Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Going Bald

Lilly was eating out of my hand the other day and I noticed that she had a step of no feathers on her head. This might be left over from Jabber's affections or it might be from her molt which is ongoing. I hope I don't need to start applying sunscreen to her head, get her a hat, or get her a wig!

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Going Bald

Lilly was eating out of my hand the other day and I noticed that she had a step of no feathers on her head. This might be left over from Jabber's affections or it might be from her molt which is ongoing. I hope I don't need to start applying sunscreen to her head, get her a hat, or get her a wig!
View attachment 1925113

She would look adorable in little knit caps! I bet @Ribh could find a little pattern for some. You can change them with the seasons!!!

 

[LozzyR]

Going Bald

Lilly was eating out of my hand the other day and I noticed that she had a step of no feathers on her head. This might be left over from Jabber's affections or it might be from her molt which is ongoing. I hope I don't need to start applying sunscreen to her head, get her a hat, or get her a wig!

A chook wig! That’s adorable! Get her a white curly one and with her black feathers she could could look like a QC and hold chicken court!

 

[BY Bob]

A chook wig! That’s adorable! Get her a white curly one and with her black feathers she could could look like a QC and hold chicken court!

Don't be surprised if I mock up some of these ideas.

 

[LCG Chicken Coop]

So cute Carolyn! Wish my girls would sit on my knee! Have you given them names?

I finally found the emoticons work for me.
I am in the process now of starting to name some. I ordered chicken bands (basically colored zip ties with charms) because other than a few with distinctive feather patterns or behaviors it is challenging when there are so many. So far it’s August the maybe boy, fil the lap sitter, and just getting to know the other half of the flock brooded by a second family.

 

[LCG Chicken Coop]

They are so cute. Thanks for telling your story. I love "Chicken Tender". That is great. I don't mind long posts, I do that myself! This is a nice way to have chickens without having chickens!

Right? I keep telling people it’s like having a community swimming pool! However I’m definitely trying to improve the health and maintenance side of it. Would love people’s thoughts on what they do periodically, say once a week, to check their hens’ condition. I do observe them for about 20 minutes at minimum when I tend them, but should I be picking up each pullet and inspecting them?

 

[LCG Chicken Coop]

Don't be surprised if I mock up some of t[/QUOT

(oopsie daisy didn’t mean to cut this off)

A fashion show! *grabbing front row seat*

 

[BY Bob]

Right? I keep telling people it’s like having a community swimming pool! However I’m definitely trying to improve the health and maintenance side of it. Would love people’s thoughts on what they do periodically, say once a week, to check their hens’ condition. I do observe them for about 20 minutes at minimum when I tend them, but should I be picking up each pullet and inspecting them?

Yes, you should be picking them up and inspecting then periodically for mites, lice and other conditions.

 

[Kris5902]

Going Bald

Lilly was eating out of my hand the other day and I noticed that she had a step of no feathers on her head. This might be left over from Jabber's affections or it might be from her molt which is ongoing. I hope I don't need to start applying sunscreen to her head, get her a hat, or get her a wig!
View attachment 1925113

I had a co-worker who makes little outfits for her (amazingly tolerant cats) including little hats! Be careful as I’m afraid this might also be a slippery slope. Considering I’m already making everyone little jean jackets.... I may also be in danger of falling into the “Chicken fashion world”!

 

[Kris5902]

@LCG Chicken Coop, I agree with Bob. Especially with a community garden style arrangement, as there’s a lot of traffic and potential for cross contamination of pests. I know when I visit another flock to observe some basic bio-security, but who knows what all the other visitors do and where they have been?

At the very least handle each hen monthly or bi-weekly to inspect for parasites, and keep an eye out for any behaviors that could indicate a problem. I like to do a through check whenever someone starts to act “off” it could be molting (or it could be something worse) but three days with no egg and a lady is looking down and she’s getting a cavity search. I’m pretty sure it’s molting though... I seem to pick up injured or special chickens a little more often than most of us though.

It looks like the new girl I picked up last night is integrating with my rehab girls fine, but she is not liking Sammy much. I’m keeping him off her as much as possible because of her injury, but the other ladies are just doing some basic pecking order establishment and not going after her wound at all. I’m going to say that’s because her previous flock knew of her injury and were attempting to cannibalizes her. I hope my boyo does ok over there! He’s got 6 months on the girls so...