Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Yes. Queenie actually seems to be doing all the right things that will make this a really smooth transition.

One hen is harder to integrate in some ways and easier in others. Queenie really has no choice but to join them so she has chosen the "It's OK, I will be last; just let me join." strategy. Not every solo hen has that attitude.

 

[Ribh]

One hen is harder to integrate in some ways and easier in others. Queenie really has no choice but to join them so she has chosen the "It's OK, I will be last; just let me join." strategy. Not every solo hen has that attitude.

She's smart. I actually don't expect her to stay on the bottom for long. I think she will find a place quite a bit higher up the ranks once she's accepted.

 

[BY Bob]

She's smart. I actually don't expect her to stay on the bottom for long. I think she will find a place quite a bit higher up the ranks once she's accepted.

I expect so as well. Especially when she starts laying first. She just need to complete her initiation.

 

[Ribh]

I expect so as well. Especially when she starts laying first. She just need to complete her initiation.

Yes! Exactly! Laying will really cement her place in the flock. In my flock it stops a lot of the pecking too. It's like: oh, you're an adult now, not a pesky teen! And my screamers settle down somewhat.

 

[Shadrach]

The worst roosting issues here have always been between whomever was last in my pecking and whomever joins the flock. Last in the order does not want to move further down when others join and they will fight to not do so. If you look at mine now, that is one of the reasons Aurora continues terrorize the 3 below her.
@ChicoryBlue may also have a Sansa & Lilly partnership blooming between Queenie and Hazel which would be great.

I firmly believe that it is time to put her on the roost after dark with the rest. This integration is going well. I did not ask how they get out of the coop at night. If ChicoryBlue is opening the coop in the morning, she needs to get out just before or around dawn so Queenie is not trapped in the coop with them. That would be recipe for trouble.

Young Tack, she's the one with the hairdo that blocks overhead vision a bit like your Phillys is most junior in Tribe 2 and last into the coop to roost. She makes a dive for the nest box under the perch and when I open the back to count, she makes a jump for a perch. She's done very well so far.

 

[Shadrach]

That’s seriously high praise Shad, thank you!

Your welcome. I hope the venture is a success.

 

[Shadrach]

Well, I think it's mostly butt. I was waiting on one of Shad's feather duster comments!

You didn't seriously think I would write something like that did you?

 

[Shadrach]

Hi Ribh. She’s stable. Still sitting on her hocks and eating very little, but I proudly now have the skill of being able to tube fluids. Phew! I’ll tube feed if it comes to that. I think she’s trusting me a little more now, too.

I’m considering bringing Bridge by for a visit, but Ester’s not going outside until she’s stronger.

A very narrow solid syringe might be easier for pastes. I had trouble getting tubes with the right bore. I use this now which came with Metacam.

 

[Ribh]

You didn't seriously think I would write something like that did you?

It's been known to happen... though the littles look more like those powder puff thingies I always think.

 

[Shadrach]

It's been known to happen... though the littles look more like those powder puff thingies I always think.

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I'm surprised how well they are coping being half the size of everyone else.