Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

I want to take a minute to rant. This is not directed to anyone on here but some posts and advice I've been seeing on some chicken facebook groups that are getting under my skin. I guess it could pertain to those of us who have broody hens and babies.

In the last month there has been countless posts about people asking for help because they let a hen hatch chicks and then want to know what to do. 2 things keep getting told to them over and over and each one wants to make me scream in frustration. Half of the advice given is to take the chicks from the momma and brood them themselves. The other half of the group say to separate momma and babies from the flock and not introduce them back until the chicks are 7 weeks or older so they are big enough to defend themselves.

The first option really ticks me off. If you are going to trust your hen to hatch, and let her go through all the work to do it give your hen a chance to prove she is a good mom. Even if I do not plan on keeping the chicks I never take them away from her until she is finished with them. To me that is cruel, if your not going to let her raise them, buy a incubator. Now if she hatches and starts killing the chicks, ok, remove them and never let her hatch again. But give the poor momma a chance please.

The 2nd option almost makes me as mad. Maybe keep them separate for a few days or up to a week but not 7 weeks. The mom will protect them, they will watch and learn from other flock members if given a chance. More importantly, when mom is done, most times before 7 weeks they are already fully integrated flock members.

I do not even attempt to offer this advise anymore because you will be hounded because you do not agree with them. Even if several people disagree with those options we are all evil and not protecting those delicate chicks. I will tell you, chicks are not as fragile as we have came to believe or be told they are.

Ok Rant over.

AMEN! HALLELUJAH!
Edit: new phone posted before I was done. I've put chicks without a mom in the coop by the time they're 2 weeks old. When I do that, I fence them so they can see and be seen, and they're usually able to run loose with the flock within the next 2 weeks. Evaluate, observe, and let them out under supervision. Make sure they can get themselves back in, have pursuit blockers and places to hide. They do just fine. Storm was orphaned at 3 weeks. I couldn't remove her from the flock to be raised alone. That wasn't fair to her. She hung near alpha & beta hens, avoided the others and did just fine. The biggest thing: space, space, and more space.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Aww, so gorgeous! Is Bunny a good mama?

This is her 3rd time rearing chicks. She is a wonderful momma. Me and her have had 1 difference of opinion on where they sleep at night since they were 3 days old. She wants to sleep with them in the corner of Russ's stall where his hay gets tossed. Nightly I remove them and put them in the run. Last night she changed it up. Since I will not let them sleep there she had them on the top board separating Louis and Russ's stalls. 1 chick under each wing. Nope, not there either back in the run you 3 go. Now if she will put them on the actual roost with her, then they can stay.

 

[LozzyR]

Happy Fluffy Butt Friday from all my girls who are no longer with us.

Emily

Penny

Chickie

Bessie

Lucy

Charlie

River

Penguin

Lottie

Miss you ladies

 

[rural mouse]

I shall join you in complaining. 94 right now, feels like 103 with 53% humidity. My stalls need cleaning, and they will get done, around midnight tonight. I was soaking wet just watering the horses earlier.

Did the water feel good?

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Did the water feel good?

Considering I was soaking wet with sweat, nope.

 

[rural mouse]

Happy Fluffy Butt Friday from all my girls who are no longer with us.

Emily
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Penny
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Chickie
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Bessie
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Lucy
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Charlie
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River
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Penguin
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Lottie
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Miss you ladies

Wonderful photo memorial!

 

[rural mouse]

Considering I was soaking wet with sweat, nope.

Hose off/cool down at the same time?

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

And Dirt would like to report me to the ASPCA for abuse. He begged the entire time I was filling up his water bucket to have his butt scratched. To his horror I did not stand out there melting to oblige him. Sorry buddy, when I come out later to clean stalls, I will scratch every inch of you then. Right now, go take a nap in front of your fan, it will not kill you.

 

[Marie2020]

Agreed

With my horses mama and babies got kicked back out with everyone within a few days, so naturally when my Henny Penny hatched her kiddos I kicked them out also.

Those suckers can sure run away from the meanies fast when need be!!!

My only concern with the chicks was getting cold. It was Oct here so it gets chilly! But not to worry! mama had ample fluffy feathers to keep them warm.

I do not give advise any more re: horses, kids, chickens.... Or anything for that matter. Not worth the stress! I really loved how my neighbour told me she spent 3 hrs researching something with her horses and my opinion was totally incorrect (even though I have had 100 horses and 30yrs)....

But ya, I get it.

Oh and my neighbour..? She ended up doing as I said in the first place

I have a headache...

 

[Marie2020]

My beautiful Agatha with her family
Have a good Friday everyone