Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I didn’t know this!

Yes Polish have vaulted skulls. That's what makes the feathers on their heads stand up. Legertha died because there was a hole in her's that did not close, it is not real unusual for that to happen.

 

[BY Bob]

I have lost the plot. Babs is on top of the flat panel heater.

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Roosting chickens.....

 

[BY Bob]

Oh clever you. Of course it does!
I have never been a fan so never shop for it.

I had children and the liquid was so much easier to give them than a pill. I've never forgotten about it. If course I don't have any in the house right now. I do believe I will get some and add it to the kit.

 

[micstrachan]

Ask Aurora

Today’s question comes from @bgmathteach Broodless BR in MA.

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And she writes.......

Dear Aurora,
I have a conundrum regarding 'The Way of the Chicken.", and I am hoping you can clear up my confusion. Now, I know you have little experience with Roosters, but I also know you are wise beyond your years, so here goes:

As I understand it, the top hens have the power, and are the strongest - if not physically, then mentally. Chickens should go broody and continue the species. Low ranking hens get harassed and should not raise chicks, else they may move up in the pecking order, and sometimes the top two hens are so busy that they don't have time to be broody - what with the planning of sneak attacks and all to keep the others in line.
So with that in mind, why do roosters give most of their attention to the top and the bottom on the girls in the pecking order. Wouldn't it make sense for them to curry favor with the top hens, and breed with the middle to upper half, so that the best genetics (without imposing on the Queen, that is) get continued? I am a beautiful upper-mid-level hen, with fine barring, and I'm strong and smart (see my picture below - I was clever enough to escape the run!). I would love to hatch my own babies. Sadly, the roosters pay little mind to me, and frequent the girls at the bottom - to the point of making them bald! Can you help me attract the attentions of my chosen Rooster without also causing him to constantly be wanting nooky, nooky? Once a day would be nice....fertilize my eggs, but not mess up my beautiful feathers too much.

Signed,

Broodless BR in MA

P.S.: This picture was just before molting and getting my shiny new feathers, but it shows both my

strength AND smarts!



Dear Broodless BR in MA,

First I am getting questions from roosters and now I am getting letters from the lovelorn. One would think that it would not be smart to write to someone who has never lived with a rooster and ask for guidance. Well, you would be wrong. “The Way of the Chicken” covers all scenarios and I am nothing if not a master of “The Way”. You are always smart to ask me for guidance.

So, what does “The Way” say about roosters. I have reminded roosters before that they serve 3 main purposes:

• Be willing to die to protect us hens.
• Assist us to replicate the species when permitted.
• Always serve the lead hens.

Your question involves purpose 2. So, let’s look at how rooster’s behave and try to understand their motivations. It is time to put our “Male Goggles” on, become “O Focused” and try to figure out where they are coming from so we might discover some answers to your dilemma.

Male goggles on!

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Gosh this is uncomfortable. They are some weird creatures these roosters. OK, to the problem at hand.....

We should try to limit our exploration to fully mature roosters. Teenage roosters are a mess and we might never recover from trying to put ourselves in their shoes.

You point out that roosters spend most of their time on the top and bottom of the pecking order. Why might that be? Let’s use our Male Goggles to see their point of view.

As a male I have 3 things coursing through my brain, Serve, Protect, Replicate. It seems that sometimes they are different orders.

Sometimes it is:

• Serve
• Protect
• Replicate

Other times it might be:

• Protect
• Serve
• Replicate

And there are times it is:

• Replicate
• Replicate
• Replicate
• Replicate
• Protect
• Serve

It seems that the times that Serve is on top it is directly related to the lead hens giving me grief about something. I will pay as much attention to Serve as the lead hens make my life miserable. The more miserable they make it the higher in priority Serve rises.

When Protect is on the top of my list there seems to be some evidence of predators around or heaven forbid, there has been a loss in my tribe. I become hyper-vigilant in those instances.

Replicate comes to the top of my list when everything is going well and frankly the weather turns warm. It is time to make more chickens. The drive is very strong in the spring.

How do I choose with whom I will spend my reproductive time? Well, the younger hens need my help as the older hens take the good food for themselves. This means the younger hens need me to locate food for them. I know that if I am a good provider, they will likely be grateful and reward me with “privileges”. I also know that the younger hens are more fertile, their eggs are younger, they lay more frequently, and because they are more likely to be grateful, they will not expel my gift.

Younger hens also fall for the, “check out this great food I have located” trick and come running when all I have is a leaf or a stick. So, I don’t always have to have food to gain “privileges”. Older hens have seen the trick before and are more skeptical. Older Mid-tier hens know how to find their own choice morsels and rely less on me to do so. In my mind that makes them less likely to reward me with “privileges” and I have to work harder finding even better food and I need to convince them what I have is not a stick or leaf before they will even come to see what I have. So why should I waste effort on them when there are more gullible, more fertile, hens about.

