Cluck-n-Quack Microsanctuary

10/16/2026

Hi! I'm Elizabeth, but you can call me Betta. I've got a story for you, child!
My sister & my sister-bestie both went to heaven to be with my Mom & Dad. I've been sad, & my Mamaw MarMar has been sad too. I thought I'd distract Mamaw by eating the longest blades of grass I could find - the really big ones that grow on the other side of the hardware cloth on our aviary.
My crop got clogged-up. Mamaw tried to help me pass the clog by making sure I had plenty of grit, & she gave me nice crop massages, but my crop got bigger, & hard as a rock! When I looked like I was gonna POP, Mamaw rushed me to the bird doctor. She was sure I'd be going to heaven because sister Victoria had this problem too, but she had icky cancer that was blocking her foods.
Since I was perky otherwise, we decided I'd have surgery, & my crop was cut open right away. Dr. R found all the grass I ate, along with lots of other tasty things!
I did this before when I was sick with bumblefoot, & I ate a bunch of straw 'cause I was anxious after foot surgery. I had surgery on my crop then too, & just to keep things interesting, at my follow-up visit, I decided to scarf down a whole big gauze bandage before the vet techs could stop me! The doctor had to go in & get it all out again.
People think when we have crop impactions, they can tip us over like a teapot, & just make us throw everything up, but that will only make us aspirate & die. Dr. R usually puts a tube down our throats to get the bad stuff out safely, but my stuff clogged up his tube this time.
Anyhow, Mamaw picked me up from the hospital today since I had to stay in ICU. Now, I have icky medicine to take for 10 days, BUT I'm cozy inside my playpen, & I can listen to music or watch cartoons, so that's cool!
Thanks for reading my story. Don't tell Mamaw I took her phone; I'd like to try texting & something called doom-scrolling for a bit.
Kisses!!
Love,
Betta

10/15/2026

Today is "Take Your Chicken for a Walk Day." Okay, so I just made it up, but why not? So, if you need to borrow a hen, let me know. I'd allow you to take my c*ck for a walk, but he can be a little spicy.
This beautiful black princess is Clover Salmonella Chicken. Clover has lived full-time with us, indoors, for about 4 years. She suffered a terrible injury to her spine that left her with lower extremity weakness & spasticity, but she doesn't let that stop her. When it became clear that she could not safely return to our main chicken coop, she bravely battled her way through physical therapy to learn to walk again, & she moved into our home. Training our 2 German Shepherds to see her as a part of our family took about a year, but they are now her fiercest protectors.
Clover sleeps in her own little bassinet at my bedside, has a full wardrobe of fashionable chicken diapers (yep, that's actually a thing), & she enjoys walks, car rides, McDonald’s (salt-free) French fries, Starbucks ice water, & snuggling. She spreads smiles wherever she goes.
So, if you're thinking to yourself, "HOW BIZARRE," then I challenge you to look at chickens differently. They are smart, loving, sentient, & strong.
Clover & I have recovered from spine damage together, & she's the bestest (& sweetest) friend in the whole universe. Although recently diagnosed with cancer, Clover wakes up each & every morning with a happy purr & a determined attitude. She's truly amazing!

10/15/2026

"Sanctuary," to me, means a place to live forever in peace, safety, & love. However, sometimes it's necessary to recognize when letting go is best.
My precious boy, Squiggy, was part of our last rescue - a rescue which resulted into 3 of 3 chicks being roosters, & that requires a very delicate balance.
All 3 boys, Lenny, Squiggy, & Peanut, lived together in a "Boys Only" area, but when spring hormones hit, it no longer held peace, safety, or love. So, we switched places, & switched places again, but after recently, & suddenly losing 2 precious ladies, our balance was thrown off once more, & it became clear that Mr. Squiggy needed more room to spread his gorgeous wings, & more ladies to satisfy his energetic nature.
As a sanctuary owner, I am extreeeeemely picky on how chickens (& ducks) are cared for, so I'm absolutely relieved to have found a new, beautiful, loving home with Jennifer Jones & Kerry Kikuchi.
Thank you for taking my sweet boy in, sending me updates & photos, & making a rough week better. I appreciate your kindness more than you know.
🙏Be well, my boy! Have the time of your life, & know that I will always love you. ❤️

10/10/2026

October 10th is World Mental Health Day!
Let's choose PEACE over perfection, & HEALTH over hustle. Break the stigma around seeking help, & support each other with empathy & respect.
🫂 HUG SOMEONE TODAY! ❤️

10/09/2026

I've been a bit quiet on social media. Why? For once in my life, I'm fighting for ME. My body & mind have been through soooo so much; it's time to be kind to myself & reclaim my happy spirit.
The last 8-9 years have been beyond soul-crushing, but with God's grace, I'm off of oral steroids! I'm done with both oral & injectable chemotherapy! I'm no longer on biologic injections!
My recent weight loss has been without the assistance of meds of any kind; it's all from healthier food choices, increased protein intake, & daily, manageable exercise. As of January 2026, I'm a lacto-ovo pescatarian, & I'm still navigating being so in a meat-emphasized world, but it's getting easier.
If you are desiring a life change, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO DO IT!!! We are NEVER promised tomorrow, & YOU ARE WORTH ALL THE BEST TODAY HAS TO OFFER!!! If you need help, encouragement, or a listening ear, feel free to message me. I know how frustrating chronic illness is, & I will help you in any way I can.
XO~Marcie

10/08/2026

⚠️WARNING: If you live in my city, & you want frozen peas from Target, you're sh*t outta luck! It's my duckies for the win every time!!!

Target

10/07/2026

Well, today was a day!!!! Three of our post-hysterectomy girls had check-ups & a bit of required "maintenance" to keep egg formation at bay since their functional ovaries are still intact (iykyk 😉).
After 2 broken nails (mine not theirs) & a nasty arm scratch (mine because ducks don't have arms, silly) because Grace wanted to fly to the car, along with one projectile vomit onto the back my white car seat from a carsick girl (Grace or Kelly), we made it to the vet, only to discover Kelly p**ped on Grace in their shared carrier.
Then, while playing on the floor, they p**ped about 4,269 times requiring a full floor mop performed by me (because that's what duck mamas do) about 421 times. Just as we were about to load up to return home, Grace thought it would be super fun to p**p down the floor register!!!! (🤦‍♀️)
At any rate, nearly $1,000 later, we are safely home! PRAISE GOD!! 🙌
My car interior has been cleaned, & the first of 3 loads of laundry is in (I knew I should've just used the disposable pads!!).
I am exhausted, but I would, quite honestly, give a kidney for any one of my sweeties. Sanctuary care is never-ending, never easy, & never cheap, but to see these little ones happy & healthy is truly all that matters.

10/07/2026

When your "parrot" refuses to let you eat a quick protein bar for dinner without proper supervision...

08/12/2026

In the timeless words of Sir Elton John:
"I'M STILL STANDING (YEAH, YEAH, YEAH)."
***To those of you who reached out to me: Thank you!! 😘😘😘😘😘

07/19/2026