Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

More Bathing Beauties

 

[ValerieJ]

I agree... while I think there is nothing cuter than a mama and her babies.. all the while she is there for them to protect them from the other chickens to all of a sudden being one of the ones to peck at them to get them to “grow up” and go away is heart breaking .... that’s one reason I rather be “mama”...

I kept Shirl and her babies in their own run, and didn't witness this rejection. They were her babies, but also they were her flock mates. Only when they were nearly as large as the hens did they integrate, along with Shirl. One of her chicks was a cockerel. When he began to challenge her, I knew it was time for integration. Unfortunately, the aptly named "Butthead" was not long for my flock. He was aggressive from the beginning, pecking at his siblings nearly at birth. He had to be moved out.

Not sure anyone has picked up on the names. Because he was Butthead from the beginning, I named the two RIRs Queen Bee and Queen Victoria. For short they were called, Bee, Vic and Butthead.

I never watched the cartoon, but liked the name.

 

[WhoDatChick]

I am swooning. She is beautiful!

Thank you! Double pics

 

[WhoDatChick]

Sooo pretty!

Thanks

 

[Shadrach]

I agree... while I think there is nothing cuter than a mama and her babies.. all the while she is there for them to protect them from the other chickens to all of a sudden being one of the ones to peck at them to get them to “grow up” and go away is heart breaking .... that’s one reason I rather be “mama”...

There are good reasons why a mother hen does this. The two mums concerned in the current lineup have not shown any aggression towards the chicks, but the change in the chicks position in the tribes is evident.
I find it easier to observe now than I did when I started.
I've found it interesting on these forums how heavily focused it is on chicks; the incubator addicts, the long term brooding and those who see themselves as chicken mums and dads.
I don't see this where I live.

 

[WhoDatChick]

She looks like she has a fur stole around her neck. She is really pretty!

Don't you just love pullet eggs? I use those to boil for Queen Victoria right now. Just the right size for her. I'm still having trouble getting her to eat much. Going to try making a mash today. She eats the berries that contain her antibiotic and she'll eat a little egg, but is not eating much of her crumbles. She needs that nutrition, so I need to figure something out for her. Happy to report she is perky and talkative. Good signs of recovery!

Thanks! She is one of the sweet ones... I have four EEs now... one (Kelly) from the first group and three more from my last group... I LOVE EEs... gorgeous.. friendly.. (even though two of them are skittish.. I believe they will come around) and my best, most reliable layers!

 

[WhoDatChick]

I kept Shirl and her babies in their own run, and didn't witness this rejection. They were her babies, but also they were her flock mates. Only when they were nearly as large as the hens did they integrate, along with Shirl. One of her chicks was a cockerel. When he began to challenge her, I knew it was time for integration. Unfortunately, the aptly named "Butthead" was not long for my flock. He was aggressive from the beginning, pecking at his siblings nearly at birth. He had to be moved out.

Not sure anyone has picked up on the names. Because he was Butthead from the beginning, I named the two RIRs Queen Bee and Queen Victoria. For short they were called, Bee, Vic and Butthead.

I never watched the cartoon, but liked the name.

One of her babies was a roo too... and he started mating with mama ... mama was my Silkie and her four babies were “adopted“ Cochin bantams from TSC... I did not keep him either.. he was not aggressive.. I just don’t want a rooster...

 

[WhoDatChick]

There are good reasons why a mother hen does this. The two mums concerned in the current lineup have not shown any aggression towards the chicks, but the change in the chicks position in the tribes is evident.
I find it easier to observe now than I did when I started.
I've found it interesting on these forums how heavily focused it is on chicks; the incubator addicts, the long term brooding and those who see themselves as chicken mums and dads.
I don't see this where I live.

I do understand the reasons behind the behavior... I just don’t like it... it’s just so sad ... But that said.. what I have noticed was that they were more readily excepted by the flock than the ones without a mama..

 

[Shadrach]

Speaking of mums and chicks and the different styles of mothering.....
Tribe 2 round for an early supper as they have been for the past few days. The first two pictures show every tribe member bar one and that is Barking Bracket the mother of the chicks.
This is okay if the tribe takes up the slack. I doubt Bracket has had a decent nights sleep for the past seven weeks.

This however is far from okay. Tribe 2 will not venture into the house; they just don't.
The chicks just piled in the door when they saw the feed on the floor.

I have never seen this before.
Meanwhile, the rest of Tribe 2 had headed home leaving the chicks behind. Yes, they are as safe in my house as anywhere here but....they have to get home. It's an eighty meter journey of high exposure. Bracket has shown them the safest route but what tens to happen is the chicks make it to a particular bush and stay there until it's dusk. This tens to make me run around desperately looking for a bunch of chicks at roost time in bad light. It's also prime weasel ambush time. The weasel seems to know the chickens eyesight deteriorates quite rapidly in low light.

I ushered them out before I realised that the rest had gone home. The chicks seemed completely uncocerned and proceded to tuck into the feed the adults had been eating.

I escorted them back, or rather ushered them along. Bracket was having a nap up the Magnolia tree when I finally got the chicks back within sight of their tribe.
This is an example of what kills chicks here. Usually this stage doesn't last very long but it's nailbiting while it's going on.

 

[Shadrach]

One of her babies was a roo too... and he started mating with mama ... mama was my Silkie and her four babies were “adopted“ Cochin bantams from TSC... I did not keep him either.. he was not aggressive.. I just don’t want a rooster...

Most cockerels try it on with their mother first here. They usually get a slap.