Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Kris5902]

When you get internet can you look at the videos I posted over on the thread I made in the emergencies forum - it is where you posted asking for video - and I have put up a couple of videos that focus on her walking. This one on FBA is just cute because she is trying so hard to be like the others.

Here are the most recent ones of her walking with and without the boot.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-leg-any-advice-please.1519956/post-25607902

I have learned a lot about handling chicks through this - the T-shirt burrito didn't work, she wriggled out of it. BUT, I had a pocket from some jogger knit pants (like T-shirt material but a bit heavier) that I had ripped up for rags. The pocket was perfect - I put it over her head and wrapped it around her body. She looked a bit like a victim of kidnapping but it allowed me to strap on her boot.

I did get a chance to look them over… not sure why I didn’t get a notification even with the tag I see a lot that makes me hopeful, and I wouldn’t be giving up on her based on anything I saw over there yet. Anything you can get worked out to keep the wings still while you work on her… lol. I’ve been known to use a full tube sock over some less willing patients heads it’s harder when they are smaller for sure

 

[El Paso Linda]

Here is Jabber doing his job and showing the girls where the food is. (He must think they are blind, lol)

I have seen my Silkie rooster even pick up food and drop it in front of a hen. Roos are very good caregivers to their flock.

 

[El Paso Linda]

A Little Early to be Swimming

The weather here in central PA has been unbearably rainy. So much so that I opened my pool over a month later than usual this year. This has been a boon to the ducks who like to use the top of my covered pool as a temporary pond.

This Saturday I decided I could not wait anymore and I took the cover off of the pool. This is the first the pullets have seen it uncovered and as with any change the whole process was a little unnerving for them. Once it was done, everything seemed to settle in until yesterday evening.

I went out onto the deck to check on the pool robot”s progress and Maleficent came running towards me to see if I had any good food. Now yesterday was 51 degrees and rainy so I did come ooutside expecting to sit and feed some demanding pullets. However, being the softie that I am I decided to grab some cracked corn and scatter it for them. I popped inside to grab some corn.

When I open the door to come back out I hear Patsy sounding the alarm, over and over. It took me a minute to survey the situation. All of the Bigs were standing at the deep end of the pool, including Patsy who was alarming for all she was worth. Now the deep end of the pool is wide open to the sky and no one is running. That should rule out hawks.

I don’t see either of the Littles.

Patsy is still Alarming.

Is there a ground varmint after the littles?

Patsy is still Alarming.

Then I see her. Aurora is floating in the pool. In the deep end by Patsy and the rest of the Bigs. None of the pool equipment is ready to go. The net and poll are still put away. I know she doesn’t have long to last in water that cold. I lay down on the side and reach out to grab her. As my hand gets close, she pecks me. Undeterred by her vicious beak, I am able to grab her wing and pull her towards me. I gather her up and out of the water.

Patsy is still Alarming.

I have to show Aurora too Patsy, beak to beak, before she will stop calling out.

Into the house we go. I grab a towel and start to dry her off. I don’t want her sleeping with soaked feathers in sub 50 degree weather. The Bigs all come to the back door to wait for her to came back out.

Pasty yells.

I show Patsy Aurora all wrapped in a towel through the patio door and she desists. Through this all Maleficent is hiding in the Little’s coop. Once I have Aurora sufficiently dry, I take her back out to the Little’s coop where her friend is waiting. They excited run into each other, flap their wings, and set out accross the yard again.

All is back to normal at Fluffy Butt Acres.

For me the most amazing thing was Patsy’s concern for a chicken that really did not seem to be part of her flock. Escpecially with the way that Lilly was running them around recently. Then I watched this morning as Hattie wandered over with the Littles for a bit. I thought at first she was going to chase them but she just hung out around them. I told my wife that I think it is time to start full-on flock integration.

Of course in all the excitement, no photos. But here is little Aurora hanging out this morning.
View attachment 1775045

I too had a scare when my Silkies got into the duck pond in cold weather. I took the hen into the house and dried her off with a towel and then held her wrapped in a dry towel for a few hours. I did keep her in a warm outbuilding for the night before returning her to the flock though. This happened with all four of the hens, one by one. One hen died because she was stuck in the cold water too long. After that, I never had the hens go into the water again, they would just drink from the edge and they taught the younger chicks to avoid the water too. The roosters never did try to go into the water.

 

[rural mouse]

I too had a scare when my Silkies got into the duck pond in cold weather. I took the hen into the house and dried her off with a towel and then held her wrapped in a dry towel for a few hours. I did keep her in a warm outbuilding for the night before returning her to the flock though. This happened with all four of the hens, one by one. One hen died because she was stuck in the cold water too long. After that, I never had the hens go into the water again, they would just drink from the edge and they taught the younger chicks to avoid the water too. The roosters never did try to go into the water.

Welcome to the thread. Bob is on vacation so the rest of us are holding the fort for him. Some have read all the way through, others have skipped to today. Some backtrack through, others don't. Feel free to join us in the now. Pics of your birds are ALWAYS welcome/ required as tax payments for off topic or SHRA (Should Have Read Ahead).

 

[RoyalChick]

I have seen my Silkie rooster even pick up food and drop it in front of a hen. Roos are very good caregivers to their flock.

Welcome to Fluffy Butt Acres! As @rural mouse already explained our host, Bob, is away for two weeks. I know he would want us all to welcome you, and ask if you would post pictures of your flock so we can get to know them.
The thread is a bit daunting in length and not everyone has tried to read it all (some have!) so just jump right in and share your chicken stories.

 

[Ponypoor]

I have seen my Silkie rooster even pick up food and drop it in front of a hen. Roos are very good caregivers to their flock.

My Roo used to do that for me too

 

[Ponypoor]

I have seen my Silkie rooster even pick up food and drop it in front of a hen. Roos are very good caregivers to their flock.

Hello! Welcome, I have a few silkies also, as well as barnyard mutts

 

[Ponypoor]

Happy Easter everyone

Yesterday's egg haul

 

[Ponypoor]

Awoke this morning, looked outside only to see my truck covered in snow! You can imagine what I had to say about that!

Anyways it's Pony Sunday, these two are Sally and Lulu

 

[LozzyR]

It's a bit late for Caturday, but I thought I'd share this anyway.