Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

A bit of a picture flood coming. I've compressed them so they shouldn't grind the page to a halt.
I spent a couple of hours with the three tribes this morning. Ostensibly I was trying to track the new away from coop nesters; I think I have three.
Tribe 2 has always been the most reserved when it came to any close interaction with me. They do not like physical contact and if anyone else should be about in human form they hide.
They haven't ranged far from their territory since Harold died. He would take them right up to the sheep shed and down the back bank leaning on my house. Most chicks, no matter what relationship I have with their mother and father are nervous of me. I don't handle them, don't often hand feed them and when I do the mums usually tut at me and scratch the treat out of my hand onto the ground. Hens it seems are very proud of being able to feed their chicks.
There are reasons for Tribe 1's distrust of humans that I won't go into here.
I've got on well with Bracket since she hatched and her period of wry neck meant I got to handle her a lot. She is also very trusting of me with her chicks. She will still tut at me if she thinks I'm being clumsy or boss them about but otherwise she's quite happy for the chicks to engage with me.
I took these pictures as I sat on the steps with Tribe 2. I've just posted the lot.


Chicks.
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Bracket and chicks napping in the sunshine.
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Lock and chicks. They get on well with Lock.
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In Brackets way.View attachment 2042782
Lock and chicks.
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Chick.
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Three chicks. The one standing had just been trying to get into my pocket but I couldn't get the camera far enough away without disturbing it.
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The Tribe 2 adults under their favorite bush. I'm sat a couple of feet away.
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Mag showing his recently acquired war wound.
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Chicks. Some lovely looks in this lot.
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Chick.
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Chick.
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Awww, so sweet!

They seem pretty relaxed around you Shad. You must be channeling your inner chicken!

 

[Shadrach]

@Shadrach The 'flood' of pictures brought to mind the Euskal Oiloa breed. When I was first researching chickens I came across the breed and fell love with it. They do not bear confinement well so I ruled them out for the backyard coop. Do your birds have some of this breed in their heritage? I believe they are also called Basque Hens and there is a naked neck variety as well.

Edit to add - Euskal Oiloa is the coolest name for a race of chickens, IMO.

I don't really know what is in the bantam bunch. Some Old English Game but what else is a mystery. They were here when I arrived and nobody seems to know anything about them.

 

[BY Bob]

This Has Never Happened Before

In all my years of having chickens, this has never happened before....

She has tried to get Phyllis to do so as well, Phyllis keeps not doing it.

"That water is gross!"

I just don't like them that close to the pool.

 

[Ribh]

This Has Never Happened Before

In all my years of having chickens, this has never happened before....

She has tried to get Phyllis to do so as well, Phyllis keeps not doing it.

"That water is gross!"

I just don't like them that close to the pool.

It probably doesn't help but I've known drongos & kookaburras to dive & swim into swimming pools. Kudos for innovation.

 

[BY Bob]

It probably doesn't help but I've known drongos & kookaburras to dive & swim into swimming pools. Kudos for innovation.

Innovation? I think I'm missing something.

 

[Ribh]

Innovation? I think I'm missing something.

Well, why drink out of a nice scrubbed drinking fountain when you have a great big pool nearby that looks something like a pond or small lake? I think this girl's a great thinker!

 

[Shadrach]

This Has Never Happened Before

In all my years of having chickens, this has never happened before....

She has tried to get Phyllis to do so as well, Phyllis keeps not doing it.

"That water is gross!"

I just don't like them that close to the pool.

I feel your anxiety having had a couple fall in the duck pond here. I read occasionally people stating that chickens can swim. It's nonsesnse. They will do their utmost to save their lives but hypothermia and cramp sets in quickly.

 

[Shadrach]

Tribe 3 minus the chicks.

 

[Ribh]

Tribe 3 minus the chicks.
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The gorgeousness of them!

 

[BY Bob]

Look Who have Figured out the Back Door

Next thing you know they will be inside!