Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Ewwww! That’s why sand boxes have lids on them so kids don’t play with stuff they shouldn’t!

Absolutely. The lids were a big step forward.

 

[rural mouse]

Here's today pics an hour and a half after I opened the coop this morning. Most of the youngsters are still outside. Pear, Nellie, Storm, and Twirp all came out, ate, and went back inside to preen. Thing has been staying put near the nest boxes. She's not broody, but is on my watch list (even though she's low enough I'd have to pet cage her to keep the others from adding to a nest). She's sweet and entirely too gentle (watch her turn up broody and be like Rebecca's Momma hen).

I'm seeing some frost damage on some (but not all) combs and on the boys wattles. Surprisingly Hector (largest comb) has the least amount of comb damage of those with damage. How that will eventually heal up remains to be seen. I'm leaving those well enough alone. Frostbite is best left untouched, so I'm not going to inflict more pain on them to feel it all up. Cheetah has lost (or broken off) his last flag tail feather, but was staying up on the roost (with Jessica and PITA). His hackle feathers were looking FANTASTIC last night when I closed the coop, so moult is getting close to finishing up.

 

[BY Bob]

You know, I was trying to be nice since Karma kicked me. That being said I feel you and @bgmathteach are poking fun at me over my rooster dilemma. You really will when I give out the final update on the new hatches boy/girl ratio now that some very late bloomers let themselves be known as boys....my ratio was not nearly as good as I thought at 4 weeks. So, I have one broody hen, I'm not afraid of Karma. Come the end of February or First of March Wee Miss Marty is going to come strutting along in the barn with 7 chicks in tow. You just wait.

I sure hope you are right. She needs babies this year.

 

[Ponypoor]

Silkie eggs are smaller. If I had not let Rosie eat them when Chiquita went broody I would have put 5 or 6 under her and they would have fit nicely. Little Marty can handle more then you think. No no more Roos, I cannot handle any more little roos. Send them to Alex, Jaffar needs a buddy to teach the proper ways to be a man. Mr P also needs a son to stay so he can teach him how to be a proper roo. It is a balmy 18 and sunny this morning, almost made it to Wednesday when it is back in the 40s. Momma hen is doing very well. I stare at that hen every time I come to the kitchen window. Once I spotted the nest I cannot un-see it. She knows I'm looking at her, or glaring I should say. After a minute or two if she is holding her head up looking around she snuggles it right down and tries to hide. Evil, evil hen.

Well she looked ok in that photo you posted - and I guess she must be warm enough otherwise I am sure she would abandon the nest. Every time I think of her I shake my head!

But have to say every day she is doing ok makes me a bit more expectant of hopefully an ok out come.

Just praying for good weather- no more cold, no rain, no snow…

 

[BY Bob]

Picture Post Card

Its a picture post card Christmas here today.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I did not get time to recreate the photos this year so last years will have to do.
Merry Christmas to everyone from my flock to yours.

 

[Ponypoor]

Silkie eggs are smaller. If I had not let Rosie eat them when Chiquita went broody I would have put 5 or 6 under her and they would have fit nicely. Little Marty can handle more then you think. No no more Roos, I cannot handle any more little roos. Send them to Alex, Jaffar needs a buddy to teach the proper ways to be a man. Mr P also needs a son to stay so he can teach him how to be a proper roo. It is a balmy 18 and sunny this morning, almost made it to Wednesday when it is back in the 40s. Momma hen is doing very well. I stare at that hen every time I come to the kitchen window. Once I spotted the nest I cannot un-see it. She knows I'm looking at her, or glaring I should say. After a minute or two if she is holding her head up looking around she snuggles it right down and tries to hide. Evil, evil hen.

One Roo is enough! I love not having drama, everyone gets along pretty good,

This is the one reason I am leery to let them hatch eggs - the possibility of getting Roos … I would love though, to get 6 of those Blue Azures - day old pullets and shove under any broodies I might have. I would like legbars like Glynda, but don’t see any here.

Anyways spring is a long way off here so I have time to hunt for some.

 

[Ponypoor]

Picture Post Card

Its a picture post card Christmas here today.

View attachment 3358427View attachment 3358428

Wow pretty! And kitty is enjoying the view I see!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Well she looked ok in that photo you posted - and I guess she must be warm enough otherwise I am sure she would abandon the nest. Every time I think of her I shake my head!

But have to say every day she is doing ok makes me a bit more expectant of hopefully an ok out come.

Just praying for good weather- no more cold, no rain, no snow…

I shake my head as well but, then I have to think. This hen survived on her own for 3 years on that hillside before she was able to be tamed. As far as survival and predator sense goes she is smarter then any other of my flock. I have to trust that if it gets to be too much for her she will give that nest up. Any other hen of mine tried that stunt where she is, I would call the fire department to come get my crazy hen off the eggs.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

I have a surprise for you all at 5 PM EST.
You all know your time zone.