Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[SimpleJenn]

Hubby cut the branches off of their stump

Mid shake

Flufflepuff

Pair of sun bathers

Broody buttcheeks

Pancake mode

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

On this fine Saturday, Grandma is watching a documentary about gut health. I think she was watching me more than the film.

 

[BY Bob]

I have ledge roosts which are at 24” and 30” height for all my chooks - I have found that my old gals esp appreciate this style. I have steps up to the ledge so they can hop up and down.

A manageable height for the silkies to navigate.

Hen House A has 5 nest boxes at the far end, and 3 at the front end under the ledge.
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Hen House B has 3 nest boxes under the ledge.that wooden door is between Hen House A and B, it’s closed at the moment because Blanche and Misty are hiding in there - away from the boys. Poor girls are moulting heavily.
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It's a good design.

 

[BY Bob]

Good morning everyone! It's finally starting to look and feel like fall here, yay!

Random inquiry today. Because do any of you ever just look at your chickens and get randomly struck by how pretty their colors and markings are? I'm wondering if there's a name for Esme's markings.

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The chest feathers look like spangling maybe?

She's just so pretty!

Absolutely gorgeous. Keep an eye out for any feather contest. She could be a winner.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes I do! Morinth is so pretty
View attachment 3963525

How about that new rooster of yours? He's pretty good looking.

 

[BY Bob]

On this fine Saturday, Grandma is watching a documentary about gut health. I think she was watching me more than the film.
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Always improving her education that one.

 

[rural mouse]

Good morning everyone! It's finally starting to look and feel like fall here, yay!

Random inquiry today. Because do any of you ever just look at your chickens and get randomly struck by how pretty their colors and markings are? I'm wondering if there's a name for Esme's markings.

View attachment 3963516
View attachment 3963517
The chest feathers look like spangling maybe?

She's just so pretty!

Looks like she's getting golden laced feathers in. Lacing takes a while to reach full splendor

 

[rural mouse]

Yes I do! Morinth is so pretty
View attachment 3963525

And she's half-laced. Gorgeous girl

 

[rural mouse]

Castor took a climb this morning...

Rascal!

 

[Sylvester017]

I have ledge roosts which are at 24” and 30” height for all my chooks - I have found that my old gals esp appreciate this style. I have steps up to the ledge so they can hop up and down.

A manageable height for the silkies to navigate.

Hen House A has 5 nest boxes at the far end, and 3 at the front end under the ledge.
View attachment 3963509

Hen House B has 3 nest boxes under the ledge.that wooden door is between Hen House A and B, it’s closed at the moment because Blanche and Misty are hiding in there - away from the boys. Poor girls are moulting heavily.
View attachment 3963513

Your setup is so different from ours ~ you have way bigger facilities, larger flock, many different ages, different health issues at one time, & a variety of standard & bantam breeds & you offer an accommodation available for all needs of the hens. But even though you have ground nests available for Silkies they will still want to be w/the big birds on a higher level so you are getting hanging neck Silkies in your setup. It's just what's going to happen when there's such a variety of options.

I'm thinking that's why breeders I've dealt with keep certain breeds like Silkies separated from standard breeds. Silkies are a little 2-lb bird but w/all the desires the big breeds want ~ but the little guys don't fly: that's a hindrance they don't accept as their handicap. A standard breed or bantam flyer that loses balance on a high perch flaps wings to glide to the floor. Silkies flap but fall harder w/almost useless wing power. Silkies are great jumpers/poor flyers ~ the little dears.

Our situation is different. After many years of dealing w/ different breeds we made the decision to attrition down to just Silkies in the yard. They are a relatively hardy breed for our climate, do better in an all-same breed flock, & their eggs are the biggest of bantam breeds ~ plus they are great family lap chickens.

Because we have only one standard Dominique left w/ 5 Silkies we have the ability to keep the Silkies from wanting to reach the perch the Dom uses. The 5 Silkies are content to use the coop nests to sleep. Silkies want to roost as high as any other chicken & walking up our steep coop ramp gives them the feeling already that they are high off the ground & don't seem to want the coop perch the Dom uses.

When/if our old Dom passes before the 5 Silkies we will probably remove the coop perch altogether & add a couple more floor nest boxes (although one night DH saw 4 Silkies trying to pile into one 11"x11" nestbox!! Too bad he didn't have his camera! Chickens do keep us laughing!