Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

Good night @RebeccaBoyd and Bob

 

[BY Bob]

Turning Whiter

I spend a lot of time observing the ladies and how Phyllis white feathers appear on her head continues to intrigue me. I have come to the conclusion that somehow the pigment leaves the black feather and thus it turns white. There are always what appear to be new feathers with white in them popping up.

I showed everyone earlier the new white feather Phyllis has on her wing. Now there is a white spot appearing on her tail! Check it out! And while you are looking check out the new white tips on her head feathers too!

 

[MaryJanet]

Good Morning everyone!! I'm a long time looker and haven't gotten around to post yet!! I have been following your thread for a year now! I mainly get to check in when I'm at work and I'm not able to post pictures from work. I kept telling myself Id make an introduction post from home but never get around to it.
Anyway, I wanted to ask

Good Morning everyone!! I'm a long time looker and haven't gotten around to post yet!! I have been following your thread for a year now! I mainly get to check in when I'm at work and I'm not able to post pictures from work. I kept telling myself I'd make an introduction post from home but never get around to it.
Anyway, I wanted to ask Bob, have you thought about getting the chicks DNA tested? Apparently its pretty easy to do by mail, many people use it for silkie chicks. One way to get them earlier for you.

A little introduction.
I live in northern NY, drive through the Adirondack mountains to work every day. I currently have 5-1 year old hens and 7 babies (4 weeks) in the brooder. I only started this journey about a year ago. I found myself with free time now that my children are older.
I also have 3 cats and an elderly Pomeranian. It has been quite the adventure! I just wanted to say how much I thoroughly enjoying reading all your posts and especially seeing pictures of everyone's beautiful flocks!!

Hi @adwil21 nice to meet you! There are four hens in my backyard in Adelaide, South Australia, and one cat.

 

[RoyalChick]

I hope Butter knows how spoiled and pampered she is. All the other flock members today got their bun snack tore up and tossed on the ground. Princess Butter was too good to pick her share off the ground, she had to have her whole top of a bun held just for her. Last night when it was time to put everyone up for bed had everyone accounted for except her. Started calling for her and I spot her standing beside my next door neighbors back porch. Call for her again and she looks at me, takes 2 steps and stops. She then proceeds to do the "escort" call at me and waited until I walked up and picked her up. She then snuggles in and starts softly talking as I proceed to place her on the roost. She also now expects to be let in for about a hour in the afternoons. She will be at the front door bawking until you open it. She then proceeds to go take a nap under the coffee table in the air conditioning. I think i've ruined this chicken but would do it all over again for her.
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I didn’t know whether to or at this one.
I did laugh out loud that she summons you to escort her home!

 

[MaryJanet]

Especially with a history of receiving chicks with Coccidiosis from a certain source. The Corrid or Amprolium basically works by starving out the organisms by making (I think) a B vitamin unavailable to them. If you run a course of the liquid medication, or feed medicated feed (it’s an either or choice from what I understand) it should eliminate the problem before it happens, kind of like a vaccine (it is safe to use that word here right? Don’t ask… local Facebook forum again…) after a full course of treatment I believe it is recommended to provide a vitamin supplement as well.

Mark the vet said medicated feed has safe levels of coccidia in it, so if you give chicks amprolium/corid at the same time, the amprolium/corid kills off the safe coccidia in the medicated feed.

So, yes, one or the other.

Maybe corid first, then medicated feed.

 

[MaryJanet]

It’s all about SARDINES today for Ruby. She gobbled a bunch down during her private outside time, along with some live meal worms. She didn’t touch any of the other offerings, but seemed to know she needed protein. When she had her fill, she asked to be let back into the run. She was resting in the run sitting face to face with her bestie Millie when I left.

Since Lucky is also wasting away a bit, I brought her out to eat what she wanted. She ate a little and also wanted back into the run. I think they know they are vulnerable.

A heat wave is coming, so I hope I can help them through it. In addition to the two sickies, my pullet Sunshine (EE) seems especially sensitive to heat. I’m freezing those silicone mini loaf pans for ice blocks to put in their waters and charging up all the rechargeable fans and tool batteries that run the misting fans. Thinking of freezing some watermelon, too.

Ruby's eating really well!

 

[cfonts]

.

Little miss Squirrel is really turning into a lovely pullet. But then how could she not considering who her parents are. Now that she's been away from momma hen for a while now I also see her parents personalities coming out. It only took me a week to tame her and now she is my buddy. She is always underfoot when out doing chores and hops up to sit on laps when you take a break. I really lucked out and got the best of both Drummie and Butter in this girl.
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She's an absolute beauty

 

[MaryJanet]

Turning Whiter

I spend a lot of time observing the ladies and how Phyllis white feathers appear on her head continues to intrigue me. I have come to the conclusion that somehow the pigment leaves the black feather and thus it turns white. There are always what appear to be new feathers with white in them popping up.

I showed everyone earlier the new white feather Phyllis has on her wing. Now there is a white spot appearing on her tail! Check it out! And while you are looking check out the new white tips on her head feathers too!

View attachment 2720252

Oh it's good to see a photo of Phyllis!

 

[Scrambles83]

How long with new layers can soft shells be possibly expected. Found one under the coop (which can only be Belle) just now and there was one in the same spot last week, soft also. Very strong membrane. They have free choice shell, and I know it’s not uncommon for newbies, so just a general question

That depression is where it was sitting on the ground.

I cooked it up and fed it back to them, the shell mixed in too

 

[MaryJanet]

How long with new layers can soft shells be possibly expected. Found one under the coop (which can only be Belle) just now and there was one in the same spot last week, soft also. Very strong membrane. They have free choice shell, and I know it’s not uncommon for newbies, so just a general question
View attachment 2720318
That depression is where it was sitting on the ground.

I cooked it up and fed it back to them, the shell mixed in too

I really don't know scrambles, sorry. Hopefully someone with more experience will show up with an answer for you.