Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

How long does it take for an EE to get old enough to lay?

I had one once a long time ago and I can’t remember

 

[Logar]

How long does it take for an EE to get old enough to lay?

It depends on the bird as they are mutts. But the most common thing I have seen people say is between 22 and 26 weeks

 

[Ponypoor]

Have you noticed the hawks might sit in a tree or on a fence to watch chickens but if the flying hawk doesn't have a long aerial space to grab prey w/its talons it doesn't bother to engage in ground stalking chickens? Any thoughts/observations?

A farmer oddly had a hawk sitting on a perch in his enclosed chicken run yet w/all the chickens in the run the hawk did not go after one hen ~ just stupidly stared at them ~ not enough flight space for it to swoop & grab w/its talons in flight. I believe that may be why hens run to the trunk of a tree to interrupt a hawk's flight space near the tree base?

We have had vulnerable Silkies for almost 14 yrs & never lost one chicken of any breed to a predator. I can't help feeling that aside from ground shelters/plants we did good to hinder hawk flight space by erecting a couple large patio roofs, several popup canopies, planted citrus & Pomegranate trees, plus use lawn furniture (bences/chairs/tables) as hawk flight deterrents. We once saw a Cooper's juvenile sitting on top of our Adirondack lawn chair but it didn't go down to the ground to seek out the hiding hens ~ there simply is not enough flight space for hawks in our backyard. Hawks will not go after our hens hiding in the dried up tomato vines in the garden beds & you know how easy it would be to pick off a 2-lb Silkie!

Obviously our climate doesn't support Blue Jays but we have obnoxious House Sparrows that are mean little suckers! Sparrows chase off House Finches, Yellow finches, Brewers Blackbirds, they are fearless to swarm & attack a single sweet Crow or Black Phoebe or Mourning Dove! They will kick out eggs or kill nesting hens to take over other bird's nests ~ just vicious little beasts. They're constantly warring amongst themselves too. They have no melodious song either just raspy shrill monotonous chirps. At least our resident Mockingbird has a melodious repertoire when he sings.

We have Sharp Shin hawks here (like a Cooper’s hawk) and they are able to fly through tree branches in the bush to catch prey. Those hawks will fly anywhere to get at their prey.

Larger hawks and eagles will need larger areas to maneuver.

Not sure it a sharp-shinned or coopers would be big enough to drag off one of my larger hens, but the silkies and youngsters would be fair game. Certainly if they hit a larger hen at force they could kill it. But not drag it off.

 

[Ponypoor]

I had one once a long time ago and I can’t remember

20 weeks I would say.

 

[Ponypoor]

SHRA tax - 20 weeks or more

Hahahahaha the hens get as much exercise as Mr P - they follow him everywhere. Yes even Mrs Little Chicken.

Brrrr it’s chilly today, it’s only 6C (48F) and a good stiff breeze from the north.

 

[RoyalChick]

TV Tax

Jaffarra - 3 times I tried to take a pic, each time she would move hahaha.

View attachment 3965020

Love her coloring. Reminds me of my beloved Maggie (RIP).

 

[Sylvester017]

We have Sharp Shin hawks here (like a Cooper’s hawk) and they are able to fly through tree branches in the bush to catch prey. Those hawks will fly anywhere to get at their prey.

Larger hawks and eagles will need larger areas to maneuver.

Not sure it a sharp-shinned or coopers would be big enough to drag off one of my larger hens, but the silkies and youngsters would be fair game. Certainly if they hit a larger hen at force they could kill it. But not drag it off.

Yep, that was my observation ~ the hawk needs/prefers to fly to catch its prey w/its deadly talons. Our hawks must be too lazy to fly into our trees after wild bird prey. Our hens like huddling behind the trees against the block wall or under benches against the block wall. For snoozing they sometimes pause inside one of the dog houses.

Cooper's hawks are all around our area but thankfully the Crow murders chase them off. The Red-shouldered we haven't seen in a very long time. Our yards are too small for flight for those bigger hawks. We never have had baby chicks in the yard so Crows or hawks are not enticed to attack our adult birds with our cluttered flight space.

 

[featherhead007]

I’m sure that Sir Jaffar is very proud to have such a lovely lady named after him. Where ever he is now.

 

[SimpleJenn]

Hubby's favorite of the cochin mixes are very likely boys, I'm seeing saddle feathers forming. Maybe
they were enjoying apple peels since I'm making apple butter today so I got some good pictures.
Starburst is leaning roo

hawk and Peregrine

Hawk and Peregrine again

Starburst

Birchbark is an enigma. Has had a big comb and wattles since 5 ish weeks old but no sign of male feathers. Purebred cochin

Biscuit is definitely looking girl. Nyx keeps fighting the boys but is girl shaped too.

Peregrine is going to be GORGEOUS.

Not sure about Hawk here

The Legbar roo is so cute.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Happy Mugs Monday everyone

I give you a very angry, very determined and very crazy broody Goose. Goose it is the middle of October! You have lost your mind if you think you are getting eggs now. This year has been a never ending cycle with her. 3 weeks easily to break her and within 3 weeks she is back on the nest. Next year sweetheart, hopefully next year you can have some silkie eggs to hatch.