Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

@Ponypoor We're building some obstacles soon. We definitely need more run clutter before we let them integrate.
I like to sit on my folding chair out there and talk to the birds about whatever I am reading. I should see if hubby wants to do that too.

It’s a great thing to sit and just be with them You and hubby can chat, chuckle at their antics and relax

 

[BY Bob]

The littles are MAD this morning. They are ready to go outside. 1 problem with that little ones. It is downpouring. They have food and fresh water, but they need space and are letting me know it with their protests. Just as soon as the rain lets up I will go get the coop ready. I already got soaked once to go check and yup, coop is partially flooded. Thankfully the creek is not rising and it has been raining hard for over a hour. There is nothing worse then breaking a chickens routine, even chicks. They know by 10 every morning they are supposed to be outside and come in at dark. Don't ask me how they know, but they do. By 10:30, the angry loud screaming started.

They have pocket watches hidden on their persons somewhere.

 

[BY Bob]

Tonight I have to do a photoshoot with one of the little silkies. Colors have started to come through and one of them is going to be stunning. Her chest is getting soft tan or peachy feathers while her body appears to be coming in grey. It is early and things can change in the next few molts but right now these are soft and warm pullet coloring. If my hunch is right I think the pullet who is to be honored by being named after @BY Bob Patsy is revealing herself.

Oh gosh! How sweet!

 

[BY Bob]

Versace sure looks prehistoric doesn’t she

She is just darling.

 

[BY Bob]

Give em' the government propaganda at a young age. Gets em' loyal from day one.

That's awesome. Well played!

 

[BY Bob]

So, first note that I am NOT an expert on Polish - I have never had one, let alone raised it from a chick. That said - and with looking at @SimpleJenn 's photos, I suspect a pullet, and this is why:

Many pullets get pinkish in the wattles & pop wattles a bit sooner than the combs. SimpleJenn's boy has a bright red 'comb' already and is a week younger than yours is. Your's (Adele) is still very much 'flesh' coloured - no hint of color showing in the comb area.

That said - I would really want to wait until 8 weeks before I had to put any down on my choice.

Also - I am not sure if it is due to the grow out stage or not, as Adele's head poof is a but wild....BUT, it is very 'contained' on the sides - not so with SimpleJenn's - whose roo's 'hairdo' is 'broader' than Adele's.


So, ultimately: I'm leaning 'Pullet", but, what do I know???

She's a pullet. You are correct.

 

[BY Bob]

I've taken @RoyalChick s advice. I have my fan on in my bedroom tonight

I hope I can sleep

Good night fluffy butt's

It is always wise to take @RoyalChick advise. You are a smart lady. Sleep well tonight.

 

[RoyalChick]

@Ponypoor We're building some obstacles soon. We definitely need more run clutter before we let them integrate.
I like to sit on my folding chair out there and talk to the birds about whatever I am reading. I should see if hubby wants to do that too.

He will. It is totally addictive.

 

[BY Bob]

He will. It is totally addictive.

Nothing is better. I will say there are days I like when Mrs BY Bob joins me and other times when I prefer to be alone with them.

 

[bgmathteach]

Thank you both for the detailed explanations. It makes sense considering it like this, but...
I'll admit that I didn't even think about chicks being shipped directly home ! This just doesn't exist here (and although it's been thoughtfully discussed before on this thread and others, I still strongly disagree with it).

I was thinking mostly about buying chicks from big stores like TSC. Wouldn't that cancel all the sanitary precautions that could have been taken by the hatcheries ? Here, when AI was a concern one of the thing people were told was to avoid AG stores or take complete biosecurity measures coming home. It seems like the perfect place for a virus to spread.

I did a five weeks quarantine when I bought the four POL pullets but honestly it would not have been effective if there had been a viral disease. I don't see how it's possible to do a proper quarantine free-ranging, and I don't have it in me to lock up chickens in my barn or second chicken shed for five weeks. Even if I had, dander could still have flown through.

As for the price, I think it's not such a good reason because chicks are so much more fragile. Initial cost may be cheap, but add starter food for several months without getting eggs, and the fact that you are not sure they will all survive... and it seems as reasonable economically to pay for an adult pullet that's about to lay.

I don't have butts for tax from today, because it's so hot all the chickens are hiding in deep shade This is Théo's butt from a few days ago.

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What a gorgeous photo. Please enter this in the calendar contest this year - it really does him proud!