Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I usually cry over everything (happy, sad, angry, frustrated, for others who should be crying but aren't). Rarely do I get so pissed I don't cry. I've been up off and on all night my temper is still going, and I'm debating: let them out today (have the day off) after we get back from getting the heater fixed (thank you packrat!) with loaded rifle by the door, or keep them locked up today to 1, be safe and 2, settle into the new order. 3rd option, follow up on some of the free to $10 roosters listed on craigslist....problem is most of those are around the same age as the pullets and I still have Cheetah.
View attachment 2810660
Haven't heard any crowing but just read Shad's post re: Ned not crowing until after Stanley passed.
He's also only 13 weeks. I'm also worried about Storm. Now an orphan, I left her in the coop with the rest of the birds and a heat lamp as she's only 3 weeks tomorrow. Being as she's used to running with them, the only choice seems to be leave her with the flock rather than try later reintegration as a lone bird.

Good luck Mouse. I hope you can get a satisfactory resolution to this awful situation.

 

[RoyalChick]

I usually cry over everything (happy, sad, angry, frustrated, for others who should be crying but aren't). Rarely do I get so pissed I don't cry. I've been up off and on all night my temper is still going, and I'm debating: let them out today (have the day off) after we get back from getting the heater fixed (thank you packrat!) with loaded rifle by the door, or keep them locked up today to 1, be safe and 2, settle into the new order. 3rd option, follow up on some of the free to $10 roosters listed on craigslist....problem is most of those are around the same age as the pullets and I still have Cheetah.
View attachment 2810660
Haven't heard any crowing but just read Shad's post re: Ned not crowing until after Stanley passed.
He's also only 13 weeks. I'm also worried about Storm. Now an orphan, I left her in the coop with the rest of the birds and a heat lamp as she's only 3 weeks tomorrow. Being as she's used to running with them, the only choice seems to be leave her with the flock rather than try later reintegration as a lone bird.

I have no useful advice but am sending lots of hopeful thoughts your way.
I can only imagine how awful this is.

 

[BY Bob]

There are only a few breeds with 5 toes. Houdans and dorkings are clean legged. Silkies, faverolles, and sultans have feathered.

Aurora has a partial 5th toe on one of her feet. It's a genetic abnormality but she has an extra! Just in case she needs it. Like a spare tyre.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Aurora has a partial 5th toe on one of her feet. It's a genetic abnormality but she has an extra! Just in case she needs it. Like a spare tyre.

Photo please? Sounds fascinating.

 

[rural mouse]

I found a listing for some railroad ties. Not sure how many but could be good foundation. Also found some fencing. And found roof trusses and boards from an old barn. Depending upon what responses I get, the barn pieces could help frame in the carport, provide roosts and such. With the metal walls, if I wind up going that route, should I run some kind of wooden liner just to protect them from the cold metal or just build r oosts more toward the middle?

For a laugh, found this listing

Also saw a listing for a Gypsy Vanner horse if anyone here keeps horses/knows horse breeds. Didn't screenshot but, what a beauty!

 

[BY Bob]

Good morning everyone, I have a pot of coffee brewed and I'm heading outside armed with fireworks to try and see for myself what I'm dealing with. Whatever it is has hit all 3 times before 10 am so going to spend the morning with my chickens.

They do follow a pattern. Good luck. I look forward to hearing that you have a predator identified.

 

[BY Bob]

I usually cry over everything (happy, sad, angry, frustrated, for others who should be crying but aren't). Rarely do I get so pissed I don't cry. I've been up off and on all night my temper is still going, and I'm debating: let them out today (have the day off) after we get back from getting the heater fixed (thank you packrat!) with loaded rifle by the door, or keep them locked up today to 1, be safe and 2, settle into the new order. 3rd option, follow up on some of the free to $10 roosters listed on craigslist....problem is most of those are around the same age as the pullets and I still have Cheetah.
View attachment 2810660
Haven't heard any crowing but just read Shad's post re: Ned not crowing until after Stanley passed.
He's also only 13 weeks. I'm also worried about Storm. Now an orphan, I left her in the coop with the rest of the birds and a heat lamp as she's only 3 weeks tomorrow. Being as she's used to running with them, the only choice seems to be leave her with the flock rather than try later reintegration as a lone bird.

I think I would leave them locked up. The predator will still come back to check. That way you can deal with the predator without the chickens in the way.

I'm feeling steely eyed determination from you right now. Go get them.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Ok, I now officially know what got Drumstick. 2 days ago I also had Spooky one of my growouts from Henrietta vanish. I started then to suspect a hawk as these attacks are happening in the morning before noon. Today I had a dr appointment for Rosie to get tested for covid and was gone for 2 hours. I came home to hear from my brother that a pair of Hawks got another of my hens before he could run them off. This time the victim was one of my Marans hens Clover. I've now declared war on the beasts. My options are limited as I can not kill them, but there is no law saying that I can not fire a shotgun in the air as they fly over. I've also went out and found some firecrackers today to shoot off when I see them. One way or another I'm not loosing another chicken to them.

RIP Clover, I remember pictures of her.

 

[BY Bob]

Photo please? Sounds fascinating.

I knew I needed to get a photo as soon a I posted that. I will try but she is so skittish about being touched that this is a difficult assignment.

 

[rural mouse]

Aurora has a partial 5th toe on one of her feet. It's a genetic abnormality but she has an extra! Just in case she needs it. Like a spare tyre.

When the chicks arrived and I discovered the extra toes on 3 I did some research. The 5th toe doesn't usually make contact with the ground (Dora's did, Things 1&2 didn't/ don't). Because of that, the nail doesn't get filed by dirt, gravel, r oosts, Etc and can jab their belly when roosting. The nails can also damage feathers that way. I'll be keeping an eye on Thing 2 for it.