Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

The molting diet is very different. @Shadrach has said it before and my observations back him up. They need different nutrients and they know how to find them.

I've discovered that the Buckeyes are eating a forest/woodland tuber in their diggings. I saw something several times that looked like a grub before but it was eaten so fast I couldn't make it out. But last evening I was out there with a shovel to see if I couldn't help Hazel out with whatever they're finding by turning over some shovelfuls. Besides worms and such they are grabbing these orange-colored things that look like overgrown ticks with long legs. They treat the larger ones like animals, whacking them into submission before eating them. I finally managed to nab one (gotta be quick!), and it's a cone-shaped tuber with roots on one end. So I tried it. Delicious! Crispy and juicy like a radish but mild flavor, no heat. It tasted like "Indian Cucumber," a small woodland flower in the US Northeast that has a long white tuber. I don't know what this is.

 

[MaryJanet]

I've discovered that the Buckeyes are eating a forest/woodland tuber in their diggings. I saw something several times that looked like a grub before but it was eaten so fast I couldn't make it out. But last evening I was out there with a shovel to see if I couldn't help Hazel out with whatever they're finding by turning over some shovelfuls. Besides worms and such they are grabbing these orange-colored things that look like overgrown ticks with long legs. They treat the larger ones like animals, whacking them into submission before eating them. I finally managed to nab one (gotta be quick!), and it's a cone-shaped tuber with roots on one end. So I tried it. Delicious! Crispy and juicy like a radish but mild flavor, no heat. It tasted like "Indian Cucumber," a small woodland flower in the US Northeast that has a long white tuber. I don't know what this is.

Fascinating! I'd love to see a photo if you ever get the chance.

 

[Shadrach]

The Princesses are now in full-on molt. Those Roadrunners are densely packed in the fluff department - there is Roadrunner fluff everywhere, but apart from one feather out of place you really cannot tell to look at them.
I saw Diana eating feathers off the ground. Is that normal? I assume she wants the protein. I have given them sardines and some cat food and I have some stewing beef in the freezer I could make up for them. I could also get a hold of some venison as the hunting season has started.
Any advice welcome.

As long as they are not plucking the feathers off themselves or another hen I would be inclined to let it go.

 

[Shadrach]

Some children will test your patience.

Chicken Tax
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That is a great picture.

 

[featherhead007]

I’d pick out the mealy worms first.

Good idea. (I would eat the meally worms first too)

 

[featherhead007]

I bought a pumpkin for the chooks, but now, how do I serve it to them?

 

[rural mouse]

Silver and Pear haven't laid any since Mama went broody in July: heat, moult, broody witch, then the dog...lots of upheaval in the flock. ok, middle of September, I caught both of them picking at the crushed eggshell and oyster shell I put out for all layers. Still nothing. Found eggshell in the carport (1 egg, 2 pieces, well separated, brown shell) about a week ago. Nothing since. Nellie is supposed to lay white eggs, the sapphires : blue. The other pullets are farther away from laying...unless they REALLY surprise me. Fast forward: today snowing. When got home, Silver and Pear roosting inside coop, Nellie on next roost over. Jessica snuggled in a nest box and Thing snuggled in the coop too. Also found this

My guess is Pear or Silver. It's a bit wider than the last batch of new layer eggs. We have an egg again!

 

[rural mouse]

I bought a pumpkin for the chooks, but now, how do I serve it to them?

Baked into a pie with whipped cream of course!

 

[featherhead007]

Baked into a pie with whipped cream of course!

Whipping cream isn’t good for the chooks

 

[ChicoryBlue]

The molting diet is very different. @Shadrach has said it before and my observations back him up. They need different nutrients and they know how to find them.

Hazel update, she has not acted "off" as she did a few days ago and I'm encouraged that maybe that was the low point. I saw her poop a normal poop yesterday, which I collected to try a fecal float, but most of her poops are still quite watery. Color looks normal but it's just very loose. I gave her a short once over and saw nothing yesterday but will look more carefully again soon, with gigs and a funeral and things this weekend has been busy. Today she was digging next to Peanut who was dirt bathing in a hole in their uncovered netted run, then next I looked she was bathing too, & thought that was another good sign.

She is bones and feathers, but not quite so picky about foods and not so standoffish when out foraging, she is getting in the middle of things and eating. Today I snuck her about a tablespoon of cooked hamburger bits which she liked, and everyone got a bit of some too, and cooked medium-grain brown rice which was a big hit. Later they cleared the bowls of brussel sprout trimmings chopped up, and some crumbled cornbread.