Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Gucci

View attachment 4039244View attachment 4039245View attachment 4039246View attachment 4039247View attachment 4039248View attachment 4039249View attachment 4039250View attachment 4039251View attachment 4039253

And I found this great photo of Betty
View attachment 4039252

Did you ever post that 'chicken crossing sign' photo on the caption contest site? it's such a great photo!

 

[TOMTE]

Did you ever post that 'chicken crossing sign' photo on the caption contest site? it's such a great photo!

I love that one. And the one with the kitty

 

[Ponypoor]

My gang are ungrateful little heathens this morning.

Starting the end of October I switched over to strictly a feather replacer feed. It is semi-locally milled and my hay guy carries it. It is not pelleted and has lots of whole grains in it, 22% protein. It is actually labeled for game birds or show birds. My crew love it, waste nothing. It really helps them through their molts quicker then the "Feather Fixer" I was buying for the same price from TSC.

Yesterday I had dad pick up 2 bags of the layer pelleted feed from the same company. I love this high protein feed but it lacks calcium and my crew ignore oyster shells so I will not go that route again. He fed them a normal folgers coffee can full of the layer feed and mixed in a small coffee can full of the good stuff. They are loudly complaining. Throwing out the layer feed to find their favorite bits of the game bird feed.

Tomorrow they are going to hate me. Until they start eating the layer feed good which they need from this point in the year on, no more game bird food. It is not that they hate this food, they loved it last year. I have just spoiled them.

Wasteful little demons. Keep it up girls and you can go back to the cheap stuff from Rural King which is crap. I can get 2 sacks from Rural King for what I am paying for 1 bag of the good stuff.

I am lucky, as Peavey is closing and I can't get feed there, I have found Purina's Layena Textured feed, it is 17% protien and calcium, and their Layena Pelleted Layer is also 17% - they like both and finish off both with gusto. Both are equally priced to what I was paying at Peavey Mart.

But I don't give them full access to the Layena Textured, they waste the pellets in it if I do. This way they are forced to eat it all.

The only other poultry feed I can get is from a local mill which my gang doesn't like. Fussy princesses!

 

[Ponypoor]

I am doing a small hatch. They're a week along so far and I'm going to candle them today. I'm hoping to sell them if I can.

Did you ever get to candle your hatch? how did it go?

 

[Ponypoor]

I found some high protein (20%) layer feed. Kalmach is the brand. I use that when they are laying and the feather fixer version in the winter.

I sure wish we had access to all the feed sources you have down there. But there just isn't the market up here, it's very small here and of course our overall population is very tiny here!

We need more people to get chickens - yes that's the solution! More people up here with backyard flocks! woohoo! I like this plan...

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

These 2 boys popped up on facebook this morning. They look young.

I have to leave in a few minutes to head to work. If they are still available when I get home, I admit, the one with the darker wattles I am halfway tempted.

 

[Ponypoor]

Week of 25 Jan 2025 to 01 Feb 2025
-----------------------------------

This week was all about what chicks to get for the Spring. There was absolutely no enabling done what so ever....


SimpleJenn
-----------

Has a plan for what eggs and chicks she will be getting this Spring. I cannot wait to see them.
Butter-birds are on the list...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28354631

Other Orpington also...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28354760

Some renovations will be needed once all the snow is gone, the heavy snowload damaged the run's roof.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28354803

Polish are on the list...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28365971

Silkies are a definate - maybe next week!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28367130

and what's with this duck?! Good catch!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28370881

Sylvester017
-------------

I never tire of seeing her lovely 'heart-hens' her silkies are just adorable.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28367461

And a pair of Coronation Sussex had to be re-homed - no Roos allowed - so sad.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28367766

With Avian Influenza on everyone's minds, a blog about Metzer's dealing with their AI trouble was sad to hear.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28370984

Wow - how long can eggs be stored?!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28371340

Featherhead007
---------------

Great advice on how to handle chickens correctly.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28354853

Wednesday whimsy - love that mama hen lets babies play on her.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28368303

Mr Wyandottey having some quality time with his Hooman.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28370412

TOMTE
-------

How lucky to be able to get your chooks outside in this winter weather, how much fun they are having!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28360369

Lucky chooks get more outside time!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28371948

And more eggciting News on First Eggs - well done Esme!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28362892

Then another First Egg - very eggciting times - Congratulations Magrat!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28372969

Grandma The Chicken
----------------------

Well hello lovelies - they are enjoying the nice sunshine, and Grandma is looking great.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28371227

Seems they are an elderly group of ladies - those are good ages!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28371235

Notabitail
------------

Still messing with our minds, it's not Thursday! But that's ok we all enjoy seeing the lovely chooks (gosh I would like some Exchequers).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28353279

A lovely Two-fer Tuesday with a photo bomb
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28362812

And such a lovely fluffy derrier. Contemplating the world...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28373472

