Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Thank you! I've never been more anxious in my life. He has pneumonia and it is not light. He is undergoing some standard treatment. I will try to talk to his doctor today. My mom is exhausted from taking care of him because she barely recovered from covid. Going to China now still requires at least 5 days quarantine. But starting Jan 8, no more quarantine is needed. I might go to China after the 8th, which could cost $5000, in addition to some indirect route that goes through Germany that takes 36h+ travel time.

I just don't know. I've been behaving like a zombie. I just want him to be better.

I'm sure that it is very scary.

 

[BY Bob]

I loved all of what you just said, but this was the best part

I agree.

 

[featherhead007]

This bit ^ is the best bit

Well, Aurora didn't actually say 'keep them alive' but she implied it by saying they'd become minions. So I have to acknowledge and celebrate Bernie's attention to detail.

Such a great way for a chicken to get started in life

She's extremely thoughtful and generous.

That's a problem in the big coop at my place too. Ever since Janet found it impossible to give up the rafter, the poop has been flowing down! The other hens have learned to than to roost away from the poop flow!

Now you guys are just talking

 

[featherhead007]

Now you guys are just talking

(Kidding)

 

[bgmathteach]

Thank you! I've never been more anxious in my life. He has pneumonia and it is not light. He is undergoing some standard treatment. I will try to talk to his doctor today. My mom is exhausted from taking care of him because she barely recovered from covid. Going to China now still requires at least 5 days quarantine. But starting Jan 8, no more quarantine is needed. I might go to China after the 8th, which could cost $5000, in addition to some indirect route that goes through Germany that takes 36h+ travel time.

I just don't know. I've been behaving like a zombie. I just want him to be better.

You are in a tough spot for sure. Hope your dad gets better soon and your mom can get some much needed rest.

And don't feel like a bad daughter - there is only so much you can do - the fact that you are so concerned that it is keeping you from being able to relax and think clearly shows just how much you care and are concerned! Take a deep breathe, think about what you can/can not do, AND what the impact of going (on all areas, including finances and YOUR family) versus not going (again - in all areas, including your sense of well being!) And make your decision after going through all the positives and negatives.

 

[RoyalChick]

Oh boy. There they are right up there again.
Perfectly positioned to soil the feeder.
I will hang it back in the morning.
The foxes are shouting out in the field. Scary sound!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I don't think I owe any taxes, but I'll see what I can unearth for you....

From warmer days
View attachment 3365507Twirp (for @RoyalChick Whiting True Blue, new breed, not in standards yet)
View attachment 3365509Whiskey (buff orpington x EE father with mother either same mix as dad or a Colombian wyandotte: aka Bitsa)

View attachment 3365510Hector (black australorp)

View attachment 3365514Jessica (Rabbit) (golden wyandotte or golden laced wyandotte, like Sansa)

View attachment 3365515Silver, helping Pear shed her feathers (Colombian wyandotte (the white with black ring around neck/black tail feathers/wing tips is called Colombian and in several breeds including Brahmas where theyre just called Light) and partridge rock)

View attachment 3365516Blanche (White Sapphire, another new breed, term for the random dark marks is called splash, and is 2 copies of the diluted black that makes blue when a bird only has 1 copy, making her or PITA the mother(s) of Lark and Indigo)

View attachment 3365518Cheetah and Cuckoo (Gold-pencilled Hamburg (pencilling looks a bit different in the breed for some reason I don't know) and a Plymouth Rock who's markings look like what happens when barred x penciled)

View attachment 3365519Thing 2 (mottled Houdan: crested, bearded, muffed, V-combed, and 5 toed)

View attachment 3365498Nox (speckled sussex: sussex also come in white (actually Colombian marked) and a couple of others, I think)


ENOUGH! She says.

I'm struck by the similarities of your and @BY Bob 's hens, the Speckled Sussex and the Jubilee Orp. So to further @RoyalChick 's education and mine, tonight's question:

What's the difference between a Speckled Sussex like you have and a Jubilee Orpington like Bob's? The comb seems smaller and more compact with the J. Orpington pictures but that may be younger birds. The consistency of the splashes and "barring" on the belly? Seems more uniform with the Sussex. Body shape is very similar.

