Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Ok so my little ones and big ones are used to each other. At what point do I let them out together they are trying to escape the cage. I thought about letting them out today it's going to be nice out. I've never integrated a flock into a flock before. Anything I should be aware of

Well I supervised everyone for about a week and I found that they pretty much kept to their own little groups. Even now that everyone is grown up they tend to stick with those they grew up with.

I would put them out together but sit with them and supervise. They will get pecked at and likely chased a bit, but as long as no one is trying to seriously go after them I let them figure it out.

 

[ManueB]

Ok so my little ones and big ones are used to each other. At what point do I let them out together they are trying to escape the cage. I thought about letting them out today it's going to be nice out. I've never integrated a flock into a flock before. Anything I should be aware of

Make sure they have perches or things they can hop on to escape / clutter they can use to hide. Check if there are places where they can get "trapped". If it's possible restrict access to the cage for the smaller ones only, so they have a safe shelter.
Multiply feeders and waterers.
Will the younger ones still go back to the cage to sleep ? Roosting is a sensitive moment for integration .

 

[ValarieF]

Well I supervised everyone for about a week and I found that they pretty much kept to their own little groups. Even now that everyone is grown up they tend to stick with those they grew up with.

I would put them out together but sit with them and supervise. They will get pecked at and likely chased a bit, but as long as no one is trying to seriously go after them I let them figure it out.

ok thanks!

 

[Ponypoor]

Make sure they have perches or things they can hop on to escape / clutter they can use to hide. Check if there are places where they can get "trapped". If it's possible restrict access to the cage for the smaller ones only, so they have a safe shelter.
Multiply feeders and waterers.
Will the younger ones still go back to the cage to sleep ? Roosting is a sensitive moment for integration .

So true, I set out multiple feeding stations scattered around. And there is always bed time drama!

 

[ValarieF]

Make sure they have perches or things they can hop on to escape / clutter they can use to hide. Check if there are places where they can get "trapped". If it's possible restrict access to the cage for the smaller ones only, so they have a safe shelter.
Multiply feeders and waterers.
Will the younger ones still go back to the cage to sleep ? Roosting is a sensitive moment for integration .

They will probably go back to their cage to sleep.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Sooo eggcited! Can’t wait to see them running about

Bunny has 1 more egg in the process of hatching. Once it warms up I will check her 6th egg to see if it is viable. Raven has 2 more eggs, I will check them as well. Depending on how that goes they may get to stretch their legs for a little bit this afternoon.

 

[RoyalChick]

Hello FBA, hope you all have a nice Fluffy Butt Friday!

Mine didn't begin so well as I came upon the sheep's flock running this morning, spread throughout both sides of the dirt road. Problem was, they had five LGD's with them but no humans, including the dreaded Candy, an Anatolian shepherd we all fear. I did my best imitation of the shepherd (though there's no way I can get the local accent right) and called them out loud "Alice! Sultan ! Shabbal! Oscar! Candy ! Au troupeau !" and proceeded to avoid the sheep's by diving in the bushes on their right, to cut through the field below. I did make it alive, so I call it a victory .


I probably got lost again in translation because I also find him pretty, but I meant to say he is a pain in the butt and a very angry rooster . He's crossed standard / bantam so he's the size of my smallest ex-batt hen.

@RoyalChick So what did you do with Maggie last night, and how is she ?

Sorry for rambling and here goes the butts. It's so nice to see some feathers back on some of your chickens, and some of mine. Maybe we'll make it through molting before winter!

Léa is growing some black tail feathers back : at one point she had only two left, one on each side, and I wondered if she would turn all red.
View attachment 3290926
Merle will never have any fluff
View attachment 3290929
Piou-piou on the other hand has quite a pretty fluffy butt now, shakin' it here.
View attachment 3290938
Pain in the butt's butt
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Chipie is also growing back tail feathers and look so much better! She's ready to conquer the chicken's world!
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And Nougat whose butt stays dirty and relatively fluffy even through her molt.
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Glad you made it through the sheep!
Last night I let Maggie go into the nest box again, mainly because I got caught out by the daylight drawing in - they all went to bed about 4pm!
However, as I predicted, her butt is getting worse and worse so I have now blocked the nest box she has been using. I will help her up to roost if she needs it - but I am not sure she will need it as she is walking around just fine.
I haven't cleaned her up yet as I think it will be easier if it all dries up a bit. Today is going to be sunny and we all know what a sun worshiper she is, so I am hoping she will dry out naturally and then maybe I can crumble it off.
Poor old girl.

 

[RoyalChick]

Ok so my little ones and big ones are used to each other. At what point do I let them out together they are trying to escape the cage. I thought about letting them out today it's going to be nice out. I've never integrated a flock into a flock before. Anything I should be aware of

Key is to have lots of escape routes for the littles. I would also watch so you can intervene if it goes wrong.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Glad you made it through the sheep!
Last night I let Maggie go into the nest box again, mainly because I got caught out by the daylight drawing in - they all went to bed about 4pm!
However, as I predicted, her butt is getting worse and worse so I have now blocked the nest box she has been using. I will help her up to roost if she needs it - but I am not sure she will need it as she is walking around just fine.
I haven't cleaned her up yet as I think it will be easier if it all dries up a bit. Today is going to be sunny and we all know what a sun worshiper she is, so I am hoping she will dry out naturally and then maybe I can crumble it off.
Poor old girl.
View attachment 3290973

She is molting right? If she has not already molted in her butt fluff area you could help her out just a bit by cutting back the messy feathers. She may look funny for a bit, but will not be bothered with a messy butt. The last 2 months with Daisy and her tumor she kept a filthy butt. To help her I cut away the feathers twice.

 

[RoyalChick]

She is molting right? If she has not already molted in her butt fluff area you could help her out just a bit by cutting back the messy feathers. She may look funny for a bit, but will not be bothered with a messy butt. The last 2 months with Daisy and her tumor she kept a filthy butt. To help her I cut away the feathers twice.

I don’t think she has yet molted her fluff. And yes, I do need to help her out. Hopefully it will dry out a bit during the day today.