Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

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?

Edited to add; Wait. Prodigy is not the word I’m looking for, but hopefully you get the idea.

This is all very similar to my tribe.

1. Lilly 6+ years old
2. Hattie 3.3 years old
3. Aurora 2.75 years old
4. Sansa 2 years old
5. Sydney. 2 years old
6. Phyllis 2 years old

Seniority until they are the same age and then pecking order within the age group.

 

[featherhead007]

At least you're not trying to find the muffler bearings. I convinced someone (skeptically) to ask someone else what those were. He (half napping) told her (complete with hand gestures) they go round in the muffler and help stifle the sound.

Is that the same person, who owns a pipe stretcher?

 

[BY Bob]

Interesting! What was up?

I have no idea what was going on in their bird brains.

 

[featherhead007]

I have no idea what was going on in their bird brains.

They ponder (Quantum physics) mostly.

 

[featherhead007]

Is that the same person, who owns a pipe stretcher?

Plank board stretching ratchet?

 

[micstrachan]

At least you're not trying to find the muffler bearings. I convinced someone (skeptically) to ask someone else what those were. He (half napping) told her (complete with hand gestures) they go round in the muffler and help stifle the sound.

You two and all your car talk. I am NOT a vehicle person. Could not care less as long as it RELIABLY gets me where I need to go with a reasonable degree of comfort. My little brother, on the other hand, is totally into it. He even designs and builds custom high performance parts! His very first vehicle was a ‘76 (?) refurbished Buick Skylark that had been my uncles’s. He just loves building up and driving muscle cars.

 

[BY Bob]

You two and all your car talk. I am NOT a vehicle person. Could not care less as long as it RELIABLY gets me where I need to go with a reasonable degree of comfort. My little brother, on the other hand, is totally into it. He even designs and builds custom high performance parts! His very first vehicle was a ‘76 (?) refurbished Buick Skylark that had been my uncles’s. He just loves building up and driving muscle cars.

My cousins own a customs parts business. They love souping up cars and trucks. I'm more into restoring antique cars and keeping older cars running.

 

[BY Bob]

Best. Day. Ever. Thank you for sharing.

It really was a great day.

 

[BY Bob]

Am I missing something here? This post seems to have come out of nowhere. However, I miss a LOT of posts, even though I try to read them all.

I went on a rant yesterday keyed by something Shad posted. We are now poking fun at each other over it. That was not serious. Lots of sarcasm in there.

 

[micstrachan]

My cousins own a customs parts business. They love souping up cars and trucks. I'm more into restoring antique cars and keeping older cars running.

You might have liked get your hands on that old jag I had. I would have enjoyed having it restored one day, but that is nowhere in the cards for us right now, so we gave it away. I hope someone enjoys it.