Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

The mixed flock feed has too much calcium in it and the fat content is higher than I would want for feed for the chickens here.
The layer feed is okayish but it doesn't have enough protein.
Niether are suitable for chicks or pensioners imo.
I'll try and post info for a mixed flock type feed later.

What does the grower feed look like @Scrambles83 ?

 

[BY Bob]

Just back from a bit of an adventure.
My challenge: get to visit the Princesses without needing to call the fire department to pull me out of the snow.
View attachment 2513424

Fortunately there was a place where the plough didn’t pile it up quite so high. I dug myself foot holds rather than a path and I deployed the scrap plywood as a make shift road.
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Triumphant I entered the Chicken Palace thinking everyone would be delighted to see me. Sadly they were way more interested in the big gobs of snow that came in with me. Ice cream before bed seems to be appreciated!
I did manage to check that the heated waterer was still working and collect 3 eggs.
The snow seems to have stopped now, so in the morning I am going to retrace my steps and let them out into their own personal snow drifts.
The eagle-eyes among you will spot that there’s way less than 2’ of snow in the roof. I am really happy with the roof material - it is made of recycled milk cartons and it is very slippery. It was hours before any snow stuck on it at all!

I am so glad you made it to see them safely. I'm sorry that they weren't so impressed.

Mine were actually afraid of me when I took them some snacks before bedtime. Sansa and Sydney especially so. It wasn't until I was leaving that I realized they had no idea who I was. I had on my lime green down coat and they had never seen that before. I guess Aurora remembered the coat as she did not seem so afraid. I need to go back to my black jacket when going to see them.

 

[Scrambles83]

What makes you think the first one is medicated? I may have missed it but it doesn't say anything about being medicated and nor does it have Amprolium in the ingredients which at least in the US is what is in the medicated feed. Sorry if my eyes are weak and I missed it.

No, you are not wrong. The first one is the all flock, one I was considering for when they finish their grower crumbles.
The grower that they are currently on is as follows

 

[Scrambles83]

What does the grower feed look like @Scrambles83 ?

Posted it in reply to RoyalChick

 

[RoyalChick]

I am so glad you made it to see them safely. I'm sorry that they weren't so impressed.

Mine were actually afraid of me when I took them some snacks before bedtime. Sansa and Sydney especially so. It wasn't until I was leaving that I realized they had no idea who I was. I had on my lime green down coat and they had never seen that before. I guess Aurora remembered the coat as she did not seem so afraid. I need to go back to my black jacket when going to see them.

Oh no! That is sort of sad and funny at the same time. I bet you are right - something unfamiliar and lime green is inherently terrifying. Like lettuce the very first time.

 

[BY Bob]

Oh no! That is sort of sad and funny at the same time. I bet you are right - something unfamiliar and lime green is inherently terrifying. Like lettuce the very first time.

They both took a walnut from me but they stayed way out of arms reach. Phyllis seemed to still know me. She hung out right by me. Even she should have been able to see that coat.

 

[Cynthia12]

Just back from a bit of an adventure.
My challenge: get to visit the Princesses without needing to call the fire department to pull me out of the snow.
View attachment 2513424

Fortunately there was a place where the plough didn’t pile it up quite so high. I dug myself foot holds rather than a path and I deployed the scrap plywood as a make shift road.
View attachment 2513428
Triumphant I entered the Chicken Palace thinking everyone would be delighted to see me. Sadly they were way more interested in the big gobs of snow that came in with me. Ice cream before bed seems to be appreciated!
I did manage to check that the heated waterer was still working and collect 3 eggs.
The snow seems to have stopped now, so in the morning I am going to retrace my steps and let them out into their own personal snow drifts.
The eagle-eyes among you will spot that there’s way less than 2’ of snow on the roof. I am really happy with the roof material - it is made of recycled milk cartons and it is very slippery. It was hours before any snow stuck on it at all!

Wow!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Hazel was the only one who stood still enough for a picture today, and the light was just right for showing some of the colors in her feathers.

I removed her ziptie a couple days ago. I had noticed her fiddling with it in the morning. Then again later that day, and I checked it and looked for irritation on her leg, finding none visible. Decided it could come off, and she'd be the Buckeye w/o a zip tie, especially if it continued to bother her. But didn't have a tool at hand. Then late in the afternoon, close to roosting time, saw her grab it and pull it high up her leg and pull it and chew, and that was it, I wasn't sure where small clippers were so grabbed some small dissection scissors and cut it off. Then gently stroked & massaged her leg for a couple of seconds. She let me do that, I don't know for sure if she liked it but I was imagining how it might feel good if something had been bugging her there all day. Myself, I love how their feet and legs feel!

No one else is showing it bothers them, but if it does it's gone, maybe gone soon regardless. It's been very helpful in teaching me who is who, and I'm learning their individual characteristics and features pretty well so far but I still get it wrong now and then. Hazel's comb is unique, like a fleur-de-lis when seen straight-on. Her beak is still doing fine, a tiny crack visible but nothing changing.




Hey Jaffar , notice my beautiful comb? The human says it's a fleur-de-lis, whatever that is! Let's see yours again!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Sick Tsuki

Tsuki did not come running when I went out to fill the breakfast bar this morning.
I checked the coop and she was sitting on the floor facing the window sitting well back on her heels. When I took her out and put her on the ground she fell over on her side and had trouble sitting up.

I have taken her to the vet and am awaiting news.
The way she is behaving reminds me of your description of Ester @micstrachan. She is moulting a bit, but nothing like Ester was. She was eating and bullying the other hens as usual yesterday.

I expect to hear something this afternoon. I will up date when I do.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

My gosh what a reminder! I have them on "Layer" and Lilly no longer lays. I'm going to have to move them to All Flock with supplemental calcium! Holy crap! How have I missed that!

I was smiling indulgently when I read this Bob, then I realized that I am in the same position. Deana and Tsuki haven't laid for almost a year. Boy, do I feel foolish...