Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

American Amazon ships internationally, the Australian one may too. I haven’t checked the UK one. Is there an Amazon Espanol?

There is I believe but I use the UK one.

 

[Shadrach]

Ok... I’ll try to be better with photos. Buttercup says hello! We *finally* had rain, so her foot feathers are dirty.
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She looks very majestic.

 

[Shadrach]

I’d like to provide an update on my flock.

I think they are slimming down. Lucky distinctly felt lighter when I picked her up to clean her bum today. Yay! Unfortunateky, the Modesto Milling organic, non-GMO feed has sesame meal, which results in poopy bums for several of my birds. Therefore; I still haven’t sorted the feed out.

Dorothy (pullet who laid a couple soft eggs)has laid a shelled egg almost every day. I dropped one, and the shell was pretty thin, so I’m checking daily. She’s due to lay first thing tomorrow, since she did not lay today.

Ruby (hen who likely has oviduct problems and is on hormones) is doing great. Her molt seems to have stopped, she eats, preens, and I saw her RUN today! I’m pretty sure she has slimmed down, and would love to know what the avian vet thinks (who said she was “well insulated, like a seal.”)

Someone else has started laying tiny eggs. I think it’s Millie (aka Little Mill) coming back into lay. So today I got six eggs from ten birds. Bridge hasn’t laid in a long time (though occasionally I wonder if one is hers), Ruby is on hormones, and Dorothy didn’t lay today. Cashew was last to finish molt and hasn’t quite reddened up in the face yet, so I’m pretty certain she isn’t laying yet and still lean toward Little Mill.

Not much else to report. However, toward the end of the day, Bridge spilled feed (gave them a little more before bed.) Lexi, the dog, decided to lick up the mess. Minnie (Buckeye pullet) went after Lexi and Lexi nipped in her direction! I grabbed Lexi’s face, gave her a firm growl, reminded her to be “gentle” and made her sit and wait for me to lock up the girls. I was shocked! Both my Buckeyes like to boss Lexi around. That isn’t usually a problem, but apparently it can be if feed is involved.

Chicken bravery when it comes to food is pretty amazing. In fact their bravery all round has impressed me. The dogs here do the compost heap along with the chickens and one of the funny sights I've seen is a chicken at one end and a dog at the other with half a soft white French stick between them.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

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.

Looks like you had better get cracking making a chicken step or two before that cover comes off Bob!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Tribe 3 minus the chicks.
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Where are the babies Shad? Just feeling their independance I hope?

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Look Who have Figured out the Back Door

Next thing you know they will be inside!
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You'll need to put the mealy worms in a chook proof container soon!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I should add any lying water round here will be high in tannins due to the gum leaves.

Or tea, perhaps?

I was just going to suggest making then a pot of tea Ribh

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Thanks! I will catch up this weekend. At the moment, I’m working from home since I’m sick.

I love fluffy butts!!!!! Unfortunately I've been dealing with illness in one of my girls for a few days. Sorry! I've missed you all! Love your hens and your stories of hens, BYBob! Also Shadrach!!!! I'd go through withdrawals if I couldn't check on this thread fr4om time to time!!! And eventually, I'll be back, if that's okay.

To all the sick chicken friends and family.. Get Well Soon!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

My girls!

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They are so sweet.

What's the time line for integration looking like Loz?

 

[Shadrach]

Where are the babies Shad? Just feeling their independance I hope?

They are still alive.
With broody hens, there comes a point where the hen stops full time care of the chicks and they are left to fend for themselves. This point often coincides with restarting the egg laying cycle. Both Knock and Bracket have reached this point. Some hens will still keep the chicks warm at night and share food with them, but they stop calling them for food and they stop callinng the chicks to follow. Reaching this stage is a relief in one way because the hens won't die defending the chicks in the event of a predator attack. On the other hand this is the most vulnerable stage for the chicks. I find it quite heartbreaking to watch. One day mum is there for them every minute of the day and night, the next she's gone. For a few days the chicks stick together close to the feed areas and make heartbreaking calls for mum. Next they attempt to follow the tribe. Of course, now they are at the very bottom of the pecking order in every respect. They have to compete for food, get bossed about during the day and are last to be let into the coop to roost. There is some leeway with regard to the now small pullets and cockerels personality as to how they fare at this stage. Brackets chicks and in general all the bantam chicks learn to follow the tribe quite quickly. The mixed breeds can be a bit here and there.