Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Haha! She’s a baby. 9 months.

I'm not sure I've seen it in a 9 month old.

 

[micstrachan]

Size Comparison

Aurora just laid so here is a size comparison. Aurora on the left. Sidney on the right.
View attachment 2045678

Sooo cute! First pullet egg!

 

[Ribh]

I know, they're going off today! Have to refresh the page every time I post!

Ditto.

 

[micstrachan]

Prefab is Down

That was much quicker than going up.View attachment 2045723

Nicely done!

 

[Ribh]

Good for you! I just generally can't be bothered.

It's ok. Even if I could I'm far to lazy to be bothered to go to all that trouble.

 

[micstrachan]

The stump is in! I think I will start with 1 and see how it goes. It takes a lot of space. View attachment 2045801

They’re going to love it!

 

[Ribh]

Ok, I see there are some good conversations I need to catch up on, and I will! (after they go to roost)
But I’m slso trying to be better with photos. Here is my view right now:
View attachment 2046358
Chickens, ball throwing stick, and chicken butt washing supplies. LOL!

How lovely!

 

[micstrachan]

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..

Yes! This!

 

[micstrachan]

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.
View attachment 2045898View attachment 2045903

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.
View attachment 2045910
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.
View attachment 2045922

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.

Nerve wracking!

 

[micstrachan]

I think I've read everyone's posts. Apologies if I skipped something, it wasn't on purpose. I got all mixed up

It’s a lot to follow!