Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

The tone of that article is a little over the top.

I hope we all watch out for mites regardless of whether chickens have feathered legs.

Are dirty eggs really a problem? I get a dirty eggevery now and then, and I simply wash it before using it.

Feather plucking might arise if birds are unhappy and hungry. Not an issue for most of us.

I'll hold my tongue with respect to frostbite because it's unheard of where I live. It doesn't get cold enough. So I can't speak from experience.

I read that article and was thinking really as well. I wonder if a lot of the problems mentioned in the article is due to overcrowding and never being allowed to free range? Another thing that got me was that if a pin feather on a foot got pulled or broke their would be profuse bleeding. Ok I have to laugh at that one. I'll give them that the base of the foot feathers are thick, at least for my Marans. Drummie this spring broke off one pin feather on his toe, it barely bled at all. What the big baby did do though was limp for 2 days like his leg was killing him which I'm sure it felt like he'd yanked a hang nail on a finger. And frostbitten legs, hah, when it snowed this winter my group trudged though it no problem and had a blast. What they did do though was when they were done with the snow was spend time grooming their leg feathers and snow never caked on their legs. I was more worried about frostbitten combs then feet. Another thing I notice mine do after they get on the roost at night is to preen their feathers, including legs and feet. They do not settle down for the night until every feather is in place.

Thank you both. Very reassuring. I have always admired @MaryJanet's feathered footed ladies and how pristine they look - but I attributed some of that to her sandy soil. I live on clay and it gets muddy. So @RebeccaBoyd your description of hanging out in the creek and cleaning up after definitely helps me a lot.

 

[RoyalChick]

Getting closer together but still leaving a slot for Elizabeth just in case.

 

[BY Bob]

Here's a fluffy butt Friday contribution

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It's Mary relaxing with her friends under the shady shelter

I like how she has the leaves draped over her back.

Just a great photo!

 

[BY Bob]

If you haven't already tried it, The Book With No Pictures will have your entire audience (including those you don't realize are listening) in stitches.

I have not. Thanks!

 

[BY Bob]

I have another new layer, Creamy who is Squirrels sister and either 2 or 2 1/2 weeks younger laid her first egg yesterday. I thought she'd be next but was thinking at least another 2 weeks. Her hatch mate Raven I think will be another few weeks. Her comb has not started to grow or change color yet.

Excellent!

 

[rural mouse]

I have not. Thanks!

My mom is a retired children's librarian. She found all kinds of fun stuff.

Gator Gumbo is another fun story, but needs Who Dat accent.

https://www.amazon.com/Book-No-Pict...qid=1631234096&sprefix=book+with+no+pi&sr=8-3


Tax

 

[Blazinga]

The chicks enjoyed their ham.

 

[MaryJanet]

Thank you both. Very reassuring. I have always admired @MaryJanet's feathered footed ladies and how pristine they look - but I attributed some of that to her sandy soil. I live on clay and it gets muddy. So @RebeccaBoyd your description of hanging out in the creek and cleaning up after definitely helps me a lot.

That's true, mud is not really a problem for us.

 

[BY Bob]

The chicks enjoyed their ham.

Mine love pig in all its forms.

 

[LozzyR]

Roosting is a little sad tonight without Elizabeth.
I think Elizabeth was the one that kept them together as a tribe. Everything was very calm today but they spent the whole day as two separate pairs.
Also, it turns out that four chickens is a lot less than five. It feels very empty in the Chicken Palace now.


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