Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Thanks. I'm sure they will wake up in time to get away.

I agree.

 

[micstrachan]

My girls get a bit paler but not really pale, I keep up the layer feed, but at the moment (spring) they’re not at all interested in it. They’re also turning their beaks up at oats and sardines. Black beans and sultanas on the other hand…

Sorry if I’m being a dolt. What are sultanas?

 

[ChicoryBlue]

So I’ve been wanting to tell you guys about this all day, but I type with a single thumb on my phone and it’s very slow. Besides, I did not want to take my attention off the girls with hawks lurking nearby.

I did have an opportunity to just sit and watch the girls during free range time. They were nervous and didn’t venture very far out, but I was watching them in the one semi-dry patch of earth to dust bathe in.

Pecking order and flock dynamics are so very interesting. I have found that the hens only tend to discipline and peck at those directly beneath them in the pecking order. A step or two down, and they tend to let it go. For example, Bridge, who is generally pretty gentle, can be a bit rough on Buttercup, who is pretty high in the order, but not top hen. Bridge is top hen. However, Bridge will tolerate the “babies” eating right out of her same dish, especially Flo. I have already mentioned that Flo is an alpha in the making. She is in full molt, very nervous, and a bit standoffish. However, today I saw her challenge Bridge, raising her hackle feathers. Bridge did not submit, but did tolerate her. It was super interesting. Almost like Flo was her little prodigy.

Bridge decides who roost with her. Sometimes it surprises me when she allows the babies to roost beside her, but not Buttercup or anyone in that age group.

In my flock, pecking order is primarily dictated by age. Then within each age group, there is a pecking order, as well. Bridge is my only five and a half year old hen, and she is the alpha. After Bridge, there are the four-year-olds, who consist of Millie, Roxy, Cashew, Buttercup, and Lucky. Out of that group, Buttercup is by far the most bossy. However, Cashew clearly outranks her. After that, there are the two year olds. I only have Minnie and Ester left, since Dorothy passed away. Minnie outranks Ester, quite obviously. Finally, there are the one year-olds, who I call the babies. Flo is by far the top of that group. I think one day she will be the alpha. I have never seen a hen take their first hard molt as well as she is. She is quite robust! Poor Flash is definitely at the bottom. A couple of the higher, but not super highly ranked girls torment her a bit.

Sorry about the rambling, but I’m curious to hear from those who only keep hens and have a range of ages. How does the pecking order go in your flock?

Not too rambling for me, very informative! I enjoy these details.
My lot since Queenie died are all the same age & are nest/hatchmates. In order I think it's Peanut, Hazel, Butters, Popcorn.

 

[rural mouse]

I Did a Bad Bad Thing Tonight

Spoiler: What Could I Have Done

I Interfered

View attachment 2895600I put them there. Phyllis is on the other side of the roost

I watched her time tonight. The littles were roosted when Phyllis came in. When she did the littles were so frightened the minute Phyllis jumped on the roost they jumped down. I felt bad because I know they want to roost but can't.

So I took it upon myself to place them on the roost after dark. My hope is that by seeing them on the roost when she wakes up, maybe Phyllis will see them differently. We shall see. Hopefully I did no damage.

If they do anything similar to what mine have done, sometimes Storm roosts with the rest. Mostly she doesn't, but she has done more in the last couple of weeks as her size gets closer to the rest. She still gives way to them, but with much less distance betwixt the lot of them. With only Phyllis in there, the roosting shift may come more quickly. Just don't be surprised if they continue to give her wide berth for another 4-6 weeks. You "interferring" won't hurt. They're getting the message that you want them moving that way, so they will eventually.

 

[micstrachan]

Not too rambling for me, very informative! I enjoy these details.
My lot since Queenie died are all the same age & are nest/hatchmates. In order I think it's Peanut, Hazel, Butters, Popcorn.

@ChicoryBlue, you are really good at detailed posts. I tend to be always on the go, rushing around, and don’t give them to proper responses they deserve. However, I want you to know that I do enjoy them.

 

[rural mouse]

It’s mounted directly beneath the power steering pump, and covered by heater and power steering lines. Only two bolts on the alternator, but six more, to move everything out of the way. Could be worse though. If it was the starter (mounted underneath the intake manifold) that would be a two-three day job! Crazy car to have to work on.

Is it more accessible from underneath?

 

[rural mouse]

I’m embarrassed to show any molting pictures of the chooks

Why? We share ours.

 

[rural mouse]

My young DC rooster. No name, but he 'herds' me and will let me touch/groom him at night now (no moving..no sidelong glancing but holding still...he is just plain okay with it now) but he doesn't want to be picked up during the day. He has started taking a few bits from my hand,now, though

With so many chickens, it is tough to do that with all...so I usually don't start putting extra effort with the boys until I have decided who will stay. (getting too close too early makes freezer camp REALLY hard. It is difficult enough as it is...but since I do eat and like chicken, I would rather have mine than store bought...hard or not.) Probably TMI.

Agreed.

 

[micstrachan]

I’m embarrassed to show any molting pictures of the chooks

Seriously? Why?

 

[rural mouse]

Nest Box Sleeping

Lots of talk on nest box sleeping around here. Last night there were 4 hens in nest boxes asleep.View attachment 2895645View attachment 2895646

That answer my question