Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Such a shame you can't bring a few back from Italy.

Better genes, I take it?

 

[micstrachan]

Hi folks. Both my little patients were better today. Lucky is on calcium and amoxicillin therapy (I know, I know... I don’t normally do prophylactic antibiotics, but she had a broken egg in her reproductive tract for some unknown period of time). She was a bit waddley, but had a dry butt and good behavior. Roxy was still pale, but a little less so and a little more active. She’s getting beef liver in the morning!
Chicks are great. They found the dog bed again tonight. Bridge discovered she is crazy for tomatoes, which works out well since mine are finally changing color (I started them VERY late and was not counting on the shortest, coolest California summer of all time, besides our two heat waves).

 

[micstrachan]

By the way, I just had to share that I’m an idiot. I’m sure some of you have already picked up on the fact that I have said repeatedly no more Leghorns. However, one of the chicks is a LegBAR. Helloooooo! She’s adorable, too!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

They may be on the Road to Forgiveness

They hung out closer to me this morning! I think they are on the road to forgiving me.
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Hattie will eat corn of the footstool next to me but not from my hand.
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I just noticed that Phyllis has disappeared. She must be laying an egg somewhere. I am off to find her.

Well you are unpredictable Bob. They never know when you might grab them out of nowhere and dunk them in warm water!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Does everyone here name their chickens?
i seem to be unable to decide on names for them. I do have a “Buffy” and a “Chicken Little”, but the rest, I just can’t seem to think of names that stick.

Most all of us do I believe. We have done everything from themes
Country singers:

• Dolly
• Trisha
• Patsy

Disney:

• Hattie
• Jabberwocky
• Maleficent
• Aurora

to just what suits the hen:

• Sansa
• Sydney
• Phyllis
• Elphie
• and of course Daisy the greatest hen ever.

For me, I really need to spend a little time with them and find something that suits them. I do think that sometimes the names become ironic, Aurora is no princess.

I think that if you name them, they are more special. I had both growing up. We never named the ones we raised for food but the hens and the rooster we kept were all named.

• Rooster Cogburn
• Speck
• Lucky
• Brownie

If you want to name them have some fun and start with a theme. Then watch the chickens and find something in that theme which fits them. I know a lot of people around here do food. I think that seems mean and at the same time funny. (I'm odd like that).

• Marsala
• Kiev
• Nugget
• Cacciatore

Most of all have some fun.

The bonus to giving them names is that they can learn them and you can then separate one from the flock. Phyllis is like a dog. She knows her name and comes whenever I call her. This was a huge help to me when she broke containment and was out in the street. I could call her and she came right to me.

I agree with Bob.

If you have quite a few chickens, picking a theme can make it easier to come up with names.
Shadrach seems to favour hardware for names eg Hinge, Bracket and Tap. I personally like plant names. Herbs, flowers and trees like Sage, Violet, Willow or Aspen.
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Hmmm, but none of mine are named after plants unless you count Pepper...

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Be aware that, in general, they seem to be a 3 year hen. I feel that Tsuki is mean and ornery enough to live much longer but I believe she is an exception.
But for laying you can't beat them. If you are looking for consistent eggs they can't be beat and will actually turn over your flock for you because they are not long lived.

They have big personalities and are tons of fun but they may not stay long. I no longer have them because I need my pets to be like Lilly and stick around longer than that. I get too attached. But I adore everything else about them.

Tsuki (and Deana) will be 5 years old in November but she has probably only laid 5 or 6 eggs this year. She is not showing any sign of mellowing though!

 

[MaryJanet]

I agree with Bob.

If you have quite a few chickens, picking a theme can make it easier to come up with names.
Shadrach seems to favour hardware for names eg Hinge, Bracket and Tap. I personally like plant names. Herbs, flowers and trees like Sage, Violet, Willow or Aspen.
.
.
.
.
Hmmm, but none of mine are named after plants unless you count Pepper...

I name hens after family women we've lost. Janet is named after mum, Mary after cousin Mary, Ivy and Peggy after Aunty Ivy and Aunty Peggy.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I love stories of animals in same sex relationships. How about those Bonobo monkeys! (Or are they apes?) if I'm recalling correctly, their sexual practices encompass the whole rainbow

Well Bonobos are closely related to chimpanzees so that would make them apes I think?
Much more laid back than chimps though.

 

[Ribh]

My 4 1/2 year old Barred Rock has never been broody, for what it’s worth. She’s the calm, confident leaderly type.

Only 1 out of 3 of mine is consistently broody.

 

[Ribh]

I name hens after family women we've lost. Janet is named after mum, Mary after cousin Mary, Ivy and Peggy after Aunty Ivy and Aunty Peggy.

Last time I went all Celtic. The silver Campines are Irish Queens: Morrigu, Aoife, & Medh. The Aracaunas are Scots: Beatha & Mhari. The Wyandotte Bantams, being painted ladies, are Picts: Wrold & Alpia.