Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

That is cute. Being cute while asleep is an art that cats have mastered better than any species IMHO!

 

[BY Bob]

I can't say I take any pleasure in being proven right on this.
I can see a few problems with your proposed strategy for introducing two more odd looking hens; yes they are lovely, but....
I don't see a coop and getting Phyllis to roost with the newcomers as the main problem.
I have managed tribes, mainly because there was room for each tribe to avoid another if necessary. This just isn't possible in the run you have. It seems possible that instead of having one hen being bullied you could end up with three hens being bullied. While vaguely similar looks may encourage the Polish tribe to stick together, the fact that the two newcomers are being introduced as a pair could still leave Phylllis isolated.

I do have the ability to segregate the runs. In the winter and at other times when they are confined to the complex, I can block off the main coop and under run from the big run. I will check total space but I am very confident that I would have more than enough space in the main coop portion for the 5 full sized ladies.

Outside of that, they are free ranging all day every day in the spring, summer, and fall. I do believe that I will still wind up with 3 hens that are not appreciated by Sansa and Aurora but Phyllis will not be alone.

I also know the risk that the two new hens could stick together and leave Phyllis isolated. Right now my plan is to rehome them if that were to happen. I don't need two more chickens. If this doesn't work as I would like I will pull the trigger and go back to 6. I need to be firm on this but the only reason to take this on is to provide Phyllis with companionship. If that does not work out I don't need the extra bother and work no matter how friendly to humans they are.

 

[featherhead007]

I can’t help myself, I gotta say it..
“I’m a rooster now, but I used to be a water heater “

 

[ChicoryBlue]

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

Thanks! I don't know.

 

[BY Bob]

I'm here because I've just had a young man knocking my door. Its gone twelve AM. I'm going back to bed.

Night all

Was he looking for you?

 

[BY Bob]

You may find that the Sansas will discover that there is more than one way to chicken & calm down over the differences. I'm sure one reason mine have accepted my oddballs is simply Lavender. She was big & something of a bully on occasion so the tribe discovered early it was bad news to mess with a frizzle! My littlies have never had a problem. I truly think, given how attached you are to Phyllis, you will have no trouble bonding with the new girls & integrating them into their tribe. I have the utmost faith in your abilities in this area. Without your influence I think Sansa & Lily would be downright abominable! Job well done, I say!

Thanks so much for the encouragement.

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you for this. I actually think of Maggie often!

This morning Ruby came out talking. But also stood with her eyes closed several times like she wasn’t feeling well. Now I’m home after work and they are free ranging. My neighbor (not the one with the cats and their favorite tree... someone else) just brought her home, because she was in his yard. Years ago, Ruby’s nickname was “Adventure Girl,” because she used to venture into his yard. I am delighted she was back at her old ways.

Gooooo, Adventure Girl!!!

Dare I get a little hopeful?

You dare!

 

[BY Bob]

Happy Friday!

View attachment 2704268
Cashew, Flo and Flash

Marvelous!

 

[BY Bob]

Getting my fluffy butts in while I can before @BY Bob has his own frizzles.


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That one is amazing!

 

[BY Bob]

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 time. Fatten her up!