Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Ok, last post and then I'm really going to bed. I haven't named the chicks yet. Their nick names are:

• Fat Head (Easter Egger falsely labeled as Ameraucana)
• Spunk Trunks (Black Australorp)
• Chicken Wing (Cream Legbar)

I thought about just keeping the nick names, but Spunk Trunks is no longer fitting. She is super chill and goes with the flow. I think I might name her Florence, or Flo for short.

No idea on the other two, yet. Fat Head is growing into her head. She is the biggest, friendliest and cutest chick.

Chicken Wing is a bit high strung and is the smallest and least fluffy. She feels strong for her little size, and seems to be a bit of a trouble maker. I wonder if she could be a boy, but aren't Legbars supposed to be easily sexed by their coloring? She has a very pronounced chipmunk stripe.

Nighties!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Do you have access to an avian vet?

Kind of?

One of the vets at the clinic we go to is interested in birds but she is not a specialist.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Hi folks,
Just checking in. I miss you, but I just can't keep up right now. Work is busier than ever with COVID. Plus, I finally did a vegetable garden, which is taking time. Also, Millie went broody again and I got her chicks, which did not work out, so I'm raising them in the kitchen.
Things have just been really bizarre lately. It feels like being in the twilight zone. We have had record heat here, so I've been running up the hill at lunch to do the mister fans and ice the water. We also had our power out a couple times recently. Traffic was so bad recently I had to walk up the hill in work clothes in near 100º weather to meet my husband for a ride home. That must have been a site to see. I was literally walking on the freeway. Finally... and this is the biggest thing... you may have heard of the unusual lightning storms that went through northern California recently (over 10,000 strikes over four days!) Lightning hit the ground in many places, and wildfires abound all around from the lighting. We are one zone away from being evacuated. So far, the nearest fire (8 miles) is not necessarily moving in our direction, but things can change quickly. Therefore, I have three medium sized dog crates set up in the back of my vehicle ready to evacuate chickens, if needed. The chicks would just go in a pet carrier.
I miss you and I'm sure I've missed some stuff. Apologies that I can't keep up right now, but I'm thinking of you! I just wanted to explain why I have been absent.
Michelle

Welcome back micstrachan!

I was away for a while too and it took me a couple of days to catch up.

It's nice to get a chicken fix again isn't it?

 

[LozzyR]

Kind of?

One of the vets at the clinic we go to is interested in birds but she is not a specialist.

Dr Kevin isn’t an avian specialist but he’s owned chickens, so knows quite a bit about them. I see him when Dr Nikki isn’t available.

 

[BY Bob]

I was worried about Tsuki on Wednesday morning. She didn't seem herself.

She didn't push the others away from the breakfast bar. She wasn't interested in cracked corn or (gasp!) mealy worms. She seemed rather subdued and not her usual bossy self.

I offered her some coconut oil which she took a couple of pecks at but everyone else crowded around and scoffed it down.

I administered some lubricant to the rear end in case she was blocked up (she was most offended!) and kept a close eye on her.

She seemed more lively in the afternoon but this morning she was back to her bossy self.
She hasn't laid an egg since June but she did have a poo mark on her bottom several hours after my ministrations.
Any ideas what might have been troubling her?

Here are some photos of Tsuki bossing the others around this morning to reassure Bob.

Driving Edwina (black hen) away from the right side of the breakfast bar
View attachment 2299269


"Oi! What are you doing on the left side? That's my side too!"
View attachment 2299270

"Geroff!" Poor Edwina
View attachment 2299271

She looks spectacular. Those white feathers positively glow.

I have seen where sometimes a hen is just out of sorts one day. Just like us it does happen.

 

[BY Bob]

I think they were incredible morons that just shot anything that moved.

Baxter’s fur was so soft and silky, and he did like a bedtime cuddle. We’ve got a picture of him with a party hat on somewhere, I’ll have to see if I can find it.

I'd love to see that photo.

 

[BY Bob]

Hi folks,
Just checking in. I miss you, but I just can't keep up right now. Work is busier than ever with COVID. Plus, I finally did a vegetable garden, which is taking time. Also, Millie went broody again and I got her chicks, which did not work out, so I'm raising them in the kitchen.
Things have just been really bizarre lately. It feels like being in the twilight zone. We have had record heat here, so I've been running up the hill at lunch to do the mister fans and ice the water. We also had our power out a couple times recently. Traffic was so bad recently I had to walk up the hill in work clothes in near 100º weather to meet my husband for a ride home. That must have been a site to see. I was literally walking on the freeway. Finally... and this is the biggest thing... you may have heard of the unusual lightning storms that went through northern California recently (over 10,000 strikes over four days!) Lightning hit the ground in many places, and wildfires abound all around from the lighting. We are one zone away from being evacuated. So far, the nearest fire (8 miles) is not necessarily moving in our direction, but things can change quickly. Therefore, I have three medium sized dog crates set up in the back of my vehicle ready to evacuate chickens, if needed. The chicks would just go in a pet carrier.
I miss you and I'm sure I've missed some stuff. Apologies that I can't keep up right now, but I'm thinking of you! I just wanted to explain why I have been absent.
Michelle

You have been missed. We understand of course. You have a lot going on for sure. Post some chick pics when you get a chance. Stay safe.

 

[BY Bob]

Beautiful swallow tail! I got a (small) purple butterfly bush this year.

Butterfly bushes are amazing. They bring in all kinds of pollen loving insects. It's a shame you can't cut them and put the flowers in a vase as they are very pretty as well.

 

[LozzyR]

I'd love to see that photo.

I’ll look for it over the weekend.

 

[BY Bob]

Yesterday's Coffee

While I am hopeful that we will get 1 more coffee clatch this morning, this could have been the last we will have. Ned and Lucky will be moving to their forever home tonight with @CrazyChookChookLady

I'm going to miss this fellow.

And his sister, the cushion princess.

And to show off their necks, while we were enjoying our coffee together a cardinal flew into the magnolia tree. This was their reaction.