Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Action!

@Shadrach the broody cam is on and recording. I'm going to let it record until it stops itself or a couple of hours go by and see what we get.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Shad says the hens higher in the pecking order attack Sydney because they feel she is too junior to be hatching, in their opinion of course. I can only guess that Phyllis chose this time to try and get out of last place. Maybe @Shadrach can provide insights into why Phyllis tried this today.

Ooohhhhh, okay... hmmmmm.. not sure I’ve noticed it with my bantams though either... although, they don’t seem to go after anyone..so I don’t know... and they are pretty junior.. usually being chased about on a regular basis. ......I guess chickens be crazy!

 

[BY Bob]

Ooohhhhh, okay... hmmmmm.. not sure I’ve noticed it with my bantams though either... although, they don’t seem to go after anyone..so I don’t know... and they are pretty junior.. usually being chased about on a regular basis. ......I guess chickens be crazy!

There you go. Go figure.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Dodging the Worst of Them

Severe thunderstorm warnings have been popping up all night but we seem to be dodging them. I hope @CrazyChookChookLady is as well. Here is a storm crossing the skyline to the north of us just as night was falling.

We did indeed get nailed by that storm. We started with a fire and finished with a soaking!

Rich had a great day outside with the kids. He taught Morgan how to use the riding mower and she helped mow the lawn.

Mason got to use the tractor without the blades on and he towed the firewood in the lawn cart. He didn't stop smiling all night.

Rich has his kids until June 14th. I'll have Anna of and on.

Rich got a bit of sun yesterday....

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Thank you! With the three new ones.. I am up to 19 now

I'm at 23 right now plus I'll take any girls from Bob when they hatch.

 

[Shadrach]

Day 18: My Cutie has a Mean Streak

Sydney came off the nest about 40 minutes later today. It is cooler out today after the storms last night. I wonder if that had anything to do with it? Any thoughts on that @Shadrach or others?

She came running out as usual, took a big drink and started scratching for food. Phyllis came over as she did yesterday but her posture was much different. Phyllis extended her neck very high.......now sometimes she does this to see something but her posture was wrong for that.......Phyllis maneuvered herself directly in front of Sydney......... this is when Sydney first took note.........and then Phyllis attacked.

While Sydney was not quite ready, she did not back down. A rumble ensued and the end result was Sydney standing on Phyllis.

Never one to let an opportunity go uncapitalized, that is when Lilly struck at Sydney's back from behind. There was a flutter of wings and everyone separated.

I had hoped things were decided but Phyllis was not deterred.

Sydney went to dust bathe and Phyllis went over towards her. I started the camera to catch what was going to happen next. Pecking order fights are never easy to watch but I think you will find this interesting. Watch for Lilly again, right at the end.

Lilly's last attack resulted in this.
View attachment 2167972

Forgotten & Forgiven

And just as quickly as it happened, apparently it was forgiven. Phyllis returned later and they hung out together for over 20 minutes. No signs of aggression from either party.

Amazing animals.

View attachment 2167985

Regarding the storm and the change in recreation time you could be right. Time varies a lot with the hens here that are broody. Donk for example who is sitting for a three day switch off came out first thing with the others on day one but today she didn't leave the nest until the afternoon. I would think that hunger would have a bearing.
The attacks I've put down to 'fit to sit' checks here. Most of the broody hens here get that sort of challenge. I've assumed it's a bit like the constant rooster scraps I see. Nobody is trying to kill anyone; it's just to see if they will defend their hens and territory. They happen within tribe and with roosters from other tribes. One of the exceptions with broodies is when more than one hen has been laying at the nest.
I have a couple of stories that have proven to be beyond all reasonable doubt that chickens are quite capable of premeditation and for surprising reasons. I see the problem unfold but at the time no conflict. However, in some examples the cause and lead up to the attacks are so obvious that there just isn't any doubt; the attack was planned.

 

[Shadrach]

Action!

@Shadrach the broody cam is on and recording. I'm going to let it record until it stops itself or a couple of hours go by and see what we get.

That's great Bob. I'm very interested in seeing what you get. I've got Moon in with me now; also on a three day switch off. I'll be timing her tonight......whether I want to or not. She pretty noisy in there with the egg turning.

 

[Ribh]

Ooohhhhh, okay... hmmmmm.. not sure I’ve noticed it with my bantams though either... although, they don’t seem to go after anyone..so I don’t know... and they are pretty junior.. usually being chased about on a regular basis. ......I guess chickens be crazy!

My broodies don't go for each other & they don't go for me either. They do a lot of that funny clucking though ~ especially if I force them off the nest. I think some of it is flock dynamics & some might be about how they view the sustainability of multiple nesters. Shad has talked before about how a hen assesses resources before deciding to sit. My hens didn't go for Mhari even though she was very new & a very junior hen. The only time I've seen real aggression is when Morrigu [new & pushy] tried to lay in Hepzibah's preferred nest box when she was prebroody ~ which is almost constantly. She's a BR, Bob. Welcome to my world.

 

[LozzyR]

A Party Without Me

While I was slaving away at my desk yesterday apparently Mrs BY Bob was having an invitation only party in the rest of the house. There was only 1 invitee apparently.

Phyllis

She has achieved what both Maleficent and Aurora never could, full access to the big coop.

I got this text while working.

View attachment 2167786

Apparently their were snacks, movies (apparently Phyllis is a Star Trek fan), and good conversation.

And I was not invited!

It is clear that I have lost all control of the situation. She is back in the big coop this morning!

Get those chicken nappies/diapers ready!

 

[Shadrach]

The broodies here all look very fierce when they get off the nest. They cluck incessantly, walk around all puffed up and take half hearted lunges at other hens that get too close. But, they get chased away from the food more often than not and tend not to mix with the rest of the tribe. They dust bath on their own and forage on their own. I think there is a change in priorities. Getting back to the eggs without injury must be high on the list. It's the eggs that become most important and not their status or safety. The first couple of times they leave the nest they often call for their rooster. After this they become much more secretive about their location. Moon toady when she left the nest called for Treacle who was prompt in arriving. While she was off the nest, Tap arrived and laid another egg in the nest. Moon waited until Tap was done before she went back to sit.
It seems that some hens are allowed close to the chicks once the hatch while others are not. I haven't seen a pattern that allows any conclusions to be drawn.