Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[knoturavggrl]

She did not wait for me.

But it is a beautiful egg.

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Buk buk buuuukkk!!! Congratulations beautiful long awaited egg!!

I will look forward to this. I am actually no slouch at basic genetics - I have training in biology and physiology so I have a start with very basic genetics.
I suspect I will find chicken genetics more complicated though because the language of the color and feather pattern phenotypes is not actually the language of genetics but sounds more like poultry show language.
Isabelle/Lavender/Opal let alone Blue vs Self-Blue.
I may never emerge from this if I dive in.
But as you have sent me an article it is only a matter of time before I dive in.
Bookmarked!

Tax: an opal not Isabelle but maybe lavender and certainly cute chicken. Rest in peace my lovely Lulu - you were simply too beautiful to stay in this world.

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What a beautiful girl she was.

 

[ValarieF]

She did not wait for me.

But it is a beautiful egg.

View attachment 3408444

Beautiful!

 

[knoturavggrl]

Chilly but the SUN has finally made an appearance! We had to go outside and take some photos.

Brownie saying hello and taking a flight/hop off my daughter’s shoulder.

Doodle eating some grass

Cinnamon

Peanut Butter

And lastly finally got a photo that shows her silvery shine

 

[knoturavggrl]

Calling all enablers!!

I have secured my Blue Partridge Brahmas (3 pullets) but they are 12 weeks old and will be arriving at some point in the next couple of weeks. They are 3.5 hrs away so its still being determined if I will drive to go get them or have them shipped. All depends on shipping costs.

I need to mentally review the steps for properly bring in new flock members. Help me if I am missing anything.

1. Quarantine (30 days): will my brooder tent work set up in the garage likely suffice for this length of time?
2. Integration - need to acquire a round pen like for small dogs so they can see each other but not hurt one another or would a large dog kennel be more ideal?

 

[RoyalChick]

Buk buk buuuukkk!!! Congratulations beautiful long awaited egg!!

What a beautiful girl she was.

Thank you.
I think maybe I am ready to get another one like her. She was very special so I am not sure yet.

 

[Ponypoor]

Ooh, a creme cheese danish is one of my weaknesses. Technically I could eat them more frequently, just have to give a proper dose of my quick acting insulin. Instead I treat myself to one every 2 months or so. I will get one, and then like you wait until my sugar is in the 80 to 90 range that way I do not have to take as much insulin to enjoy my treat. Temps have been crazy here as well. The beginning of the week it was in the 70s and sunny. Thursday heavy rains and flooding in the area. Friday morning in the low 30s and snowing. I think by Wednesday it is supposed to be back in the 60s and almost 70s again by the weekend. Who am I kidding, this is Kentucky. This time of the year you can experience all 4 seasons in 4 days.

Oh I could get to like those temps.... It was -12C when I came in to work, I just ran back to my well-site and it's -16C and snowing brrrr! and of course now mother nature decides to have winter! So close to the end of the project and it's going to be into the -30C range!

But, back home it's not going to be too bad, which is most important. I don't want my poor chooks stressed with the cold.

Checked on them, they were in Truly's stall as usual; I think turning her stall into a 'summer coop' for roosting at night will be a good thing for them., and it's a huge area for any babies to run around it

 

[knoturavggrl]

Thank you.
I think maybe I am ready to get another one like her. She was very special so I am not sure yet.

You will know when the time is right. Any chicken you get will live a wonderful life well cared for and loved.

 

[Ponypoor]

Calling all enablers!!

I have secured my Blue Partridge Brahmas (3 pullets) but they are 12 weeks old and will be arriving at some point in the next couple of weeks. They are 3.5 hrs away so its still being determined if I will drive to go get them or have them shipped. All depends on shipping costs.

I need to mentally review the steps for properly bring in new flock members. Help me if I am missing anything.

1. Quarantine (30 days): will my brooder tent work set up in the garage likely suffice for this length of time?
2. Integration - need to acquire a round pen like for small dogs so they can see each other but not hurt one another or would a large dog kennel be more ideal?

Congratulations! 3.5hrs is not so far away I make that trip from camp to Peace River every Sunday for groceries! Can't wait to see photos of them!

1) Quarantine: they will be pretty big at 12 weeks of age - esp being Brahmas
Can you make a temporary coop for them in your garage? I am told they don't fly much so you could likely get away with a 3' wall. I would aim for a 10x10 area if you can't free range them for a couple hrs a day.

2) Integration: If you can split your run up into 2 sections, they can see but not touch each other. I did this with Mr P, he could see the ladies but not touch them.

I am sure your group will be fine with them, I am eggcited to see them when you get them!

 

[Ponypoor]

Maybe @RoyalChick could loan you Eli & Babs??? They would teach your chooks how to properly utilize those tree branches!

My girls LOVE it.
@TX Chick Noob
Here are a few pictures of it: (Please excuse it's current condition - I've had for about 5 years now, and probably should be replacing the 'bag' and cleaning it up a bit!View attachment 3408882View attachment 3408883
And all it cost me was the screws to add the rails, roosts, and bottom board (not visible) to give the leggs a bit more support.

I also repurposed a free curio cabinet that someone was giving away because the curved glass in th e door broke. I removed all other glass (kept mirrors), replaced glass shelf with scrap plywood cut to size & added a roost, drilled holes and added some eye bolts to hang treats and such - again, except for hardware (eye bolts, screws) all was free/scraps. My dustbath (a mortar tub that had been built into a raised water table for kids) I got at Habitat for Humanity for $5, and attached some roosts off of it. My chickens love and utilize all 3 things regularly!

Curio cabinet: (dust bath in background)

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Dust bath with added branch roosts:View attachment 3408887
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Edited to add: @TX Chick Noob : If you look closely at the right lower side of the curio cabinet - you will see one of the plant extended hooks I suggested earlier - that is one of the many I use to hang apples, cabbage, etc. Some grocery stores have 'getting close to need to be used' area for veggies & fruit. i am able to snag a bag of apples once every few weeks - usually at 1/2 to 1/3 the cost - to hang for them. (I go through pretty much 1 full plastic bag per 'hanging' given the # of chooks I have. However, the apples are usually still in good enough shape you could use some to make bakes apples for you and hubby as a desert. (when I make mine, I core the apples, fill the core-hole with raisins or dried cranberries, sprinkle with cinnamon, and bake until tender. YUMMMMMY ( and, while does have a lot of carbs, is definitely a healthier desert than most.) That way you could use a bag of apples - between you & the chooks - before they go bad.

I love the mirror idea! Do they peck at it? I am going to add a slide also, I have seen videos of chickens going down slides

 

[featherhead007]

Drama! Tree trimmers are cutting more of my overgrown trees. Chooks are locked up in the coop. Dakota is screaming her head off and wants out, away from the others. I guess I should bring her inside with me for now