Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Logar]

Agathae and Dominica have learned "no". They turn around and stop sneaking off for a bit when I tell them that.

Mine know “no” as well. Darn chickens always getting into mischief

 

[Sylvester017]

Agathae and Dominica have learned "no". They turn around and stop sneaking off for a bit when I tell them that.

W/consistent commands & sometimes picking up commands instantly Dominiques & Leghorns have been very attuned in our various flocks. I'm sure there are instances of other breeds instinctively tuned to their humans as we have had different sweet breeds ~ but Doms & Legs overall showed us the most curious, outgoing, communicated intelligence. Sometimes just my look w/o speech, or a single fingered gesture, & the bird knew exactly what was expected.

It is so satisfying to know that chickens are way smarter than we give them credit. Surprised us to have had a couple smart Silkie hens as well. Be good, patient, & kind to our birds & it returns to us

 

[rural mouse]

Me too I love this picture!! Pretty pretty bird!!


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Gytha, Sybil, Aliss, Magrat... Where's Esme?

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Oh, she's scratching a few feet away. Alright. Carry on, girls.

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You're not going anywhere without me!

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Now come back to the group and watch me scratch.

Post the first one in POW and in the calendar contest when it starts again.

 

[Logar]

Got a picture mid wattle flop

 

[Sylvester017]

Except the BRs originated in the 1800s (pics/drawings from 1885 available). Now the BANTAM versions is possible. I don't know much about bantams. Standard size...Giants were developed about 50+ years AFTER the BR.

The Black Java is the primary breed with the Dominique to get the Barred Plymouth Rock. And the BPR was admitted to the Am Poultry Asso. in 1874, but first appeared in 1849.

There was a lot of dispute between straight comb & rose comb Dom fanciers cuz both combs existed among Dom breeders w/ some wanting to keep the original medium sized Doms while others wanted to add their own crosses to make the breed meatier, less broody, & more egg prolific. Turn of 20th century breeders had differing standards/opinions & the straight comb Doms broke off to be BR's & that left the rose comb standard for those breeders who wanted to retain the original Pilgrim Dom self-sustaining qualities. The origins of the New England cuckoo Pilgrim birds is speculative. They go back centuries. Where the cuckoo pattern started is a mystery w/ conflicting antique documented opinions.

Hatcheries have been suspected of crossing Doms to lessen broodiness, improve egg-laying, & add weightiness, to appeal to customer demands ~ but there are private breeders in the Dominique Club who have old lines that have dedicated to breed to original Pilgrim standards. It's fascinating how highly charged & opinionated the chicken fanciers' world can be in all SOP competitions ~ talk w/ any owner of a breed & they staunchly defend their origins.

(Ref: The American Dominique-by Mark Fields)

 

[RoyalChick]

Post the first one in POW and in the calendar contest when it starts again.

There is also a Fall photo contest I think. @TOMTE - the first pic is absolutely prize-worthy.

 

[BY Bob]

I was living in a second floor one room apartment in a city block. I was in school so would only be there for two years.
Lovely old building. Big windows. I threw open the window and was setting up my mattress on the floor and my chair and table and in walks a cat through the window.
Did I mention second floor?
He curled up on the mattress and stayed there all day. Went back out the window at some point in the night.
For two years he basically lived with me. I fed him but never gave him a litter box.
I figured he was someone’s cat who managed to walk around the block on a tiny stone ridge just below window height.
I figured he had a name which he didn’t divulge. So I didn’t think it was my place to give him a name so I called him Noname.
He answered to Noname when I got in and opened the window and shouted for him.
Then when I was packing up to leave after graduation he looked disgusted at the packing and left and didn’t return.
Bye bye Noname.
Probably he was being fed by many people on the second floor of that city block. Smart cat!

Wonderful story. Thanks so much for sharing.

 

[SimpleJenn]

Hmm...my birds know "Hi girls!" I've added "and guys!" And they usually come to the fence. Alternatively they are called "hey birdbirds" or "hey purty burdies!"
Shep knows her name, she will come over to get some loving. Most of my original girls will come see me when I call their names.
Ash knows her name, Asher and Fat Ash depending on how naughty she is being.
If they hear kiddo they crowd around to see what she's up to, she usually has snackies.
They all know "big run" to go to the big run, "small run" to get my original 5 over in the small run (the new hens now do this too.)
"Coop" sends them off to bed if they're lingering.
"Hawk" if I see a hawk
"Treaties time" when I bring snacks. "Bucket time" when I fill feeders and the waterer. I can tell everyone but Ash to leave me alone when cleaning coops, she's usually being a naughty Fat Ash then...
And then the broodies and I often argue about their need for babies at this exact moment.

 

[featherhead007]

This is Blue. She’s not too blue. She’s very friendly for an E E

 

[Sylvester017]

I've never heard of a bone stimulator

Neither did I. It was recommended by the orthopedist. They are ultrasound machines in different sizes to strap around any part of an arm, hand, leg, or foot w/a broken bone that needs a boost in healing.