Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

I got worried about Chippy because of comb and wattles.
I don’t see any pointy saddle feathers but I have no experience.
Chippy is assertive and energetic - but then so is Geronimo!

Bucky is doing great. Her legs are now bright yellow and not orange and she is turning that gorgeous mahogany color. Of the 4 of them she seems the most chill. I will get photos of her next. Here is a teaser.
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Well temperamentally Buckeyes are supposed to be active, interested, on the calm side and friendly. That matches my (very limited) experience.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

FWIW, those famous pointy hackle and saddle feathers don't start growing until 10-12 weeks, so Chippy isn't old enough yet. (Most inexperienced eyes don't notice them until 15+ weeks)

Shanai, however, is looking VERY cockerely (99% certain)....and I suggest name shift....Shiner being close.

I hope we can live with him, I’d like to try! If he crows all night long that will be very hard. Also, if somehow the aggression going on with Diane is a reaction to my caretaking style, and he reacts similarly, I don’t know what to do differently at this point, beyond respect to his status as the roo in charge.

The name is supposed to be the musical instrument, it’s like an oboe, I first noticed it used in some rock n roll tunes of the sixties. Now I see I’ve been spelling it wrong, at least how it’s spelled these days, so it should be Shehnai.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Lord Spots-alot

And he will be a very handsome lad for sure!

Actually, I really like this one!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Oh crap

It’s the tail.

Sorry but you have a gorgeous hunk of eye candy there I would say (and what a lovely youngster at that!), are you freaking out if you have boy there?

That tail though - it’s going to be gorgeous

I’ve thought he was likely a roo for a few weeks now.

Freaking out, not exactly, because we aren’t experiencing any negatives in the situation yet. Calls and talking during the day, unless he crows incessantly, isn’t bad. Would young Roos be expected to calm down if they do crow all day long, at first? We had a neighbor who had a new young rooster, and seriously, he crowed every minute of every day, nonstop for 2-3 months, until one day he was killed (found dead). That kind of incessant crowing, with the run so near the house, that would be hard to take. DH harder than me probably, I generally like the sound of crowing otherwise.

The ladies here regularly go at it and create a wonderful cacophony of egg songs, boks, and whatnot. DH doesn’t mind that, he’s interested in what’s going on with them, and likes animals generally.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I definitely see the green.
Oh boy!
I need to come to terms with keeping him or not. Both alternatives are scary to me!
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And what’s with not liking strawberries? I had some that were getting a bit tired in the fridge so I got some new ones for me - probably the last of the summer - and gave the tired ones to the chickens. They really aren’t that keen!

The gang here aren’t crazy about strawberries either!

 

[rural mouse]

Here is Geronimo who I think is going to be rather beautiful. Her face has no hint of pink and her comb is tiny. She does have rather lovely leg warmers though!
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She is stunning! And Golden Cuckoo coloring is on my wish list....way up towards the top!

 

[rural mouse]

I definitely see the green.
Oh boy!
I need to come to terms with keeping him or not. Both alternatives are scary to me!
View attachment 4219350

And what’s with not liking strawberries? I had some that were getting a bit tired in the fridge so I got some new ones for me - probably the last of the summer - and gave the tired ones to the chickens. They really aren’t that keen!

This pic does it for me. Bar slide way over to cockerel. Comb size is getting much to big for pullet.

FWIW, speckled sussex as a general rule (exceptions abound, don't cross that bridge unless you have to) are pretty chill. Both Nox and Mera were pretty squarely in the "sure, what ever" category. Mera still is, even when broody.

Go back to Shad's article on roos and Rebecca's post on handling young. Deep breath....let it out slowly.....and let their behavior speak to you. One day at a time.

 

[rural mouse]

I know - and I basically blame you for this!
I am a bit worried about keeping Cookie’s feet clean as they are so extreme, but I am totally sold on Tassels and Geronimo. Very stylish!
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She may surprise you on the cleaning department. Just keep an eye on that too ... and practice when working on being handled.

 

[rural mouse]

Cookie is just, wow .

You have to remind me again what breed she is? She is a custom hatchery mix right? Looking at her and remembering nothing I think her coloring is called mottled. She is very close to my Georgina who is Splash. Georgina has that one huge back spot but countless smaller spots over her body. That foot feathering and body shape, Cochin has to have been used to create it. I will not believe otherwise.

Let me ease your worry some with cookie and her slippers. She will take care of them. You keep a clean run, with access to outside to forage. My cochins have the heaviest feet feathering and they are never filthy. Due to their refusal to roost, my issue with them is dirty butts.

The hatchery isn't saying what is in the mix, but I'm 85%-90% positive it's a bantam mottled cochin roo x mottled houdan hen

 

[Ponypoor]

Far more gentle than the "nudges" I get from this lot The steer on the left likes his face scratched and he'll just plow into your chest head-first if there isn't a fence in the way. Doesn't realise he's closer to the size of a small car than a large puppy these days. His mum, standing off at a distance, lost her place as head cow after she had him but still likes to boss humans around. If you aren't scratching properly or haven't got the right spot, she does a dramatic head toss that could be lethal if you weren't expecting it.

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• kattabelly
• Sep 19, 2025

Ridiculous creatures.

Amazing beasts - we have a few around here, but they are not common. And these days even more so not common. Even dairy and beef herds are disappearing. Very sad.

I thought about getting some calves to raise for meat, but the price is ridiculous!

Even hens prices are ridiculous, the people I gave Sir Shirley to bought 3 Wyandottes $50 each! They have one left unfortunately. The price we pay for free ranging, and it’s even more heavy bush were they are then here. I am too risk averse to be free ranging here without me close by.


Oh and I hear you on getting clobbered by a cow - my friends heifer swung her head around to lick her back and got me in the forehead with her horn. Good thing she didn’t get my eye!

A couple of rooster rumps