Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[LaFemmeKatia]

My little boy, Tobias ❤

 

[drstratton]

So I did something late yesterday evening that I will probably end up kicking myself over. For over a year now a local fellow chicken guy has been friends on facebook. When I would post pics on of my Marans, especially those this past fall/winter of the ones I had hatched for myself he would always ask was I sure I was keeping them. He's young, 2 years out of high school but has a lovely flock of show bantams that he showed in 4-H in school. He messaged me last night again after I posted pics of the new chicks. He's sold off most of his show stock only keep a few to supply chicks to the local kids for 4-H and wants to switch over to big stock chickens. Again he asked me if there was anyway I would let go of a couple pullets. Gut reaction was no, those Marans are my babies. But then I got to thinking, I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to squeeze in a couple Lavender Marans that Rosie desperately wants for her birthday in may. Plus a month ago my grandpa had taken my last mix cockerel toothless's son, to go with 2 isa browns he'd gotten to start his own flock. Only to have a Bobcat take both of his hens, so he brought "crybaby" back last Wednesday in fear it would be back. Now i'm stuck with 3 boys again and one a mix which I cannot have. While contemplating this and yet to reply he sends another message. "Name your price for 3, and i'll even take the mix roo and pay for him too." So me and mom have a long serious talk. Right now i'm sitting at 16 chickens. 10 Marans, 6 mixes including crybaby who if I do not rehome will be eaten sadly. Rosie wants at least a trio of Lavenders, but really, 4 to 6 would be better. We talked about which girls were definitely off the table and came to a agreement. I told him if he was serious I had 2 4 1/2 month old pullets, plus 1 6 month old pullet I would let go plus crybaby and threw out a price of 100. I am secretly hoping he passes. Didn't phase him, I'll know 100% sure this afternoon but as of right now most likely he's coming after work tonight. He's also interested in my half game Snickers, and if he can catch her he'll probably take her as well. Do I want to let them go, NO. Do I need to let them go to manage numbers a bit so possible future additions can me made, yes.

That's a hard decision to make! I'm giving one of my Marans Roo's to a friend and at this point I don't really want to, but I currently have 6 roosters and I know he will be taken good care of, this is the not fun part of flock management!

 

[drstratton]

My little boy, Tobias ❤View attachment 2511605View attachment 2511606

Persian cross? He looks so soft!

 

[RoyalChick]

I don't blame them RC...I would stay inside too!

Yeah. Only me dumb enough to venture out!

 

[RoyalChick]

Peace and Tranquility

I mentioned tthe other day how I like the quiet of a snowstorm. This morning there was no noise except the sounds of the song birds at the feeder. I have sent the following clip around work today. I think this 2 minute video could be quite a stress reliever.

Lovely. Quite lovely. And amazing that the song birds are out. Nothing is stirring here. A fox came by just after it all started last night but since then nothing. We are at, or getting close to, 18" and it is blustery.
I can see on the coop cam that some snow came in to the actual Chicken Palace - I assume it was blown in through the more-than-ample ventilation. I will head out there before it gets real dark and dust it off the big roost just in case of frost-bitten toes - but it isn't that cold, below freezing for sure but not by much, so I think it will be OK.

 

[RoyalChick]

So I did something late yesterday evening that I will probably end up kicking myself over. For over a year now a local fellow chicken guy has been friends on facebook. When I would post pics on of my Marans, especially those this past fall/winter of the ones I had hatched for myself he would always ask was I sure I was keeping them. He's young, 2 years out of high school but has a lovely flock of show bantams that he showed in 4-H in school. He messaged me last night again after I posted pics of the new chicks. He's sold off most of his show stock only keep a few to supply chicks to the local kids for 4-H and wants to switch over to big stock chickens. Again he asked me if there was anyway I would let go of a couple pullets. Gut reaction was no, those Marans are my babies. But then I got to thinking, I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to squeeze in a couple Lavender Marans that Rosie desperately wants for her birthday in may. Plus a month ago my grandpa had taken my last mix cockerel toothless's son, to go with 2 isa browns he'd gotten to start his own flock. Only to have a Bobcat take both of his hens, so he brought "crybaby" back last Wednesday in fear it would be back. Now i'm stuck with 3 boys again and one a mix which I cannot have. While contemplating this and yet to reply he sends another message. "Name your price for 3, and i'll even take the mix roo and pay for him too." So me and mom have a long serious talk. Right now i'm sitting at 16 chickens. 10 Marans, 6 mixes including crybaby who if I do not rehome will be eaten sadly. Rosie wants at least a trio of Lavenders, but really, 4 to 6 would be better. We talked about which girls were definitely off the table and came to a agreement. I told him if he was serious I had 2 4 1/2 month old pullets, plus 1 6 month old pullet I would let go plus crybaby and threw out a price of 100. I am secretly hoping he passes. Didn't phase him, I'll know 100% sure this afternoon but as of right now most likely he's coming after work tonight. He's also interested in my half game Snickers, and if he can catch her he'll probably take her as well. Do I want to let them go, NO. Do I need to let them go to manage numbers a bit so possible future additions can me made, yes.

