Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

Good night everybody. It’s been a long hot day. I’m following the chickens example and going to roost.

 

[micstrachan]

She is definitely feeling a lot like her old self, it sounds like.

Thanks! Everyone has gone to roost except Ruby, who is still foraging. Sunset is in five minutes.

Oops. Not everyone. Flash ended up being last, but she was right behind Ruby. I believe Ruby was able to jump up to the shelf without using the ramp. And then she went to bed on a roost.

I don’t understand how she’s gaining strength, as she doesn’t really appear to be eating much. But I am grateful.

 

[micstrachan]

So I’ve decided it’s time to break Little Mill of her broodiness. She’s gotten pretty thin, a couple of the girls are annoyed by her antics, and Ruby no longer needs her for company. I feel a little guilty I let it go this long, but have been supporting her by taking her out a couple times (or more) each day and bringing her meals on the nest.

So it’s an hour after roosting time, and I just moved her from a nest box to a pet carrier with a cooling rack in the bottom. I figure this will provide a jump start on breaking her this weekend. Poor baby. I hate doing this, but I don’t want her to get too weak to recover.

Edited to add: I brought her a serving of baby bird formula with a fresh raw egg on top and sat with her with a headlamp until she stopped eating. She was HUNGRY. I probably should have offered water first, as I’m sure she’s dehydrated, but at least she’s going tk bed with a full crop and might have some energy in the morning. Last time I broke her, it was pretty quick, but I also hadn’t let it go on this long.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

The Times They are a Changing......

Since we integrated the 3 new ladies back in Feb of 2020, Fluffy Butt Acres has been surprisingly stable. This has been the longest period of stability since the big three were here.

The Big 3
View attachment 2703105

So obviously I need to do something. [that is sarcasm]

I need to make something clear, @Shadrach was right in his concern that Phyllis would be viewed by the others as an outsider. She is too different looking. Let me also say that Phyllis has done an outstanding job carving a niche for herself with a bunch of other chickens that were not all that hot about having her around.

Phyllis is my buddy and I can see the struggle she has everyday. It is evident in the little things. I have just been so impressed with her.

The other day someone I know offered me two Polish pullets. This started a chain of thought and considerations. In the end, those pullets went to someone else.

Out of the conversations came the idea that if other Polish were added, they would create their own sub-tribe and Phyllis could wind up as their leader as she would be in place and older.

You have all heard me say that I am at maximum capacity in the coop. This is because there can be times in the winter when I need to lock them all in the coop because of the temperature and wind chill. So before I could do anything about expanding the tribe, I need to expand the coop situation. So much to consider.

So after much consideration, I have decided to expand the tribe and the coop. I will be adding a second coop in the big run especially for the new Polish sub-tribe. My engineer daughter is coming up this weekend and we will design the new 2nd coop.

I have found 2 Frizzled Gold Laced Polish who will be joining the flock later this year. They are from someone I know and trust. She has difficulty in sexing them so I will need to wait a while before they will be ready to join us but here is what our new members will look like. View attachment 2703122View attachment 2703123View attachment 2703124View attachment 2703125View attachment 2703126View attachment 2703127

This will be a big undertaking. I have never owned Frizzles before so some serious learning will need to occur. This takes the tribe well beyond the size I ever wanted. I hope that I can manage this many hens comfortably.

Lots of fun to come.

So cute! But I hate to tell you Bob.... They don't look much like Phyllis

If I understand correctly, Frizzles' feathers kind of grow backwards or upside down or something? Is this why their eyes are not hidden by feathers? Lots to learn here.

How old are they now Bob? How much longer do you think you will need to wait?
(not that I'm excited or anything... )

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

FBF
Butters and Hazel under the blueberries
View attachment 2703234
View attachment 2703236

Lovely photos CB. The colours are stunning.
Will you submit one to picture of the week?

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I know that feeling!! It's taken a lot of maturity and discipline for me to stick to my original plan of 2-3 pullets every couple of years.

I want to have a plan like MJ's. I just have to convince the hubby.

We haven't had any eggs for several months now and hubby says that the girls are not earning their keep. I assured him that they are by eating the bad bugs in the garden and fertilizing wherever they go. He sounded skeptical, but I noticed that he was talking to Deana when she came up to see what he was doing out in the sunshine this afternoon.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

So I’ve decided it’s time to break Little Mill of her broodiness. She’s gotten pretty thin, a couple of the girls are annoyed by her antics, and Ruby no longer needs her for company. I feel a little guilty I let it go this long, but have been supporting her by taking her out a couple times (or more) each day and bringing her meals on the nest.

So it’s an hour after roosting time, and I just moved her from a nest box to a pet carrier with a cooling rack in the bottom. I figure this will provide a jump start on breaking her this weekend. Poor baby. I hate doing this, but I don’t want her to get too weak to recover.

Edited to add: I brought her a serving of baby bird formula with a fresh raw egg on top and sat with her with a headlamp until she stopped eating. She was HUNGRY. I probably should have offered water first, as I’m sure she’s dehydrated, but at least she’s going tk bed with a full crop and might have some energy in the morning. Last time I broke her, it was pretty quick, but I also hadn’t let it go on this long.

It's a hard thing to have to do. I always feel like a big meanie when I have to break a broody.

Good luck micstrachan. I hope she gives up quickly!

 

[cfonts]

I’m planning a flight to Hawaii soon, my brother is taking his yacht. I will pick up my sister in San Diego and fly out for a beautiful family reunion there this summer. Very soon! I will advise you peeps when I head out. Now that Jaffar is stable and the rest are okay. I will have my pastor watch my chickens

Which island are you visiting?!

 

[Marie2020]

I hope you had your rifle in your hands when you answered the door!

He heard I have a few alternative pain methods up my sleeve plus was worse for wear in the drink department. The poor lad had hurt his arm in his drunken stupor got it into his mind that I could fix it. I'm no chiropractor

I'll check on him later. I don't think he meant any harm but scared the living poop out of me at that time of the morning. I almost laid a dozen eggs

 

[Marie2020]

The sun was out in all it's glory at 8am. My girls are already hot and hiding in the shade.