Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

@LozzyR please let me pay it back to you. I am so happy that you have joined our little group. Whatever you need, just ask. I feel very safe in saying we are all here for you

Here here!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Hi Chookmum, Chickie seems her normal happy self, although we were out for most of today so I wasn’t able to observe her behaviour. She’s not loving the pill-popping but she’s not making too much of a fuss. I’m not sure what to do after her course of antibiotics is over; do I just watch her? Do I take her to the vet regularly for a check-up?

I got her and Penny together to keep Lucy company after Emily died, all from the same battery place. There was no pecking order, they just mucked around together. When Penny died and I got Bessie and Charlie, then there was a definite pecking order, with Lucy as alpha hen and Chickie as 2IC.

I have some questions to put to the brains trust. Firstly broodies; when your broody stops being broody, do they stay off the lay for a while? I’m pretty sure the last time Charlie was broody, she stopped laying for a while but I don’t remember for how long. This time, she laid an egg on Monday but then nothing since then. I’ve had no eggs from anyone since then! I’m hoping Lucy has stopped laying altogether so I don’t have to go through egg peritonitis with her too.

Secondly, thoughts on vaccination. My Isa girls are vaccinated, as is Charlie and so was Bessie. I’m making some tentative enquiries into Faverolles, but the two breeders I’ve spoken to don’t vaccinate. My best chook friend (who is a
Frizzle breeder) and has about 50 birds (chooks, ducks and geese) doesn’t vaccinate and says sometimes vaccinated birds can spread a disease and as they’re not vaccinated for everything, can still get sick. I asked if I should be only looking for vaccinated birds and she said not necessarily, quarantine and good hygiene practices should see me through for the most part. Thoughts?

I also just wanted to say to my new(ish) chook friends; thank you for being here. I’m feeling quite sad at the thought of losing yet another of my lovely girls, not to mention all the climate and bushfire stuff we are going through at the moment. It’s good to know I’ve got a little community I can talk to when I need help and if I’m feeling sad/low. This is for everyone who regularly (and intermittently) posts to this thread.

Thanks for the reply Lozzy.

I agree with you Loz about this group of people. They are all very reassuring and supportive. I am very thankful to all of them. It made a huge difference to my confidence knowing these wonderful people had (and still have) my back when Deana had her egg troubles and Alice is being bullied.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

She Found the Webcam

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Santa

I was picking up some supplies today in tractor supply and there were a bunch of dogs in the store. Now people bring their dogs but never like this. So I asked at the checkout line and they told me that today was the day where they take pictures of your pet with Santa Claus.

I thought maybe......

Then she told ne Santa was done in 20 minutes so I would have to hurry.

I got to the car and asked my wife, what do you think? She said, why not. So we rushed home and developed a plan.

We would drive to the side gate, I would go in and grab a hen, any hen. She would grab a towel from the trunk for poo control, I would hop in the car and off we would go. No crate, just me holding the hen.

We pull up and I go in the gate. For the first time in forever they are not hanging out by the gate, they are over on the other side of the yard. I don't have time to mess around. I go in the house, grab some pasta, and come back out. They can see the pasta bag from the other side of the yard and take off running as fast as they can to come to me.

I have them trained so that they now line up for their pasta. I reach out and pick up Lilly. She had finished molting and has a beautiful red comb. Everyone else's comb is pink and they are missing feathers. I drop some pasta for the others and head for the car.

Quick as can be, we are in the car and on our way.

Lilly loved the ride. It was amazing. Here's the proof.

My wife drops me at the door and goes to park. Lilly and I are in before the 4:00 cut off. They ask me to fill out some paperwork and I decline. I have to hold Lilly, no crate. I politely decline and say my wife will complete it when she comes in.

Now Santa had never held a chicken before. He was game and asked if he could pet her. I said of course and he started getting to know her. I proceeded to instruct him how to hold her and he did a great job.

The photographer remembered Lilly from the Fathers Day photo shoot back in 2018. They were all excited to photograph something other than a dog!

Lilly was amazing throughout it all. The dogs that were around never phased her. She took instruction from Santa and the photographer, helped us pick out the best shots, carried on conversations with everyone, and let many people pet her.

The following are the actual photos from her time with Santa. This is not photoshop.
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There was a lot of whispering between her and Santa. I have no idea what she asked for and frankly I'm just a little concerned at what it might be.

On the ride home I told her that she was such a good girl the she could bully anyone on the roost tonight and that I would not intervene.

I should have thought of something else. She was a complete terror on the roost tonight. Knocking Hattie off over 4 times and chasing both Maleficent and Aurora out of the coop completely.

I did nothing, she earned that "fun".

Just like my children when they were small, as long as they are good when they are in public.

What a good girl!

Santa looks like he's saying "My hen!"

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I absolutely agree with that statement. If they want out or over, they will find a way.

Tsuki-the-bully is the escape artist in my flock. I will find her out of the run, destroying my garden almost every other day but she will come running and ask to be let back in when I go outside. Chickens!

 

[BY Bob]

What a good girl!

Santa looks like he's saying "My hen!"

He does! I hadn't seen it that way.

 

[BY Bob]

Tsuki-the-bully is the escape artist in my flock. I will find her out of the run, destroying my garden almost every other day but she will come running and ask to be let back in when I go outside. Chickens!

Those leghorns!

Maybe you should take Tsuki the bully to see Santa? Perhaps understanding the implications of being bad might help to mellow her.

Just a thought.

 

[Shadrach]

They were there when I came in.

 

[LozzyR]

They were there when I came in.

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Aww, that’s so gorgeous!

 

[Shadrach]

I'm always surprised mine mostly stay in their run as it's not all that hard to get out of @ present.

For cattle the saying is the best fence is a green field.

 

[Ribh]

For cattle the saying is the best fence is a green field.

My Poppy swore by the corn patch...