Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

Good Morning All.

Is that Sylvie drinking? Did you notice how much her beak was open before she drank? At first I thought she was hot. Then I wondered if she was adjusting her crop?

 

[MaryJanet]

I am not really sure - I am not good at chicken breeds!
I want ones that aren't just egg-producing machines so they don't die too young.
I also really want a black chicken because they are so pretty but I am worried about feathered feet so was thinking about a black Australorp like @MJ's Mary but views differ on whether in the US they are production chickens or not.
I really only started thinking about it this evening so I have a ways to go!

She wanted to know how far it is to your house, like, could she walk there in an hour if she took 3 or 4 rest breaks along the way. I think she wants to cheer you up by eating some of your chicken food or something.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Does This Help

with the beak?
View attachment 2826034

I would label this one "Undercover Phyllis on an important mission". Mata Hari goes tropical? (the pool)

 

[RoyalChick]

View attachment 2827239

She wanted to know how far it is to your house, like, could she walk there in an hour if she took 3 or 4 rest breaks along the way. I think she wants to cheer you up by eating some of your chicken food or something.

Awww Mary that is so sweet of you! And it would definitely cheer me up to have you come and eat my chicken food.

 

[rural mouse]

Alex were you serious about taking your chickens for a walk, like on a harness? I only ask because I have seen those chicken harness things sometimes at rural king. Me and Rosie have joked before that we need one and surely we could train one of our to use it. I have just been afraid that they would freak out and hurt themselves. But if it can be done safely, next time I see one I will pick one up.

Not a chicken but.....

Zoom in on the RV.....
Took this on my way into work one morning a couple of years ago...

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Elizabeth: March 2019 - September 2021. RIP.
Elizabeth died suddenly today. I am sad and will miss her.
Yesterday she was running around happily exploring the long grass.
This morning she was fine, though maybe a but a bit less perky than normal. By 5pm she was clearly not long for this world - her comb was turning cold and blue and she was only semi-conscious, and by 6pm she was gone.
You may remember she had been having trouble putting solid shells on her eggs for quite a while in spite of lots of extra calcium. It wasn't that she laid soft shelled eggs (though she did once) but more that the shells were so thin they would crack on impact. So I imagine the cause of her death was something reproductive.
Being thankful for small mercies, it was at least quick.
Hopefully you don't mind me posting some pictures here as a quick tribute to the lovely Elizabeth.

Baby Elizabeth at the top of the ramp with her bff Maggie (Diana is below)
View attachment 2826051

Inspecting roofing material for the soon-to-be-constructed Chicken Palace
View attachment 2826052

Just chilling
View attachment 2826053

The three sisters
View attachment 2826055

Looking for snacks
View attachment 2826057

Snow!
View attachment 2826059

On alert in the long grass
View attachment 2826061

Admiring herself
View attachment 2826062

Picking the best grass seed
View attachment 2826063

Alert while sunbathing
View attachment 2826064

Hanging out with her bff Maggie
View attachment 2826065

Ice cream!
View attachment 2826066

Selecting the best bug
View attachment 2826067

Looking back at these pictures I think she had a good chicken-life albeit too short.
Farewell Elizabeth, you brought me happiness and were well loved.
Rest in peace.

Sad news! I am so sorry. This is a great tribute with wonderful pictures. You helped her to live a very good life, and she enjoyed it to the max with her chicken friends!

 

[rural mouse]

That's how I would call it. Is Snow showing signs of being close to lay? Hens know these things & in my flock a laying hen has way more status than a non laying hen. When a new batch of girls start coming on the lay there are subtle shifts in the pecking order.

I needed this reminder. My pullets hit 15 weeks today. Some of breeds are listed at 19 weeks POL, most 20, 1 at 22 and the sapphires: not a bloomin' clue. They're a legbar x white leghorn and the legbar is listed at 22. faces are looking more adult, but combs aren't there yet....time to be more observational....weather permitting. LORD, BRING ON WINTER! Smoke rolled in so thick today clear visibility maybe half a mile. Anythinge else is looking blue and smells like campfire.

 

[BY Bob]

A Quick Trip Outside

Sylvie takes a bath while Legertha stands watch.

 

[BY Bob]

So beautiful!

Exactly. Marans

 

[rural mouse]

It’s better than “it’s a small world after all “!!!

I see your "small world" and raise you one "song that never ends"