Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

I’m sorry for your loss. Louise was beautiful ! It seems like she had a peaceful passing, as peaceful as possible in fact : at home, with her flock, and mostly without pain, feeling safe and loved.

@RebeccaBoyd I can't even begin to imagine your grief and state of mind - sending lots of hugs - I'm at a loss so much grief!

So angry, sad for Chiquita, and also relieved Momma hen is still there.
You must be exhausted and devastated by grief and anger.
Keeping you, your family and your flock in my thoughts.

I am sorry for your loss, @Lexicon , but like the others have said - glad it was peaceful and she had her friends nearby. I find it very moving that they come to say their goodbyes when they now a flock mate is passing.

 

[bgmathteach]

Even the chickens learn that our dogs are no threat. Yesterday around sunset I was setting in the swing with 6 or 7 dogs around me. I heard the male guineas making a commotion and here comes Cholo Jr with the guineas in pursuit. Jr makes his way to behind the swing where he is completely surrounded by dogs. The guineas give up and leave him alone. A few minutes later Jr calm walks away and goes about his business.

whoever thinks chickens are not smart - has not observed their behavior much! Smart move, Jr.

 

[Ponypoor]

Patsy went and sat with Daisy, the greatest hen ever, as she passed away. Lilly came by and visited as well but Patsy stayed with her.

View attachment 3596895

I am still finding it wonderful that chickens have such a wonderful sense of self - they are very intelligent, and smart as any of the other animals I have had here - likely smarter than most.

It surprises me that more isn't being done to promote chickens as the ultimate in backyard flocks.

 

[Ponypoor]

Well, Sherlock has met the chickens. On leash, interested, they're alert (Zulu sounded ground alert). Work in progress.

Playful walk last nightView attachment 3596913View attachment 3596915View attachment 3596916

What a good boy - it is so nice to see a dog that is being well cared for and that will be well trained.

You're a good boy Sherlock.

 

[Ponypoor]

Preparations, sooner than I thought due to hatch dates & availability!
Cleared out a tote and began assembly
View attachment 3596896

Looked slightly too small a playground even for three Buff Orpington chicks for a couple weeks & probably more, & would be switching to bigger anyway, so hauled out the 4' x 28" bicycle box. Previous walls were strapping and screening and a million tiny PITA nuts & bolts, here took the front wall framing and leaned it against the house wall and taped the bottom on. Made some quick walls with plastic 3/4" x 3/4" netting and clothespins, zip ties later, & will need top part soon -
View attachment 3596912

Because they're going to grow fast - and they're here!
View attachment 3596919

They took to the waterer, at first I thought they weren't getting it and I got a tray with pebbles cleaned and warmed up, then tried the waterer again, and two got it, so everyone's bellied up to the bar!
View attachment 3596921

That's right, they sent FIVE Buff Orpingtons. Somehow the best chicken math is impossible to plan with. I hope they didn't knowingly throw in a boy or two. Good thing they're in the big box now! See the tiny thread out of the butt of the front left little one? That's yolk sac / umbilical related, correct? If I can track that one it's name will be Thread.

This number might move up the coop plans? I'm not sure how to go about integration and sleeping, thought they'd be out in a see/no touch situation after a couple weeks, with heat available, and sleeping back here on roosts in the box? Depends on temps I know...Need to read up on various approaches, and tips are welcome!

If it's warm enough and they are integrated eventually, mixing well with the Bigs, will they like their own coop or will they want to be sleeping with the Bigs, I assume the latter but maybe the Bigs are too intimidating? Depends on their reception too.

I think it's possible three Bigs and five Littles will fit okay for the winter. Some folks do manage it year-round. I would be concerned for ventilation. The Orpingtons have single combs, so am strongly considering the new coop much sooner.

This little one wants warmth with a view
View attachment 3596944


Taking to the feeder and pecking crumbles sprinkled on the ground in front
View attachment 3596945

Three have found sunlight, preening and sleeping now
View attachment 3596956

Meanwhile two are zonked out here
View attachment 3596957

Babies!!!

I'll be going to check again on Butters shortly. She lingered in the nest box but was out by 7am, improvement over yesterday morning and she's foraging out with the others. I will check to see how much she's eating on her own and tube feed more or less, or not (miracle) depending. Life is persistent, young and old!

OH MY GOSH YOU ARE SO SNEAKY I LOVE IT!

How adorable - babies - oh I know I say I am babied out, but not with other's babies

 

[Ponypoor]

A miserable dreary day here, clammy and dull, and cool. The mosquitoes are having a field day with the horses. I may bring them in early - poor dears are not young anymore. Migraine weather for me, though going into town early this morning could have something to do with that - my mum is now wanting the kitchen cabinets refinished. Add that to the list of things to do (Paint garage door, and windows, fix some questionable boards on the front deck, fix the fencing at the front of the property...).

