Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Tax for lots of wordy posts without pics. (even though chicken related)View attachment 3004799View attachment 3004800View attachment 3004801View attachment 3004802

Superb!

 

[micstrachan]

Poor Flashy was acting like she didn’t feel well and had a dirty bum. I pulled some poop off with a damp cloth and then hacked away as much as I could with scissors. After a while I remembered that that’s exactly the way Dorothy used to behave before laying soft egg. So I created a little tiny calcium treat… That’s baby bird formula with a full crushed calcium plus D3 tablet. When I went to find flash to give it to her, I found her in the nest box. As soon as I arrived she stepped out of the box and was standing with a penguin stance and straining. Then I could see something come out, but it was behind her so I wasn’t sure what it was. Then she turned around and I watched her leave a second deposit. This is what she laid back to back.

After that she cuddled in my lap for a long time, what she doesn’t normally do. She was quite exhausted. Then she did this.

Finally, she forged around just a tiny bit and went to bed along with everyone else.

 

[featherhead007]

Ha ha ha

Scary isn't it?

I pictured in my mind, you lying on the floor, being devoured by a bunch of ravenous chickens.

 

[featherhead007]

Late entry (I just arrived back home) kids are all up in the coop for the night. Here’s my FBF picture:

 

[Kris5902]

They get all sorts of reproductive issues and die. Basically their breeding causes them to lay an egg pretty much every day and that causes the hens issues like cancers and issues in the reproductive tract.
They are very sweet natured and lovely hens but it just feels so awful that they were bred to be expendable and they die too young!
As I mentioned in an earlier post Diana is nearly three (I think she was a March 1st hatch so next week she turns three) and would generally be considered old for that breed.

Yep. They are bred to be cycled out from commercial laying operations at 18-24months. Some smaller farmers also do this, and literally buy new hens every year, as soon as a hen is 2 it’s a stewing hen or dog food, because once they start to slow down laying they are “useless” and “not thrifty”. There are always more being raised up and they are “just chickens” after all

 

[BY Bob]

WOW. Just wow!

As soon as I took the picture I was all..
.. this is a Friday photo!

 

[Kris5902]

Is that the little man I see taking a look see outside? How is he doing now?

Yep, sharp eyes, that’s Sammy alright! and don’t worry, I won’t tell him you called him “little”. He’s still not 100% back to his usual self, but he was certainly out doing his duties today, as we had several flybys by a red tail hawk and a couple of eagle trills in the early afternoon while I was walking the goats, and no chickens in sight after the appropriate alarm call. He’s such a good boy!

I am getting very sick of these six unmannered guys though… My total numbers, I have 18 males right now out of 93 chickens, and only six are really causing any issues. In the main free range flock I have Sammy (3y3m) Dean (2y) Elios (10m) Chunk, Barney’s Boy, Deans 1st son (~9m) and 3 slightly younger cockerels (Dean’s, one from the same breeding as Elios and the 6 jerks, and one from Cass) and 50 pullets/hens ranging from POL-2years old. Sometimes there’s a slight “discussion” regarding mating privileges amongst the cockerels, any really problematic behaviour is usually taken care of by Sammy or Dean. The six jerks also free range but roost separately in the hospital tractor. They are too rough with the hens, attack each other, and try to steal the hens from other guys.

I’m trying to give them a break, as they weren’t raised here and didn’t have an appropriate role model, but I draw the line at a certain point of violence, especially towards my established roosters. Although it is somewhat entertaining watching my more dominant hens “correct” them too. They were taken from their mama too soon, and raised in a locked, fairly dark room with their one sister, it was a less than ideal beginning. But I don’t really need any more Barnvelder genetics from that line floating around (a little skinnier than mine and with less nice lacing, mostly crossed to an Ameraucana or an aunt… so there might not be enough genetic separation either)

 

[BY Bob]

Ezzie got a surprise for her 1 week birthday, 6 new sisters. We went to tractor supply first, the only "pullets" they had were Sapphire Gems, Barred Rock and Easter Eggers. They did have Buff orps but they were straight run. Mom decided I could not be trusted picking out hens so we decided to try Rural King. They had Rhode Island Reds, Buff orps and Cinnamon Queen pullets. I had been talking to mom about the Cinnamon Queens being a production breed, and potential future issues. Before we went into the store I thought I had her convinced to pass on them. We get to the chicks, look them over, I'm confident she's getting 3 Buffs and 3 Rhode Island reds. The lady comes to get the chicks for us and what does she choose? 3 Buffs and 3 Cinnamon Queens . I learned my lessen right then and there, if I ever have to buy chicks again do NOT let my mom have any say whatsoever in it.

Here is Ezzie and her siblings. The Buffs are named "Nellie" and the Cinnamon Queens are named "Granny". Again, that is my mothers doing. Can you all spot Ezzie in the group?
View attachment 3004977View attachment 3004978

I'm so falls she had friends now! This will be much better for her.

I would expect you have learned your lesson. No more mom when getting chicks.

 

[BY Bob]

Well, you know what you’re getting into with the cinnamon queens, so you know what to expect and watch out for. It’s heartbreaking for us, but they will probably have a far longer and happier life with you than some potentially unprepared impulse purchaser.

That is a wonderful way to say that @Kris5902 I wish had been that smart. It's very true and well said.

 

[Ponypoor]

Poor Flashy was acting like she didn’t feel well and had a dirty bum. I pulled some poop off with a damp cloth and then hacked away as much as I could with scissors. After a while I remembered that that’s exactly the way Dorothy used to behave before laying soft egg. So I created a little tiny calcium treat… That’s baby bird formula with a full crushed calcium plus D3 tablet. When I went to find flash to give it to her, I found her in the nest box. As soon as I arrived she stepped out of the box and was standing with a penguin stance and straining. Then I could see something come out, but it was behind her so I wasn’t sure what it was. Then she turned around and I watched her leave a second deposit. This is what she laid back to back.

After that she cuddled in my lap for a long time, what she doesn’t normally do. She was quite exhausted. Then she did this.

Finally, she forged around just a tiny bit and went to bed along with everyone else.

Oh no poor wee gal, laying eggs has got to be tough, I feel for my gals and I am glad when they take a break from laying...