Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

Okay, another 'blast from the past:

@Shadrach: I think she is gorgeous . Is that Dink?

Maybe different, but if they all looked the same, it would be dull & boring!!

You know out of the different breeds, Light Sussex, Golden Comet, Funny head Legbar, Red Rock, Marans Legbar cross and Red Sex Links, I think the Red Sex links are the most attractive.

 

[Lady Red]

You know out of the different breeds, Light Sussex, Golden Comet, Funny head Legbar, Red Rock, Marans Legbar cross and Red Sex Links, I think the Red Sex links are the most attractive.

Allele says, "as it should be"

 

[BY Bob]

In the red corner we have Minnie weighing in at 3lb and 7oz. The breed descriptions from the big US hatcheries say Crested Cream Legbars hens are typically 4-5lbs. So maybe Minnie is indeed under weight. I think more important than the absolute weight will be how her weight develops over time so now I have a starting point.
And in the blue corner we have Diana (who happened to be walking by) weighing in at 4lb and 2oz and the hatchery descriptions say an ISA Brown (which is what I think she is) are typically 5lb. So by that standard she is under weight too.
I didn't yet get to weigh the heavyweight of the flock (Maggie) or Dotty who was showing off again by laying an egg.
Here is the scale I bought. It turned out to be amazingly easy to weigh them - I just stood them on the platform and they stayed there long enough to get a weight. They moved around a bit so the accuracy of the ounces is not brilliant, but good enough. Could be +/- a couple of ounces.
I was about to get a picture of Minnie on the scale when she decided she was bored with this game so I missed the moment.View attachment 2874607

Did you share a link to this scale so others could buy one?

I would agree that Minnie seems underweight but is that really a shocking finding? I am sure she will put weight back on as she recovers. I do think you should be careful of what your standard weight is. I am going to check my veterinary manual to see what it says for you. I would think that a healthy hen a little under the standard weight might actually be a good thing.

 

[BY Bob]

I do hope that you are able to land a few shots so he gets the idea to move on.
I fully understand that hawks and such just need to live, and are an important part of the eco system, but in this case, I am a firm member of the NIMBY camp!

It will be a very long winter/spring if he decided to settle in your area, @BY Bob. I hope he doesn't.

It is clear we are on its "route". It is coming from the same direction at the same time every other day.

 

[BY Bob]

RC, in my experience, my chickens have never weighed what the hatchery (nor livestock conservancy) states the breed should weigh. I believe those weights were for the true heritage breeds before they became so productionized. So, if their breast muscles feel good on either side of their keel bone, and they look healthy & act robust, I wouldn't worry about their weight relative to that listed. I think that now that you have the scale and can track their weights, this will be a better measure of if they are getting heavy or skinny - comparing to themselves over time. Hopefully Minnie will put on a few ounces over the next few days/next week.

That scale looks easy enough to use if you have a hen that will stand still! Do you have a table/counter/bench you put it on when you weigh them? How long do they have to stand still for it to give a readout?
Unfortunately, I am unable to use the 'hold chicken and stand on scale' method because (pardon the TMI) both the belly & the chest prevent me from being able to read the scale while I am on it.

Tax: (Sorry Bob)

Those sure are pretty eggs.....

 

[BY Bob]

Just holiday decorations really (that is positioning for Mrs BY Bob).

It might be possible to string the yard with twinkling lights. She loves those.

 

[BY Bob]

@BY Bob
Check out post #6 for hawk deterring options
View attachment 2874860
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-can-i-keep-my-chickens-safe-from-hawks.1481607/

I could them sell used cars too.

 

[RoyalChick]

Nutrition and excercise, nutrition and excercise........
You don't get fit by just eating.

Well she has been out digging stuff up for many hours today and even flew about 15’ so I think she is doing OK on the exercise front. She is still outside (everyone else has gone to bed) and she just got a worm and had it all to herself. Will it wriggle its own way out of her crop or will I have to help with my morning massage?
Hmmm.

 

[BY Bob]

Happy Hatchday Phyllis.

Phyllis says thank you Shad.

 

[BY Bob]

A bit dusty but fluffly enough I think.
FBFView attachment 2874961

Yup! That's a downright beauty!