Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

You have not broken your boy by handling him. You have had a couple close calls by predators. He knows that, so he is doing his job by not crowing and drawing attention to himself or his girls. He will crow again, and he may actually be crowing when you are not home. If you want a 2nd boy, I would wait until spring and let one of the girls hatch. You will probably end up with at least 1 boy. The lucky little dude will grow up watching and learning from his daddy. Already be fully integrated into his flock when his mom is done with him. When he gets stupid, he will have his dad and older aunts to put him in his place. Learning and watching his dad, will put him in a better position when he is older to take his place as his dad's 2nd in command.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Lilly has been laying for a week now, 3 eggs in total so far. Personally considering she is a descendant of Daisy who I lost to reproductive issues if she has to have a few days break between each egg I am thrilled. Marans are not supposed to be high production breeds anyway although my girls do average 5 eggs a week. This morning both she and her Mom Corona laid. Corona's eggs used to look like Lilly's before she went through her molt. They are still speckled, just covered in tiny speckles now instead of the blotches that Lilly's have. It makes me wonder now if each time these girls take a egg break to molt or go broody if the speckling pattern will change when they resume laying.
Today's eggs.

 

[bgmathteach]

@RoyalChick for you and Maggie

@BY Bob I hope you had a wonderful weekend visit with your daughter!

@ValerieJ Hope the possum doesn't continue to hang around. That said, they are only a threat to really small chicks, and/or eggs. They never seem to bother the tweens nor adults. they will however, steal all of your peaches if a racoon doesn't get them first! (right @RoyalChick ! )

Thank you everyone for your consoling thoughts. I am feeling a bit more optimistic about the coop (though it will be a bear to move it into it's final place when the run gets expanded!) But, it is what it is.

My chickens aren't happy at all about being stuck in their (ample, I might say - all but the littles have 15-20 sq. feet per chicken/duck)) runs. But, they have had a taste of free range all their lives, and are very plussed at not being able to have it now. (And are letting me know - loudly!)

@rural mouse & @ManueB : I'm a bit jealous every time you show me your gorgeous chickens AND beautiful scenery... I worked long & hard to be able to get my current place...and it is only 6 acres, an L shaped lot with 4 acres 'square' by the house, and a 2 acre long rectangle that goes behind 2 houses - 2, 2acres lots cavred out by a past owner for their 2 kids . (I really wanted 10-15 acres min.) But I try to live vicariously through both of you with the expansive views. You have to already be wealthy to afford much for land around here.

Kids free ranging in the past:

Yes, they are outside their run here:

My most recent Momma with her 'look-a-like' son...he is almost her size already, at about 9 weeks old! (this picture was taken about a month ago)

Nappie and his small harem

The former littles, who are teens now. The BR on the left is a roo, and I probably shouldn't, but I'll be keeping him, he is turning into a stunning young man! (I do need to get a recent pic of him!)

(blurry) pic of Miss Facinator! She misses trying to communicate with Lulu.

I'm not sure you would call this 'free ranging'...but my way out girls (I call them my Route 66 cluckle hut girls) would always immediately run to this spot in the summer upon release....to get their calgon moment in the sun!

 

[Marie2020]

Jaffar has not crowded at all yet. It makes a difference, because he doesn’t like to crow in the house. I’m concerned about the runny poop . He’s usually very healthy in that department. I want my buddy to be okay and not sick.

What about a bit of cracked corn? Or even pasta

 

[Ponypoor]

If he hasn't crowed since then, sounds like he's taking the quiet approach. When he starts crowing again, likely the hawk has moved on.

I just went for a ride over in the bush and guess who was there watching? Yup Mr Raptor. He flew off before I could see what it was. Nice ride but the poor chickies have never seen a horse with a rider up before!!! They were terrified!

At this rate poor Mr P will never crow again poor pookie

 

[bgmathteach]

I wish I could pop down and help you build… this is the one downside of the internet. You can meet such great people and have wonderful friends, so far always that you can’t physically do anything helpful. More hands make lighter work. It is predator season. I’ve had a couple hawk attempts here as well. Down working on the house, the chickens throw up an alarm, by the time I get back to the trailer you would think I don’t have any birds but for the chicken growling coming from under vehicles, the barn, trailers… and the brave little ones that burst from a rose bush and run to the hiding flock using the “funny rooster”’s appearance for cover. I did see the ravens drive off a smaller juvenile red tail a week or so ago.