By Bob
--------

Down memory lane we go - gosh I love this hen, her colouring is so spectacular.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28346915

Phyllis
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28368876

Betty
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28368888

Gucci
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28368898

Silvie & Legertha
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28368906

Young Aster has decided to go exploring in the more reasonable weather.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28362931

Then Sydney has decided to join Aster...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28367456

And sunflowerseeds to entice the others outside
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28370326

The latest on H5N1 (Avian Influenza)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28368151

Should North America be vaccinating their poultry? seems others are...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28368760

Rural Mouse
---------------

Beautiful cold weather doesn't stop these creatures!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28357938

There is absolutely no enabling going on here, just some suggestions haha
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28360231

More eggs are starting to be laid now that the daylight hrs are increasing.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28374346

How do we all stay warm? Another trip down memory lane - as a kid!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28362473

RebeccaBoyd
-------------

Is Rebecca the last to know of her mum's plans for 'more chickens' !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28357435

Bad Hooman, seems the chooks are rebelling against eating their 'carrots'.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28366326

Oh George you cheeky boy! Your mama is going to throttle you!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28370223

... given a second chance and showed everyone he was a prince.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28371718

Bgmathteach
--------------

And just to be clear - there is absolutely no enabling going on here
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28368510

And this memory is one to cherish always (so darn adorable).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28368956

IloveDaffy
-------------

Additions to the list of chooks we all must have (good choices!)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28358286

Some heartache with the News of Daffy's beloved moggy passing away.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28358889

LhickenChicken
-----------------

Has a small hatch on the go, wonder how the candling went...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28358331

knoturavggrl
---------------

Welcome back to FBA! We have all missed you, but we see you have a new 4 legged friend to show us!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28357236

And has some Swedish Flower Hens on order - can't wait to see them.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28368990

RoyalChick
--------------

Sylvie is look fiiiiinnnneeee in her new fancy feathers, the snow is the perfect foil.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28359330

And of course they don't want to go outside! It's darn cold!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28359336

A Thirsty Thursday for the lovely ladies.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28369504

And a good morning Fluffy Bum.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28371938

With a coyote hanging around acting strange, it is best for the ladies to stay indoors.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28372304

ManueB
-----------

Chipie has been crowing, which earns her an escort from Gaston it seems - she is such a sweetie pie.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28354996

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28357336

Ponypoor
------------

Wimps - that's what they are wimps!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28357383

The dumplings are getting bigger and can now hop up into the feedroom.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28374070

Mr Big Stuff - er rather, Mr Little Chicken is such a character!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28366893

 

[Ponypoor]

Yep, if I hatch any frizzles they will be adopted out. Cute but too delicate for our Michigan mud

Some pics of the flock I ordered eggs from (there's a chance of Cochins!!!)
View attachment 4040839
Bantam cochin roo, gorgeous
View attachment 4040841
I believe this is the bantam cochin
View attachment 4040844
Same boy as before
View attachment 4040840
Polishes!!!
HALLOWEEN Polishes!!!
View attachment 4040842
Black copper marans
View attachment 4040848
Marans and I believe a lavender Americana
View attachment 4040846
Full size cochins
View attachment 4040845bielefelder
View attachment 4040843
Ayam cemani

Those Cochin are definitely adorable, and I bet they are nice to have around.

Not likely to ever get any though, there just aren't that many around here, if any.

Maybe in a few years when my oldsters are passed on there might be more up here.

 

[RoyalChick]

Not sure why they (govt and producers) are not pushing for this here, it's such a simple measure and likely highly cost effective. sheesh!

The reason things like Brucellosis in cattle has been pretty well stopped is through rigorous inspections and vaccinations, why any farmer wouldn't want their extremely valuable assets to be protected is beyond me - if I were a huge egg/broiler producer I would be banging on pots and pans demanding my 'money makers' be treated so they never became ill in the first place. Are cattle that much more of an asset?

Such a waste of money and time, when at any moment it could all come crashing down because of something that can only be seen with an electron microscope and could potentially be halted with a simple jab - how incredibly terrifying.

Meanwhile my neighbourhood pork factory farm is such a smelly place, if I lived next to them I would be moving! their three barns are massive... how much poopies are they producing?

I believe one of the issues is that there are countries that will not accept imports of meat from vaccinated chickens.
The US is an exporter of chicken meat.
I haven’t looked into the details so cannot confirm this 100% but have read it in multiple sources.

 

[RoyalChick]

I believe one of the issues is that there are countries that will not accept imports of meat from vaccinated chickens.
The US is an exporter of chicken meat.
I haven’t looked into the details so cannot confirm this 100% but have read it in multiple sources.

For those interested.
https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/poultry-vaccine-hesitancy
US, EU, and Brazil are the biggest exporters of poultry. EU has started vaccinating.
China has been vaccinating for 20 years apparently.