Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

A Fun Find

I found these at TSC the other day. I thought I would set them up as a tribute to Sydney and the chicks. You can see that one of the chicks even has that more upright stance of Ned's.

 

[BY Bob]

So my plan a few weeks ago to reduce numbers so I would have room for the 5 or 6 blue marans hens was a good one it seems. Because it also opened up space for a couple of the chicks hatched this spring to be keepers that I wasn't planning on keeping. I knew I also had to make room for Squirrel and Creamy, Butter's daughters. Then my dad picks out the blue chick to stay. Along with Creamy there are 2 black mix pullets that hatched the same time. Was going to grow them out a bit more and possibly rehome them when they got closer to laying. That plan has been thrown out the window now. They are both Henrietta daughters, and one Remi has earned her spot to stay. In the last 2 weeks since she has earned free range privileges. She's not a lap chicken, she's a parrot. Does not matter if it is me, mom or Rosie she spots outside she comes running and flies up on your back or shoulder to perch. The other day she was on my shoulder the entire time I cleaned one stall. She also enjoys riding in the wheelbarrow when your moving sawdust around. Her sister Pumpkin, is also staying, but she is technically not mine. My next door neighbor Maddy has claimed her, and has also started helping with chicken chores. She has some chickens at her papaws I gave her but also wants one here that she can see daily. I can't say no since every time she spots me outside she's right there offering to help clean out the run or feed and collect eggs. Pumpkin who she named also seems to be bonding with her as Maddy is all the time snuggling her and sneaking her special treats. When the Blue girls arrive I'm also going to let her choose one of them as hers as well. It's also hard to believe that in under 3 weeks they will be here. I get them as soon as my sawdust guy's chicks arrive which is scheduled sometime the first week of July.
This is Remi, I have to get a picture soon of Pumpkin, but she looks just like her except she doesn't have as dark a comb. Remi is hard to photograph as when she is not on me, she is darting all over the place.
View attachment 2722158

Wonderful developments and who doesn't want a parrot chicken!

 

[BY Bob]

It has worked out really well for us so far. Our plan is to put the littles in the new run part with a barrier for about a week before trying to integrate. I'm off for two weeks when they turn 8 weeks old so I can be playground monitor.

Do you free range often? I have always let mine mix for the first time while free ranging. I find it gives them all the space they need to abour each other if necessary.

Another trick to use is to put a hole in the barrier between them that is large enough for the littles to run through while small enough to keep the bigs out.

 

[adwil21]

What a lovely tribe you have. Great photos. Thanks for sharing them.

I have never dealt with constipation in a hen but probiotics seem like the way to go. I also worry about hydration. I wonder if she is not drinking enough for some reason. Do you put any supplements in their water other than probiotics?

I started with electrolytes from day one and continued for the first few weeks. At this point I sometimes mix both the electrolytes and probiotics together as it says that you can do that on the package. I was using save a chik brand ( I think that's what it is called). Last time I only put the probiotics. It seems to help a little. She seems to drink and eat enough but maybe not as much as the rest. She definitely isn't as active as the rest and she's always busy fussing with her butt. Poor thing.

 

[featherhead007]

So my plan a few weeks ago to reduce numbers so I would have room for the 5 or 6 blue marans hens was a good one it seems. Because it also opened up space for a couple of the chicks hatched this spring to be keepers that I wasn't planning on keeping. I knew I also had to make room for Squirrel and Creamy, Butter's daughters. Then my dad picks out the blue chick to stay. Along with Creamy there are 2 black mix pullets that hatched the same time. Was going to grow them out a bit more and possibly rehome them when they got closer to laying. That plan has been thrown out the window now. They are both Henrietta daughters, and one Remi has earned her spot to stay. In the last 2 weeks since she has earned free range privileges. She's not a lap chicken, she's a parrot. Does not matter if it is me, mom or Rosie she spots outside she comes running and flies up on your back or shoulder to perch. The other day she was on my shoulder the entire time I cleaned one stall. She also enjoys riding in the wheelbarrow when your moving sawdust around. Her sister Pumpkin, is also staying, but she is technically not mine. My next door neighbor Maddy has claimed her, and has also started helping with chicken chores. She has some chickens at her papaws I gave her but also wants one here that she can see daily. I can't say no since every time she spots me outside she's right there offering to help clean out the run or feed and collect eggs. Pumpkin who she named also seems to be bonding with her as Maddy is all the time snuggling her and sneaking her special treats. When the Blue girls arrive I'm also going to let her choose one of them as hers as well. It's also hard to believe that in under 3 weeks they will be here. I get them as soon as my sawdust guy's chicks arrive which is scheduled sometime the first week of July.
This is Remi, I have to get a picture soon of Pumpkin, but she looks just like her except she doesn't have as dark a comb. Remi is hard to photograph as when she is not on me, she is darting all over the place.
View attachment 2722158

Remi thinks she’s a parrot? And rides in wheelbarrows? ( I think that might be a disease called Parrot-Tin-Itease)

 

[Scrambles83]

A Fun Find

I found these at TSC the other day. I thought I would set them up as a tribute to Sydney and the chicks. You can see that one of the chicks even has that more upright stance of Ned's.

View attachment 2722164

Lovely tribute to mumma Sydney and her 3 babies

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Wonderful developments and who doesn't want a parrot chicken!

To be honest, I may not want a parrot chicken in a couple months time. This girl if she lives up to her genetics is going to be big. Daddy Drummie is no little guy and her mother Henrietta is my 2nd biggest hen. Plus while both her and her sister are not as big as Creamy, they are following the same pattern I'm seeing with the Maran's crosses. Right now all the crosses are growing bigger and faster then their pure siblings. I do not know if as they age if that will continue to be the case, but if it is, it is a good thing I love big girls.

 

[adwil21]

Do you free range often? I have always let mine mix for the first time while free ranging. I find it gives them all the space they need to abour each other if necessary.

Another trick to use is to put a hole in the barrier between them that is large enough for the littles to run through while small enough to keep the bigs out.

we do free range every evening for a few hours and on weekends/holidays/vacations all day. I will definitely start with them free ranging before attempting to put them in the coop together. I don't think i will get much sleep. I remember what a fiasco it was for my older ones when they first went in the big coop. They slept in the rafters or window sills for atleast a week.

 

[featherhead007]

A Fun Find

I found these at TSC the other day. I thought I would set them up as a tribute to Sydney and the chicks. You can see that one of the chicks even has that more upright stance of Ned's.

View attachment 2722164

Now everyone has to get one! I have mine!!

 

[adwil21]

A Fun Find

I found these at TSC the other day. I thought I would set them up as a tribute to Sydney and the chicks. You can see that one of the chicks even has that more upright stance of Ned's.

View attachment 2722164

So cute!! I have the same ones. My daughter got me a chick for my birthday so I got it a partner and I found the coop chicken while i was there. They look so adorable. I really enjoyed reading about your babies, I was secretly hoping you would keep them!