Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

Now I know I'm a bit behind and all that but...
Fluffy enough?

A slightly more ample rear end.

 

[BY Bob]

The past couple of weeks have seen a major change in the tribe dynamics here. Cillin has, with Fat Birds encouragement, established himself as most senior rooster here. What is more remarkable is the has been accomplished without any fighting and minimum friction.


Until recently, Cillin would venture to the side of the house and make use of the bamboo clump, occasionally escort Fat Bird and some of the other hens to the damp dust baths surrounding the grape vines at the front of the house, but not venture down the steps towards the vegetable garden which is very much the territory of Tribe 2.


I’ve been watching Cillin with Tribe 1 as they’ve explored the new territory. Cillin for example has never to my knowledge visited the compost heaps, or been in the vegetable garden. These area have been the sole territory of Tribe 2 and 3.


At first, Punch, Mag and the new cockerel would come out from under the bushes to intercept Cillin and Tribe 1. I was expecting major problems; particularity from Mag. However, not once that I’ve seen has Cillin shown any aggressive behaviour and has when approached, gathered his hens together and settled down in some shady spot on the rockery. Over the days it became apparent to me and the males in Tribe 2, that Cillin wasn’t remotely interested in the bantam hens, or in driving the bantams out of their territory. He may as well have had a sing around his neck say ‘no trouble man, just passing through and making use of the amenities.’


As time has gone by Tribe 2 males don’t even bother trying to intercept Tribe 1. I’ve gone around the front to check on how things were going to find both tribes contentedly dosing in the shade just a few metres apart.


Today Moon investigated Tribe 2’s coop. Bracket did drive her off, but there was no fighting between the males.


This has delighted Fat Bird who when Major was alive (her rooster) could go anywhere unmolested in general. Fat Bird likes the front of the main house in the summer, particularly the damp dust baths and if hse doesn’t get thrown out, the front hallway of the main house where she will settle on the tiles just past the entrance. This used to be a favourite spot for Rosehip when she was alive.


Otic, who was Cillins mother who looked like one of the grey Maran crosses I get here, but was in fact half bantam, used to live with the bantams. She was the tribe minder. When she got killed leaving Cillin an orphan was when I took Cillin on so to speak. Cillin is more bantam than anything else and just larger due to the Marans genes inherited from his mother. I’ve often wondered if Cillin remembers that he was hatched in Tribe 2’s coop and for a few weeks, lived with the bantams.


This has meant that Tribe 1 spend a lot less time in and around my house. This will probably change once the weather gets cooler and they are more interested in eating and shelter. A bit sad for me in a way but soooooo much less cleaning up.


Treacle on the other hand visits every day and does almost all the escort duties to and from the house nest box which has remained Tribe 1’s preferred laying site. I haven’t seen much of how Treacle is reacting to the males in tribe 2. Despite being twice the size of Mag (Tribe 2) I can’t see Treacle being interested in taking Mag on. So Treacle does go with the tribe but still spends a great deal of time checking on me and keeping an eye on the laying hens.

Wow. This is fascinating. Count me in as happy for fat bird as well. Having plenty of resources for all its probably assisting in this peaceful change. I really do enjoying hearing about how they interact. Thanks for keeping us up to date.

 

[BY Bob]

They are all beautiful but Hattie steals my heart every time.

She has that effect on a lot of people.

 

[BY Bob]

Now I know I'm a bit behind and all that but...
Fluffy enough?
View attachment 2321651
A slightly more ample rear end.
View attachment 2321655

Outstanding! I love them both!

 

[BY Bob]

They are all beautiful but Hattie steals my heart every time.

I was glad Phyllis joined in today. She hardly ever does. All of those other times and she never joined in. Today was a perfect sunbathing day. They were into it.

 

[LozzyR]

Melting Clucks

Wwhenever I see sunbathing chickens I think of Dali's famous painting. I had a chance to see it in person once and I feel in love with it.

View attachment 2321046

So I present to you my version of Melting Clucks!
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I looked at this exact same painting yesterday! I was looking to see if something like this existed:

...and it does! This is by Svetlana Petrova and her website is ihavecat.com. She does FatCat art.

 

[Ribh]

I looked at this exact same painting yesterday! I was looking to see if something like this existed:

View attachment 2321813

...and it does! This is by Svetlana Petrova and her website is ihavecat.com. She does FatCat art.

Perfect!

 

[BY Bob]

I looked at this exact same painting yesterday! I was looking to see if something like this existed:

View attachment 2321813

...and it does! This is by Svetlana Petrova and her website is ihavecat.com. She does FatCat art.

I must check that website out. I just love this.

 

[MaryJanet]

Melting Clucks

Wwhenever I see sunbathing chickens I think of Dali's famous painting. I had a chance to see it in person once and I feel in love with it.

View attachment 2321046

So I present to you my version of Melting Clucks!
View attachment 2321050View attachment 2321051View attachment 2321054View attachment 2321055View attachment 2321058View attachment 2321059View attachment 2321060View attachment 2321061View attachment 2321063View attachment 2321065View attachment 2321066View attachment 2321067View attachment 2321068View attachment 2321069View attachment 2321070

This is brilliant!

 

[MaryJanet]

And then this just happened

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Phyllis has a beautiful purple iridescence