Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Oooh!
Geronimo is clearly considering the rafters. She did fly onto my head yesterday. Not as a friendly gesture - I stood up in her flight path!

At least you didn’t get a bird smack into your face! Ow! Darn that Buttercup! She’s a big hen too!

 

[bgmathteach]

I hear ya! When I let the gang out I have learnt to duck because there is always a couple that fly out!

Mrs LC is bad for that and poopy feet and all will ensure to land on my head.

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She is such a cutie - poopy feet and all! Just look at that glorious tail. Smart and a character - what a great chicken to have!

 

[Ponypoor]

I just broke up a fight between the two mama hens with chicks. The one with eight pecked the head of the curious single chick. Mama got furious and attacked!!
Poor Mr Wyandottey stood right there, not really knowing what to do. I told him “jump in between them buddy stop that fight!”
He didn’t, so I did. They looked like it was a fight to the death. I have had enough orphans on my plate, I am no longer set up for raising babies in the house.

Oi those broody bats! They drive ya nuts!

Misty is finally over being broody. And she and Raven are back to ignoring each other - sheesh! Hormonal bats!

Ravens eye is better also.

They are stressing me out this week.

 

[Ponypoor]

She is such a cutie - poopy feet and all! Just look at that glorious tail. Smart and a character - what a great chicken to have!

And a cuddle bug to boot, she looooves to snuggle and fall asleep. But have to say, she sounds like a maniac when she goes into her egg song! Hahaha!

Those OEGB bantams are awesome wee birds - I highly recommend them. Friendly sweet and good foragers.

 

[Ponypoor]

Brahms
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Cypriano. He is still molting

Gorgeous

 

[micstrachan]

@RebeccaBoyd @rural mouse @bgmathteach and @anyone else willing to join my rooster care coaching team: I need some advice.

Things are getting a bit unsettled in the Chicken Palace.
Both Calypso and Pooh are beginning to discipline the Littles who steal food from them. This is not specific to Mr. Chips, but he gets the brunt of it because he is the most daring at snatching food.
Tassels then goes for Calypso or Pooh and gives them a good thumping for attacking her chicks.

None of this is too serious - just some pecking and squealing and flying around.

My question is about how to handle Mr. Chips. He is very food oriented and will rush to me - sometimes jump on me - because I am the source of good treats. He will grab food from my hand just as he does from the older hens' beaks. And if I don’t have treats he will try and eat my fingers instead (ouch!).

I am pretty sure I could grab him and subject him to @RebeccaBoyd's enforced holding and wattle rubs. BUT, if I do that at the first squeal Tassels will come running and try to rescue him.
Should I just wait until Tassels loses interest (which she is showing little sign of doing) to try and get him used to me?
Or should I risk her wrath and try and grab him and carry him around?
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@RoyalChick it looks like you’ve had a hen raise chicks and I missed the whole thing. So sorry to have missed!

 

[Ponypoor]

@RoyalChick it looks like you’ve had a hen raise chicks and I missed the whole thing. So sorry to have missed!

Oh you should see her one chick - Cookie - oh I am having serious chick envy And her cockerel is so pretty!

 

[featherhead007]

Is that Nacho? Or chick. The pic is of the other hen and her babies.

Sadly, I must report when I went to close the coop, Nacho was out in the yard in a panic. Her little one was nowhere to be found. No trace of chick feathers, or blood trails. Just a very sad mama, crying for her child.

 

[featherhead007]

Sadly, I must report when I went to close the coop, Nacho was out in the yard in a panic. Her little one was nowhere to be found. No trace of chick feathers, or blood trails. Just a very sad mama, crying for her child.

There’s nothing I could have done to prevent this tragedy.
I’m only wondering if that other hen is harboring an extra chick tonight

 

[Mother of Chaos]

There’s nothing I could have done to prevent this tragedy.
I’m only wondering if that other hen is harboring an extra chick tonight

Don't give up hope! The morning may bring the chick back home.