Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Morning, afternoon update.

Turkey is well and running around the coop with Poppet. It is wide open but they are choosing to stay inside. I think it is due to the fact that it has rained steady all day so far. George has no clue he is now the only rooster. He is still taking his job of protecting his silkie siblings and Mrs. E very seriously.

I grieved for Randy last night. I am very sorry how his story ended and I tried with him. I can now thank him. I thank him for being there for the flock to ease their transition. I thank him for saving Spot from the dog attack. Their dynamic changed drastically the last week but until then I thank him for raising George. It really helps to have a older rooster bring up a young one. George really pushed his buttons a few times when he was about 4 months old and Randy never batted a eye. I also thank him for Turkey. He played his part and when Poppet hid to go broody her efforts were not in vain. Poppet is the best little momma hen and is very happy raising her chick.

Lots of good came from what you did. I'm glad you can see it.

 

[BY Bob]

Wait - what? - little Aster is a meatbird?????

I must search on this. She doesn't look like a typical meatbird. This is true? If so, she's one lucky chicken to be living there at FBA!

She is clearly not a meatbird. That was their claim when they saw her photo.

Aster has recently taken to flying the entire length of the pool, 5 feet in the air, rather than walking around it. She is an amazing flyer. Clearly not a meat bird.

 

[BY Bob]

Here's my two cents

I've had such a mixed bag of experiences from all kinds of sources in 14 yrs.

MPC info I got 2nd hand about where they get their birds. My understanding is MPC takes the orders & private breeders provide the birds, exact details of which I know not. They are far from me so I never ordered from them. Most info seems positive. MPC must be a decent source to be in business for so many years.

I have ordered directly from out-of-state (VT, CO, KS, MO, CA) private breeders & some were flaky shipping wrong or sick birds while other private breeders were genuinely honest.

I've had feed stores that got their chicks from Privett Hatchery (New Mexico) ~ we lost 3 out of 4 ~ one chick death, a couple heatstroke adult deaths & one is still alive at over 7 years. Just never know how an individual bird or line of birds will survive.

At least reputable hatcheries guarantee alive chick delivery & if their policy is followed accurately by the customer they will refund any losses. However w/ most private breeders ~ once the bird is shipped they rarely refund $$$.

I'm not a fan of shipped chicks/birds but for a breed I really wanted I would go w/ a bigger reputable hatchery that refunds for losses. They refund the cost of the bird but I don't think they refund S&H fees.

Just note that day-old chicks are delicate & many die from different physical causes other than just shipping stress. If chicks survive shipping their ongoing longevity is good but not guaranteed. That goes for feed store chicks too that the store orders from a hatchery.

One thing I absolutely do ~ get the Mareck's vaccinated chicks. The extra $2+ for each chick is well worth it!

Go ahead w/ a hatchery that has your desired Buckeyes cuz there's no positive way to guarantee any chick health & order at least 3 minimum to allow for a chick loss. We got a single chick from a feed store & it lived only 23 days. We got 3 chicks of the same breed years later ~ lost a one-yr-old pullet later in a heatwave & a couple years later another sister to heatstroke but still have one left at 7 yrs old.
Glad we got the extra chicks.

Dana ~ our surviving Dominique.
View attachment 4015477

Bird health issues is the nature of chicken-keeping. Try not to over-worry about a breeder source if it's reputable ~ & go for your desired Buckeyes. Big hatcheries have large breeding flocks so inbreeding is usually nothing to worry about. It's when there's only a 1/2 dozen or less birds where inbreeding would be unfavorable. Post pics for us. We love pics! Good luck!

@ChicoryBlue I have gotten many chickens from MPC including Hattie who is 6.5 years old and approaching being the oldest hen I've had. They have always been more than fair with me. Aurora is also from MPC and she will be 6 in Feb. Now Glynda and Gucci were also from MPC so 2 sides of the coin.

I'm not sure that where I have obtained my chickens has any dog l significant bearing on their longevity. Phyllis never made 5 years and Sansa was barely 2, yet Sydney is over 5. They all came from the same place.

I had more trouble getting my money back from Aster than from any issues at MPC. At least they stand behind their chicks or even 6 week old pullets.

I'm not advising one way or another. I'm not even sure I've been helpful but I tried.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

Sorry everyone. My iCloud storage is full and my camera roll is having a hard time downloading pictures and I can't insert a picture of Grandma falling asleep, so here's some lyrics until I can resolve this issue.

"I don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to go to sleep
'Cause I'd miss you baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing."

 

[RoyalChick]

Well barnyard mutts would t be vaccinated unless you did it yourself.

I know at Hoovers they have many different hybrids on offer - I got Midnight Majesty Marans which are BCM Roo crossed on barred rock hens. My one surviving chick turned out to be a boy

The Azur Blue I have are a Leghorn and Auracana cross hybrid. They look very much like leghorns, but are actually paint or splash in colour as they have black spots. And Topsy has a crest!

There are so many nice crosses out there these days. Have you seen the Welbar cross Hoovers has? Welsummer and Barred Rock cross.

I would actually buy the Azur again they are super friendly and funny little birds - I was very happy at how friendly they are considering they were ‘factory’ Ready to Lay pullets when I got them at 20 weeks.

Sylvie is a Welbar. As was Bernie.

I miss my girl Bernie. She was such a character.

The Welbar was developed in the UK in the early 1940s. They are an auto-sexing breed. They are a breed not a hybrid meaning they breed true (Welbar x Welbar = Welbar), and recognized at least in the UK (not sure about the US).
They lay dark brown eggs with speckles.

 

[RoyalChick]

She is clearly not a meatbird. That was their claim when they saw her photo.

Aster has recently taken to flying the entire length of the pool, 5 feet in the air, rather than walking around it. She is an amazing flyer. Clearly not a meat bird.

View attachment 4015515

That is a long flight!

 

[TOMTE]

I had a dream that I looked out my bedroom window and there was a chicken on the roof. Hurried outside to check that they were all in their run and they were. All 5 of them. Plus a few extras which looked suspiciously like mourning doves. In the back of my mind while dreaming I thought, "Hey. This is weird." but eh, we must have gotten more (weird looking) chickens and I just didn't notice. And then the dream ended.

 

[BY Bob]

Never fall down in the barn! They will be on you like those wee dinosaurs in Jurassic Park were on that little girl

Scary thought that!

That's one reason I cap out at 8. I think I might be able to fend off 8 of them.

 

[BY Bob]

That is a long flight!

It is truly impressive to see. She can't hover like Phyllis but in ever other way she is a better flier.

 

[Ponypoor]

That seems to be from the same place I got my Christmas sweater.

View attachment 4015509

I love that shirt