Speckled Sussex from Heritage Acres Market:

From Strombergs

Jubilee Orpington from Heritage Acres Market

From Strombergs

 

[bgmathteach]

And yes, Eli is black with some gold flecks and Babs is sort of multi-colored which eventually someone will explain to me how to describe.
@bgmathteach is best placed to explain their parentage. I think it is Dark Cornish x EE (but I may have that wrong), so somewhat Bitsa.

yes, both are part Dark Cornish (mom) and EE(Dad). Interestingly enough, Eli has coloring more like mom, but has the EE beards & Muff. Babs, has mom's clean face, but gets a lot of grey (read: blue) from her dad.

So, as to describing the colouring: ELi is black with thin golden-brown lines along/next to the feather shaft - mostly on her back and wings. Her head, beard, muffs, and fluffy derriere feathers are all black.

Babs is 'double laced' - if that were a recognized feather pattern, in bands of different color. Thin black lacing along feather edge, followed by blue lacing (thicker), then the main color is a rich brown, with a golden colored feather shaft. Darker head (black) and on neck feathers medium charcoal black towards ends with darker black lacing.

I am so happy - and it is such fun with them all running around causing mischief.

I agree with @MaryJanet , this is the best part! I am very happy to see @RoyalChick worrying a bit less and enjoying more!

 

[bgmathteach]

Oh boy. There they are right up there again.
Perfectly positioned to soil the feeder.

Always better, Mum, when we have a target!

The foxes are shouting out in the field. Scary sound!

That's why we are so high up - foxes can't get us up here! We are safe and snug on the rafters.

 

[knoturavggrl]

Have any of you received shipped chicks before? I would worry they wouldn't survive - you know how I bawl over the slightest thing...

I will check them out (another enabler I see!)

Yes, I am in Ohio and had day old chicks shipped to me from a small hatchery in California. I ordered a surprise box of 10 and ended up being sent 13. All of them arrived healthy and feisty and have remained so. I called my local post office and spoke to them ahead of their arrival to find out how they do things, this helped enormously and they called the moment they arrived and I took off to grab them and bring them home at warp speed (I was beyond excited lol) so for me shipped chicks turned out to be a awesome experience.

What's a gals to do, sitting in the wilds of Alberta, but look for poultry breeders.

And what did I find?! Cream Legbars breeder about 2 hrs from me. They also have silkies and polish and Cochin .... Bestill my heart

https://performancepoultry.com/shopcart/index.php

Ha! I do that too!! I do not neeeddd more chickens but every darn time I see BYBobs LF it sets me to looking. I want a speckled chicken so bad Swedish Flower or a Jubilee Orpington or a speckled Sussex. So you aren’t alone in your poultry breeder searching

Ask Aurora

Today’s question comes from Bernadette.

View attachment 3366686

She writes……….


Dear Aurora,
I think you know I am a HUGE FAN - and although I can never have a beard like yours, I consider you a role model.

I have heard my human servant talk about wanting more chickens. She often has fanciful ideas (like asking me to sit on her lap) so at first I just ignored it. But she has now said it several times and so I am getting worried.

What does she want with more chickens? Surely I am magnificent enough to make other chickens un-necessary? I enclose a recent picture so you can confirm that I am indeed magnificent.

Also, I still have my work cut out for me ensuring that I get the prime roost spot each night and I only have to battle dear Diana for that spot. I cannot contemplate needing to handle more than Diana.

Honestly, it is exhausting just to think about!

I think I have to stop this whole idea before it gets out of hand. How can I get my servant thinking on more constructive lines like providing more treats instead of this more chickens nonsense?

