Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I still think about many of those that have died while I have been a follower of this thread. Not constantly, and some more than others to be true, but I do keep them in my mind and in my heart, and I know other followers of the thread do too. It sounds really cheezy I know, but it helps me actually to think they are remembered and loved.

I know it's hard to share some of these losses but I believe it's a way to make us better and wiser, even if it doesn't always immediately feel like it.

On a happier though bittersweet note, I've got some mugs and pictures of chicks to share today. Bittersweet because I'm pretty sure we have five cockerels, they are seven weeks and two days old. We have potential homes for two or three- we'll be socializing with folks from our village this week so I hope to place more. But it is possible we end up having to cull one or two.

This cockerel has become my partner's pet. He actually named him which I said was a no no for male chick - pied beau, a bad pun as it means both beautiful foot and lame foot ( he has two color fingers). He's huge compared to the others and will be the hardest one to give up.
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This our lone pullet. Named Ann, after Annette who gave us the eggs.
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This cockerel has a good home (meaning one where he will free range) waiting for him.
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This pretty golden chick unfortunately looks more and more like a he. So if @rural mouse is right he should look like Théo in a few weeks.
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These black guys I had hopes for but the one on the left is clearly a cockerel now and the other on the right, though uncertain, has undoubtedly his wattles growing bigger.
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We're thinking of rehoming when they will be three months and two weeks. Any advice if we are right on gender, on how to deal with the remaining pullet ? Would it be better to re-home her with one of the cockerel, or would she possibly integrate our adult flock ?

I'm not great on sexing so I won't weigh in on that. I have a lot of integration experience. I find it is always best to do pairs as they have someone to hang out with until they are integrated.

It would be helpful to know how you are keeping them right now. Do they mix with the other chickens now or are you keeping them completely separate? Can they see each other if they are separate? Anything else you can tell me about any interactions with the others would be helpful.

 

[BY Bob]

So, thanks @RoyalChick and @BY Bob !

I had taken today off partially to grade Stats projects and finals - grades are due tomorrow - but also, hopefully to get some work done for the chickens and ducks (and geese). But Nooo....you had to send all that rain my way! We had 1.75 inches of rain yesterday, and another 3.5 inches of rain overnight...and it has been raining off and on all day. Not to the extent of overnight, but still making it impossible to be building and urethaneing outside.

The positive note, though, is that it has cooled off a bit (still extremely high humidity, but definitely more reasonable temperature wise), and the ducks are just having a ball!

4.5 inches of rain here. It seems there was a lot more in NY. I'm hearing up to 8 inches in places.

 

[BY Bob]

Sorry about that. Yup, same deal here. I honestly don’t think I have ever seen that much rain in such a short period of time - even having spent time in various countries with real rainy seasons.
It was like big buckets of water being tipped down on us.
But now there are lots of worms so the Princesses are very happy!
Some happy Princesses.

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Day after a storm like that is chicken free range heaven.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes I actually decided I would just leave him. Less drama for me! And he know where to go roost

Smart decision

 

[BY Bob]

“I’m not being lazy,I buried my feet!”
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I'm being lazy.

 

[BY Bob]

Tuff and I shared some yogurt- I need to trim the sides of her beak, she had her beak cropped when my niece bought her, and I guess the sides have become over grown.

Hate when they do that

That's awful. No excuse for doing that.

 

[lightm]

Peanut passed very peacefully this afternoon. Late yesterday I became pretty sure the great time she had really was likely her last and best hurrah and I called and made the appointment for today. She had all of her mates with her. She ate a blueberry, a bit of scrambled eggs and some peanut bits. Then when it was time, Peanut fell gently asleep.

Dear Peanut, this morning
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I am so sorry. but glad Peanut had her last nice moment and passed with great company.

 

[BY Bob]

Rico
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Penne
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Tuff - sharing yogurt
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Everyone out and about
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Rico is really a fine looking fellow.

 

[BY Bob]

Sylvie wishes everyone a happy Monday and was willing to pose for mugshots.

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She is stunning!

 

[rural mouse]

Do you mean attract or attack! Hahahaha

Today Mr P broke up him attacking Rose twice!

Good Mr P. Rico will learn, and Rose will figure out how to thump him too.