Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

We all know how I feel about Drumstick, he's my baby and is gorgeous. But I think it is time to take a look and appreciate his and Holly's son Bumblebee. He's just coming up on 7 months old the middle of this month and he's turning into a looker. If he keeps it up, he may outshine his father. We've had some moments though where his hormonal pea brain has gotten him in trouble but he's never attacked. Just bit 2 times which prompted immediate picking up and packing around the yard like a baby. Unlike his father, he does not enjoy cuddling as much so he's learned his lesson there. Chest massages are desired, holding, not so much. Was out giving treats earlier and had the camera with me so snapped a few photos.
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And because he's my favorite, Daddy Drumstick.
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What stunning boys!

 

[Scrambles83]

I love that story. I can see it all in my minds eye the way you write it.
And you gave me a great idea. I need crampons for my boot. Good idea. Wish I had thought of it weeks ago.

I’ve only heard of these because of
https://youtube.com/c/GoldShawFarm
snow isn’t an issue here

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Green gages are the best I’ve ever tasted, but do you think I can find seeds and grow some?!

This got me interested in looking up tomatoes Lozzy. I didn't find any Green Gages but I found this

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TOMATO – Evergreen

(80 seeds)
$3.95

One of the best green tomatoes going around.
Medium-large fruit that stay "evergreen." This heirloom variety is one of the most popular tomatoes grown by market gardeners. The large plants produce heavy yields of beautiful fruit which have a lovely lime-green colour. The flavour is rich and superbly sweet. It's one of the best.
Link
https://seedsofplenty.com.au/product/tomato-evergreen-lycopersicon-esculentum/

Also the diggers club has other heritage breeds.

https://www.diggers.com.au/Search-Results?criteria=tomato&pn=1&filter=ap&stock=&sort=az&pagesize=24

 

[BY Bob]

I had to educate one of my colleagues about Punxsutawney Phil!

That must have been a riot!

 

[BY Bob]

So I don't like to complain, but the weather has turned again and we are back to snow tonight (I don't think that much) and temperatures are plunging down to the teens.

Edited to add: And they just issued a storm advisory - 50 mph winds.

We got those last night. It's windy in March around here.

 

[BY Bob]

Happy Mugs Monday and I Love Longer Days!

I’m sooo happy to get home in time for the girls to have a quick run around. Here are all 13 of them! Ruby and Dorothy (two with questionable health) are on the far left.
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They are moving too quickly for me to get decent mugshots, which is fantastic! Here are a couple attempts.

Roxy
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Minnie
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They look so happy!

 

[BY Bob]

Ruby was NOT first to roost.
Roosting order tonight:

1. Dorothy
2. Ester
3. Cashew
4. Lucky
5. Ruby
6. Roxy
7. Minnie (?)
8. Sunshine
9. Bridge
10. Little Mill
11. Buttercup
12. Dorothy - came out during roosting shenanigans and later roosted a second time.
13. Flo
14. Flash

There was a fair bit of musical roosts happening and Lucky settled last.

That Dorothy is a smart lady. Sometimes it's better to just get out of the nonsense have a snack and come back.

 

[BY Bob]

OK can you all educate the rest of us newbies - what are the signs here that this great little chick is a boy? Coloring? Markings? The look in his/her eyes? You all have a sixth sense about these things?
Editing - RA (read ahead) to add @BY Bob to this question. How do you know?

For me it is carriage, how the chick is standing. Look at the difference in carriage in the rooster and the hen in this photo of Dominiques I downloaded.

A rooster's chest is more upright like he is sticking it out. A hen's carriage has her chest lower. Her back is more parallel to the ground. Does that make sense?

 

[BY Bob]

And did you know Ester is supposed to be a Barred Rock, too? I think her feathering looks more like a (clean legged) Cuckoo Marans. Her comb is quite large, and her legs are almost as white as the legs on my Speckled Sussex. Interesting for sure. As a chick, she looked different from all the other Barred Rocks, which is why I chose her.

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She definitely looks a little bitsy. That comb is quite large compared to Sydney's. And her legs are clearly a different color. For me her tail is also larger and more defined with a little fan to it. Not that Sydney is in any way the standard for Barred Rocks but the differences are pretty obvious.

 

[FransGran]

Those are some lovely shots. The colours in the first one are simply stunning.

They are phony colors, sad to say! I had to amp up the light so I could make out Peggy’s face because it was strange lighting. But I love her little crowing mug so it was worth making our yard look as though we’re in Wonka Land!