Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

She simply needs a rooster. Maybe one sized like Mr LC @RoyalChick

As you can tell I am very taken with both Mr and Mrs Little Chicken.
I have always felt afraid of bantams because they are so small and I would be afraid of breaking them somehow - but those two look rather robust.

 

[notabitail]

Well after nearly two months of no rain and high temperatures Mother Nature remembered I live in New Jersey.
Temperatures suddenly plummeted down to around freezing (mostly just above) and we got 48 hours of slushy snow like @BY Bob showed in his video.
The snow laid on the ground in shady patches but mostly just soaked into the ground - very much needed. I hope some of the shrubs will have survived the drought.
Today the sun is out and I have brought a pumpkin for the ladies. They were on sale after Halloween so I picked up a bunch.
This chap has a jaunty smile like he believes he will fare better than his cousin did last month.
We will see. Bernie is still diminished from her molt - but she had lots of energy going after its eyes!
View attachment 3994442
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Felicitas looks very similar to Bernie from a top down view. I could not find a photo of her from the top, but I did find this:

 

[RoyalChick]

Felicitas looks very similar to Bernie from a top down view. I could not find a photo of her from the top, but I did find this:
View attachment 3994479

I think this a pretty coloring with gold around the head and neck.
Bernie will look better when she has all new feathers. She is quite moth-eaten at the moment poor girl.

 

[Sylvester017]

Have you see photos of those black Roos???!!! Gorgeous!! I think that Royal Chick needs a rooster like that

15 yrs ago I thought Silkies were the only melanin birds w/their black skin, beak, meat, organs, eyes, legs, toenails, comb, bones ~ except for their turquoise ears, brownish tongue, red blood, & multi-color feathers (oddly enough our melanin Black Silkie was truly melanin cuz her ears were also black ~ the turquoise ears were grayed out of any blue ~ her blood was still red though).
Our "Mini" ~ Black Silkie

After the melanin Silkies were the only black skin chicken for a while in the USA, the Ayam Cemani was imported, and then the melanin Svart Hona (Swedish Black Hen) thought to be a cross from the Cemani was imported.

Now it looks like USA breeders are creating new melanin hybrids from the Ayam Cemani. The cutest ones IMO are the melanin EEs that seem most popular on hatchery sites but there are other hybrids too but not as cute.
Fibro EE

In Asia the Cemani is a prized breed & the slightest bit of red in comb or wattles is culled.
Ayam Cemani roo

 

[Sylvester017]

Well, we will see how Mrs Little Chicken is with chicks.
Just saying!

Happy Caturday. This made me giggle.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7436477957746527534

That is one stressed out kitten!!!

 

[Ponypoor]

Well, we will see how Mrs Little Chicken is with chicks.
Just saying!

Happy Caturday. This made me giggle.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7436477957746527534

Wow now that’s ferocious! But oh so adorable also

 

[Sylvester017]

Thanks again for all the explanations ! I love how the small variation in individual feathers will make such a difference in the overall pattern. Kind of like an abstract puzzle !
It's interesting about the egg size. I wouldn't mind bigger hens laying small eggs (which hasn't really happened here) but I'm always a bit worried when smaller or slender type hens lay big eggs. It's another reason to think twice about hatching eggs from parents of very different size.

I haven't tried the wedge yet but I'll be sure to report back when I do. My partner has and said he found it really difficult...so if I fail honour will be safe !

Caturday : I sometimes wish my cats would never wake up. I think I love them the most when they sleep !
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And a group picture today. After having several days like FBA's crew the chickens are glad to be out.
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Wow! Your hillside photos are beautiful. What's your elevation? Do the chickens stay nearby or do they wander far every day?

 

[Ponypoor]

Mrs Little Chicken

@RebeccaBoyd

Found her hidden cache!

9 lovely wee eggs

And she was ever so nice about me stealing them

 

[Sylvester017]

I have to say I admire you. Your courage to start over again from scratch. If I were in your place right now I do not think I could do it. At least not right away. I wish you loads of success this time around. No more heartache, you have suffered enough for everyone.

What's more amazing is kiddo's enthusiasm for hatching & DH for looking up Fibro birds for Spring! They have real farmer hearts & resilience!

 

[RoyalChick]

That is one stressed out kitten!!!

I don’t think it is stressed - it is just determined to make sure the chicken nugget is properly killed before being eaten.