Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[CCsGarden]

CC your photos are the bomb! Gorgeous!

Thanks!

 

[notabitail]

Our alpha hen (a Dominique) must get 1st choice, takes a bite or two, & steps back or walks away for the others to whoosh in. Since she's the biggest, oldest, and assumes alpha we've noticed she avoids chasing the newest littles (Silkies) if we respect her status. If she goes first for food it eliminates her chasing or pecking a bantam. She's 7 yrs in August & have no idea how old she'll get before we'll be left w/ only 5 Silkie hens. For being a bigger bird than the Silkies she's been good w/them all her life.
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A huge Cuckoo Breda (7.5 lbs) we had in the flock was so nasty to bantams we re-homed her -- she didn't like people either but she apparently didn't mind sleeping w/ her new friend where she was re-homed.
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Odd observation, but:

I used to live in SoCal. I did a double-take when looking at the bottom photo. That tile looks like the tile I remember having, and so do the cabinets.

 

[PTR]

Hopefully you can stock back up on your vacation.
Later this week I have to go to the feed store after kiddos dr appointment. Going to get a bag of full plume and if there are clearance priced chicks...well Morinth is still a broody buttcheeks...
Nah probably won't. Hubby just got me a 3d printer file subscription so I'd best behave.
This weekend we are finishing the apron on the run. And after we're done I'll toss Mor-mor (kiddos nickname for her) in the breaker.

Get the chicks!

 

[PTR]

You need more chicks

 

[PTR]

Odd observation, but:

I used to live in SoCal. I did a double-take when looking at the bottom photo. That tile looks like the tile I remember having, and so do the cabinets.

That’s interesting!

 

[PTR]

It rained today and the Polish got a little bit wet

 

[Sylvester017]

I am also very glad you are giving it a try !
It's obvious you care for him since he was your first chicken and you are named on BYC after him.
If it works out, you will be very glad you tried it ; if it doesn't, you can re-home him feeling better about it since you can tell yourself you tried everything you could.

I think you have been given great advice. I have two other tips from when I was having issues with Théo being aggressive to me. Granted, he is 1kg5 (3 pounds) so it was more embarrassing than potentially dangerous .

(We have reached a point where our relationship is acceptable to both of us, but Théo still takes the war stance when he eats from my hand!
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Anyway, my first tip is to be very aware now of the circumstances in which Pastel is acting aggressive, and see if you can find things that trigger him. Giving treats to his hens and not to him first is an obvious one, but there may be others. In my case, seeing me carrying bowls of food or water was one and the other was being present when he escorted the hens down the roost in the morning. If you spot some of these triggers, then see if you can make changes in your behaviour that would help. For a while I brought food and water before I opened the coop, for example.

This, is the second thing. Space is definitely an issue. When you feel like he invades your space and is being aggressive, he feels the same if you are too close to him. And also, roosters, (should I say like humans male ?) can cope with situations they dont like by pretending they don't see them, or moving away. If the space is too tight to do that, it may cause agressive behaviour. Try to think about how your spatial position is in relation to him, so that he can always move away if he choses to.

Again, I am really proud of you for giving it a try. It makes me feel very sad when people who deal with an aggressive rooster think of culling as the first and easy solution. I am glad your parents agree.
(And by the way, I think you owe them exceptionally nice behaviour for at least a whole year for buying you a horse. Show them you appreciate that they care for you even if don't always understand each other. It was my dream to have a pony when I was your age !).

Goodbye , Larry. You've been doing a really good job with those senior hens, @Ponypoor . I think they are all glad they came to live with you.

A few tuefers. Happy Tuesday, everyone !
Gaston and Alba
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Mélisse and Alba
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Merle and Piou-piou
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@Pastel the Rooster the space is definitely a thought that sparked an idea with me. More space is ALWAYS better. If there is ANY way you (and your family) can create more space for them, it will also help. The space doesn't have to be out. Upward is also a good way to do this. @micstrachan has a coop based upon a kids multi-level play house. Not the easiest thing to clean, but it expands the room the birds have without taking up more area and makes lots of line of sight breakers.

I'm not saying it HAS to be done or even done immediately, but I think it would be a wise idea. It could be a simple as mounting a dead tree and putting a series of platforms off set up the tree. A 4 x 4 post will work as a mounting base too. Finding a playhouse that someone is getting rid of is another option. If you do opt for this, it certainly needs to be hardware cloth enclosed, but the people access doesn't need to be at the same point as the bird access.

Our back patio roof had a bunch of stuff under it during winter that we were going to sift thru but our newest 3 Silkie chicks have been using all the things to explore and hide under that we postponed the cleanup -- plus my broken arm will delay yardwork for a while anyway. It was serendipity that it turned out for the better.

 

[Sylvester017]

Two-Fers
Howie & The Little Red
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Porter Roy & Sweet Peach Tea
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Dovie doesn't do group shots. She's broody and no one wants to go near her.
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Little Red Hen & Howie -- WOWIE!

 

[bgmathteach]

I hope this works and those of you with facebook can see this. My aunt sent me this video today. The chicks got moved outside. The little black one is her Owly baby. The rest are from what I can tell Branch x The marshmallow chicks. Who would have thought they would have came out spotted though?

*edited to fix the link, uploaded it to youtube so you all could see them.*

OMG - those cute fluffy legs - and in that gangly stage - be still my heart!!!

I assume Xmarshmallows will give them the bold curiosity to be exploring their new home in no time.

 

[Sylvester017]

The surrounding neighbors at the church, probably thought that I was crazy today, sitting on the grass out in the yard, under the tree where Sir Jaffar was buried. Just talking to him as if he was alive and sitting next to me. I talked with him for about an hour. I told him that I’m trying my best to keep his ladies safe and happy. I mentioned that it’s not an easy job for me. I think he answered me when I slight breeze started rustling the leaves across the field.

Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

If God created every bird, animal, insect, & human and Luke 12:6 says not one sparrow is forgotten, how much more we should believe He's not forgotten any one of our birds/buddies when He takes them home. Grief is normal but belief that the Creator knows when to take one of His creations home is His choice. It's His world to decide when time is up. Until I can create something out of nothing I have to live in this world by His wise rules. I know He loves His creation and in Genesis said it was VERY GOOD so He has a plan for all of us before and after life as your pastor will agree I'm sure