Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

I had to go out and check on the chickens. some idiot, still had fireworks to launch into the air (My babies get nervous with loud noises) They are OK now.

 

[Blazinga]

Oh my gosh, really? Any idea what the fox was growling at? If your coop and run are secure, it will be fine. Or do you free range? I forget.

Nope, just sitting in the yard. We're still fortifying and have decided on only supervised free range. The chicks are safe in the garage.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

So for those wondering how I managed to go the entire day without treating the boys it was simple. 1- I am out of Raisins much to all the chickens disgust. 2- Starting mid-afternoon or treat time a thunderstorm hit and it didn't stop raining until dark. 3- I've been inside all day hovering around the incubator making sure all the chicks have no trouble hatching. I've also already got them eating and drinking. 4- Butter was having none of this grounded no treat business and came to the front door and complained, loudly. She was let in for a hour of air conditioning and her own hotdog bun hand fed to her and rewarded me with a egg before she went back out. Finally when it was time to round everyone up for the night Momma hen, Holly and their chicks were giving their own already tore up hotdog buns as a bedtime snack. The rest of the flock were already on the roost and unaware this was going on. Tomorrow I will not be the Grinch and hand out treats again.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

So Russ is grounded, and for that matter so is Drumstick. Russ is smart, and can let himself out of his stall if he wants. He got half out a few months ago so now the boards are tied in place. He still plays with them trying to get them down but you know when he's doing it as he makes a lot of noise while doing so. Total silence outside this morning and I'm focused on what's going on in the incubator when I get a phone call. It's one of my neighbors asking if I was aware we had a horse out. Run outside and there is Russ, in the side yard happily eating grass with Drumstick and all his girls around him jumping up and catching any flies they could that landed on his legs. When he spotted me Russ walks right up to me and I toss the dog leash around his neck and lead him back into his stall no problem. It would not have been so easy if it had been Louis or Dirt that got out. Drumstick is in trouble because he could have crowed his fool head off so I would come out and saw what was up. But no, he was Russ's partner in crime. Both boys have been informed no afternoon treat time today, although I do not think they believe me.

Oh dear, so naughty.

Well, at least he came quietly.

I also don't believe that they will be without treats tonight...

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I predict a molt in her near future. My lavenders look like this right now. They both also have the feather shredder gene that lavender carries.

Well I did not know this. This explains why Alice's rump feathers sometimes look all raggedy. Thanks for that tidbit of info CCCL.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Hen-rietta decided to follow me into the house. I deView attachment 2750551cided to spend some time with my best laying hen.

She also wanted to spend time with you.
....Or were there mealy worms involved? Cupboard love!

 

[Blazinga]

Nope, just sitting in the yard. We're still fortifying and have decided on only supervised free range. The chicks are safe in the garage.

On second thought, that might have been a rabbit screaming, but got away from the fox

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

5 out of 7 have hatched. 1 more has externally pipped and the final one is rocking and rolling. I've gotten 2 blues and 3 blacks. Tried to give Henrietta a chick early and luckily avoided a disaster. Too much time has passed and there is no hope of her accepting them. She wanted to kill the chick. Once everyone is done hatching I'll move them to the brooder.
View attachment 2750894View attachment 2750896View attachment 2750897

That's a pity Henrietta doesn't want them.
I would be interested to hear how and when you introduced them and how she behaved. I been trying to think how to do it with one of my girls when they get broody.

They are adorable chicks though. So glad you were able to save so many.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Phyllis Friends

So one of the options I have been considering since everything fell apart was to get Sydney fertile polish eggs, which I can still get, to hatch and raise if she went broody. She seemed awful buk bukky this morning when I was out with her.

Well someone has been on the nest for over 4 hours right now in some blazing heat. They even pecked me hard when I checked on them.

Spoiler: Who Is Still On The Nest

View attachment 2751018

Just before I clicked on the photo I said to myself, "Don't tell me it's Phyllis?"

 

[cfonts]

So, I learned two things today:
1) My neighbor must think I own an animal sanctuary, because she brought a lost chick to my front yard this afternoon
2) Kiko prefers to be an only child and is NOT a fan of the new house guest. Kiko is not a happy camper right now.