Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Hi! I am so not caught up, so I won’t even pretend at it I’ve missed everyone’s updates and chat... it’s been kind of crazy around the farm lately, and in the community in general here. Let’s just say the FBook community forum for our island got so crazy/heated that there’s a new “no slander/personal attacks/name calling” one now that’s moderated and you have to actually live here/visit often to join it. And yes, both myself and my little baby goat were subjects of a few of those “attack” posts, from complete strangers!

Weather has been on and off, and I have lost two meat chicks (@ 5weeks old!) to cold snaps. They are now stuck in the barn here for another week, minimum. I’ve started to get my garden in, with seedlings in the greenhouse and cleaning up the overgrown beds at my friend’s farm. I walk Arduinna 3-10 miles a day, so we are getting some serious cardio in during daily chores/commuting. I lost one Red Rock girl to a predator (I’m thinking hawk) but otherwise everyone is doing well and we are looking at doing Roosties foot in the next couple weeks.

@BY Bob I also received the wonderful cards, and love them! Project Camper is also on, I scored free flooring and DH and I finally have some agreement on the short term/long term renovations. More importantly, I will be buckling down and concentrating on what I can do on the house. I’ve made two new island friends (taxidermy and Sauerkraut!) and they had some great suggestions on getting the panels up to the second story without the tractor, which BIL won’t share and recently broke (again). I’m going to blast up some photos in a separate post, but wanted to pop in with an update as well.

@Shadrach i am so sorry to hear of Fat Bird’s troubles, and I know you will do your best by her. If I’ve missed anyone else’s troubles, I’m sorry and don’t feel slighted, I just haven’t had a chance (is it even possible?) to catch up yet. Much love, and I’ve missed you all!

KRIS!!!!! I am so very happy to see you!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Ugh. Poor Dorothy appears to have another softie in the works.

This girl is almost 2 and has never molted (like Minnie). I wish she’d molt and take a laying break. I might take her to the avian vet and see what we can do. A hormone implant would give her a break, but I wonder if bloodwork might reveal something? It seems she’s not metabolizing calcium properly.

Well, her tail came back up and she headed to roost. I dosed her with calcium a bit ago, so if there is an egg without a shell, she should be able to pass it.

Other than Dorothy’s issue at the end there, the flock looked really good and healthy after work. This morning they got that wheat fodder in addition to their usual complete feed, plus some damp feed with that detox, olive leaf extract, and echinacea goldenseal.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

This is such a nice offer. I know it wasn’t meant for me, but someday… When I actually own a home again, if I do at some point. I would like to keep chickens that come from somewhere other than a hatchery. The idea of fertile eggs from someone I know is amazing. And to be able to have roosters, too! Oh my! One can dream, right?

You are more then welcome to some fertile eggs too! Anyone interested may have some. ❤

 

[Cynthia12]

Is it's never good when everyone is sick. I hope it clears quickly and you all get better quickly.

Thank you! Hope you all ...stay well!

 

[Cynthia12]

Ooops!!! Hahaha! I accidentally put this on an emergency thread this morning!

I keep forgetting who my sprouting buddy is on this thread. One of our later joiners, I think? Anyway, here’s a fodder treat. Just a big handful vs. a whole tray. The video is a bit long, but take a peek at part of it.

Me! I haven't done fodder in a while. I usually do it on the winter, but had too much going. And it really isn't that hard to do. They do love it. Love your flock!!

 

[micstrachan]

Me! I haven't done fodder in a while. I usually do it on the winter, but had too much going. And it really isn't that hard to do. They do love it. Love your flock!!

Oh, hi, Cynthia! Yes, it’s YOU! Thank you!

 

[Kris5902]

 

[LozzyR]

Hi! I am so not caught up, so I won’t even pretend at it I’ve missed everyone’s updates and chat... it’s been kind of crazy around the farm lately, and in the community in general here. Let’s just say the FBook community forum for our island got so crazy/heated that there’s a new “no slander/personal attacks/name calling” one now that’s moderated and you have to actually live here/visit often to join it. And yes, both myself and my little baby goat were subjects of a few of those “attack” posts, from complete strangers!

Weather has been on and off, and I have lost two meat chicks (@ 5weeks old!) to cold snaps. They are now stuck in the barn here for another week, minimum. I’ve started to get my garden in, with seedlings in the greenhouse and cleaning up the overgrown beds at my friend’s farm. I walk Arduinna 3-10 miles a day, so we are getting some serious cardio in during daily chores/commuting. I lost one Red Rock girl to a predator (I’m thinking hawk) but otherwise everyone is doing well and we are looking at doing Roosties foot in the next couple weeks.

@BY Bob I also received the wonderful cards, and love them! Project Camper is also on, I scored free flooring and DH and I finally have some agreement on the short term/long term renovations. More importantly, I will be buckling down and concentrating on what I can do on the house. I’ve made two new island friends (taxidermy and Sauerkraut!) and they had some great suggestions on getting the panels up to the second story without the tractor, which BIL won’t share and recently broke (again). I’m going to blast up some photos in a separate post, but wanted to pop in with an update as well.

@Shadrach i am so sorry to hear of Fat Bird’s troubles, and I know you will do your best by her. If I’ve missed anyone else’s troubles, I’m sorry and don’t feel slighted, I just haven’t had a chance (is it even possible?) to catch up yet. Much love, and I’ve missed you all!

What were people attacking you about?!

 

[fuentemoon]

That's how I look at it basically. I don't really care about the eggs but I'm happier if they all lay an egg every now and then. Most here go on a two day cycle in their second year. If I could get them to lay two eggs a week and take the winter break, that would be the best compromise. 50 eggs per hen per year would be my ideal. That's still quite a lot more than jungle fowl lay.

With 3 birds that would be perfect for us Rosie laid an egg almost every day the first 8-9 months she was with us, the "Littles" laid every other day their first year once they got going. They laid on each others off days, it was pretty funny. Last year everyone was a little more sporadic, I think our mite invasion was part of that. Fingers crossed we have a handle on that.

As far as packing order, I only have 3, but I would have guessed based on them that seniority was a bit part.

 

[fuentemoon]

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So great to see you again, I have been hoping you were just busy
I so love goats!