Ok Male Goggles off.

Yikes that was icky! How can they live like that?! Such simple creatures they are.

So, what have we learned? The roosters in your tribe likely see the younger hens as easier to win over and less work than a mature intelligent lady like yourself. Now that we know that the answer to your questions is obvious. Your roosters are not looking for what you are offering. Rather it is time to stop being Janet Wood and start being Chrissy Snow.

Maybe wear your feathers like this?

View attachment 3440031

What does that mean? You need to start falling for whatever the rooster is offering. If he is tidbitting you go running. Whether it is a leaf or something good does not matter.

If he tells a bad joke like…..

What do you call a bulletproof Irishman? Rick O’Shea.

You need to laugh.

Your roosters are the wisest members of your tribe. Let them take care of you even though you know better.

In short, you need to stop acting like the intelligent, clever, lady of the world you really are and give the roosters what they want, a simple, gullible, egg machine.

Now if this is too much for you, there is another strategy. Get yourself a young rooster and train him right. He will be so happy to have any hen pay attention to him. Trust me he will be thrilled to enjoy “privileges” with you. Of course you will need to deal with his nonsense for 6 to 9 months but if you put in the time you could have yourself a good one. This would also be best for the other smart ladies in your tribe. Perhaps you all could train one together.

I know, these are a real “Sophie’s Choice” for an intelligent clever hen like you. You should be highly valued as a partner and mother of future generations. Sadly, that is not the way most males perceive things.

Now if you don’t mind the chicks not being your own genetic chicks there are other ways to raise a family. The key is to go broody. Then a couple of things could happen.

Your human could get you some. The human here has done that for Phyllis before as we have no rooster. There is no shame in being a foster mother. In fact, those little orphan chicks need a good mum too. Maybe if you go broody on your own, your human could come through for you.

Additionally, you could raise children from other hens in your tribe. Maybe some of the younger hens to whom the roosters do pay attention would donate their eggs to you. You could be surrogate mum for your own tribe.

It is “The Way of the Chicken” to reproduce and make more chickens. It matters not how you come by the little ones.

Do remember though that not all are called to do so. There are career chickens out there and their life is no less fulfilling. You need only look at me to see a shining example of a life well lived without children. Children are a blessing and I understand your desire to have some of your own however should that not come to pass please remember your life is still valuable. There are many roles that we hens can fulfill and some of us will only ever be Aunties. That too is OK.

With your beauty, strength, and smarts, you are a fine example of what a chicken should be. Keep up the good work no matter what you decide.

Yours in “henhood”,

Aurora

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DISCLAIMER: Aurora understands that there are outliers in every group. There may be roosters out there who think and act differently. However, they are the exception. Aurora’s advice is based on the “common” rooster.

Thank you, oh wise one!

 

[BY Bob]

164 over 98 last check 30 minutes ago

Still too high. Meds Alex, Meds.

Tax

 

[micstrachan]

Dixie ended up passing from many tumors, she had severe cancer. Tumors in the intestines, ovary, kidney, spleen, everywhere. She acted off for a while before being broody, i really believe she would have passed sooner but pushed onwards to care for her babies and to teach them all they needed to know.
Jolene seems to be improving rapidly. She had worms in her poop, i’m treating it with safeguard. She is eating and drinking well. Hope she makes a full recovery.

I’m so sorry about Dixie. I have had some die from extensive ovarian cancer that progressed all through a bunch of other organs. Two were confirmed by necropsy at UC Davis, and two are suspected based on her symptoms. The cancer rates in these hens is crazy.

 

[BY Bob]

This is bittersweet. I went out after dark to find this.
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Chiquita was still in the tote. Sorry girl, it is time you start back roosting yourself. I placed her up between her chicks and after a few minutes of complaining she settled down for the night.
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They grow up so fast.

 

[micstrachan]

@micstrachan will be glad to hear that mealworm reductions have occurred and we are heading into April with over a 1/4 box of mealworms remaining. That will put us to the good side of usage.

They were at the backdoor knocking when I woke up this morning. Mrs BY Bob had left them out and then left for her meeting today. I was strong and they got nothing. I do have some nice leftover fish for them though so treats are coming.

Well done, Bob! I’m proud of you. I know it is so hard to resist.

We are actually having a sunny weekend. It was so gorgeous today. The girls got lots of time out being chickens, grazing, digging, and running around. We’ll do it again tomorrow!

 

[micstrachan]

Bad news. Next door rooster came loose in my yard and fought Jaffar. My rooster lost that fight. I’m doing my best to save him.

Oh no! Not Jaffar!

 

[micstrachan]

Today’s activities
Reno of the hen house

Good plans! And your mom is adorable.