Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

Midnight! I wish. She was eating at 9:30 pm last night!

Here she is up eating before the sun arose on Monday morning.

I like that she can eat when she wants to.

Besides, there's no line up if you get there early!

 

[MaryJanet]

I wish I would have had the cameras on them 24hrs a day. All the signs to me were quite subtle at first but it is very obvious right now. She only gives way to Lilly. Frankly she has been a lot less of a terror lately as well. Much like Lilly the job seems to have mellowed her a little.

I think your flock is becoming increasingly settled Bob. The cluckle hut has given everyone a chance to spread out a little. The hawk has renewed their trust in each other.

How bad are the roosting shenanigans these days?

 

[Shadrach]

I wish I would have had the cameras on them 24hrs a day. All the signs to me were quite subtle at first but it is very obvious right now. She only gives way to Lilly. Frankly she has been a lot less of a terror lately as well. Much like Lilly the job seems to have mellowed her a little.

I've been told that one needs to make sure that hens that take on the role of rooster get to eat properly. Because they are on watch sometimes they miss out on the forage goodies.

 

[featherhead007]

I had to do it. I finally gave Arizona a bath. She was smelling like rotten eggs now she smells like freshly washed chicken. (She only complained a little)

 

[bgmathteach]

I've saw pictures floating around facebook of chickens in Christmas Hats. I wanted a picture of Branch and Poppy in a Santa Hat. Next time, I think the smart thing will be to photoshop on a hat. They were great sports about the whole thing although Poppy wanted to eat the tree and both immediately tried to shake off the hat every time it was placed on their heads.
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Awwww, maaa...it isn't that cold. I don't wanna wear a hat!

 

[RoyalChick]

I wish I would have had the cameras on them 24hrs a day. All the signs to me were quite subtle at first but it is very obvious right now. She only gives way to Lilly. Frankly she has been a lot less of a terror lately as well. Much like Lilly the job seems to have mellowed her a little.

I suspect that Maggie taking herself off to sleep in the nest box will trigger a similar change among the Princesses in the Chicken Palace.
Diana is in charge (that was a natural transition when Elizabeth died) but Maggie has clearly been number two and an enforcer as you have seen on videos of her attacking Dotty.
Well, without Maggie in the picture at night, Dotty is cozying up to Elizabeth and I suspect she is not going to concede that prime roost spot just because Maggie comes back.
We will see, but Dotty is a pretty assertive little hen (mainly towards me but also to poor Minnie) so it would not surprise me if she rises up the ranks.

 

[RoyalChick]

Waiting for Santa

Many of you will recall in that in 2019 3 of my 4 hens got to see Santa. When you got to PetsMart, you had to wait in your car with your "pet" until it was your turn to see Santa. I realized today that I took video of Aurora patiently waiting in the car for her chance to see Santa. You can see the excitement and expectation in her face. Watch along with me.

Here is her photo with the big guy from 2 years ago today.

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Good memory. I bet she was jealous of his beard!

 

[bgmathteach]

Found it!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...tion-submissions.1345170/page-6#post-22114003

Thank you! loved her look in the photo...she was really giving you 'the eye' there! I'm probably anthropomorphizing, but I think their eyes are more expressive

 

[bgmathteach]

Waiting for Santa

Many of you will recall in that in 2019 3 of my 4 hens got to see Santa. When you got to PetsMart, you had to wait in your car with your "pet" until it was your turn to see Santa. I realized today that I took video of Aurora patiently waiting in the car for her chance to see Santa. You can see the excitement and expectation in her face. Watch along with me.

Here is her photo with the big guy from 2 years ago today.

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Wow, I never would have though Aurora would have been that calm and patient back then. Maybe now, but not then! She is definitely checking everything out - as she watches any car movement, etc....but so calmly!!

While her pic with Santa is stunning...I thought she was more white. Against his white beard & cuffs, she looks more creamy in colour (which is probably a good thing, so she stands out...otherwise she would 'melt' into him and disappear in the photo.)

I am still so amazed at how good all of your girls were for the photo op and car ride!

 

[MaryJanet]

Thank you! loved her look in the photo...she was really giving you 'the eye' there! I'm probably anthropomorphizing, but I think their eyes are more expressive

I daresay I anthropomorphise her more than I should too, but at the same time I genuinely try to shift my thinking on her lived experience as a hen and try to imagine her thoughts and motivations. She often seems content and likes to play with the water. I'm hoping she'll go broody again before summer's over so I can get some eggs for her to hatch.