Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

Where............to Sleep, Purchance to Dream

Everyone was up so late Sunday night scratching in the new straw that Aster starting looking for someplace else to sleep.

Awww so sweet!

 

[BY Bob]

Awww so sweet!

She takes instruction well.

 

[Ponypoor]

Where............to Sleep, Purchance to Dream

Everyone was up so late Sunday night scratching in the new straw that Aster starting looking for someplace else to sleep.

She’s determined that’s for sure! And darn sweet

 

[RoyalChick]

In memoriam

This morning the Chicken Palace lost a brave, and much-loved leader.
In the early hours of this morning Bernadette-the-brave stirred a bit on her roost. She moved a bit awkwardly but settled down and went back to sleep.
And then a few minutes later she suddenly fell off the roost dead.
She was just shy of three years old.
I take comfort that it was quick and that she was snuggled with her friends. I am also glad that she never lost her leadership position in the flock, and that her last days were joyous. I actually thought she was getting over her heath issues. Most of her new feathers had come in, her crop was beginning to be less full in the morning, her appetite was good, and she was enjoying being outside and eating turkey scraps.

Bernadette was an unusual hen and a force of nature. She had a difficult start in life as she lost the use of a leg when she was only 3 weeks old. Even though she was unable to walk she was still very much in command of her brooder buddies.
Her recovery was an uplifting journey that was documented here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/3-week-old-chick-with-a-bad-leg-any-advice-please.1519956/

Bernie eventually grew to be a very tall hen with some rooster-like attributes. She did lay beautiful brown speckled eggs, but very rarely.

She carried herself upright and had a 'special relationship' with Babs. As far as I could see, this was a fully consensual special relationship and once Babs died, Bernie made only a few half hearted attempts with the other hens.

When Pooh was attacked by a hawk, Bernie rushed in and laid into the hawk with her feet and beak. Most of the feathers flying were from the hawk, who was forced to give up its attack.

In recent weeks Bernie has been under the weather. She was molting, lost weight, and was not fully emptying her crop overnight. I took her to a vet who could feel a small mass - possibly a tumor - deep in her abdomen. But she continued to have a real zest for life up until the very end.

Farewell Bernadette. I will miss your funny ways. I am sure Tassels will take over your leadership position, but for now your little flock-mates are in shock and have decided to roost away from your favorite spot.

 

[MaryJanet]

In memoriam

This morning the Chicken Palace lost a brave, and much-loved leader.
In the early hours of this morning Bernadette-the-brave stirred a bit on her roost. She moved a bit awkwardly but settled down and went back to sleep.
And then a few minutes later she suddenly fell off the roost dead.
She was just shy of three years old.
I take comfort that it was quick and that she was snuggled with her friends. I am also glad that she never lost her leadership position in the flock, and that her last days were joyous. I actually thought she was getting over her heath issues. Most of her new feathers had come in, her crop was beginning to be less full in the morning, her appetite was good, and she was enjoying being outside and eating turkey scraps.

Bernadette was an unusual hen and a force of nature. She had a difficult start in life as she lost the use of a leg when she was only 3 weeks old. Even though she was unable to walk she was still very much in command of her brooder buddies.
Her recovery was an uplifting journey that was documented here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/3-week-old-chick-with-a-bad-leg-any-advice-please.1519956/

Bernie eventually grew to be a very tall hen with some rooster-like attributes. She did lay beautiful brown speckled eggs, but very rarely.

She carried herself upright and had a 'special relationship' with Babs. As far as I could see, this was a fully consensual special relationship but once Babs died, Bernie made only a few half hearted attempts with the other hens.

When Pooh was attacked by a hawk, Bernie rushed in and laid into the hawk with her feet and beak. Most of the feathers flying were from the hawk, who was forced to give up its attack.

In recent weeks Bernie has been under the weather. She was molting, lost weight, and was not fully emptying her crop overnight. I took her to a vet who could feel a small mass - possibly a tumor - deep in her abdomen. But she continued to have a real zest for life up until the very end.