I know that is tough but it sounds like he will be giving them a good home and is experienced and it solves some other issues. My guess is it will of course make you sad, but you will conclude it is the right call.

 

[BY Bob]

So I did something late yesterday evening that I will probably end up kicking myself over. For over a year now a local fellow chicken guy has been friends on facebook. When I would post pics on of my Marans, especially those this past fall/winter of the ones I had hatched for myself he would always ask was I sure I was keeping them. He's young, 2 years out of high school but has a lovely flock of show bantams that he showed in 4-H in school. He messaged me last night again after I posted pics of the new chicks. He's sold off most of his show stock only keep a few to supply chicks to the local kids for 4-H and wants to switch over to big stock chickens. Again he asked me if there was anyway I would let go of a couple pullets. Gut reaction was no, those Marans are my babies. But then I got to thinking, I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to squeeze in a couple Lavender Marans that Rosie desperately wants for her birthday in may. Plus a month ago my grandpa had taken my last mix cockerel toothless's son, to go with 2 isa browns he'd gotten to start his own flock. Only to have a Bobcat take both of his hens, so he brought "crybaby" back last Wednesday in fear it would be back. Now i'm stuck with 3 boys again and one a mix which I cannot have. While contemplating this and yet to reply he sends another message. "Name your price for 3, and i'll even take the mix roo and pay for him too." So me and mom have a long serious talk. Right now i'm sitting at 16 chickens. 10 Marans, 6 mixes including crybaby who if I do not rehome will be eaten sadly. Rosie wants at least a trio of Lavenders, but really, 4 to 6 would be better. We talked about which girls were definitely off the table and came to a agreement. I told him if he was serious I had 2 4 1/2 month old pullets, plus 1 6 month old pullet I would let go plus crybaby and threw out a price of 100. I am secretly hoping he passes. Didn't phase him, I'll know 100% sure this afternoon but as of right now most likely he's coming after work tonight. He's also interested in my half game Snickers, and if he can catch her he'll probably take her as well. Do I want to let them go, NO. Do I need to let them go to manage numbers a bit so possible future additions can me made, yes.

Chicken math includes subtraction. It's a hard thing but necessary sometimes.

 

[BY Bob]

That's a hard decision to make! I'm giving one of my Marans Roo's to a friend and at this point I don't really want to, but I currently have 6 roosters and I know he will be taken good care of, this the is not fun part of flock management!

It is never easy to say goodbye to our babies.

 

[BY Bob]

White Out!

It is approaching white out conditions here. How are you doing @RoyalChick ?

The big run is keeping the snow out successfully so they can hang out in the run while Phyllis has decided to sit on the roost and watch the snow out the window.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

That is the crappy part of chicken math, Subtractions. No matter how they come when you raise them from chicks and spoil them like I tend to do it hurts. It will really hurt if the 3 Marans girl go. They are my friendliest and most loveable birds. I'm doing this out of respect to my neighbors too. I do not have any restrictions on numbers I can have, or how many boys. But, Crybaby crows all day long...and causes my normally quite Marans boys to get into crowing matches with him. Now I love crowing...but all day long, I've been ready a few times to go out and strangle them myself. Yesterday I ended up stomping out and shouting at Drummie to shut up, after his initial shock he gave me a look of "how DARE you yell at me" and in spite crowed back at me. I tossed one of the grooming brushes in his general direction and he spent the rest of the day when he saw me complaining. I did apologize and make friends again at roosting time with special hand fed treats.