Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Brrrrrrr
It is going down to 9 degrees F (minus 12.7 degrees C) later this week.
I am not sure how much to worry about the Princesses.
The two Little Princesses (now nicknamed the Road-Runners) floof up so much at night that you can barely see their heads so I am not too worried about them.
Maggie has almost finished her molt and she seems quite fluffy too with just a couple of scruffy patches.
Diana and Elizabeth are both molting but not badly - they just look scruffy rather than bald.
So I am trying to decide whether to put them in the garage overnight or let them be. Tonight will be 18F (minus 7.7C) so I could see if they all sensibly huddle up together.
We did get a spell this cold last year and they were more-or-less fine outside - Maggie did get a touch of frostbite on her comb, but they were in the school project coop and I think the roost was too close to the ceiling not allowing enough room for warm damp air to rise up and out. The Chicken Palace has oodles of ventilation and tall ceilings so that shouldn't be a concern.
I am leaning towards leaving them out there. Any advice, or just words of reassurance? I keep thinking chickens live in places that get a lot colder so probably they will be fine. Right?

First, our climates and weather are pretty similar. I do not provide supplemental heat and I do not bring them inside (except for that blizzard). Mine have survived nights of well below 0°F outside with no supplemental heat. In your Palace they should be fine. A wind free coop with no moisture issues is all they need. You have that. You should not worry.

I would put Vaseline on Daisy’s (the greatest hen ever) comb when it went down that low as it was a huge floppy comb and I wanted to protect it for her. She hated the Vaseline but never lost any comb to frost bite. This was only when it went below 0°F (-18°C). I have never put Vaseline on Lilly's and she has also never suffered any frost bite.

 

[BY Bob]

If the veterinary support is good, I wouldn't be put off by a drive even if it was a couple of hours, although I might whinge about it.

Me as well.

 

[LozzyR]

Girlie pow-wow

 

[Kris5902]

I had to go back & look @ the dress. I was so busy looking @ faces I never noticed the dress.

Me too! Though it is a lovely dress, the smiles and joy in the faces was was caught my attention too. Granted I did notice Bob looking particularly sharp.

 

[BY Bob]

Observations - grooming

Has anyone noticed if there is an order for grooming, ie those lower in the pecking order groom those who are higher, or vice versa? Or is it free-for-all? I just noticed Tegan grooming River’s beard and she’s higher in the pecking order.

I have seen no status requirement for grooming. In fact, Lilly has groomed everyone but Phyllis, that I have seen anyway. Everyone seems to help everyone.

 

[Kris5902]

Pass.
You have a lovely stable flock.
I would wait, probably at least another year to see if they develope health issues.
If they do, then you will know not to get more from where you got them.
That would give you time to look for a breed/s that you would want to keep for the rest of your chickenering life.

I'm such a spoilsport.

I would say the voice of reason...

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I have photos of Daisy, the greatest hen ever, in the penguin right before she passed. I went to go looking for one and it was too painful to see her that way. I couldn't do it. I'm sorry. Hopefully you can find one for them.

No worries Bob, she found one. Something about your post rang true for me as I am feeling very sensitive these days and remembering the good things is very important. No apologies needed about anything to take care of yourself!

 

[BY Bob]

Girlie pow-wow

View attachment 2449656

It's the Stoop Group! A little rosé and they could be a book club!

 

[BY Bob]

Me too! Though it is a lovely dress, the smiles and joy in the faces was was caught my attention too. Granted I did notice Bob looking particularly sharp.

You are too kind. ☺ I have not worn a tie since February. I wasn't sure I remembered how to tie one!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Daisy, the greatest hen ever, started to penguin 3 days before she passed. I forced myself to find you a photo so you can really learn what it looks like. Ironically on her last day she was walking normally.

They look like this. This is Daisy at the end with Lilly.

View attachment 2448815

I didn't read ahead - thank you. Poor girl! Your photo is very good at showing it, and from a different angle than the other one. But she is still beautiful to me. That amazing comb! Chickens have a dignity they carry with them no matter.