Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

So far, the kids (3 & 6) have been completely exempt from his ire. I monitor that very closely. Today, DD and I went out to collect eggs and Oreo came into the coop to see what we were up to. My daughter did a great job just continuing on and slowly and steadily checking boxes while never turning her back on him and I stood stock still by the door ready to intervene if the need arose. He stood and watched her for a minute or two and looked me up and down a few times and then left to go back out to the run even with a few pullets still in with us. No aggression no drama at all. I find this promising. Some trust remains in his hormonal brain, I just need to build on that.

I will give him time space and all the treats to give to his girls. Hopefully hormonal idiocy will wane and he will learn that although there are indeed threats out there we aren’t one of them.

Yes - in the Fall you should see a dramatic change. I didn't want a Roo after the trouble with mine, but I am glad for the Enablers for my chance to give Mr P a good home. He is very quiet, sensible, the girls absolutely love him, they all groom him and they all trust him. There is NO drama at all in the barn, no hens are running away from him in terror.

In fact if it wasn't for me catching him 'in the act' on camera every now and then, I would wonder if he was actually breeding the gals as there is no squawking or carrying-on at all, it's all very hush-hush, and he isn't just doing a jump on and savage the poor hens, he actually takes his time and the hens seem content to let him do his thing...

It's a huge relief for me, as my poor Silkies esp. where getting roughed up so much.

Once Autumn come you will see a huge change in him, and he will be older next Spring and I am sure you will have no issues at all.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Babs has gone into the nest boxes three times already this morning but for only a few seconds at a time. Maybe she doesn’t like what she sees?
Strangely she hasn’t explored the upper floor of boxes.
Now she is back for a fourth visit and is dragging in feathers from the floor.
I am pacing about chewing my nails.

Here she is with Eli standing guard.
View attachment 3397275

Edited to add an update: Turns out a second breakfast is a higher priority for Babs right now so she is out chowing down again.

Eli standing guard like that reminded me that when someone crouches / squats and I pet them, Hazel will approach and stand with her neck slightly elongated, with head tilted, and watch carefully. It's like she is supervising, or guarding? She doesn't dominate or peck the squatting one at any time, she lets them stand and fluff and walk away.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Rosie has been back to school for 2 days folks and we are headed back to the after hours. This time around she is crying with her ear and her throat and has a fever.

 

[featherhead007]

I thought it was pigmentation like a spotty old appaloosa horse

Oh how I want spotty chickens like those Silver Spangled Hamburgs - seems I am destined to not have any though

I would like a Hamburg with bacon, cheese, and onions fries on the side!

 

[knoturavggrl]

Rosie has been back to school for 2 days folks and we are headed back to the after hours. This time around she is crying with her ear and her throat and has a fever.

Crazy isn’t it. Same boat so many illnesses this year. My daughter and I are recovering from strep now. I hope she gets better quickly.

 

[featherhead007]

I crawled out from the house and passed out some meally worms for the chooks:

 

[BY Bob]

Mugs Monday (from the archives)

View attachment 3397544

And Mani Monday for Bob.
View attachment 3397545

Ooooooo. Those are very nice. And good looking chickens too!

 

[BY Bob]

Eli standing guard like that reminded me that when someone crouches / squats and I pet them, Hazel will approach and stand with her neck slightly elongated, with head tilted, and watch carefully. It's like she is supervising, or guarding? She doesn't dominate or peck the squatting one at any time, she lets them stand and fluff and walk away.

That is interesting. I have never seen that.

 

[BY Bob]

Rosie has been back to school for 2 days folks and we are headed back to the after hours. This time around she is crying with her ear and her throat and has a fever.

Oh no!

 

[BY Bob]

Crazy isn’t it. Same boat so many illnesses this year. My daughter and I are recovering from strep now. I hope she gets better quickly.

3 days of antibiotics and you'll feel better. Be sure to take them all even though you feel better.