Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

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

I am away from my desk (and the guide) right now but will update in the morning.
However I am going to try and see if I can get somewhere.
Both Orpington and Sussex are breeds and both come in different colors.
So I am going to guess that both speckled and jubilee are names of a color and that they are the same color.
That’s all I got without the guidebook!

 

[bgmathteach]

A few pics.View attachment 3367154View attachment 3367156View attachment 3367157View attachment 3367158View attachment 3367159

Lovely 'kids' - all of them!

Hope you are feeling better!

 

[featherhead007]

Here’s the deal, the ladies were all over the yard at roosting time, because I had Jaffar inside the house. Soon after I brought him outside, everyone except Dakota was inside the coop. I located her, and took her inside with me. Then I went back to get Jaffar (because it’s our movie night tonight

 

[bgmathteach]

What link?

The ?picture?

OMG, the picture shows now. before it just showed the 'link' to the photo (like when you reply, sometimes the link for the photo, not the photo itself shows.)

However, now I can see Glynda in all her glory!!

 

[rural mouse]

I love that! And aren’t those sussex feathers oh so soft???

When I'm closing the coop and checking for eggs, Nox pecks at my back until I turn around and rub her crop. She also yells at me in the morning until HER chosen breakfast is available....sometimes she wants the water filled instead. If she turns broody, life in and around the coop should get interesting. Mera is more stand offish than Nox is, but both are loves.

 

[rural mouse]

Those of you who follow 'Ask Aurora' will have noticed that Bernadette has given away my secret. I have been holding out on you all and spent Christmas and New Year introducing new chickens to the Chicken Palace.

Bernadette gave you only fleeting glimpses of them running away
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-26430083

But now it is time for me to introduce them properly to everyone at Fluffy Butt Acres.

Before I do so, I want to say a huge thank you to @bgmathteach who really succeeded in pushing me past the sadness of all my recent chicken losses to expand my flock, and who really went above and beyond to share two beautiful members of her flock with me. Thanks also to @BY Bob who provided wise advice and @MaryJanet who by sharing the stories of her laundry chickens helped me realize how I could make quarantine practical for these grown ladies - I too now have a chicken room!

Please meet the new Princesses in residence.

Eli (Elinor)
Elinor is flighty but also very food motivated. She will hide behind or underneath her sister as long as doing so does not cut off her access to the food.
She is named after Elinor Smith who was a stunt pilot in the 1920s. In 1928 she flew under all the bridges on the East River in NYC - she did it on a dare and nobody has achieved it since. This capture's Eli's character perfectly!

Babs
Babs is larger, fluffy, comfortable, and inclined to be friendly. She is still wary of me, but settles when held. She is very vocal and is constantly talking to whoever is interested. She is no pushover will scream blue murder when I first try to touch her. She seems inclined to want to be friends with Diana and Bernie. Her name is partly inspired by Barbara Walters - a pioneering female news broadcaster in the US (and Babs can certainly broadcast) and partly in recognition of @bgmathteach, but mainly just because it suits her!

The main issue right now is that they are both roosting 10' up in the rafters of the Chicken Palace run. Getting there is no small feat, and when they come down they sometimes land right in front of Bernadette who does not appreciate when it rains chickens from the sky.

Here are a few pictures by way of introduction - more to follow I am sure.

View attachment 3366909View attachment 3366911View attachment 3366912View attachment 3366913View attachment 3366914View attachment 3366915View attachment 3366916View attachment 3366917View attachment 3366918

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Looks like they learned to roost in bgmath's chicken tree... wonder which way to will go: Bernie and Diana up, or Babs and Eli down..

 

[BY Bob]

“I wanted to be hatched speckled, but it just wasn’t in the cards!” View attachment 3367180

You are beautiful just as you are.

 

[Ponypoor]

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.

Oh My Gosh!!!

I waited all day to get back to my Well-site so that I could find Aurora's spiel - had an extraordinary busy day here (big wigs on site haha). Then I had to make supper (because I do not eat Tilapia ugh!), and then fight with the network because everyone wants to download stuff in the evening....

But it was all worth it! Another awesome display of 'the way of the chicken' - Aurora you do not disappoint I bow down to you as a human minion

 

[BY Bob]

Oh My Gosh!!!

I waited all day to get back to my Well-site so that I could find Aurora's spiel - had an extraordinary busy day here (big wigs on site haha). Then I had to make supper (because I do not eat Tilapia ugh!), and then fight with the network because everyone wants to download stuff in the evening....

But it was all worth it! Another awesome display of 'the way of the chicken' - Aurora you do not disappoint I bow down to you as a human minion

You are too kind. Wait until you see Bernie's reply.

 

[rural mouse]

I'm interested in Bielefelders.... Do they like them? The autosexing chicks is a BIG plus.

They were handled quite a bit as babies, are pretty gentle, like pecking shoes, and boys were easily the same size (if not bigger) than her buff orpingtons which came in the same batch of chicks.