Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Kris5902]

Oh don't I know it. I have had 3 roosters in the past that did not work out for me. Now I have Pippi, best rooster there ever was, Mad Hatter, a bit ornery but much loved around here, and a 5 mo old cockerel, Louie Louie, who is just too full of hormones right now to even allow in with any other chickens. In addition to this, I have at least, and hopefully only, two 7 week old cockerels. But, I have to say, after meeting Pippi, I never want to be without a rooster. He makes my job so much easier!!! And the girls all love him. A couple of the girls love Mad Hatter. But, at the moment, none of the chickens love Louie Louie. Doing the best I can for that skittish little cockerel.

Oh, I’m all for Team Rooster too! I’m able to keep Hawk only because I have him in a tractor. He is aggressive to humans, other Roosters, dogs, strange cars, bicycles. I currently have 8 Roosters, and only two ever give me issues. Hawk and, if I laugh, cough, or sneeze in Mr Marans tractor, he will attack my leg, other than that he only has a problem with the little girl that also lives on the farm (I think there was some brooder trauma there from all the grabbing).

I just had a close call with Hawk this evening, as my badly molting girl that is in his tractor was knocked down and in the back corner of the tractor where I couldn’t reach her so I stuck myself through the ramp door and was reaching in deeply, she was a little squak-ie and everyone was a little upset. I look up and, thank heavens they don’t have great night vision, I was nose to beak with him. I got my face down really quickly and got out of striking distance ASAP, with the very unhappy girl. All up now, and I only took a few light pecks on the arms and hands, but I wish I could get her just one snuggle buddy that won’t pick on her. I have actually thought several times during this molt that she isn’t going to make it through the winter...

I feel sorry for your little Louie Louie, and I hope he grows out of it and gets a nice little group of hens to woo... after he learns manners!

 

[ValerieJ]

I feel sorry for your little Louie Louie, and I hope he grows out of it and gets a nice little group of hens to woo... after he learns manners!

I feel sorry for him too. He won't allow me near him either. He was raised, an only child, by Surly. Unfortunately, Surly went broody again before he was ready to be on his own in the flock, although he was physically big enough. He's afraid of everything and everyone. I spend time in his run just to let him know I can be there without trying to do something with him. It's my hope that some of the littles I have right now can become his flock, but he really has to calm down a bit first. I had to do this with Mad Hatter too, but now he is integrated and doing fine.

I honestly love my roosters and cockerels.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Tsuki butt!

I think that Alice, with feathers, is one of the most beautiful hens any of us has.
We all know that Tsuki is a big meanie. RIRs have a reputation for being bossy as well. Is Deana bossy?

Not the least bit bossy. Deana is so laid back that she is almost catatonic.

She is happy to have anyone roost next to her and is often pottering around the garden on her own. The only time she throws her weight around is if someone else has a tasty morsel that she wants.

But no-one messes with her. Not even Tsuki!

Deana, Queen of the breakfast bar.

 

[micstrachan]

I would rent a bigger tow behind that self feeds. I rented a midsize tow behind without self feed and I felt that was MORE dangerous because is was gravity fed and you had to push stuff into it. I used one of the bigger thicker pieces to ram stuff down. That said - It may be best to hire someone with equipment to come and do it for you.

Solid advice!

 

[micstrachan]

So I took Tegan to see Dr Kevin after work today. I got home and thought she sounded a bit more like herself, but when I gave her a blueberry, she made high-pitched noises that sounded between a cough and a sneeze. So I popped her in the pet carrier and took her the surgery, the one 25 minutes away, not 5 minutes away. We got straight in and Dr Kevin listened to her lungs and looked down her throat. He thought she doesn’t have fluid on her lungs but might have an inflammation in her throat. He didn’t think antibiotics or anti-inflammatories were necessary, but I just need to watch her over the next couple of days. When I got home she chowed down on the layer feed and wandered around for a bit before settling into bed.

View attachment 2372603

Tegan says “Thanks for thinking of me, everyone!” ❤

Excellent news!

 

[micstrachan]

Oh dear. It's dreadful when that happens. You feel like the worst person in the world.

When I was clipping the mats out of my cat's fur years ago I accidentally nicked her and the skin opened up like torn cling wrap. She needed stitches. She' fine now but I feel your pain.

How was she today?

Ouch! And you were just trying to help her.

 

[micstrachan]

That's awesome! Let's see if I can name everyone in the stack above.

Starting from the bottom
Jersey Giant
Orpington
Polish & this one has me stumped, Barred with feathered legs maybe.
Easter Egger
Barred Rock
Phoenix
Silkie
Bantam

Who can help with the one I can't identify?

It’s a silver laced something? Not Wyandotte b/c of feathered feet?

 

[micstrachan]

That's awesome! Let's see if I can name everyone in the stack above.

Starting from the bottom
Jersey Giant
Orpington
Polish & this one has me stumped, Barred with feathered legs maybe.
Easter Egger
Barred Rock
Phoenix
Silkie
Bantam

Who can help with the one I can't identify?

I’m not sure that one is fluffy enough to be an Orpington, and too red. Rhode Island Red?

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

It's Friday!

Edwina's offering.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Tsuki butt!

I think that Alice, with feathers, is one of the most beautiful hens any of us has.
We all know that Tsuki is a big meanie. RIRs have a reputation for being bossy as well. Is Deana bossy?

How rude! I forgot to thank for the lovely compliment on Alice's behalf!
Thank you BYBob.

And hard molts seem to be all the rage here too. I have 25 chickens that are having really hard molts and three that have been just awful. Of course all my Roosters except Roostie are included in that. I try not to handle them when they are like this but I had to bring this poor girl into the big coop for some eggs. Hopefully DH returns with the canned salmon tonight. It’s kind of obvious why I’m out.
View attachment 2374744
I also trimmed up her lower beak a little. Don’t jump all over me, I was extremely careful not to cut or file that cuticle. It sticks out about 1/2” and was cracked. She’s one of my 3 year old rescues

That looks so uncomfortable.

Have you entered her into the moulting contest Kris?