Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

A good rooster eats last feeding his ladies first. He may not have seen such bounty, to where he felt OK stuffing himself, in a long time.

Roosters are stunning.

My ladies tend to have pink combs when not laying. You can really see the pink in Sydney's comb but Hattie's is also much lighter than normal. This happens when mine are not laying in the winter. The first sign I'm going to start getting eggs in the spring is the redding of their combs. It may just be that. Stress will also pink up combs.
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I see this too, especially in Mary whose comb colour fluctuates according to the weather as well as laying.

 

[goldenfingers]

There is nothing like an opening to talk about my cars! This is going to cost some chicken tax.

I own two Alfa Romeos. A 1985 Spider Veloce (come say hello to the nice people Juliet)

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And a 2018 Giulia Quadrifoglio that took 2nd place at the 2019 AROC National Convention.

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Oh, I've read about the Giulia Quadrifoglio. Sounds quite impressive. So now you have an AR-85 and an AR-18.

Tax:

 

[MaryJanet]

Clearing the Ratacombs

Last week before I went away I cleared out where the rats were entering the run and the complex of tunnels they had built under the bricks surrounding the run. I can tell the flock is getting back to normal because they were in my business. And of all things, it wasn't Lilly or Aurora or even Sansa leading the charge. It was Hattie.

The change in Hattie post fight is real. She is more confident and is curious again. Less sentinel work and more leading the flock around. Hattie has been in my business like she has not been before. Watching everything i was doing when covering the run and pitch in shower curtains and of course wanting to know what was up with the Ratacombs.

Here she is leading the squad into cleaning up the rats mess. By the way, it was still warm enough for worms and bugs. Lots of worms and bugs.
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Sansa the Sentinel
I am seeing more of this as well, Sansa taking over Sentinel duty from Hattie.
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This is very cool. I love learning about flock dynamics.

 

[BY Bob]

I understand but that is something we have absolutely no control over. You really don't need your flock dynamics upset; I get that. Don't fret. Any change might bring surprising results as someone would be bound to step up into the Hattie position. I hope you have her for many, many years, She is a truly lovely hen!

Right now I am clearly bothered by the flock dynamics. They are starting to improve and be more like themselves but everything teeters on Aurora's mood come bed time. I just know that I have 3 bad actors, Hattie, and two that avoid the 3 bad actors at all cost. It's not healthy and not what my flock has been like up until now.

 

[MaryJanet]

I can't wait!!! We're still in the 14 to 20 inches range and I really think we'll get it. I'm a little worried about my netting, but I think it will hold.

My work will be closed tomorrow and likely Thursday morning, one plus of working in private practice! So I'm actually going to be helping Rich while he plows. We'll be doing homes and business so I'll be doing sidewalks and such while he plows.

I'm so thankful for this because the transmission went out on Rich's truck on Saturday. We were able to get home safely and he's been driving his work dump truck, but that is a major expense we were not looking for.

My neighbour's transmission went on Friday and my car's clutch went on Saturday! It feels like 2020 is having its last hurrah by taking out people's cars


Tax.

 

[BY Bob]

My neighbour's transmission went on Friday and my car's clutch went on Saturday! It feels like 2020 is having its last hurrah by taking out people's cars


Tax.

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for Janet, for car troubles.

 

[BY Bob]

Oh, I've read about the Giulia Quadrifoglio. Sounds quite impressive. So now you have an AR-85 and an AR-18.

Tax:
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One needs to be very careful with the Giana. She will go very fast without you having any idea what is going on. She is everything driving should be.

 

[BY Bob]

There is nothing like an opening to talk about my cars! This is going to cost some chicken tax.

I own two Alfa Romeos. A 1985 Spider Veloce (come say hello to the nice people Juliet )

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And a 2018 Giulia Quadrifoglio that took 2nd place at the 2019 AROC National Convention. (Say hi Giana. )

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Chicken tax

 

[MaryJanet]

I think you’re right, they are beautiful young looking birds! I have found my boys start getting spurs around one year of age, but have noticed that it also seems to vary by breed. Mr Maran it Two now and has 3” long spurs! They curve a little, Chickie Hawk (EE) had (until he knocked them off) about 1 1/2” very curved spurs Sammy has about 2-2 1/2” spurs that are almost straight.

It is hard to say how He will react to being handled, that they are so forward with you is a promising sign in my opinion. I would expect the worst though, so go in and be resolved, wear long sleeves, and don’t be surprised if he bites your arm. Chickie Hawk always gets at least two or three good solid bites on me, no matter how carefully I try to avoid them (but he is a “special” boy that most reasonable people would have sent to freezer camp!) I wouldn’t try any towel type maneuvers, as they reduce your grip. Once you’re holding him he may try to thrash with his legs. You’re right he’s going to be stronger than you’re used to. I’m right handed and usually tuck them football style under my left arm, forward facing, while using my right hand to hold the feet. Once you get them tucked up tight but gently, it’s no problem and they settle right down. When Mr Maran was being standoffish and started getting a little aggressive with me in the mornings, I would actually hold him like that while I did all my feeding and releasing chores. He would come at me, I would scoop him up then go about my business. Practice the hold with your girls a bit.

Depending on the flock behavior, what I usually do when moving mine, especially if it means moving them out of sight of the flock, is to take several hens first then the rooster, then finish moving the hens. I have found some guys will panic if they are moved first, set up an alarm call and can spook the rest of them. But I work with my flocks, and these chickens are closer to becoming feral. If you can move hens in twos, with a friend or if you can secure two together (only if you’re 100% sure of your hold, and won’t be worried about dropping them!) I find they stay a little calmer, but I am moving from a pen or run usually, and don’t need to worry about “escaping” chickens.

Also, if you have a red headlamp, for night-time wrangling that works best for keeping them quiet and undisturbed I find.

I did not know about using a red light! And I appreciate the description of the rooster hold too.

 

[Ribh]

Right now I am clearly bothered by the flock dynamics. They are starting to improve and be more like themselves but everything teeters on Aurora's mood come bed time. I just know that I have 3 bad actors, Hattie, and two that avoid the 3 bad actors at all cost. It's not healthy and not what my flock has been like up until now.

You know I too worry about flock dynamics ~ although I have more choices. I am blessed in all 3 of my lead hens. They are pretty laid back. Of my older girls only Patricia really has a nasty streak & it's not bad. It's why I've been so particular in my breed choices though I know much depends on each individual hen. I admire you for coping as well as you have. Your flock shenanigans would distress me no end. I do think it will settle as the girls mature & age & the flock melds. Every integration has started with a small war but over time the outsiders are the flock & everything resolves itself.