But for now I am just relaxing with my chooks - Tippy came for a visit - she will be 16 weeks old tomorrow, she is starting to sound like a mature hen, soon she will be laying eggs - wonder what colour they will be? Sophia her egg mom laid dark brown speckled eggs.

Tippy

 

[Ponypoor]

A miserable dreary day here, clammy and dull, and cool. The mosquitoes are having a field day with the horses. I may bring them in early - poor dears are not young anymore. Migraine weather for me, though going into town early this morning could have something to do with that - my mum is now wanting the kitchen cabinets refinished. Add that to the list of things to do (Paint garage door, and windows, fix some questionable boards on the front deck, fix the fencing at the front of the property...).

But for now I am just relaxing with my chooks - Tippy came for a visit - she will be 16 weeks old tomorrow, she is starting to sound like a mature hen, soon she will be laying eggs - wonder what colour they will be? Sophia her egg mom laid dark brown speckled eggs.

Tippy
View attachment 3597080

Those eyes make her look like a crazy bird haha!

 

[RoyalChick]

Preparations, sooner than I thought due to hatch dates & availability!
Cleared out a tote and began assembly
View attachment 3596896

Looked slightly too small a playground even for three Buff Orpington chicks for a couple weeks & probably more, & would be switching to bigger anyway, so hauled out the 4' x 28" bicycle box. Previous walls were strapping and screening and a million tiny PITA nuts & bolts, here took the front wall framing and leaned it against the house wall and taped the bottom on. Made some quick walls with plastic 3/4" x 3/4" netting and clothespins, zip ties later, & will need top part soon -
View attachment 3596912

Because they're going to grow fast - and they're here!
View attachment 3596919

They took to the waterer, at first I thought they weren't getting it and I got a tray with pebbles cleaned and warmed up, then tried the waterer again, and two got it, so everyone's bellied up to the bar!
View attachment 3596921

That's right, they sent FIVE Buff Orpingtons. Somehow the best chicken math is impossible to plan with. I hope they didn't knowingly throw in a boy or two. Good thing they're in the big box now! See the tiny thread out of the butt of the front left little one? That's yolk sac / umbilical related, correct? If I can track that one it's name will be Thread.

This number might move up the coop plans? I'm not sure how to go about integration and sleeping, thought they'd be out in a see/no touch situation after a couple weeks, with heat available, and sleeping back here on roosts in the box? Depends on temps I know...Need to read up on various approaches, and tips are welcome!

If it's warm enough and they are integrated eventually, mixing well with the Bigs, will they like their own coop or will they want to be sleeping with the Bigs, I assume the latter but maybe the Bigs are too intimidating? Depends on their reception too.

I think it's possible three Bigs and five Littles will fit okay for the winter. Some folks do manage it year-round. I would be concerned for ventilation. The Orpingtons have single combs, so am strongly considering the new coop much sooner.

This little one wants warmth with a view
View attachment 3596944


Taking to the feeder and pecking crumbles sprinkled on the ground in front
View attachment 3596945

Three have found sunlight, preening and sleeping now
View attachment 3596956

Meanwhile two are zonked out here
View attachment 3596957

Babies!!!

I'll be going to check again on Butters shortly. She lingered in the nest box but was out by 7am, improvement over yesterday morning and she's foraging out with the others. I will check to see how much she's eating on her own and tube feed more or less, or not (miracle) depending. Life is persistent, young and old!

On your integration and coops question I will share my experience with the 3 batches of chicks I have raised over the time I have had chickens.

In all cases I had them indoors (in my bathroom) for the first couple of weeks or so. In a large part for me that is quarantine while their Marek's vaccine takes effect.

Then I move them and their heat plate out into the main coop into my built-in brooder. I let them get settled and used to the sights and sounds of the big chickens. I then open up a little door in the brooder (and give them a fire-escape to get down safe from any pecking) and let them decide when they want to emerge and mingle.

The one thing I encountered with the Pentagonists is that they didn't seem to want to sleep outside the brooder box even after they were fully integrated during the day. During our big heat wave I got worried about heat and ventilation of the five (by they quite big) teenagers all crammed in to the little box so I blocked their little door. It was a traumatic experience because they were determined to get back in there and were throwing themselves at the door and the walls. But after that first night they have settled down and have their own roost area separate from the two older ladies.
What is hilarious is that as soon as Babs and Bernie get up in the morning and leave their roost, all five of the little ones hop up and take their place and sit there admiring the view.
No idea why!

 

[rural mouse]

Finally got scratch out to the chooks

Sherlock sat on his own, then he did this

Play time followed

Wet grass, especially with a sprinkler is well loved

Chewing on grass is also popular

And sticks are even better.

Next trip out, refilling the feeder in the coop, then doing water

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

Good Morning fluffy butts and all!
Wattles with the DVC crew!