Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

Quartz video

And Pear is out amongst assorted groups. I saw several stare downs. View attachment 3617793With Havoc and Tuff. She's really getting around, so looking good for Queen, but I'm not ready to state that with certainty. Need to observe the others some too.

View attachment 3617794They laid eggs in rows?!

And possibly excavating a new nest site?View attachment 3617796One of the fakes is in the heap, too.

He does look like he sprained it or something - I'm hoping it is just that - and that it heals.. see if it improves over the next couple of days (hopefully you can check foot and be sure it isn't an injurt (i.e. cut or bumble) to foot.

 

[knoturavggrl]

Mine are almost a year and started molting. Agathae the fashionable Cream Legbar looks like she got into a fight unworthy of her dignity and so do some of the others. I'll have to send some photos.

Thank you maybe they will get around to it once it gets a bit cooler why doesn’t nature have them molt mid summer??? Wouldn't that make more sense? Oh well no reasoning with mother nature’s plans.

 

[bgmathteach]

Molting question my OG’s are a little over a yr now. When should I expect to see molting this year or not till next?

The “babies” are of course doing smaller less dramatic juvenile molts but no sign of any molting yet from the bigs so it made me wonder when it would be likely to occur.

Inquiring minds tax:
View attachment 3618160

It depends. Right now, I have some of my older girls and ducks have started molting. But, last year I had girls that didn't start molting until Thanksgiving or later. I think the dampness and overcast skies (hence darker than usual this time of year - for many, many days) - and the fact that some many of mine went broody (hence, post broody molt) is why I've got a fair number in early stages of molting now.

I suspect that you will start to see early signs of molting sometime between now and Columbus day, with the heavier part of the molt after that.

Again, though, it varies. They always keep me guessing - and I've had chooks fo a number of Falls now.

 

[knoturavggrl]

It depends. Right now, I have some of my older girls and ducks have started molting. But, last year I had girls that didn't start molting until Thanksiving or later. I think the dmapness - and the fact that some many of mine went broody (hence, post broody molt) is why I've got a fair number in early stages of molting now.

I suspect that you will start to see early signs of molting sometime between now and Columbus day, with the heavier part of the molt after that.

Again, though, it varies. They always keep me guessing - and I've had chooks fo a number of Falls now.

I have had them on 20% protein all-
Flock for the last few bags. This is primarily for the newbies who are still growing and still getting in a lot of feathers. I think Ill just keep them on it for another few months to help them all through the molting process now that I know its just a matter of when not if. Thank you

 

[Marie2020]

He does look like he sprained it or something - I'm hoping it is just that - and that it heals.. see if it improves over the next couple of days (hopefully you can check foot and be sure it isn't an injurt (i.e. cut or bumble) to foot.

I use either witch hazel with alcohol or just alcohol to wipe the legs after a soak in Epsom salts then lastly I rub olive oil in the legs and feet. I did this today as a precaution because Tina is limping a little.

 

[Marie2020]

I have had them on 20% protein all-
Flock for the last few bags. This is primarily for the newbies who are still growing and still getting in a lot of feathers. I think Ill just keep them on it for another few months to help them all through the molting process now that I know its just a matter of when not if. Thank you

I find a few sardines helpful while mine are molting. I don't trust the other fish because of the contamination in various water sources. Sardines IMHO I believe they eat from the top so feel that's the safest option

 

[Lilion]

Just got back form chicken duties. Sheba on the nest, others in the coop because I had water misting down the run and they're big ole' wimps. Eenie is preferring the chick starter to layer pellets. How long do they stay on starter anyway? I have so much with only 2 chicks, I may just let them all eat it until it's gone.

It's HOT. Again! 89° and almost 70% humidity. Supposed to hit 100 today and tomorrow again. But thankfully its supposed to break on the weekend and be back in the low 80s bt Sunday. I can't wait!

Family Portrait (Mom and kids hiding in the crate - that doesn't sound healthy.)

The whole flock -but you can't see Sheba; she's just the black interior of the nest box. lol

 

[featherhead007]

I promised to post a pic. I am not a great photographer by any means! The best chicken portrait I have is of my late great Toby, a Dominique. Behold!

View attachment 3617872

Then there is Rojo, my current rooster. He is always surrounded by his entourage of about 7 or 8 hens; he is a great favorite with the ladies!

View attachment 3617879

Finally here is a pic of most of my flock enjoying their afternoon treat under the watchful eyes of their LGDs, Sammy (left), and Gracie (right), both Shelties, who enjoy the corn and dried mealworms as much as do the chickens. Supervising all is Diva, the black cat in the center.

View attachment 3617882

Reminds me of a church hymn “On this solid rock I stand “

 

[featherhead007]

Red had a poopy butt, and flies laid eggs in the poop and she then had a maggot attack. I cleaned it all up removing all the maggots and dosing her with pain meds and antibiotics

So far she is doing ok, and this morning she pecked another hen and chased her away. She is a tough old bird.

Jaffar made it through too, because he’s a “tough old bird”

 

[featherhead007]

Molting question my OG’s are a little over a yr now. When should I expect to see molting this year or not till next?

The “babies” are of course doing smaller less dramatic juvenile molts but no sign of any molting yet from the bigs so it made me wonder when it would be likely to occur.

Inquiring minds tax:
View attachment 3618160

They usually molt at the worst time of year. The dead of winter