Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

We got our new girls!! And guess what Bob? We saw blue eggs! Didn’t have my phone on me though.

View attachment 2038728

Hooray!! Can't wait to see them properly!

 

[LozzyR]

Wow, Tegan’s really throwing her weight around and the tractor’s not big. Are they going to be able to survive in there for two weeks?!

 

[Shadrach]

Will you eat Tyle after all Shad?

It rather looks that way MJ. I can't build more coops. It would take him at least another six months before any hen would follow him. The Tribe 1 rooster fights would go three way judging by what I've seen so far. I'm trying to see if I can rehome a pair but those who will take him will eat him anyway. I won't imprison chickens and in the end I'm responsible for the management. If roosters/cockerels get along in the tribe then I leave them to it. That isn't happening.

 

[Shadrach]

She's a very pretty hen!

If she's not on her nest yet, how can you tell she's broody? I ask because I'm curious about it.

With most hens you get a few days warning if you know what to look for. The first sign is spending longer than normal at the nest site when they are laying and how the eggs are arranged.
The next is their reaction to other chickens. If another chicken approaches Donk she fluffs up and starts clucking letting them know she got eggs. Donk's mother and grandmother were very demonstrative in this way.
They also start eating more than usual getting ready for the first couple of days sitting where they may not leave the nest. It's those first three days when they turn the eggs to prevent the embryo from sticking to the inside of the shell and polish the surface of the eggs with their underside. Some are better at this bit than others.

 

[BY Bob]

We’re home! Tegan has established she's the boss of the newbies. Some feather-pulling and chest-bumping went on. She’s the red and is bigger than the two salmons. Now they're all quietly crouching in the indoor space. And Chickie's eating! I’m going to make her a treat so she eats some more.

Woohoo!

 

[BY Bob]

With most hens you get a few days warning if you know what to look for. The first sign is spending longer than normal at the nest site when they are laying and how the eggs are arranged.
The next is their reaction to other chickens. If another chicken approaches Donk she fluffs up and starts clucking letting them know she got eggs. Donk's mother and grandmother were very demonstrative in this way.
They also start eating more than usual getting ready for the first couple of days sitting where they may not leave the nest. It's those first three days when they turn the eggs to prevent the embryo from sticking to the inside of the shell and polish the surface of the eggs with their underside. Some are better at this bit than others.

Good to know. I'll now know more of what to watch out for. Thanks.

 

[BY Bob]

They Say Don't let your Children put Plastic Bags on their Heads

This is not a toy.....

 

[RoyalChick]

Do your hens try and cover up their newly laid eggs?
Now I have the ladies in the Chicken Palace and can get in there with them I have noticed that once they lay their egg they go around throwing leaves over their back like they want to hide the nest.
This is not scratching - they select a leaf and pick it with their beak and toss it over their shoulder.
I never saw that before, but that could be because I couldn’t see in the temporary quarters. Or maybe they are concerned about my presence and feel the need to hide the egg. It doesn’t seem that they are scared of me because they come running out to chat as soon as they are done. But maybe I am disturbing them by hanging out.
Any wisdom from my more experienced chicken-ey friends?

 

[BY Bob]

Do your hens try and cover up their newly laid eggs?
Now I have the ladies in the Chicken Palace and can get in there with them I have noticed that once they lay their egg they go around throwing leaves over their back like they want to hide the nest.
This is not scratching - they select a leaf and pick it with their beak and toss it over their shoulder.
I never saw that before, but that could be because I couldn’t see in the temporary quarters. Or maybe they are concerned about my presence and feel the need to hide the egg. It doesn’t seem that they are scared of me because they come running out to chat as soon as they are done. But maybe I am disturbing them by hanging out.
Any wisdom from my more experienced chicken-ey friends?

I suspect that is nest building activity. Usually while sitting on the nest location a hen will pick up bits of what is around and drop it on their back. The material slides down their back and builds up around them. This builds the round nest for them.

Some hens, like my Aurora, will nest build while walking around after having laid the egg. Go figure.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I know what you mean. I was worried too. But, I did get her dry. It took about 45 minutes! After a while she started enjoying it.

It's amazing how thick those feathers are. When I do a full bath on my silkies it takes over an hour to blow dry.