Yours in complete awe of your achievements,
Bernadette


Dear Bernadette,
From the stories my human has been telling me about you I sense we may be kindred spirits. You certainly understand the “Way of the Chicken” and seem to be living up to the code. Don’t be too disappointed about not having a beard and muffs. Not everyone can grow one. You may want to try Spicey Food. I have heard rumors that it could help create facial feathers.

Looking at your picture I must admit that you are an attractive lady. You would think that someone with your superior looks would be enough for any human. However, humans do not think like chickens do. You need to learn about how humans think to understand what is going to happen to you.

Humans are strange. They never feel they have enough chickens. They are always looking to add more. More usually means different as well. I swear my humans are trying to make a rainbow of some kind. It’s like they want one of every kind. You should see the weirdos they have added to my tribe.

View attachment 3366688

Are those even chickens?

And then there is egg color. Some humans. Like mine are fixated on special color eggs. It wasn’t enough that I gave them beautiful pink eggs, no they had to have blue. I think blue eggs are disgusting. They look like they are spoiled or something.

You need to learn this one thing. Humans are always looking to add more different chickens. They even have a phrase for this tendency. They call it “Chicken Math”.

Chicken Math is not all bad though. There is a reason the smart hen wants to be high up in the pecking order. It is “The Way of the Chicken” for a good reason. Sure we get the choicest treats and food. There is also one more thing you get that you have not experienced. We get minions.

Here are some of my minions.

View attachment 3366689

You have not experienced the pure extasy it is to be worshiped. Minions will worship you. The smart ones will even bow down when you approach.

You can assign tasks to minions if they prove themselves worthy and they will be thankful for it! For example, you do not always have stand sentinel duty anymore. One of your minions can do it for you.

Minions are free game for friendly (or not so friendly) reminders that they are below you in the pecking order. So, peck them whenever you want. Always remember, it is your sworn duty to remind them of their lowly status whenever possible. That is “The Way of the Chicken”. In fact, it can be tons of fun to ambush and surprise them and make them flee your presence in fear. You already have exceptional roosting talents, put those talents to special use by forcing a minion off the roost at night. It lends a special sense of accomplishment and closure to a long day spent teaching your minions you are their better.

Just because something is your duty doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it.

I do need to give you one warning though. New chickens may just be bold enough to try and challenge your status. You must destroy them utterly when they first arrive. Typically, the humans will try to make you all be friends. Yes, humans are silly. They do not understand that we can’t be friends until everyone understands their place in the order of things. Once everyone understands their place then we can socialize “nicely”. As you know this is ever “The Way of the Chicken”.

In order to help us to be “friends” the humans will let you meet the newcomers but will keep you separated by wire so you can’t touch them. This is the most important time. You must heed my words. This is when you must, hear me, YOU MUST, intimidate the crap out of them. Charge the wire without running into it while screaming at them. Scrape your beak on the wire like you are sharpening it. Tell them you are going to peck the life out of them as soon as you get the chance. Stare them down. Dedicate part of your day to walking back and forth in front of the wire like some crazy bull just looking for a way to tear through the wire and get at them. They need to think you are nuts.

Humans call this “fence fighting”.

I call it prep.

Then when there is no wire between you for the first time you MUST ATTACK them immediately. Chase them everywhere. Before you know it, they will accept that you are their better and you will have your first minions.

You need to look upon this as an opportunity rather than your human viewing you as not enough. Trust me. You will love being worshiped by your minions. It’s the best.

I so look forward to these on Wednesday and it never disappoints! The response was also hysterical and on point!

Thank you MJ - I am so happy - and it is such fun with them all running around causing mischief.
It took me a while to believe Bernie wouldn't kill them - but now I am more confident.
And yes, Eli is black with some gold flecks and Babs is sort of multi-colored which eventually someone will explain to me how to describe.
@bgmathteach is best placed to explain their parentage. I think it is Dark Cornish x EE (but I may have that wrong), so somewhat Bitsa. They were raised by one of her broodies and I am so happy she was willing to share them with me.
Now off out to move all the hanging feeders because with chickens sleeping in the rafters there is a lot of poop flowing down from on high!

Congratulations I am so happy for you!