Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

DH working nights, boys at school (oldest will be at A School as graduation from boot Camp is on Feb 11), I'm working 20+ miles away during the day. Just don't see how to make that work. Garage.... major draft every time we open the doors coming or going. Mornings, the doors are open for at least a half hour. I open when getting feed, close mine when leaving. He closes his upon coming in. ....Mama had Storm up on top of the nest boxes by the time she was a week old. probably going to have to put the ramp and boxes back int he coop. water is the biggest challenge. I can't let the hose run down the hillside like I did last summer.....gravel in the crock pot, ramp/bricks to reach it...... time to start mulling ideas now. may not need them as she may not be successful, but need to be prepared if she is.

So many things to consider. Sounds like some planning will be required.

 

[RoyalChick]

It is time for some Corona appreciation. She is 5 1/2 months old now and I am loving everything about this girl. My 1 itty bitty complaint is that she has clean legs, but I can fix that with her babies. It has taken 2 generations but she is the closest hen I have to having full complete copper hackle markings. My plans with this girl is once she starts laying and her eggs are up to size she is being paired up with Bubba. They both have the dark copper coloring, and he has the better feathering on his legs and feet. I want a dozen eggs between these 2 to hatch off for myself in hopes of getting a feather footed hen with at least as much hackle markings Corona has if not more. Corona is also showing signs she is going to be as big as grandma Daisy, another reason the ideal pairing will be with my tank of a boy Bubba. Drumstick and Clovers final gift to me was their best daughter.
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Isn't she my perfect chicken: black with copper and clean legs?
How long did we decide the drive to KY from NJ is?

 

[RoyalChick]

They are Figuring it Out on Their Own

Look at the peaceful gathering. I really need to stay out of it for sure.

We will all remind you. Particularly at roosting time.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Isn't she my perfect chicken: black with copper and clean legs?
How long did we decide the drive to KY from NJ is?

Not sure, but, my great-grandmother lived in Elkton Maryland. I remember we could be at her house in under 11 hours when we visited her. Faster then that if my dad drove. I know I offered her to you when they hatched last fall, but this is one girl that I am very grateful I hung on to. When it is time to hatch eggs from her, even if Basil is the daddy around half her chicks will most likely end up with clean legs. The big question is if this is the year I can hatch off mostly pullets. I love my boys, but darn it I'm due for some mostly girl hatches. Your welcome to any clean leg girls she has, or her sister Baby who is a pretty girl in her own right, but while she has a little copper nothing like Corona has.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

Wrong. They molt. He just hasn't been successful in growing in new neck feathers. At least where he lives it rarely freezes. He also gets pampered so likely spends the cold nights inside watching movies and eating mealy worm laced popcorn.

Who, mine? No way, he’s outside. And he’s too much of a scaredy cat to pick up.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

You probably have a slow molting rooster. In late fall, check his wings. See if he has 1 primary or secondary feather that is unusually short. If you check every 1-2 weeks, you should be able to tell. I have had a couple of very slow molting hens (they never looked like a feather was out of place!) This article has some great pictures/diagrams of fast and slow molting wing feather replacement for reference:
https://www.betterhensandgardens.com/how-how-fast-chickens-molt/

By the way, my roosters never seem to have super fast molts like some of my hens. Not sure if I am just an exception, or if they tend to molt more slowly so that they can always look out & protect the hens? (i.e. never naked & afraid)

Thanks! But how am I supposed to check his wings if he’s very skittish? I can get to about 1 foot from him no problem, any further and he’s gone.

 

[RoyalChick]

Not sure, but, my great-grandmother lived in Elkton Maryland. I remember we could be at her house in under 11 hours when we visited her. Faster then that if my dad drove. I know I offered her to you when they hatched last fall, but this is one girl that I am very grateful I hung on to. When it is time to hatch eggs from her, even if Basil is the daddy around half her chicks will most likely end up with clean legs. The big question is if this is the year I can hatch off mostly pullets. I love my boys, but darn it I'm due for some mostly girl hatches. Your welcome to any clean leg girls she has, or her sister Baby who is a pretty girl in her own right, but while she has a little copper nothing like Corona has.

Well think of me. I am just about crazy enough to consider it!

 

[RoyalChick]

Trust Maggie to take possession of the best sun spot.

 

[featherhead007]

Croaking, then.

I don’t karaoke either. (That’s croaking) it’s what I call it!

 

[featherhead007]

Wrong. They molt. He just hasn't been successful in growing in new neck feathers. At least where he lives it rarely freezes. He also gets pampered so likely spends the cold nights inside watching movies and eating mealy worm laced popcorn.

And just is wrong with that? Yes he’s pampered, so what!