Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Kris5902]

Ok a lighter note... and yes they are destined for freezer camp in a few weeks time so don’t get too attatched to the cuteness... they are hunting me!

I am feeding them twice daily now, free ranging them from 9am until 4 or 5 most days (if I am not in the area I just move the tractor twice daily, but I’m here most of the time)

 

[RoyalChick]

Inspired by Bob's chicken-eye-view videos I set the coop cam up at chicken height in one of the Palace runs.
Minnie immediately came to investigate this new thing

And later, after a bath she came back in and .. .. well all I can say is at least she stayed on her feet!

 

[Kris5902]

And hard molts seem to be all the rage here too. I have 25 chickens that are having really hard molts and three that have been just awful. Of course all my Roosters except Roostie are included in that. I try not to handle them when they are like this but I had to bring this poor girl into the big coop for some eggs. Hopefully DH returns with the canned salmon tonight. It’s kind of obvious why I’m out.

I also trimmed up her lower beak a little. Don’t jump all over me, I was extremely careful not to cut or file that cuticle. It sticks out about 1/2” and was cracked. She’s one of my 3 year old rescues

 

[BY Bob]

Oh yes...I think I remember that. He sure was beautiful.

He was very pretty.

 

[RoyalChick]

And hard molts seem to be all the rage here too. I have 25 chickens that are having really hard molts and three that have been just awful. Of course all my Roosters except Roostie are included in that. I try not to handle them when they are like this but I had to bring this poor girl into the big coop for some eggs. Hopefully DH returns with the canned salmon tonight. It’s kind of obvious why I’m out.
View attachment 2374744
I also trimmed up her lower beak a little. Don’t jump all over me, I was extremely careful not to cut or file that cuticle. It sticks out about 1/2” and was cracked. She’s one of my 3 year old rescues

Oh no! I needed a warning. Not as bad as Alice whose plight still makes me shudder but still looks very uncomfortable. Hope she fluffs up soon!

 

[Kris5902]

Oh no! I needed a warning. Not as bad as Alice whose plight still makes me shudder but still looks very uncomfortable. Hope she fluffs up soon!

what’s worse is the new girls are feather pickers... and her pin feathers are extra tasty. She doesn’t have a roosting buddy like fat bird to keep her warm either. I’m hoping she goes up early and gets on the top roost tonight... because the new rescue girls that eat feathers are still relegated to the lower roosts. I have had to put her up every night for the past week. And to add insult to injury she was pooped on sometime this morning, and I can’t even clean her up properly! Mr Marans looked like a naked neck for a little while there even. Sammy is molting fairly evenly and discreetly, but both he and Dean are very lacking in the tail department.

 

[RoyalChick]

what’s worse is the new girls are feather pickers... and her pin feathers are extra tasty. She doesn’t have a roosting buddy like fat bird to keep her warm either. I’m hoping she goes up early and gets on the top roost tonight... because the new rescue girls that eat feathers are still relegated to the lower roosts. I have had to put her up every night for the past week. And to add insult to injury she was pooped on sometime this morning, and I can’t even clean her up properly! Mr Marans looked like a naked neck for a little while there even. Sammy is molting fairly evenly and discreetly, but both he and Dean are very lacking in the tail department.

This is my first molting season so I am still learning what to expect. Everyone looks very scruffy and there are feathers everywhere. But it isn't really cold yet so I am hoping they will fluff back up before the weather turns.

 

[ValerieJ]

He was very pretty.
View attachment 2374747

Such a proud looking rooster. How sad that you couldn't have him in town.

 

[Kris5902]

Such a proud looking rooster. How sad that you couldn't have him in town.

He had some attitude issues. Much like my Chickie Hawk does (I think it’s the cheek puffs that do it)... having a Rooster really seems to change the flock dynamics and the relationship with the chicken tender. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.

 

[ValerieJ]

He had some attitude issues. Much like my Chickie Hawk does (I think it’s the cheek puffs that do it)... having a Rooster really seems to change the flock dynamics and the relationship with the chicken tender. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.

Oh don't I know it. I have had 3 roosters in the past that did not work out for me. Now I have Pippi, best rooster there ever was, Mad Hatter, a bit ornery but much loved around here, and a 5 mo old cockerel, Louie Louie, who is just too full of hormones right now to even allow in with any other chickens. In addition to this, I have at least, and hopefully only, two 7 week old cockerels. But, I have to say, after meeting Pippi, I never want to be without a rooster. He makes my job so much easier!!! And the girls all love him. A couple of the girls love Mad Hatter. But, at the moment, none of the chickens love Louie Louie. Doing the best I can for that skittish little cockerel.