Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Yes, Oddball is molting! And her name comes from her eggs which are green and always an odd shape, with a weird fat band like they have been squashed at some point. They are 1/4 White Leghorn, 1/4 Crested cream Legbar, and 1/2 Black Copper Marans

They’re beautiful!

 

[micstrachan]

If there are any serious daytime predators it takes a very serious run to keep them out. Goshawks are particularly difficult because they will hammer straight through chicken wire, often injuring themselves in the process. Daylight hunting foxes are just as dangerous. Thankfully, here the chickens can run for cover and mostly they make it. Given the number of hawk strikes we have here (it's been about two a month that I know about this year) the chickens do very well. If Mel had been in a run she would be dead now.
This isn't a good place to keep chickens. If you lock them up tight enough to keep the weasels and hawks out the chickens are in prison basically. It's always a hard call I find but I would rather they were free.

I admire you for allowing them freedom. I would have too many losses here (hawks are here every day, plus great horned iwls and ground predators fox, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, mountain lion) and I just can’t bear that. I don’t know if they’d be a threat to chickens, but we also have wild boar. Rare to see. Anyway, the flock will be out EVERY DAY at least for some amount of time the next nine days because I have Wed/Thurs/Fri off and I’m also taking vacation days on Mon/Tues! So excited!

 

[micstrachan]

If anyone's interested, I did a member interview and it's just been published.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/byc-member-interview-maryjanet.1429950/

It’s fabulous! Thanks for pointing it out!

 

[micstrachan]

Here's my contribution for FBF!
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(I believe that's Ginger Buff)

Fantastic fall photo!

 

[LozzyR]

The bird on the car port roof can't be an Ibis, the beak is straight. Ibis all have curved beaks. If it were North America my first guess would be Great Blue Heron. I have no idea about the variants there in Australia.

Hmm, I just assumed it was an ibis. In that case, I have no idea!

 

[micstrachan]

Sammy: without his little itty bitty crest and, blue ears, and blue egg genes he could pass for a leghorn... yes, I’m in love with him!
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So handsome! And a good boy, I assume?

 

[micstrachan]

Red rock pullets and one Fluffy Butt! Still Friday here...View attachment 2419080View attachment 2419082View attachment 2419085

You have seriously beautiful birds, Kris!

 

[micstrachan]

my Ameraucana/Marans X Barnvelder lady
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And Cass, followed by Cass with Dean and Ladies in the Background View attachment 2419106View attachment 2419114

The lady is gorgeous and reminds me of a blue laced red wyandotte. And Cass is stunning!

 

[micstrachan]

And some Gratuitous Giant Land Chicken pictures... because he’s just so beautiful!
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He really is!

 

[micstrachan]

Ok, and since I’ve just added three pages of comments, I’ll find some chicken photos!

How about a tribute to those I’ve lost, in order.

Rusty

Happy Cheeks

Margo

Bagheera