Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Well If it could go wrong with Holly setting this time around it did. I gave her 8 eggs when she went broody. She did everything right but a week in had terrible rains and flash flooding, her nest got wet. She refused to move so I rebuilt the nest for her. 2 1/2 weeks in had a egg explode under her. My god the stench was terrible and it got all over her and the remaining eggs. Cleaned the eggs as best I could, stripped and rebuilt the nest again and this time had to clean Holly. She did NOT appreciate it at all but after 30 minutes got all the goo and stink off of her. She had 2 chicks start hatching but die under her before they finished. Upon examination they never absorbed the yolk sacks and it looked like blood vessels got hit and they bled out. She had 2 chicks successfully hatch and she came off the nest with them yesterday. Did eggtopsies on the 3 that were left. 1 never started to develop but the other 2 I think the chicks died around the time the egg exploded under her. The 2 that made it are very strong and healthy. Again these 2 were Clover eggs that hatched and 1 has clean legs and 1 with feathered legs.
Introducing Frick and Frack.
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What a roller coaster that hatch was! I'm so glad you got the two healthy chicks at least. They are completely adorable.

 

[RoyalChick]

Thanks I appreciate your confidence.

We all have confidence in you, but we are also all clucking and fussing around you. Well maybe I should just speak for myself. Nothing to be done about that - just take it in the spirit it is intended which is caring.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Bunnie's chicks turn 4 weeks old tomorrow. They are doing well but hitting the awkward stage.
The Butter mix, this one is throwing me. There is color to the comb, but I went back and checked and Squirrel had a lot of color to her comb as well at this age. I'm going to have to wait a bit more I think to make the pullet or cockerel call on it.

Definite Pullet, but boy does she have attitude. There is a lot of chest bumping going on as they are trying to settle their places in the pecking order and this girl is in the middle of it all. She is afraid of no one and will not back down from anyone. She even pushes Butter's buttons daily.

The chick in the back is for sure a boy

 

[BY Bob]

No, I gave her a lap cuddle. . I didn't know.

She's back on form today but still molting

I would not worry too much if she did not fight you.

Mine tend to become standoffish during molt. Hattie started before I even knew she was molting. In fact I was concerned for her health so I took her off the roost one night to check her crop. I could immediately feel the new feathers and put her back. I provide higher protein feed and more protein snacks while they are molting. Hattie isn't really interested in her favorite food, corn, while molting preferring higher protein food like grass and bugs.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Hello Frick and Frack. Welcome to the world little darlings.

Are you hoping for boys or girls?

Hoping for girls but we will see. With the loss of Clover that only left me with 3 pure Marans hens and Daisy pretty much does not lay anymore. I will keep 1 of Bunnie's girls. If there is a pullet out of Frick and Frack I will keep it to.

 

[BY Bob]

We all have confidence in you, but we are also all clucking and fussing around you. Well maybe I should just speak for myself. Nothing to be done about that - just take it in the spirit it is intended which is caring.

You know that I do. I get that everyone is vested in this project right along with me and I love it. Please do not stop with the suggestions. You did your own integration and look at your tribe. I am always open to good ideas.

I think that statement might have been for me as much as for you all. The incident with the first batch of chicks may have led to me needing to publically remind myself that I have done this before.

There are no guaranteed outcomes on any of this. Phyllis may not like them. They may not like her. I can only provide the opportunity for them to become friends as I did with Sansa and Lilly. They get to decide the rest.

 

[BY Bob]

Bunnie's chicks turn 4 weeks old tomorrow. They are doing well but hitting the awkward stage.
The Butter mix, this one is throwing me. There is color to the comb, but I went back and checked and Squirrel had a lot of color to her comb as well at this age. I'm going to have to wait a bit more I think to make the pullet or cockerel call on it.
View attachment 2833039
Definite Pullet, but boy does she have attitude. There is a lot of chest bumping going on as they are trying to settle their places in the pecking order and this girl is in the middle of it all. She is afraid of no one and will not back down from anyone. She even pushes Butter's buttons daily.
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The chick in the back is for sure a boy
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They are lovely chicks. How long will she keep mothering them? I believe it was 4 to 5 weeks when Sydney sent them off on their own.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

They are lovely chicks. How long will she keep mothering them? I believe it was 4 to 5 weeks when Sydney sent them off on their own.

6 to 7 weeks on average with my girls. I did have 2 clutches last year late summer, early fall. Both of those groups their momma's held onto them for a extra week or two so we will see what both Bunny and Holly do this time around.

 

[rural mouse]

I’m actually looking forward to the next rain, I made a raincoat that’s almost floor-length and I’m keen to road-test it.

I'm curious. How did you make a rain coat? Pm me with details if you'd prefer.

 

[RoyalChick]

Bunnie's chicks turn 4 weeks old tomorrow. They are doing well but hitting the awkward stage.
The Butter mix, this one is throwing me. There is color to the comb, but I went back and checked and Squirrel had a lot of color to her comb as well at this age. I'm going to have to wait a bit more I think to make the pullet or cockerel call on it.
View attachment 2833039
Definite Pullet, but boy does she have attitude. There is a lot of chest bumping going on as they are trying to settle their places in the pecking order and this girl is in the middle of it all. She is afraid of no one and will not back down from anyone. She even pushes Butter's buttons daily.
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View attachment 2833041
The chick in the back is for sure a boy
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You do understand I am now in love. With all of them! Black hens with penguin chicks. It really doesn't get much better for me.