Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I can't wait!!! We're still in the 14 to 20 inches range and I really think we'll get it. I'm a little worried about my netting, but I think it will hold.

My work will be closed tomorrow and likely Thursday morning, one plus of working in private practice! So I'm actually going to be helping Rich while he plows. We'll be doing homes and business so I'll be doing sidewalks and such while he plows.

I'm so thankful for this because the transmission went out on Rich's truck on Saturday. We were able to get home safely and he's been driving his work dump truck, but that is a major expense we were not looking for.

Just in time to raise some needed cash. I expect this is the first of many big storms this year. The squirrels don't lie. 🐿🐿 [I actually think those are chipmunks.]

 

[RoyalChick]

I was up early before the first cock, I mean hen, crowed
What is going on with Minnie here? Do you think she is OK?
I should add she did it multiple times while I was in there.
Sorry about the bad light - it is my headlight - you can just see dawn breaking through the window on the right.

 

[RoyalChick]

Clearing the Ratacombs

Last week before I went away I cleared out where the rats were entering the run and the complex of tunnels they had built under the bricks surrounding the run. I can tell the flock is getting back to normal because they were in my business. And of all things, it wasn't Lilly or Aurora or even Sansa leading the charge. It was Hattie.

The change in Hattie post fight is real. She is more confident and is curious again. Less sentinel work and more leading the flock around. Hattie has been in my business like she has not been before. Watching everything i was doing when covering the run and pitch in shower curtains and of course wanting to know what was up with the Ratacombs.

Here she is leading the squad into cleaning up the rats mess. By the way, it was still warm enough for worms and bugs. Lots of worms and bugs.
View attachment 2450224View attachment 2450225View attachment 2450226

Sansa the Sentinel
I am seeing more of this as well, Sansa taking over Sentinel duty from Hattie.
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I am loving this development in Hattie!

 

[RoyalChick]

Hey @CrazyChookChookLady you ready for the big storm tomorrow? 12-18 inches is the latest I've seen. ❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨🌨☃☃

Just got off the phone with the neighbor who ploughs me out (no city ploughing out here). I am worried about making sure I can get to the Chicken Palace (though honestly they would be fine in there for 48 hours if I couldn't). He is going to come by and look before it snows so he knows what he is dealing with. We are supposed to be getting 3" in the day and then 14" over night.

 

[RoyalChick]

Just in time to raise some needed cash. I expect this is the first of many big storms this year. The squirrels don't lie. 🐿🐿 [I actually think those are chipmunks.]

What did the squirrels say? Mine don't talk to me.

 

[BY Bob]

I was up early before the first cock, I mean hen, crowed
What is going on with Minnie here? Do you think she is OK?
Sorry about the bad light - it is my headlight - you can just see dawn breaking through the window on the right.

What of her behavior are you concerned about? Nothing is jumping at me.

 

[Kris5902]

I think these Orpingtons are not a year old yet, at least the rooster doesn't have a spur grown on him yet. How long does that take?

I think you’re right, they are beautiful young looking birds! I have found my boys start getting spurs around one year of age, but have noticed that it also seems to vary by breed. Mr Maran it Two now and has 3” long spurs! They curve a little, Chickie Hawk (EE) had (until he knocked them off) about 1 1/2” very curved spurs Sammy has about 2-2 1/2” spurs that are almost straight.

It is hard to say how He will react to being handled, that they are so forward with you is a promising sign in my opinion. I would expect the worst though, so go in and be resolved, wear long sleeves, and don’t be surprised if he bites your arm. Chickie Hawk always gets at least two or three good solid bites on me, no matter how carefully I try to avoid them (but he is a “special” boy that most reasonable people would have sent to freezer camp!) I wouldn’t try any towel type maneuvers, as they reduce your grip. Once you’re holding him he may try to thrash with his legs. You’re right he’s going to be stronger than you’re used to. I’m right handed and usually tuck them football style under my left arm, forward facing, while using my right hand to hold the feet. Once you get them tucked up tight but gently, it’s no problem and they settle right down. When Mr Maran was being standoffish and started getting a little aggressive with me in the mornings, I would actually hold him like that while I did all my feeding and releasing chores. He would come at me, I would scoop him up then go about my business. Practice the hold with your girls a bit.

Depending on the flock behavior, what I usually do when moving mine, especially if it means moving them out of sight of the flock, is to take several hens first then the rooster, then finish moving the hens. I have found some guys will panic if they are moved first, set up an alarm call and can spook the rest of them. But I work with my flocks, and these chickens are closer to becoming feral. If you can move hens in twos, with a friend or if you can secure two together (only if you’re 100% sure of your hold, and won’t be worried about dropping them!) I find they stay a little calmer, but I am moving from a pen or run usually, and don’t need to worry about “escaping” chickens.

Also, if you have a red headlamp, for night-time wrangling that works best for keeping them quiet and undisturbed I find.

 

[BY Bob]

I am loving this development in Hattie!

Me too. It will be very good for the flock of she is a little more assertive and doesn't just leave everything to Lilly and Aurora.

 

[BY Bob]

Just got off the phone with the neighbor who ploughs me out (no city ploughing out here). I am worried about making sure I can get to the Chicken Palace (though honestly they would be fine in there for 48 hours if I couldn't). He is going to come by and look before it snows so he knows what he is dealing with. We are supposed to be getting 3" in the day and then 14" over night.

Good job planning ahead.

 

[RoyalChick]

What of her behavior are you concerned about? Nothing is jumping at me.

That she seemed to be crowing. Or rather half-crowing.