Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[GregnLety]

What type of snake was that!?

I believe it was a cottonmouth

 

[GregnLety]

Do they get that big? I always thought that they were short and stubby! The water snakes around here (whether it be Banded water snakes or Cottonmouths,) are short.

It's probably the biggest I've seen. I saw this one while cutting weeds near the pond a few days before lety got it.

 

[GregnLety]

Do they get that big? I always thought that they were short and stubby! The water snakes around here (whether it be Banded water snakes or Cottonmouths,) are short.

It's probably the biggest I've seen. I saw this one while cutting weeds near the pond a few days before lety got it.

 

[bgmathteach]

That would point to Tassels or Calypso as the leader. Tassels makes sense as she is so huge.
I will keep watching.

But size alone does not determine top hen. My largest girl, Marylin, is a BIG B.O., but she is mid-to-low in the pecking order. Personality has much more to do with it than size. (hairdo, a bit, too. Phyllis is spunky, but with her top-knot, it would be hard for her to be top dog because she can't see well enough to be able to throw those surprise pecks and to always see when pecks are needed.) But, you don't have any with a coiffure that would cause that kind of issue.

 

[knoturavggrl]

I have a question for you Fluffy Butt Acres friends: at what age do a clutch of chicks get a pecking order?
I know it can change over time, but do they have one from day one?
I am trying to figure who is currently the top Pentagonist and it is not clear to me. Sometimes I think Piglet or Sylvie but I am not sure if they are showing leadership or just being mischievous.
Tassels is the biggest by far. Pooh seems the most developed in that her voice is breaking first. Sylvie and Piglet are the most adventurous.

Tagging along here, excellent question. My 4 are also puzzling. So far my observation seems to be the bigger ones are the leaders. The boys play fight but its always the slightly smaller one that submits after some back and forth. The girls don't play fight but yet again the one that is slightly larger seems to lead. So Lore, Avalon, Story, and Myth seems to be the order so far.
They coexist fairly peacefully with the Bigs but do not yet seem a part of the flock. It should be interesting to see it evolve.

To summarize, I think they do have a pecking order but seem to know it’s temporary so they don’t put alot of effort into establishing strict guidelines. Just my thoughts on what I see with mine so far.

 

[bgmathteach]

Guess one of the chickens just couldn't wait for a nesting box(even though there are nesting boxes in the coop... but they like the cardboard boxes) noticed one of the chickens has on her back I'm guessing it happened in the coop. Well, we decided to build some nesting boxes out of pallets... now the chickens will have to get used to them.
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Those look great! Even better that they were made out of 'free stuff'!!

Have to say, though, not sure why you put so much effort into making 3. You know they will all fight over 'the chosen one'

 

[knoturavggrl]

Mugs Monday

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Run with it Lady Featherington! Sydney’s behind you!
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Cats Eye View
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Phyllis was shimmering today

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She is a special girl and I love the black shimmer.

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

Good I don't drink any alcohol at alll and never will.

Probably same for me too!

I sprayed Willow for lice yesterday. I wasn't able to catch her to see if she has any more.
Splotch laid in Willy's broody house... the egg cracked from falling out onto the wood though. I cleaned the old shaving out and put a bunch of fresh ones.

 

[bgmathteach]

It all seems quite hectic. I am sorry they are so much trouble for you.

I am not sad - amazed, stunned, discombobulated, but not sad. Figures, though - my stressful class is to end this week - then grading - and I was looking forward to a bit of a more relaxed pace!

But this is a happy kind of crazy - it is so nice to see mums and chicks. I just feel bad for the two that got trampled overnight/early morning.

Good news, though - momma eagerly accepted the additional chicks! She even pecked one because it wasn't moving to snuggle under her! (yup -that lit a fire under it's cute little fuzzy tush!) One from TSC looks kind of weak - I am concerned about it - but we will see. This is one of my DC who is an experienced mom. She will teach it what to do - she immediately scooted over to the food dish with them under her and started telling them to eat and dropping crumbles in front of them!

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

I think someone forgot to install the flatscreen TV in the laying boxes!

Ohhh that's why the girls refused to lay in the boxes I made! They needed to lay underneath the boxes where I am in chicken and on the dirt.

Gosh, they make my life so difficult, and what do I get out of it? A certain Buff Easter Egger with a crossed beak, who loves cuddles and so now she attacked me for attention, but she can get real nasty, and she goes after my boots just because I walk past her. (AHEM BOLT)