Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Cynthia12]

That is what I use for feed.

Yes, I use the big cans for feed also. Mice can no way get in.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Just a note: I am NOT advertising for Vittles Vaults. I am just saying that they have worked for me.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

What are they? I'm going to look this up right now. I need something inside because it's very cold here at night and we have a nice size coop but don't want to add more holes for hanging but there is a shelf I can use.

https://www.petsmart.com/featured-brands/vittles-vault/

 

[Blazinga]

Yesterday

 

[RoyalChick]

RC, I'm not stupid. Thanks for caring. I did get sleep, but not enough. I'll be staying home until I'm ready today. No one wants a pilot in the air asleep at the stick! Luv ya!

I wasn't trying to say you were stupid - but we all need reminding to take care of ourselves and I do get the sense you take care of others (including your chickens) before you take care of yourself.
So, just fussing for you.
No insult intended.

 

[Grammy60]

Wow, there's so much I have to learn and buy. Thanks grammy60

Your very welcome

 

[micstrachan]

I've missed out on a lot. I've been pretty sick. Started last Thursday. I should have gone in for help sooner. I got pretty dehydrated, couldn't stand up from nearly passing out. Had to call son home from work. My heart was staring to act up too, I have had two heart ablations for irregular heartbeat. My heart said ..fluid..I need fluid! . Two big ol bags did the trick. I was still a bit low, but I needed to get home. My son had gone home to stay with my husband. Boy, having fluid in your body sure does miracles for you. I'm still weak, but getting better. I did this same stomach thing last year, very same. . I see feather had a problem. Man, glad you're doing better! Burns are soooo painful. . Like you don't know! I'm sorry you had to go through that. Hoping it's better every day. Will pray that it will.

Oh my, Cynthia! I’m glad you are ok. Please take care of yourself!

 

[fuentemoon]

Who doesn't like Prime Rib steaks?

@Ribh that's who.

And me

 

[BY Bob]

More Flockservations

Hattie
First of all, whatever was bothering Hattie that morning is cleared up. I am going to assume it was egg related and she got the egg out. I have seen no weird eggs of any kind. She is definitely back to her old self. I personally just have this unease now and I am sure that I am staring at her when I'm outside.

My grand lady looking fit

I have noticed two things about Hattie over the last few months.

First: She no longer joins the scrum
If I put out some leftovers or other snacks out for the girls, Hattie no longer joins in the piranha-like feeding frenzy that occurs, with exceptions. She stands back and waits until things calm down or everyone grabs a piece and runs away with it before she approaches the snack. Lilly has exhibited this behavior as well since taking over as Alpha hen. As I said there exceptions to this behavior for certain kinds of food, say pasta. I would say about 90% of the time, she hangs back.

Secondly: She is enforcing her position more vigorously
Hattie used to be very laid back when it came to her relationship with others in the flock. I almost never saw her peck at anyone else. It is not often but it is happening. Now I see her actually pecking at others and even going after others with what seems the sole purpose of reminding them of their position. I have even seen her make Aurora, of all hens, bow down in submission. I cannot recall this ever happening before in all the time Hattie has been with me. In fact only Maleficent had ever made Aurora bow down before. Even after the big fight when Lilly tried, Aurora did not submit to her.

An Odd Pairing
At first blush it makes no sense. They are truly odd when viewed together. I will explain more in a minute.

I have said many times that my tribe tends to pair off as they go about their ranging. This is one of the reason I am a huge proponent of even numbered "hen only" tribes. Roosters change the equation. I tend to watch with interest who is paired up with whom. It used to be that they pretty much matched up in pecking order. As I watch what is going now though I do believe that pairing up in such a fashion wasn't really pecking order but based upon "siblings". Maleficent and Aurora were not hanging out together because they were 3 & 4 in the pecking but rather because they grew up together and thus were friends.

So what is the current odd pairing?

Aurora and Phyllis

That's right. Let me break down why I think this happening.

1. Phyllis is no threat to Aurora's position. This is leading to Aurora really not pecking at her unless Phyllis actually steals something from Aurora. Which Phyllis will do from time to time. No dominance displays are required.
2. Once the newbies arrived and Lilly dumped Hattie for Sansa. Hattie and Aurora had been the frequent pairing. After the big fight, the pairing dissolved. There was a lot of flux for a quite a while. With Hattie enforcing her position more now to the point of making Aurora bow down and submit, I think Aurora decided to look elsewhere for companionship.
3. When looking elsewhere, with Lilly and Sansa paired up, that left Sydney and Phyllis for Aurora to pair with. Aurora and Sydney as a combination might make some sense. They are very similar in their quest for food. They will both steal food from anyone. However, Aurora feels the need to dominate Sydney. Now Sydney is a quick submitter but I am sure that is not a lot of fun for Sydney. Whereas Hattie is not as dominating a hen. I think Sydney may have chosen Hattie herself. This leads me back to point 1.
4. Aurora and Phyllis are the weird looking hens. The odd balls. Between Phyllis' head of feathers and Aurora's beard and muffs, they just don't look like the others. Perhaps this is also playing some role.

The Odd Couple together

Hattie and her new partner just hanging out on the porch.

 

[drstratton]

It is a great shirt! My daughter bought my first chicken shirt a couple years ago and it’s similar. I’ll take a pic at some point.

I would love to see it. We should all collaborate & come up with our own shirt.