Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I was not focused on getting his picture this afternoon, but Branch was not to be ignored. He stood here in this spot for 5 minutes patiently waiting. When he realized I was not taking a picture of him he crowed at me to get my attention and then posed.
View attachment 3088252

Those are Phyllis level moves. Great job Branch!

 

[rural mouse]

Went to close up the coop this evening.....

Decided to remove the fencing, shifting the bricks a bit so babes can do more roosting practice....


Jess has at least 1 extra occupant in her nest box......


Looks just like Storm did, but darker. Could be Storm, could be either PITA or Blanche (as splash, they both carry double copies of the blue gene: likelier as never saw green eggs, but saw white). Babe burrowed back under Jess. Put a small container with water, gravel and a lid (smallish holes) in next to her, along with a bit of food. Bird count up to at least 18 now.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Ok now for the official Pony Sunday photos.

take a close look at this picture. Do you spot something? Here maybe this will help.

She was trying to teach her to perch on the saddle horn, it is a work in progress.
Here is Russ's opinion on the whole matter.

Afterwards Russ was granted the privledge of being the first horse one of my neighbors daughters has ever rode.

 

[RoyalChick]

Went to close up the coop this evening.....

Decided to remove the fencing, shifting the bricks a bit so babes can do more roosting practice....


Jess has at least 1 extra occupant in her nest box......


Looks just like Storm did, but darker. Could be Storm, could be either PITA or Blanche (as splash, they both carry double copies of the blue gene: likelier as never saw green eggs, but saw white). Babe burrowed back under Jess. Put a small container with water, gravel and a lid (smallish holes) in next to her, along with a bit of food. Bird count up to at least 18 now.

Exciting!

 

[rural mouse]

Pics when she leaves the nest

 

[GregnLety]

One more has hatched since and another is pipped. Outside with Poofy Jr we have 3 black chicks and one white.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I might have this issue with one of my 2 year old hens. I've found 2 soft shelled eggs on the poop board. Thought I knew who it was, then wasn't sure.

My girls aren't cuddly, so no opening the beak and stuffing in a Citrical. I have to disguise it as a treat some way. Still working on that method. I'll let you know if I find something that works well.

They eat 20% all flock and have access to both egg shells and oyster shell on the side. The one good thing: No one has discovered how tasty eggs are. Whew!

Why are you feeding All Flock? For the protein? Roosters? Non-laying hens?
Check if they are actually eating the oyster shell - I am pretty sure now that the oyster shell is not getting touched here. The kind I have is like little rocks, by Manna Pro. Now they have explored the new Scratch & Peck oyster shell flakes, but it doesn't look like they are taking much of them either. They do go for ground-up eggshells, they eat that regularly.

Feed here has been Nutrena Feather Fixer 18%. When I supplement with a mash or balls of carbonate & citrate + D3 in yogurt & feed dust the soft shells stop. I will try switching to layer - tested out the Scratch & Peck layer pellets and they loooove it. So will move to that and supplement the protein part and see. Also a plus for that brand is there's very little dust in the bag, probably from minimal handling once packed. It's very expensive though.

 

[Kris5902]

Beauties all

Is there a possibility of getting any Easter Eggers?

Careful… Aurora just might send the brown egg fairy… I mean pink egg fairy your way!

 

[Kris5902]

Ok so Fluffy and Curly were at it again, I can't believe how violent they were fighting!

And neither was backing down...

Is this normal for hens? Esp sisters who grew up together, been broody together....

I really worry about this behaviour, and if they could hurt each other. They are so tiny but so savage

Normally I would recommend a good rooster, but that would put you at a bakers dozen, then the girls will get cozy on the eggs, and next thing you know chicken math happens and you end up like me, with more than you know what to do with!

In all seriousness, yes it happens, usually between more dissimilar chickens, and when you have a broody mama. I won’t go into my bedtime drama here… but there were five fights with mama and other hens and trouble attacked to other girls. Sure I can’t walk… but I’ve got at least 7 pounds on you and I will viciously fight you!!! It’s a time of year thing, a hen thing, and a good rooster will break it up generally speaking. Of course my guys know these two hens aren’t theirs because I’m not letting them mate trouble and bully mama has always looked to me for some weird reason. It could be they are wanting to work out their hierarchy before they start sitting on eggs.

 

[Kris5902]

Discovered something interesting this afternoon. Babes are almost 8 weeks old, so trying to encourage some exploration. Jess will crane her head over the nest boxes to watch their antics around the coop, then say something and they head back inside the baby safe area. I opened up the big door to let the babies out (really want them going out the bird door so they know how to get home, but Cuckoo was lurking in the doorway). One of the Sussex headed out (Nox, I think). Cuckoo, Cheetah, and Twirp came in through the bird door and spread out. The rest of the babes retreated to baby area. Silver and Storm came up to the big door (from outside), with either Nellie or Pear near by, and proceeded to herd Nox back into the coop. No peck of any kind were involved, babes got within pecking range, but none were administered. Hard looks and stepping toward was enough for Nox to head back inside. It seems the adults have decided that the babes aren't allowed out yet. Not sure if it's deemed too cold, they're too small, not enough cover, or they're supposed to wait for Jess to hatch the eggs and go with her. Best guess on the eggs: due end of last week....shes still sitting....theyve pulled the same trick adding eggs...no idea if she's got babes yet, if so she's not budging yet and they're staying hidden...waiting is Not easy...

I usually try to listen to the chickens butt in the evening… if it’s peeping there might be chicks under there. I have to be careful because not all my eggs are fertile and there few things worse than a rotten one exploding on mom, the hatching fluffs, and any other good but slightly behind eggs.