Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Coco made it up to her perch when I put the biggies to bed.
She used to perch with the other Rockettes, but she’s by herself tonight.

Do you think maybe a sprain? A 1/2 tab aspirin a couple of days might just help.

 

[SimpleJenn]

Good morning everyone. I'm drinking my coffee before the dog and I head out to get the birds up. I'm debating opening the run door and letting the chicks integrate with Marble and Buffy. Maybe put a bit of wire in between so they can meet safely. I'm just worried they would get attached to the chicks and then be seperated when it comes time to send Marble off home.

 

[Ponypoor]

My experience has been grab it when you see it cuz it might not be there when you go back later ~ especially if it's rare. That's how I lost out on BBS Breda who are nowhere to be found here now.

Yes sometimes that is prudent, but unfortunately one also needs to ensure they don't over extend oneself, I am at (actually over) capacity here, even though many of my chooks are elderly. And those are actually the ones that cause the most trouble, the youngsters are not the ones who are most prone to sickness/injury.

For me to ensure that my flock gets the amount of attention they require and deserve I need to make sure that I can handle any issues that crop up with my elderly chooks. I can understand why poultry factory farms (and any other live poultry enterprises) rid themselves of hens at their first moult (~18 months), I always have trouble with my chooks during their moults, the don't eat well, they hide away, others can pick on them, they lose weight and stop laying eggs. Can one imagine having an elderly chook who has issues with mobility due to arthritis? So yes I can understand why a factory farm would cull - they couldn't possibly care for thousands of chooks not feeling well.

This brings us back to the fact that I need to be able to care for my elderly ladies, and this year I have my original ladies coming 4 yrs old. We are all aging, I want to make sure that as I age and they age we can all manage well.

So next year I will reassess my flock and if I feel able I will see what's out there that tickles my fancy

 

[Ponypoor]

Incubation update.

I have spent the day trying to correct a mistake I made last night. I forgot that when I add in the eggs my humidity always jumps up about 10 to 12 percent every single time. My target humidity at this stage is between 45% to 50% at the highest.

What I should have done yesterday was leave the humidity alone until I added the eggs. Nope, not me, I tinkered with it all afternoon until I got it to hold stable at a "perfect" 48%. I woke up this morning to it holding stable at a lovely 60%. Finally I have it back down to a stable 46%.

While this was a error on my part, if I am going to have a mishap the first 24 hours is the time to have it happen. This should not affect the eggs at all at this point. I am upset with myself though. I knew this, I have used this incubator going into my 5th year now. I figured this out after the very first time I used it.

Yes good time to make a misjudgment! Very glad all is good now, I cannot wait to see what hatches!

 

[Ponypoor]

I mentioned last night when I set the eggs that I did not have any broody girls as Poppet had snapped out of it. I do suspect that Goose and Spooky are thinking about going broody. Imagine my surprise this evening when I now have 2 very angry broody girls, neither of which are Goose or Spooky.

Angry broody #1 is Flurry the cochin, at least I think it is Flurry. Her big butt is smooshed in the nest box between the stalls that is everyone's favorite and she had 8 eggs under her. I removed the eggs and left her in the box. I will double check tomorrow to make sure it is Flurry, if so she will probably be broke. Flurry is unproven and one of my 2 egg eaters. Her sister Gryffyn who while also is a egg eater has been proven to sit and hatch and not eat her eggs.

Broody #2 greeted me as a shrieking devil when I went into the silkie pen. Little Miss Reba one of the pullets was hoarding all 4 of today's silkie eggs under her in the 2nd tier of the cabinet nest box. I escaped violence with Flurry, the same cannot be said with Reba. She pecked me several times. I then removed her from the box to see which hen it was and when I set her down she flogged me for good measure before returning to her empty box.

Now I have some decisions to make. I really do not need any silkie broodies right now for at least 2 months. I will not encourage Reba and try to break her. I may or may not be successful time will tell. If Reba is still broody when the chicks in the incubator hatch I could attempt to foster chicks on her. Flurry, if it is Flurry might be a option to test out if she can resist eating eggs while broody. For the first time in her life she has chosen a suitable location to incubate in. Of course it is everyone's favorite box, why would it not be? I can easily block the entrance to keep everyone away from her if I give her eggs. I can also gather tomorrow's silkie eggs and add to today's four and see what happens. I could also let her attempt to hatch some of the big girls eggs.

Decisions, decisions.

I look forward to seeing what you decide! After all I am living vicariously through all you who have babies this year!

 

[Ponypoor]

Good morning everyone. I'm drinking my coffee before the dog and I head out to get the birds up. I'm debating opening the run door and letting the chicks integrate with Marble and Buffy. Maybe put a bit of wire in between so they can meet safely. I'm just worried they would get attached to the chicks and then be seperated when it comes time to send Marble off home.

It would be much better to have them all together - the chicklets can learn lots from the older chooks. There will also be change in flocks and they will soon adapt to the removal of the older chooks.

I say integrate them.

 

[SimpleJenn]

It would be much better to have them all together - the chicklets can learn lots from the older chooks. There will also be change in flocks and they will soon adapt to the removal of the older chooks.

I say integrate them.

Good point, and Marble can inflict some rooster knowledge on the boys before they get all hormonal. If he's up for it that is, fella is quite peaceful and laid back. Buffy though, something tells me she will definitely teach them the way of the chicken.

 

[SimpleJenn]

Friday photos.
Fluffy butts

Cadet keeping guard

Squatch booty

Yeti fluff

Lots of grey and black booties

Squatch is so big haha

Little Comrade butt, and Yeti in a hurry to come peck my clothes

And now for some other pictures

Cemani is nearly feathered out. Gosh, he is really neat.

Navy wanted a view and to munch hair

Chocolate is a CHONK
slowpoke is my favorite color, silver

Navy

Red bird!!! She's so friendly

Blue bird. Much less friendly but is a born leader.

Pretty Periwinkle

 

[Chickin Fairy]

Two fluffy buts I get to soak, trim, and blow dry each year. Just finished these up yesterday.

 

[TOMTE]

Friday photos.
Fluffy butts
View attachment 4100906
Cadet keeping guard
View attachment 4100910
Squatch booty
View attachment 4100911
Yeti fluff
View attachment 4100912
Lots of grey and black booties
View attachment 4100913
Squatch is so big haha
View attachment 4100914
Little Comrade butt, and Yeti in a hurry to come peck my clothes

And now for some other pictures
View attachment 4100915
Cemani is nearly feathered out. Gosh, he is really neat.
View attachment 4100908
Navy wanted a view and to munch hair
View attachment 4100907
Chocolate is a CHONK
View attachment 4100905slowpoke is my favorite color, silver
View attachment 4100904
Navy
View attachment 4100903
Red bird!!! She's so friendly
View attachment 4100902
Blue bird. Much less friendly but is a born leader.
View attachment 4100909
Pretty Periwinkle

Yeti and Slowpoke are my favorites so far GORGEOUS chickies!