Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

It's more like 2 flocks that roost together but it's getting better.

That I believe is the truth for many. After careful observation I think most will see what are essentially separate groups, or tribes cohabiting when a new group is introduced. The idea of full integration has never struck me as a good thing in any species. It denies the right of choice in a way. It doesn't mean the various groups need to be in conflict. It just means that one has to accept that a lot of creatures are basically tribal.

 

[Shadrach]

I have two distinct flocks that have separate coops and runs, to accommodate having two cockerels. But, even within the groups I find there are best buddies. In my case, it is mostly broken down by breed.

This sounds very much what I've found here.

 

[Shadrach]

About the egg/escort song... Our chickens have never made a peep when laying eggs, and we'd never even heard the egg song until a week or so ago. It first occurred as two of the chickens were interacting with us right outside of their front door, while the other one was inside the run, literally within arm's reach away from us but on the other side of some opaque plastic sheeting that we tacked up months ago to keep the snow out. It really sounded like a distress call to us, very loud and frantic, from the one separated from the others. Was it because she couldn't see us?

We heard it again just a couple of days ago when they were out in the backyard. I had previously carried them out to the small strip of grass that has formed along the fence so they could get a bit of sunshine and exercise. Meanwhile, I dug out a path through the snow so they could get back to the coop if they wanted to. After some time, Ginger and Lovey had enough and walked back to the coop. Maryanne, never the brightest of the bunch, did not follow suit. Within mere moments, Maryanne was pacing back and forth, appearing totally lost, confused, and stressed. We watched from the window, wondering if she would ever figure it out. I was totally surprised when I then heard that same distress call coming from one of the girls already safely back "home". It's was as if one of her buddies was calling out for someone to go rescue her friend.

Does this sort of thing happen all the time? The calling stopped when my wife went out and herded Maryanne back to the others.

It does. Even in female only flocks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/

 

[goldenfingers]

It does. Even in female only flocks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-not-about-the-egg-it’s-an-escort-call.74386/

Thanks for the article. I just read it and learned a lot. But I'm still wondering why the hen safe at home was the one making the call, not the one that was separated from the others.

 

[ValerieJ]

Thanks for the article. I just read it and learned a lot. But I'm still wondering why the hen safe at home was the one making the call, not the one that was separated from the others.

I have watched my cockerels call their girls into the coop or to a safer place in the run, for various reasons. I think when there is no cockerel or rooster, a hen often takes on this roll. In fact, last June when my flock was all hens, we had an eagle attack. The next day when the eagle was back, one of my hens was standing at the coop door sending out the alarm call and all the other hens then ran into coops for cover. I think your hen that was safely back at the coop was calling in her flock mate.

 

[goldenfingers]

I have watched my cockerels call their girls into the coop or to a safer place in the run, for various reasons. I think when there is no cockerel or rooster, a hen often takes on this roll. In fact, last June when my flock was all hens, we had an eagle attack. The next day when the eagle was back, one of my hens was standing at the coop door sending out the alarm call and all the other hens then ran into coops for cover. I think your hen that was safely back at the coop was calling in her flock mate.

Ok. Got it. Now I just need to figure out which one was calling. Then I would have a clue as to who is the alpha hen. I need to pay closer attention to these things.

 

[MaryJanet]

The entire cosmetics industry is pretty dire and now of course we have cosmetic surgery adding to the problem.

Please don't get me started on cosmetic surgery... Mind you, I once met a cosmetic surgeon who only worked with burns victims.

 

[Shadrach]

Tackle.

 

[Shadrach]

In the picture above is an example of just one of the reasons Fat Bird got to be ten years old.
(she the black hen at the back)
Even with the relative safety of the tribe around her and my proximity and my house a short dash from where she is sitting, she still chooses to lie under the bottom rail of the fence and close to one of the uprights.

 

[RoyalChick]

In the picture above is an example of just one of the reasons Fat Bird got to be ten years old.
(she the black hen at the back)
Even with the relative safety of the tribe around her and my proximity and my house a short dash from where she is sitting, she still chooses to lie under the bottom rail of the fence and close to one of the uprights.

Clever Fat Bird!