Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

So I cracked out the computer, I needed it to respond Shad anyway , because I thought this post would require a lengthy response from me. @RoyalChick know that I am very grateful for your presence here (I look forward to every exchange we have whether is is about the frightful winters you have or some interesting behavior you have noted or captured on film). Not to mention the fact that I owe you a debt that I will never be able to repay.

What I am about to say applies to everyone, not just @RoyalChick . If you wish to post a post the size of War and Peace, go for it. I have been asked many times, is it OK if I do a memorial for so and so. No need to ask, put it right on up. We are all traveling this chicken journey together and we all feel your losses and revel in your successes.

To those who drop in looking for help. Patience is the word. While we are all scattered around the globe, many of us work and simply cannot respond at the drop of the hat. I have been meaning to do this for a while now. To everyone who participates in this thread, Please, if someone posts looking for help with a sick chicken, if you are on and see it, direct them immediately to the sick chicken forum. They may get faster help there. If that response waits for me it could be a half day until I get to see their post and critical time may be lost.

I enjoy light hearted chit chat as well as tough conversations regarding chicken keeping and behavior. I am pleased that we can have it all here. If that means I need to pull out the computer from time to time, this is just fine with me.

Thanks, Bob. It’s truly a wonderful forum.

 

[LozzyR]

Maybe that's your musical influence transfering to the hens.

Like this?

 

[micstrachan]

It's Friday Night and the Feeling's Right

Well it's not actually night time but it is Fluffy Bum time!

View attachment 2896019View attachment 2896021View attachment 2896022View attachment 2896023View attachment 2896024

Oh my gosh! Hattie’s bum and Phyllis’ stretch!

 

[micstrachan]

Like this?

Hahahaaaa!!! Hilarious!

 

[micstrachan]

Indeed they are. I believe this one was a female. She actually called out to me, I never would have seen her otherwise. I was locking up and she made this strange chittering sound at me from the tree. She wanted to know who I was. I walked straight under her and she didn’t fly away. She was beautiful. Her head would whip around at every crunch of a leaf under my foot.
Owls.

Wow, what a magical interaction!

 

[micstrachan]

Here’s a redheaded crescent twist, mmm good! :View attachment 2896595

What a magnificent illusion!

 

[micstrachan]

Breakfast with the Phyllistines

Enjoy @MaryJanet

Oh my gosh, I don’t know why, but Sylvie scratching the waterer cracked me right up! And watching their mop tops makes me want a Polish. But not really… not in this setting.

 

[micstrachan]

I found out this evening that Volt and Amp are at least five years old, posibly six. That's better than I thought given they are rescues. With better care I think those six years might have been increased to seven or eight.
I really cannot begin to describe what a huge difference a few hours a day out of the run and better nutrition has made to all of them.
This is Lima again. The difference in her is astounding. She runs around like a pullet now. She still comes and does a few minutes on my lap most days but while she may not look that much better, her attitude has had a radical shift for the better.
View attachment 2895404

Just found this gem of a post. This page slipped by me, so I’m glad I went back. Kinda nice to (sort of) know the age of Volt and Amp. And YAY to Lima!!!! What are the chances of you posting a video?

 

[micstrachan]

Second that! Someone has slept there every now and then lately, and this last week definitely, I found a ton of fluff feathers in there on a few days. I see Butters going in there during the day too, I suppose just for some warm alone time.

This whole business of sleeping in nest boxes is a foreign concept to me. I’ve only seen it with a broody or a very ill hen (Ruby). But then, I’m in California where we rarely dip below freezing temperatures.

 

[micstrachan]

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.

No, not TMI. I have respect for people who raise and eat their own chickens, even though I couldn’t do it myself. Especially if they have a good life until then.