Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[SimpleJenn]

The town we do all our grocery shopping is getting a Family Farm and Home! It's across the road from the Tractor Supply co! I'm so excited (and spoiled for choice!!!)

 

[ChicoryBlue]

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.

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Oh RC I’m so sorry. Hugs
You’ve written a wonderful tribute and these are great pictures! What a special hen, from the very beginning! I remember your close work with her physical therapy and supplements. You did give her a great life, and she saved Pooh’s. She was a spectacular hen, too. Her legs were so long! RIP dear Bernadette.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Everyone smile, it’s the holiday season! View attachment 3998847

Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1978 (the remake)

Everybody’s getting ready to sleep. Going to be 12F tonight, so the panel is on low.

 

[featherhead007]

I am sure Coco appreciated being inside, and Nacho will get over it I am sure. The sun ‘ll come out tomorrow……

The sun peaked out just now. So I let loose the kraken!

 

[Sylvester017]

Green grass and lovely weather - I can only dream…



“Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold”

Shakespeare: Henry VI


“… the icy fang and churlish chiding of the winter’s wind…bites and blows upon my body; I shrink with cold;

Shakespeare: As you like it

Weather whining tax
Mr P and his merrie ladies are taking turns under the heater.
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And the main gang is hanging out in the stalls
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That's so nice to have a roomy barn for them to retreat from the snow/cold/wind.

 

[Sylvester017]

It has been a chore to capture this. Since George started crowing I have tried to catch it on video. George is a very respectful boy and has made it difficult. First he only crowed early before he was let out of the coop. I never once heard those first strangled kazoo crows. I heard him for the first time Monday morning. He was out front crowing a perfect little crow. I rushed out on the porch to video and he shuts up and never uttered another peep. This morning I heard it again outside my window. This time I flung it open and only put the camera outside to hide from him. I got 1 crow, just one and he realized he had a audience and shut up again.

Good Morning from George.

Teehee! that is so cute!

 

[RoyalChick]

It has been a chore to capture this. Since George started crowing I have tried to catch it on video. George is a very respectful boy and has made it difficult. First he only crowed early before he was let out of the coop. I never once heard those first strangled kazoo crows. I heard him for the first time Monday morning. He was out front crowing a perfect little crow. I rushed out on the porch to video and he shuts up and never uttered another peep. This morning I heard it again outside my window. This time I flung it open and only put the camera outside to hide from him. I got 1 crow, just one and he realized he had a audience and shut up again.

Good Morning from George.

That’s a lovely crow!

 

[Ponypoor]

That's so nice to have a roomy barn for them to retreat from the snow/cold/wind.

And for me to hide in too

 

[Ponypoor]

It is official. I detest winter. I had forgotten how much I hated doing water till tonight. I had to roll up the hose in the barn, for fear of it freezing.

Now I will have to, every evening, take the hose out of the feedroom to fill up the horses buckets. And then put it back in the feedroom. Likely covered in chicken poop.

BFTP

February 2024

 

[BY Bob]

Yet Again

She's back in the main coop again.