Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Sylvester017]

I may have woken my flock checking on them when we got home at 2 am last night…

I am happy to say all are healthy and accounted for. Boy did they get big in 2 weeks! And we definitely have a crowing cockerel. He was happy to show off his new skill to me multiple times today.

Pictures of some of my flock:
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Is he a good flockdog or just staying in the shade out of the sun

 

[Sylvester017]

I the US they are supposed to be washed with water that is at least 20 degrees hotter than the temp of the egg. I think it has to do with physics. If the water was colder, (egg warmer), it would chill the egg as being washed, egg would contract (contents inside the shell) and potentially draw bacteria in. whereas if the egg is cold and washed with hotter (relatively speaking) water, as you wash it, it slightly warms egg contents, they expand, and are less likely to draw stuff in through the shell, but rather 'push' outward to help prevent anything from going through the shell.

My one caveat with this is that if the water is too hot, it can actually open the pores of the shell - but how much, and at what point it would become an issue, I don't know. I don't have data on shell porosity.....I just know that air can move through the shell, and to some degree moisture (remember, older eggs can have a larger air sack/bubble because the egg loses moisture, shrinking the white volume, and enlarging the air sac.)

I do not know all of the specific testing/research on this - I just understand the above based on my VERY long ago Physics & Chem courses in college/ basics physics/chemistry of temp and of fluid mechanics. @BY Bob and @RoyalChick might be able to add/expand/correct on this concept/topic.

It could be that she wants attention/recognition - but on her terms (i.e.so isn't sure she wants to be held - but wants to be the center of attention./focus of 'momma'). It does sound like a bit of improvement - i know it is slow going - but bless you for your patience - keep working on her...hopefully by the time she is an old lady she will be more loving/accepting and less demanding of your attention in a harsh way.

Some birds are just what they are... no matter what w/ some . Our Ginny was a snot when we brought her home as a chick & 5 yrs later she's still a snot towards other Silkies. This morning she chose to run & peck at Suzu but Suzu rushed straight at Ginny, took a giant hopping 3-foot leap over Ginny & ran away too fast for fat Ginny to give chase!

Big Ginny in front & little Suzu in back

 

[rural mouse]

Afternoon at 1 week

Playtime under a daddy's supervision

Mama PITA demonstrating the proper digging method

Nap time.

 

[featherhead007]

Some birds are just what they are... no matter what w/ some . Our Ginny was a snot when we brought her home as a chick & 5 yrs later she's still a snot towards other Silkies. This morning she chose to run & peck at Suzu but Suzu rushed straight at Ginny, took a giant hopping 3-foot leap over Ginny & ran away too fast for fat Ginny to give chase!

Big Ginny in front & little Suzu in back
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Remember Star Trek “the Trouble With Tribbles “ definitely not real chickens I see here!
Live long and prosper!

 

[BY Bob]

Should We Go in and See?
The Phyllistines were checking out the main coop at roosting time today.

 

[BY Bob]

Overall, her response is somewhat moderating, possibly. It sort of goes in waves. She does either tolerate or like being held a little. For instance, when she comes over to peck me and get a rise, lately she isn't looking up at me after each peck, to see if she's successfully started a fight or not. On the other hand, she's ready for any possible motion on my part that might indicate a fight. I withdrew my legs while sitting and she charged ahead at them, about to peck (but she didn't).

But there definitely could be an attention-grabbing aspect to this. Yesterday, when I had Teddy and Annie on my lap she came over. I reached down and gently held her body against my leg (no more room on the lap) without preventing her from leaving, if she wanted to. She moved away after a minute or so. Later she came back and I picked her up and had her on my lap, she was growling but didn't leave, I'm not sure if she is just compliant, or half-liked it and half didn't!

Just fascinating.

 

[featherhead007]

For a moment, I started to think that Silkies might be real chickens after all. Then I remembered the thoughts of Queen Aurora, and the thoughts quickly left my mind.
So sorry Your Royal Worshipfulness, that thought was only washing through my mind for less than a few milliseconds

 

[Ponypoor]

Concrete coop floor & paver stones yard best thing we ever did to combat muddy rain weather ~ slipping or getting sucked into mud is not good for birds or [wo]man! Plus the paver stones that sit in shade are cooling for the hens to sit on during heatwaves here.

I also love my brick pavers in the barn, the chooks will rest on them when it’s been really hot and humid.

I used to have dirt floors in the horse stalls as it was supposed to be better for the horses. But it was such a miserable mess I dug out the dirt and put brick pavers in there also. So much cleaner and easier to clean.

Can you imagine what the chickens would have done to the stalls if I still had dirt floors?!

 

[Ponypoor]

Some birds are just what they are... no matter what w/ some . Our Ginny was a snot when we brought her home as a chick & 5 yrs later she's still a snot towards other Silkies. This morning she chose to run & peck at Suzu but Suzu rushed straight at Ginny, took a giant hopping 3-foot leap over Ginny & ran away too fast for fat Ginny to give chase!

Big Ginny in front & little Suzu in back
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Ninja chickies

Have seen Clyde do that move when Mr P put the boots to him.

 

[Ponypoor]

Afternoon at 1 week

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Playtime under a daddy's supervision


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Mama PITA demonstrating the proper digging method

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Nap time.

Oh they are getting wing feathers! They grow so fast. I can’t wait to see them all grown, but not too fast I hope