to seem to have the shortest lives. It's almost unbearable this time.

Niamh slept alone in the nest box tonight. She started on the roost but got down and went into nest box. I think it felt safer to be covered on all sides.
View attachment 4217964

I'm so very worried for her. I have no idea if the other chickens will adopt her now. The two of them were their own unit in s lot of ways. If she is always alone from now on I don't think I will be able to bear it.

I don't know if I will posting again here for a while. I just don't know. My heart is broken and I don't know if I can bear talking about it for a while.

It was very hard to write this but you need to know where I've gone.

I have no words, just hugs for you, hugs for Mrs BY Bob, hugs for each of the ladies

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Complete and Utter Tragedy

I have terrible news. We lost Nimue today.

It had to be a hawk attack but the hawk did not kill her. She must have fallen in the pool when trying to get away and drowned.

I came out of the house to hear Lady Featherington bawking at the top of her lungs and no one was answering her. She had been in the coop laying her egg when the attack occurred.


No one was answering her.


I could find no other chickens anywhere.


I called and called and finally they started to emerge for an old main bird house I had stashed in a corner of the yard. 5 of them were in there.

It was like a clown car. First Aurora, then Aster, Niamh, and Hattie. Sydney would not come out. Here she is hidden inside the martin house.

View attachment 4217962

I could not find Nimue. Then I noticed the feathers in the pool. She was gone.

I fished her out and laid her on the cement. When Aurora saw her, I can't explain the sound. She ran back and forth wailing for a few minutes until she settled down.

Niamh came over to the body and prodded it. Trying to get her to wake up.

I buried her next to Glynda.

Niamh came and said goodbye.

View attachment 4217963

Once again my heart is broken by these chickens. The ones I am most close to seem to have the shortest lives. It's almost unbearable this time.

Niamh slept alone in the nest box tonight. She started on the roost but got down and went into nest box. I think it felt safer to be covered on all sides.
View attachment 4217964

I'm so very worried for her. I have no idea if the other chickens will adopt her now. The two of them were their own unit in s lot of ways. If she is always alone from now on I don't think I will be able to bear it.

I don't know if I will posting again here for a while. I just don't know. My heart is broken and I don't know if I can bear talking about it for a while.

It was very hard to write this but you need to know where I've gone.

Oh, no.
RIP dear little Nimue

 

[TOMTE]

Complete and Utter Tragedy

I have terrible news. We lost Nimue today.

It had to be a hawk attack but the hawk did not kill her. She must have fallen in the pool when trying to get away and drowned.

I came out of the house to hear Lady Featherington bawking at the top of her lungs and no one was answering her. She had been in the coop laying her egg when the attack occurred.


No one was answering her.


I could find no other chickens anywhere.


I called and called and finally they started to emerge for an old main bird house I had stashed in a corner of the yard. 5 of them were in there.

It was like a clown car. First Aurora, then Aster, Niamh, and Hattie. Sydney would not come out. Here she is hidden inside the martin house.

View attachment 4217962

I could not find Nimue. Then I noticed the feathers in the pool. She was gone.

I fished her out and laid her on the cement. When Aurora saw her, I can't explain the sound. She ran back and forth wailing for a few minutes until she settled down.

Niamh came over to the body and prodded it. Trying to get her to wake up.

I buried her next to Glynda.

Niamh came and said goodbye.

View attachment 4217963

Once again my heart is broken by these chickens. The ones I am most close to seem to have the shortest lives. It's almost unbearable this time.

Niamh slept alone in the nest box tonight. She started on the roost but got down and went into nest box. I think it felt safer to be covered on all sides.
View attachment 4217964

I'm so very worried for her. I have no idea if the other chickens will adopt her now. The two of them were their own unit in s lot of ways. If she is always alone from now on I don't think I will be able to bear it.

I don't know if I will posting again here for a while. I just don't know. My heart is broken and I don't know if I can bear talking about it for a while.

It was very hard to write this but you need to know where I've gone.

I am so, so sorry. The heartbreak is so real. Losing Aliss is still fresh for me, so I really, deeply feel for you.

Rest well and fly high and free Nimue. Millions of bear hugs for you, Bob

 

[RoyalChick]

Complete and Utter Tragedy

I have terrible news. We lost Nimue today.

It had to be a hawk attack but the hawk did not kill her. She must have fallen in the pool when trying to get away and drowned.

I came out of the house to hear Lady Featherington bawking at the top of her lungs and no one was answering her. She had been in the coop laying her egg when the attack occurred.


No one was answering her.


I could find no other chickens anywhere.


I called and called and finally they started to emerge for an old main bird house I had stashed in a corner of the yard. 5 of them were in there.

It was like a clown car. First Aurora, then Aster, Niamh, and Hattie. Sydney would not come out. Here she is hidden inside the martin house.

View attachment 4217962

I could not find Nimue. Then I noticed the feathers in the pool. She was gone.

I fished her out and laid her on the cement. When Aurora saw her, I can't explain the sound. She ran back and forth wailing for a few minutes until she settled down.

Niamh came over to the body and prodded it. Trying to get her to wake up.

I buried her next to Glynda.

Niamh came and said goodbye.

View attachment 4217963

Once again my heart is broken by these chickens. The ones I am most close to seem to have the shortest lives. It's almost unbearable this time.

Niamh slept alone in the nest box tonight. She started on the roost but got down and went into nest box. I think it felt safer to be covered on all sides.
View attachment 4217964

I'm so very worried for her. I have no idea if the other chickens will adopt her now. The two of them were their own unit in s lot of ways. If she is always alone from now on I don't think I will be able to bear it.

I don't know if I will posting again here for a while. I just don't know. My heart is broken and I don't know if I can bear talking about it for a while.

It was very hard to write this but you need to know where I've gone.

No words. Just so heartbroken for all of you.

 

[Sally PB]

Fly high and free, beautiful, lovely Nimue. Sweet little Niamh, your sister is watching over you, still with you in spirit, as she always will be.

BY Bob, Mrs., and all other creatures at FBA, my heart is broken and grieving too.

 

[featherhead007]

Don’t worry, or be sad, my Sir Jaffar is surely watching over sweet Nimue until we all will be reunited in heaven. I pray for Bob’s family for strength and comfort.