Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Observations - grooming

Has anyone noticed if there is an order for grooming, ie those lower in the pecking order groom those who are higher, or vice versa? Or is it free-for-all? I just noticed Tegan grooming River’s beard and she’s higher in the pecking order.

That’s a great question. There isn’t much grooming each other in my flock, so I couldn’t say.

 

[micstrachan]

I did one better and fell back asleep at about 6:30 to 7am, but then I slept in until 10. The chickens were not impressed, at all. But I did get a few more pictures as at least the weather cleared up a bit by the time I woke up.View attachment 2449450View attachment 2449466View attachment 2449474
My Isbar ladies Tiny, who is molting, Precious who has just mostly finished molting, and Speckles (Teensie in the background is the Sapphie)

So pretty!!! Especially Precious and Speckles. I can’t to wait to see Tiny after her molt!

 

[micstrachan]

Girlie pow-wow

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Does your kitty ever hang with the flock?

 

[micstrachan]

Me too! Though it is a lovely dress, the smiles and joy in the faces was was caught my attention too. Granted I did notice Bob looking particularly sharp.

Yes, didn’t he?

 

[micstrachan]

She was too goofy to call dignified but what a trooper. She was a tough girl and went out on her terms surrounded by loved ones. She saved me the hard decision. I am thankful for that.

I lost her and my best cat ever, Dr. Zoidberg within a month of each other. It was devastating.
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[BY Bob]

Yes, didn’t he?

You are sweet.

 

[micstrachan]

Chicken tax. These are the chickens I'm trying to rescue/re-home. Failed at the daytime attempt, going back on an evening next to the coop, the homeowner says it may be where they are roosting. They've been free ranging and getting bird seed and a very occasional scrap if meat from the owner. Some of these hens combs look pale to me, but I don't have an experienced eye. Otherwise they weren't ravenous for the feed and mealworms and scratch I brought, they preened and sunbathed and foraged and their feathers and feet looked good.
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They look pretty amazing to me! Perhaps a little pale, but if they are freshly molted and have not come back into lay...

 

[micstrachan]

I wish my latest rescues looked half that nice! I don’t have any pictures yet, be thankful for that... I cannot believe I am paying for these chickens, and meat birds none the less, but getting them to a decent home is going to be worth it. I was literally gagging at the smell, and I consider myself fairly ok with poop. They are covered in filth coated in in, not just dirty bums, but their legs, bellies, tails, and chests are covered in with sludge. Now I feel guilty for not also taking the two cockerels despite their aggressive tendencies, but I just can’t do any more boys, and I’m close to my official chicken “limit” now at 94 birds. These girls are beautiful!

You are wonderful!

 

[LozzyR]

Does your kitty ever hang with the flock?

Not without wire between them! Kitties are strictly indoor kitties.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm slowly building up to eventually maintain the flock at 8-12 hens.

That was my idea too - a slow build to ten. But how slow?! And why ten?

Shad is right everything is nice and settled. On the other hand Maggie is clearly on borrowed time.

something for me to ponder over the holiday break.