Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Good job planning ahead.

Well if I had really planned ahead I would have cleared all the construction stuff out of the way before it snowed. Sigh.

 

[BY Bob]

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

Ha. Ha. Ha.

By their behavior they have been saying this is going to be a bad winter. I have never seen them so active storing food. I think we are going to have a lot of snow cover this year.

 

[Kris5902]

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.

I think, you need a Rooster! But I love my Roosters, so I am biased (and yes, I know not everyone can have or wants them) Lol, she’s taking on the crowing duties... or trying to. I wouldn’t worry.

 

[BY Bob]

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

Hens can crow. Lilly does it on rare occasions. I would not be worried about it.

 

[BY Bob]

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.

This is all great advice but then who would expect less from Kris. She knows of what she speaks.

 

[BY Bob]

Well if I had really planned ahead I would have cleared all the construction stuff out of the way before it snowed. Sigh.

Ian running around today trying to get ready. It's been so long since we had a big one that my yard is not ready at all. I did get the new alfa in the garage in place of the old and the snow blower is ready so that's progress.

 

[BY Bob]

Hens can crow. Lilly does it on rare occasions. I would not be worried about it.

It is very cool that you caught it on video. Very cool.

 

[RoyalChick]

I think, you need a Rooster! But I love my Roosters, so I am biased (and yes, I know not everyone can have or wants them) Lol, she’s taking on the crowing duties... or trying to. I wouldn’t worry.

I would love a rooster - literally all the roosters I have seen shared on this thread I think are just gorgeous. Unfortunately I don't think I can.

 

[Kris5902]

Poor things, you are doing them a favor they will grow into loving. When they are that dirty though, will they get chilled by getting soaked in a rain? If they haven't been grooming, do the feathers with poo sludge have no water-repellent oil on them?

The ones I'm trying to rehome had a great start with the caretaker I think, and when he left, it's the returned homeowner now who "hates chickens" and is doing virtually nothing consistent for them. He has a poor cat who is also neglected, needs vet care and more - he was trying to eat the chicken feed and mealworms I had with me.

I am honestly not sure... I may have to break out dish soap and a hair dryer. I believe they are ground roosters... and this is why he is giving up on the breeding ideas. Because his runs and coops are not cleaned at all. They are bigger than my girls, even of the same age and breed, and far less active. Probably not suitable at all for my breeding program (I am selecting for confirmation, strong legs, activity level, and lack of flightiness in attitude... crazy little flying bowling balls). But at least they will have a decent life here, or I will book them at the abattoir in spring, or cull if it becomes necessary. I know I can do it cleanly (but the guy at the abattoir, Brad, is much better) and I wasn’t trusting the owner to do it well, when he started talking about putting them in the freezer if I didn’t want them.

As to you’re “beauty queen rescues”... I would probably end up “accidentally” taking the cat as well. The chickens I will give the guy a pass on, he didn’t want them and the caretaker probably moved somewhere he couldn’t take them, they look beautiful and well kept. I try not to be too judgmental without actually knowing the people and their situations. But, I am Very prone to taking in strays. There is this cow I want to rescue here, (another long story and a different hobby farmer, and if she was mine I could feed her however I wanted, she could have a herd...) but that’s not a pi**ing match I can take on just yet with the in-laws, as DH keeps reminding me)

This is all great advice but then who would expect less from Kris. She knows of what she speaks.

Thank you Bob, and you even left out the long-winded! Its only from a lot of trial and error in a very short time, and so many Roosters! All with different personalities. Remember, I’ve only been actually doing this for two years! And most of what I’ve learned I’ve learned from all the fine people here. I just jump into things and “go big or go home” literally, and I don’t want to go back to the city!

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

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.

She might be your lead hen soon. I'd also bet money she's the one laying, if only 1 is still laying. She's coming into all her adult hormones and they are going crazy!!!