Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[knoturavggrl]

I think my flock is too small to notice something like this. While Magrat and Gytha (SLW) tend to take naps together throughout the day, they also mingle with the others most of the time.

When we were still free ranging, I noticed that Sybil, the odd one out, was really timid and would hang back while the others went off to a new foraging spot. I'd often have to escort her over to them because she would just stand there calling out to them. Sometimes they would come back for her, but not usually.

Spending quality time with Sybil did seem to help with her confidence though. Also her being the first to lay. Now she's higher in the pecking order and doesn't allow herself to be bullied.

I don't notice any serious squabbles at roosting time. Lots of jumping around and climbing over each other, pecking toes and pulling tail feathers when someone wants somebody else to move over, but no fights or outright attacks. But I don't have a camera in there to watch them after I've closed everything up.

And Gytha is ALWAYS the last up onto the roosts. I need to get video of her in the evening because it's interesting, and very amusing

To me it almost looks as though she's making sure everybody is inside before going to bed herself. But maybe she's trying to negotiate a better spot for herself on the roost. She'll bop around in circles, looking up at the roosts, like she wants to jump up but she just doesn't. She'll peck at toes, making a noise that I've come to associate with urgency (wanting something? Excitement, anxiety?). It's like, "bdrbdrbdrbdrbdrbdr!"

Yeah, some evenings it's 10-20 minutes of this behavior from her, and then she seems satisfied and jumps up and settles.

Does anyone else see this behavior in any of their chooks? Any idea what it's about?

I am unsure if you have rooster(s) or not. If you do not then perhaps she is taking the lead and acting as a rooster would. In my flock my lead rooster would do exactly what you described. He would make sure everyone was in and settled and only then would he go up to roost.

 

[TOMTE]

I am unsure if you have rooster(s) or not. If you do not then perhaps she is taking the lead and acting as a rooster would. In my flock my lead rooster would do exactly what you described. He would make sure everyone was in and settled and only then would he go up to roost.

Nope, no roos. I wondered about this! I really don't think she's top of the pecking order, but she has that roo attitude. She does discipline Esme sometimes who I'm almost positive is above her. Last time it was after Esme squatted for me, I stroked her back, she shook herself, and then I picked her up and held her for a few minutes, put her back down, and Gytha grabbed her by the back of her neck a few times. And she holds herself very tall and proud! She's a big girl. Wouldn't be surprised if she's taken that role on herself!

 

[notabitail]

Mugs Monday.
Agathae. Again. I need to take more photos.

 

[Sylvester017]

Virginia w/a sense of humor:

 

[Sylvester017]

Which is what happened with my moms friend who is terrified of chickens! She started running…. Well and you can imagine how it was for her to have 20 chooks running after her!

Wish I had my phone!

Running? like this....

 

[Sylvester017]

Ours stay until natural death as well.

That's a good goal that we aim for too.

 

[Sylvester017]

Been working on this for my sister's oldestView attachment 4042063their oldest pullets are pinking up and likely to start laying by the end of the month.

https://www.gathered.how/knitting-and-crochet/crochet/free-egg-basket-crochet-pattern

Nice cushy egg holder! We also love our special cushioned Silkie egg pockets from @SimpleJenn You guys are so talented!

 

[Sylvester017]

Good evening everyone. Sorry I haven't really had time this weekend to respond. I have some projects to finish. When it comes up that I haven't responded, it's usually late at night before I go to sleep. So here's a slightly old photo of Tony that you've might've seen before.
View attachment 4042111

Some of us haven't been on here as long as others so I personally don't mind seeing re-posts. Pretty & fluffy Tony!

 

[Sylvester017]

So, me and my brother are going tomorrow to get one of the boys. My brother looked at them and threw in his opinion. He thinks I should get both.

His reasoning is what if I only get one and something unforeseen happens and I am back in this same situation. He says taming 2 will be just as easy as taming one. I'm not going to lie, from pictures alone I like both. I could be happy with either one. They are the best I have found since I let the paint boy slip through my fingers. Black is also my favorite silkie color and with the color of my girls a black boy is the best choice.

Darn him, I will be up all night now pondering that choice.

Two boys that will have a good home whether bearded or non-bearded they are great in black ~ black is my preference also

Our only non-bearded Silkie w/ little wattles & we love her to pieces ~ she's our funniest clown

 

[Ponypoor]

The Order

The pecking order here remains quite obvious. Most of you should know that I stopped watching roosting a long time ago because of how nasty Aurora can be. Last night I was checking to make sure everyone was safe in the coop when i caught Aurora at work. I'm putting this behind a spoiler because it is not for the faint of heart.

I had checked in twice because the first time Hattie was not in the coop. On my first check Lady Featherington and Aster were on the low roost in front of the heat panel. When we check in this time you will see they are now in the high roost with Sydney. Im pretty certain they moved to avoid Aurora. Hattie was probably not in the coop because Aurora was keeping her out.

If you don't want to see poor Hattie picked on, don't watch this video. She is the only hen Aurora can reach.

Spoiler: Aurora at Work

I share this so everyone is reminded how Aurora maintains her position through brute force and terror at roosting time. She is not all warm and friendly.

She is a devilish little monarch isn’t she? Thinking she needs someone like Raven to take her down a peg! Raven is next largest here after Shirley, no one messes with her, not even Shirley. Clyde to dingaling tried to breed her on Saturday and she beat the crap out of him!

Too bad you don’t have a big old hen like Raven. She is generally pretty good with everyone but no one messes with her!