Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

What should I show on the TV?

The Wonderful World of Bugs

 

[BY Bob]

I 100% agree with this. I love my chickens, but even from a small child I've been drawn to and had the deeper connections to my Roosters. There is just something about them that speaks to me. Right now, if it wasn't for every family member now hooked on fresh eggs, I could easily switch over and set up a safe haven for boys and not own another hen. And who knows, one day when Rosie's gone and it is just me I may just do that. I do love my girls though, and will do anything for them, but, think about it. The girls are busybodies, often hormonal, love to complain and while they will come for a lap visit they have other important chicken things to do to stay for longer then 5 minutes. My boys, when they come for a lap visit, if I let them they crash in your lap for a hour or more. Basil has stepped up and impresses me daily with he new job as top rooster. He's gentle with the hens, even more so then drumstick, wonderful with the baby chicks. Leads every hen laying to their nest spot and watches over them while they lay, and if multiple girls are laying at the same time, he runs back and forth between them. I think Blueberry is thinking about laying soon as she's started following him around and he's showing her every good nest site. Bubba is now showing some of the same behaviors that Basil did towards Drumstick. He's starting to hang back and watch and imitate when he's not looking. Branch, well, he runs freely between both of them, Basil pays him no mind at all. I wonder if due to his small size that he see's him as a young chick still?

I love rooster stories. They seem to form great bonds with their humans at times. I'm so glad that you're are that way for you.

 

[BY Bob]

The Wonderful World of Bugs

Wouldn't they peck the screen?

 

[BY Bob]

A New Morning at Fluffy Butt Acres

For the first time the Cluckle Hut was in use. While in the main coop they waited for the door to open......

Phyllis was peaceably scratching about in The Hut, waiting for her boy to open the door for her.

 

[rural mouse]

Wouldn't they peck the screen?

That's what a screen protector is for.

 

[RoyalChick]

If I remember rightly, when Alice had her big moult she started at the neck and shoulders, then the back and tummy , then the butt and finally the wings.

You could check the photos in my "Alice's amazing moult" article if you are feeling brave, they are in chronological order.

I looked. It was as bad as I remembered. Oh poor Alice!

 

[BY Bob]

That's what a screen protector is for.

Ah! Good catch!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Oh dear, so more to come! Who would believe I would ever voluntarily look at poor Alice in that state again, but it might be good for me to be prepared.
I will need to steel myself!

She may not moult so violently RC.
Alice's last moult took longer than the previous one and she only had a couple of bald spots here and there at a time and was never completely "naked".

Spoiler: Alice's moult February 2021 wasn't so bad.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I don't think you can candle them until they have been incubated for some time. Do you candle @RebeccaBoyd

If I'm incubating them myself I do, and I will under certain hens. I leave momma hen's eggs alone unless I catch her off the nest, and then she has to be out of sight. All candling before setting the eggs is going to show you is if there are detached air cells and potentially a double yolk egg. It will NOT show you fertility. Some people will candle at 3 days and can see potential development, I'm not that good yet, I wait until day 7. On my lighter eggs, you will see visible veining, but my Maran's eggs are darker and tricky. You can think you see something but not be 100% sure. As long as there is no smell coming from them I do not toss a Marans egg until lockdown day. Then if there is a chick the egg will be black inside, if it was a clear it will light up like a Christmas tree. On the lighter colored eggs, if there is one questionable on day 7 I will recheck again between day 10 to 14 and toss the bad ones.

 

[BY Bob]

If I'm incubating them myself I do, and I will under certain hens. I leave momma hen's eggs alone unless I catch her off the nest, and then she has to be out of sight. All candling before setting the eggs is going to show you is if there are detached air cells and potentially a double yolk egg. It will NOT show you fertility. Some people will candle at 3 days and can see potential development, I'm not that good yet, I wait until day 7. On my lighter eggs, you will see visible veining, but my Maran's eggs are darker and tricky. You can think you see something but not be 100% sure. As long as there is no smell coming from them I do not toss a Marans egg until lockdown day. Then if there is a chick the egg will be black inside, if it was a clear it will light up like a Christmas tree. On the lighter colored eggs, if there is one questionable on day 7 I will recheck again between day 10 to 14 and toss the bad ones.

Thanks so much for weighing in. I have never incubated or candled so I had no idea.