And for you
Caring for family is important too, so I understand not being upset with DH, but know all too well how frustrating that not having the partner available is.

Thank you. I am sure I would have broken already in your situation. I wish I could help you, too. You are so correct...even just having 1 other person makes everything so much easier!

Speaking of that....I'm hoping Andrew is doing okay. Seems like both of you are wearing yourselves thin...but not together (over extending, but together, has always seemed more rewarding to me than the same but apart) Hoping mom is doing okay, too.

if only things were black & white!

Spoiler: GRaphic!"[ATTACH type="full

3300492[/ATTACH]]

 

[Ponypoor]

@RoyalChick for you and Maggie

@BY Bob I hope you had a wonderful weekend visit with your daughter!

@ValerieJ Hope the possum doesn't continue to hang around. That said, they are only a threat to really small chicks, and/or eggs. They never seem to bother the tweens nor adults. they will however, steal all of your peaches if a racoon doesn't get them first! (right @RoyalChick ! )

Thank you everyone for your consoling thoughts. I am feeling a bit more optimistic about the coop (though it will be a bear to move it into it's final place when the run gets expanded!) But, it is what it is.

My chickens aren't happy at all about being stuck in their (ample, I might say - all but the littles have 15-20 sq. feet per chicken/duck)) runs. But, they have had a taste of free range all their lives, and are very plussed at not being able to have it now. (And are letting me know - loudly!)

@rural mouse & @ManueB : I'm a bit jealous every time you show me your gorgeous chickens AND beautiful scenery... I worked long & hard to be able to get my current place...and it is only 6 acres, an L shaped lot with 4 acres 'square' by the house, and a 2 acre long rectangle that goes behind 2 houses - 2, 2acres lots cavred out by a past owner for their 2 kids . (I really wanted 10-15 acres min.) But I try to live vicariously through both of you with the expansive views. You have to already be wealthy to afford much for land around here.

Kids free ranging in the past:

Yes, they are outside their run here:
View attachment 3300452View attachment 3300453
My most recent Momma with her 'look-a-like' son...he is almost her size already, at about 9 weeks old! (this picture was taken about a month ago)
View attachment 3300454View attachment 3300456
Nappie and his small harem
View attachment 3300458View attachment 3300459View attachment 3300460View attachment 3300461

The former littles, who are teens now. The BR on the left is a roo, and I probably shouldn't, but I'll be keeping him, he is turning into a stunning young man! (I do need to get a recent pic of him!)
View attachment 3300462

(blurry) pic of Miss Facinator! She misses trying to communicate with Lulu.
View attachment 3300463


I'm not sure you would call this 'free ranging'...but my way out girls (I call them my Route 66 cluckle hut girls) would always immediately run to this spot in the summer upon release....to get their calgon moment in the sun!
View attachment 3300469

Wish you were closer - I am a wiz at post holes we would have that sucker done! (Esp with all my free time now! Ha!)

It’s ok to feel guilty, I do all the time with my gang. They are locked in the barn all day when I was at work, only getting outside for an hour or so at night and weekends only when I am around.

I too, can’t wait to be finished my run. Speaking of which I did diddly squat today! I grabbed Lulu and went for a ride instead. OMG I miss riding so much!!!! I neeed a younger horse I can go for a good gallop on

 

[Ponypoor]

Thank you. I am sure I would have broken already in your situation. I wish I could help you, too. You are so correct...even just having 1 other person makes everything so much easier!

Speaking of that....I'm hoping Andrew is doing okay. Seems like both of you are wearing yourselves thin...but not together (over extending, but together, has always seemed more rewarding to me than the same but apart) Hoping mom is doing okay, too.

if only things were black & white!

Spoiler: GRaphic!"[ATTACH type="full

3300492[/ATTACH]]

Oooo porn!

 

[featherhead007]

Possum?

Possum

 

[bgmathteach]

Thank you. I am sure I would have broken already in your situation. I wish I could help you, too. You are so correct...even just having 1 other person makes everything so much easier!

Speaking of that....I'm hoping Andrew is doing okay. Seems like both of you are wearing yourselves thin...but not together (over extending, but together, has always seemed more rewarding to me than the same but apart) Hoping mom is doing okay, too.

if only things were black & white!

Spoiler: GRaphic!"[ATTACH type="full

3300492[/ATTACH]]

Ooops,I didn't do the spoiler thingy right, sorry all! That is my poor DC boy that I lost