Farewell Bernadette. I will miss your funny ways. I am sure Tassels will take over your leadership position, but for now your little flock-mates are a little in shock and have decided to roost away from your favorite spot.

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I'm so sorry for your loss RC. She was a wonder. We were lucky to read of her exploits and triumphs

 

[ManueB]

In memoriam

This morning the Chicken Palace lost a brave, and much-loved leader.
In the early hours of this morning Bernadette-the-brave stirred a bit on her roost. She moved a bit awkwardly but settled down and went back to sleep.
And then a few minutes later she suddenly fell off the roost dead.
She was just shy of three years old.
I take comfort that it was quick and that she was snuggled with her friends. I am also glad that she never lost her leadership position in the flock, and that her last days were joyous. I actually thought she was getting over her heath issues. Most of her new feathers had come in, her crop was beginning to be less full in the morning, her appetite was good, and she was enjoying being outside and eating turkey scraps.

Bernadette was an unusual hen and a force of nature. She had a difficult start in life as she lost the use of a leg when she was only 3 weeks old. Even though she was unable to walk she was still very much in command of her brooder buddies.
Her recovery was an uplifting journey that was documented here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/3-week-old-chick-with-a-bad-leg-any-advice-please.1519956/

Bernie eventually grew to be a very tall hen with some rooster-like attributes. She did lay beautiful brown speckled eggs, but very rarely.

She carried herself upright and had a 'special relationship' with Babs. As far as I could see, this was a fully consensual special relationship but once Babs died, Bernie made only a few half hearted attempts with the other hens.

When Pooh was attacked by a hawk, Bernie rushed in and laid into the hawk with her feet and beak. Most of the feathers flying were from the hawk, who was forced to give up its attack.

In recent weeks Bernie has been under the weather. She was molting, lost weight, and was not fully emptying her crop overnight. I took her to a vet who could feel a small mass - possibly a tumor - deep in her abdomen. But she continued to have a real zest for life up until the very end.

Farewell Bernadette. I will miss your funny ways. I am sure Tassels will take over your leadership position, but for now your little flock-mates are a little in shock and have decided to roost away from your favorite spot.

View attachment 4004903
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I kept hoping it wouldn't happen. I'm so sorry, RC. She was really one of her kind, and you and her went through so much together. She has become a bit of a legend for me. And I also feel like it's the end of an era in your flock. But I know she would likely disdain us for any tears shed !
Those pictures truly show how beautiful she was and her personality.

 

[micstrachan]

Winter has Arrived

I woke up to this.

The chickens have not left their coops.

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I have not yet gotten the shower curtains up so the wind is whipping through the run and under the coop. I'm guessing that Hattie might be alone all day. I need to get her heat panel moved down so she can stay warm.

I am failing as a chicken servant.

Poor birds. At least they are safe, Bob! You have not failed them!

 

[micstrachan]

Aurora got stranded once by flying into the deep snow. She couldn't make it all the way back to the coop. I had to rescue her and carry her back.

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See? You were there to rescue her so her feet did not freeze. I think thus was a previous incident, but still!

 

[micstrachan]

As I figured. The Rockettes are malnourished. Crops are empty and they are hungry. But they would rather starve themselves than be jumped by Mr Wyandottey.
I’m going to feed them away from the coop, one at time If necessary.

Good chicken daddy! Alex, lately my girls have been hiding in the coop a lot. It seems to be getting better now, but I think they weren’t getting enough to eat either. I’m not sure what they were afraid of. Anyway, a couple times I went into the coop at night with a headlamp and a bowl of baby bird formula to get their crops all filled up and they really appreciate it! I would just hold the bowl in front of one bird then another then another then another, making sure each girl got her share.

 

[micstrachan]

A Beautiful Gift

@LozzyR drawing of Phyllis is framed and matted and waiting to be opened by Mrs BY Bob. Please don't share this with her. Such amazing work by Lozzy. It was an amazing gift.

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It’s so beautiful!!!