Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

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)

I love the cuteness! So awesome that they get a great life before freezer camp!

 

[micstrachan]

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.
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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

That’s a brutal molt!

 

[micstrachan]

Oh, I’m all for Team Rooster too! I’m able to keep Hawk only because I have him in a tractor. He is aggressive to humans, other Roosters, dogs, strange cars, bicycles. I currently have 8 Roosters, and only two ever give me issues. Hawk and, if I laugh, cough, or sneeze in Mr Marans tractor, he will attack my leg, other than that he only has a problem with the little girl that also lives on the farm (I think there was some brooder trauma there from all the grabbing).

I just had a close call with Hawk this evening, as my badly molting girl that is in his tractor was knocked down and in the back corner of the tractor where I couldn’t reach her so I stuck myself through the ramp door and was reaching in deeply, she was a little squak-ie and everyone was a little upset. I look up and, thank heavens they don’t have great night vision, I was nose to beak with him. I got my face down really quickly and got out of striking distance ASAP, with the very unhappy girl. All up now, and I only took a few light pecks on the arms and hands, but I wish I could get her just one snuggle buddy that won’t pick on her. I have actually thought several times during this molt that she isn’t going to make it through the winter...

I feel sorry for your little Louie Louie, and I hope he grows out of it and gets a nice little group of hens to woo... after he learns manners!

Hahaha!!!! BICYCLES! I’m sorry, but that’s too funny!

 

[micstrachan]

It's Friday!

Edwina's offering.
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Thank you, Edwina!

 

[micstrachan]

All of the neighbors but one loved to hear him crow. Sadly it only took one for him to have to go. People on the street still stop me and say they miss his crowing. I know I don't miss it at 3:00 am. Mrs BY Bob loved him though.

Awww!!! Precious! And I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who sings to chickens.

 

[micstrachan]

Happy Friday

Today's Fluffy Butt has to be Hattie! There is no need to warn anyone, her butt is fully covered now and thankfully she is well on her way to wrapping up her molt. So here is a short photo essay on my sweet molting hen.

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Yes, I did lure her in with a little of her favorite, cracked corn! I love the flare her neck feathers make in that last photo. I'm so glad she is almost done before the freezing temperatures arrive.

She is going to be so beautiful soon.

Her feathers are coming in nicely!

 

[micstrachan]

She is 7 lbs. She may seem big compared to my others. I don't think she is exceptionally large.

My Orp is tiny for an Orp. It’s Cashew (Buff Orp) and she’s usually in the 5 or so pound range.

 

[micstrachan]

Now she is what I call a good looking hen.

She is beautiful, isn’t she?

 

[micstrachan]

Went to shut Tribe 1 in for the night and found them perched around the outside of the coop. The pop door was shut!
It is just about possible that one of the sheep knocked it and it feel down the slots but I very much doubt it. That means someone shut it. I haven't asked yet and it will take me a while to be calm enough to be able to hold my temper.
The problem is, Tap is missing. I found all the others but not her. I had hoped she might have got into the hay storage section of the sheep shed but she wasn't there. I've looked everywhere I can think she might go. I do hope she makes it through the night. It's one thing having a tribe, or even two or three out for the night. The more sensible pick decent roost spots. Tap isn't very old and doesn't have the experience. The rest stuck close to Cillin and Treacle and naturally, even if I had missed them at dusk, I would have discovered the problem later when I check on them.

This type of thing is one of those largely unreported consequences of the Covid virus. People who should be safely shut in offices playing with bits of paper and their computers decide they will do stuff around the place. There have been lots of accidents in the area from exactly this. People have decided to things themselves because the suddentdly have the time rather than let or pay the people who usually do these things for them. Three chainsaw accidents this year on this mountain alone. We've had two donkey injuries here that required vet care because the people here can't remember to shut gates, turn on electric fences, check water supply and even worse, decide to take the animals out on excursions.
It's not just a problem here. I was talking about this subject with a couple of other people with small holdings here who have family members who usually work in Barcelona or similar.
I just hope Tap has found somewhere safe.

Oh no! I hope Tap is ok. Please do let us know first thing tomorrow.

 

[micstrachan]

Anyway, here they all are a bit before they went off to roost.
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Such pretty, happy birds!