Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

He's got the loose feather look of a juvenile moult. How old are they again? Between 9 and 12 weeks?

Non of mine had that look but maybe because he is a BR it makes the look that way

 

[rural mouse]

Non of mine had that look but maybe because he is a BR it makes the look that way

White feet: he's a Cuckoo Marans....and his offspring should produce dark brown eggs, unless they're a cross from blue egg layers in which case they should produce olive (rather than green) eggs.

 

[knoturavggrl]

He has white feet.

Cuckoo Marans then Here is link to where I found how to tell them apart. It was nicely laid out even for a beginner like me.
https://backyardfarmlife.com/cuckoo-maran-vs-barred-rock/

 

[Ponypoor]

Pony (puppy) Sunday View attachment 3292996View attachment 3293198View attachment 3293201View attachment 3293206View attachment 3293207

Awwwww I miss having a dog - so much fun - but I have enough with the horses and chickies, the cat and mum…..

 

[Ponypoor]

White feet: he's a Cuckoo Marans....and his offspring should produce dark brown eggs, unless they're a cross from blue egg layers in which case they should produce olive (rather than green) eggs.

Lovely

I want some of those hens

 

[Ponypoor]

My 24 have an acre plus, don't usually forage on all of it (doesnt include the neighbors below, who have been known to feed them too), and (so far) are content to sleep in the same coop. 5 roos, could be a bit interesting as the ratio works out to 3-4 hens / roo. I was aiming for @5 per roo, but straight run, Flame turned out to be Kren instead. If I'm aiming for that ratio, I'll be up to 30 birds with existing roos. That's an awful lot for us, but we have winter/spring predators wanting to feed offspring to get through. Also have personalities to observe all winter. I've added more roosts so linear feet of roost space is pushing 30 feet plus nest box bank. Floor space in the coop is somewheres between 72 and 90 square feet. The only time the door is kept shut during the day is when the temps are below zero F. They are restless in the coop when I'm late getting out to open it, but as long as they can leave it and spread out, fights are more chase and run than anything else. At this point, watch and watch some more.

That’s a great set up.

I am rethinking my outside run now that I know the hawk is around, I need to get some mesh over top asap.

Anyone have any suggestions? The run is 16’ wide and about 90’ long - but broken up by big trees.

 

[Ponypoor]

I hate to send her home to this but her family will pick up Rosie soon. Before and after pictures below.View attachment 3293215View attachment 3293217

She is a cutie pie, hope the owners keep her trimmed she looks much nicer all clipped up

 

[Ponypoor]

S

She is a sweet girl and craves attention. She's had a good day today. Her own breakfast of scrambled eggs covered in chicken broth and my breakfast of steak and eggs and now my lunch of ham n cheese quesadilla.

Sounds good to me! I haven’t had lunch yet, and it’s 3:33… time for some grub for me!

 

[Ponypoor]

BTW, I mentioned earlier that is was 28F around dawn this morning. It's gone up more than 20 degrees. 52, and still rising. Beautiful sunny day.

Pause to go take pics

Cheetah standing watch under the French lilac, several ladies with him...and most of the girls too.View attachment 3293234View attachment 3293232Nellie looking good, Storm looking pretty miserable, Blanche still tatty, PITA miserable but improving, and Lark looking very close to laying (had a white egg the other day, but not small enough to be a pullet egg).

Meanwhile KrenView attachment 3293233Keeping watch down below

View attachment 3293231And Horus tidbitting like crazy (Kren and Whiskey both discovered good things too), all attempts were ignored.View attachment 3293229Jessica seems to be migrating into Hector's girl rather than Cheetah's.....
View attachment 3293241Primula and View attachment 3293242Nox enjoying some sunshine, supervised by Hector, but with the Idiots orbiting near by.

Asphodel and Twirp were working on eggs (or at least going through the motions) and Thing was having a bite in the coop. But where are Silver and Pear? Started looking around slowly, checking down below to no avail. On my way back up, caught Pippa being curiousView attachment 3293230

Circled the garage, checking the carport....no....View attachment 3293228They found the residual warmth from the fire last night.View attachment 3293227Storm has been in the area too.

View attachment 3293226They're feeling better, still have a ways to go on the moult, but dandelion greens and pea tree seeds are the mid morning forage of choice.

Such beauties - love those hens so gorgeous

 

[knoturavggrl]

That’s a great set up.

I am rethinking my outside run now that I know the hawk is around, I need to get some mesh over top asap.

Anyone have any suggestions? The run is 16’ wide and about 90’ long - but broken up by big trees.

Shiny Pinwheels, mylar streamers … I think the effect is only temporary until they get used to it and realize its not an actual threat to them but it is inexpensive and it may buy you some time. Since you have the trees you could tie the streamers to them.