Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

It was the dustbathing and the 2 chicks laying there playing dead that made me bring out the camera the other day. Before I started filming one of them was completely buried with only its head poking out.
It's a hard life being a silkie and trying to come up with new ways to kill yourself.
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I'm thrilled to report that my Poppy was unsuccessful in her attempt last night and is actively running around this morning eating grub worms.

I couldn’t decide whether to give this a laugh or a love!

 

[RoyalChick]

We still have one hen. Turkeys can be a challenge getting them to 8 weeks, but after that they are pretty indestructible. If you want them for pets, I would suggest heritage turkeys. The broad breasted are a lot like CX and tend to be short lived but pack on the meat early on. Turkeys also require a starter that is significantly higher in protein to chick starter 24-28% and elevated levels of niacin, thiamin and methionine. Turkeys also need a LOT more space than chickens and once grown aren't particularly at risk from raptors. What has worked best for us is putting 4-5 week old chicks in with day old turkeys. Those chickens will never join in with the other chickens but will forever hang with the turkeys. But they teach the turkeys how to stay alive and what NOT to do as baby turkeys seek to find creative ways to commit suicide. Once grown, assuming you spend a lot of time with them while they are babies, they are like big feathered dogs. They'll follow you everywhere, sit in your lap and love to be petted. Best source for turkeys is Porters. He has many many different color varieties.

Wow - that is really interesting and gives me a whole new perspective on turkeys. Maybe one day I will think about having some. Thank you for sharing.

 

[micstrachan]

Not yet! Good tip! Yesterday she chased Minnie off a bowl of feed and looked at it, but didn’t take any. I’ll try damp feed again, too, which she used to love. She is clearly hungry, but has gotten quite picky. She used to prefer commercial feed over treats. I can’t tell if she’s associating the commercial feed with discomfort or if I’ve spoiled her so much she’s lost her taste for it.

She took herself off feed completely awhile back, which is why I started treats. I keep trying different things to get her to eat. It started with watermelon.

 

[micstrachan]

We still have one hen. Turkeys can be a challenge getting them to 8 weeks, but after that they are pretty indestructible. If you want them for pets, I would suggest heritage turkeys. The broad breasted are a lot like CX and tend to be short lived but pack on the meat early on. Turkeys also require a starter that is significantly higher in protein to chick starter 24-28% and elevated levels of niacin, thiamin and methionine. Turkeys also need a LOT more space than chickens and once grown aren't particularly at risk from raptors. What has worked best for us is putting 4-5 week old chicks in with day old turkeys. Those chickens will never join in with the other chickens but will forever hang with the turkeys. But they teach the turkeys how to stay alive and what NOT to do as baby turkeys seek to find creative ways to commit suicide. Once grown, assuming you spend a lot of time with them while they are babies, they are like big feathered dogs. They'll follow you everywhere, sit in your lap and love to be petted. Best source for turkeys is Porters. He has many many different color varieties.

Great info! I can’t do turkeys right now, but maybe someday!

 

[RoyalChick]

She took herself off feed completely awhile back, which is why I started treats. I keep trying different things to get her to eat. It started with watermelon.

I know this sounds icky but have you tried bug hunting for her? When Maggie was like that she would only eat things that were alive so I found bugs and flies and moths and worms and grubs for her.
Just a thought.

 

[WhoDatChick]

I know this sounds icky but have you tried bug hunting for her? When Maggie was like that she would only eat things that were alive so I found bugs and flies and moths and worms and grubs for her.
Just a thought.

Or you could go buy crickets and worms from bait shops...

 

[RoyalChick]

Or you could go buy crickets and worms from bait shops...

Why didn't I think of that?!

 

[WhoDatChick]

@Blazinga I thought this was interesting.. I found old pics of Maggie and Poppy as babies... Poppy looks identical to Claudine but Poppy is gold laced ... here is Claudine first then Poppy... to compare...

The rest are Poppy...

 

[RoyalChick]

Happy Friday from the roadrunners

 

[featherhead007]

Happy news for me today My mechanic is headed to get the parts I need to repair the plane. He was going anyways. (Glad I called him this morning) 200 miles each way, takes up too much time for me. More time with my chickens is priceless to me.