Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

Do you have other roosters near by that he can hear crowing ? At least 50% of the crowing we get here, is in answer to other roosters.
Out of my two males, Théo crows a lot, lot more than Gaston. He uses crowing as an assertion of dominance. Gaston is just beginning to crow during the day at 21 weeks. Mr P. doesn't seem like the typical macho guy and if there are no other roosters around maybe he just doesn't feel like crowing!
To be sure it's not an health issue, if you've ever recorded him crowing you can play his own crow to him and see if he answers.

I'm also worried right now for my roosters. For one thing Théo is chasing Gaston badly. For now it's just about frightening him but I'm afraid that once Gaston realizes he is three times bigger they will actually fight. And also, Théo is molting pretty hard, and now the tip of his comb is turning black again. It happened to him in summer with no issue, but it can be a cause of worry for roosters.

We finally have some rain forecasted for tomorrow and I really, really hope it does rain. We had a three weeks respite after nine months of draught at the end of august, and now everything has dried up again.
Anyway sorry for rambling and here are some thirsty pictures!
Gastounet
View attachment 3297336
NougatView attachment 3297339
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Cannelle- exactly the same position!View attachment 3297338
Léa
View attachment 3297342

Cheetah chases Hector too. Not sure what will eventually happen there either.

 

[rural mouse]

It is disappointing but it comes with the territory when hatching your own. You expect roosters, just maybe not quite so many. I will say this, between the 3 girls I have 16 chicks. Only 1 of them gave off definite boy vibes at hatching. That is already way better then previous hatches. I have also scrutinized every single chick, especially their combs, and feet. My gut is telling me there are several pullets in this group. I'm fairly confident on the white chick and both blue chicks. Actually, I think about 10 of them could be girls if going by previous hatches and the early signs. If I am totally honest here, I will consider this hatch a success if the white one and one of the blues are pullets. The white one is also getting her wing feathers in. With her chick down color they could have came in either white or yellow. They are coming in snowball white. Rosie has already claimed it as hers since she had previously claimed Cricket as her own. I was wanting yellow feathers, Rosie wanted white and she could not be more thrilled. Next spring we will strive for silkie pullets. I've made plans, contacted my chosen breeder and already set aside the money needed for hatching eggs. All I have to do between now and hopefully March if they are laying good is choose my colors. She offers up White, Black, Black Naked Neck, Self Blue *lavender*, and Blue Cream. As it stands between me and Rosie we agreed on 6 white, and 6 black eggs.

Sounds like an interesting assortment of colors she has. I'd be tempted to add a couple of blue cream just out of curiosity.

Glad the babies are doing well and there aren't as many obvious roos ..... so far.

 

[BY Bob]

My silkies have wings! They do real good face plants

A couple of mine might make it up that high! Coming down is easier hahahaha!

It's a controlled fall.

 

[BY Bob]

Thirst-day

View attachment 3297333View attachment 3297334
And Hector stands guard so they can drink unharrassed View attachment 3297335

Wonderful photos!

 

[bgmathteach]

And how the heck do they get up there!??

Ummmm, fly ????

 

[BY Bob]

Do you have other roosters near by that he can hear crowing ? At least 50% of the crowing we get here, is in answer to other roosters.
Out of my two males, Théo crows a lot, lot more than Gaston. He uses crowing as an assertion of dominance. Gaston is just beginning to crow during the day at 21 weeks. Mr P. doesn't seem like the typical macho guy and if there are no other roosters around maybe he just doesn't feel like crowing!
To be sure it's not an health issue, if you've ever recorded him crowing you can play his own crow to him and see if he answers.

I'm also worried right now for my roosters. For one thing Théo is chasing Gaston badly. For now it's just about frightening him but I'm afraid that once Gaston realizes he is three times bigger they will actually fight. And also, Théo is molting pretty hard, and now the tip of his comb is turning black again. It happened to him in summer with no issue, but it can be a cause of worry for roosters.

We finally have some rain forecasted for tomorrow and I really, really hope it does rain. We had a three weeks respite after nine months of draught at the end of august, and now everything has dried up again.
Anyway sorry for rambling and here are some thirsty pictures!
Gastounet
View attachment 3297336
NougatView attachment 3297339
View attachment 3297337
Cannelle- exactly the same position!View attachment 3297338
Léa
View attachment 3297342

Great pictures!

I sure you have picked up from @Shadrach that the biggest concern when roosters fight is stress on the heart. I think you are right to be concerned about Theo if his comb is turning black now. You will need to keep track of any fight that might occur so he doesn't over exert himself. I'm sure Shad can provide additional advice as he is the expert on roosters.

 

[BY Bob]

It is disappointing but it comes with the territory when hatching your own. You expect roosters, just maybe not quite so many. I will say this, between the 3 girls I have 16 chicks. Only 1 of them gave off definite boy vibes at hatching. That is already way better then previous hatches. I have also scrutinized every single chick, especially their combs, and feet. My gut is telling me there are several pullets in this group. I'm fairly confident on the white chick and both blue chicks. Actually, I think about 10 of them could be girls if going by previous hatches and the early signs. If I am totally honest here, I will consider this hatch a success if the white one and one of the blues are pullets. The white one is also getting her wing feathers in. With her chick down color they could have came in either white or yellow. They are coming in snowball white. Rosie has already claimed it as hers since she had previously claimed Cricket as her own. I was wanting yellow feathers, Rosie wanted white and she could not be more thrilled. Next spring we will strive for silkie pullets. I've made plans, contacted my chosen breeder and already set aside the money needed for hatching eggs. All I have to do between now and hopefully March if they are laying good is choose my colors. She offers up White, Black, Black Naked Neck, Self Blue *lavender*, and Blue Cream. As it stands between me and Rosie we agreed on 6 white, and 6 black eggs.

I love white chickens but I promise I'm not rooting against you.

 

[fuentemoon]

Brenna has a neck of pins, Alinta had to be in the way

 

[bgmathteach]

@RoyalChick How is Maggie today? I felt I needed to read everything first, just in case you had already posted. I'm hoping she is feeling/doing better. Oh, how I wish it was just a 'I'm molting and not up to snuff' thing, but your last post dissuaded me of that hopeful notion.

@RebeccaBoyd How are the little chicks today? Hopefully no aftereffects of the chilling? Our cousin once found a litter of puppies discarded on the side of the road one Christmas eve (a very fridgid day/night), which, of course, he scooped up and brought them home & contacted a vet. A couple died from hypothermia, some seemed fine, and a few (including our 'Bear' that we adopted from the litter) had what I would call 'learning disabled' issues. We suspect it had to do with the prolonged cold/chill, though we aren't sure. Our vet at the time agreed that that could have caused the dog to be a little slow mentally. There were 11 puppies, 2 dies. of the remaining 9, 3 were mentally challenged. Bear was an absolute sweet-heart, but definitely not the brightest dog in the pack!

I don't mean to alarm you...but just keep an eye on those couple of chicks for a few days/week to make sure they are truly okay.

 

[bgmathteach]

Brenna has a neck of pins, Alinta had to be in the way
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The was for the pictures, I love all chickies. However, this is for Brenna: (a 'touchless' hug!)