Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Hubby fed chooks this morning. Hens are playing egg song they are so loud. I just caught up on the forums I was throwing up all night and in severe pain. Next time Im calling an ambulance it was horrible. Checks on babies this morning they are so cute.

Yes call an ambulance they will take you to emerg and you will get treated faster than going through your GP.

Drats have to run after chickens tax…

Hey you two don’t go over there..

And where do you think you’re going old lady?

Hey the rest of you get back here!

At least Marty is behaving!

 

[featherhead007]

Hahaha, well I bet Buttercup is getting to that point, she glares at them now.

Bittercup?

 

[Ponypoor]

Bittercup?

Hey I spent it correctly this time around! I can’t help autocorrect!

Spelling tax

Dropped off Penelope’s eggs and saw three of their chicks

 

[featherhead007]

My lawnmower is sick. Wheel bearing rusted stuck and broken now. I have to find a sleeve of a sort to fix the wheel.
Mower complaint tax:

 

[Ponypoor]

My lawnmower is sick. Wheel bearing rusted stuck and broken now. I have to find a sleeve of a sort to fix the wheel.
Mower complaint tax: View attachment 3457902

I am hoping my lawn tractor starts, cuts grass, and lasts the summer !

Hopeful Tax
Chilling out in the sunshine

 

[Ponypoor]

Before you start panicking, if Bernie goes broody and is a no touch hen you really may not have to interfere with her at all. Yes, we need to make sure our broody girls get off daily to eat and drink it is true, but those first 2 or 3 days and the final 2 or 3 days I do not enforce that rule. I am as hands off as possible the first day or so as to no aggravate the future momma and to reinforce that desire to sit. I will check to make sure no additional eggs have been added, but I will not force her to get up if she chooses not to those first 48 hours. Now, if we are nearing the end of day 3 and she has not gotten off yet then I will intervene and pluck her from the nest and walk a good distance away so as she will at least potty and then hopefully eat and drink before returning. After those first 3 days you should notice that she will get off on her own daily. Depending on the hen they can stay off just a few minutes only to relieve themselves and stuff as much food and water into them as they can. Some will stay off a little longer to throw a dust bath in the mix and for good measure whip a hen or rooster who looks at them the wrong way. If you are allowing her to incubate eggs, those final 2ish days or 3 she will not budge. Do not make her move either, those chicks have internally pipped and she knows it and she will stick like glue. Think of this time as lock down if you are using a incubator. They all seem to know this as well. That final day they come off the eggs, they can and some will spend a hour or longer off the eggs. They are eating more, drinking more and mine will usually take a good long dust bath. I watch for this, it is my sign chicks are on their way. All this being said, Bernie may not be thinking of going broody at all. One sure fire way to check, get your hands on her and see if she is plucking out her chest and belly feathers. If she has, yup, she has it in her head she is going broody.

Ok, here is my dilemma, I have Marty and Fluffy whom I feel would like to go broody. Marty spent a lot of time in the nest box the past few days, in and out. Today I thought she would stay put, but no such luck.

Fluffy spends some time in the nest box and nests there at night she has also plucked some feathers.

Any suggestions Rebecca? I would like to have these two raise some of those chicks - really wish Henny Penny would just go broody! She has experience raising chicks.

What about when I bring the chicks home, do you think I can see if Henny will get all motherly? I had a horse once who would steal foals for her own…

 

[bgmathteach]

Betty was not having fun today.

I know...sorry, I was just thinking from Glynda's point of view.

Sorry, Betty

 

[knoturavggrl]

So Many Emotions

I am certain that everyone understands the relief I feel regarding the recent respiratory infection. On Friday I was worried that I was out of the chicken business. Mind I would have been out. I would not have replaced them.

Then the joy of releasing them to be together again yesterday. Combined with the anxiety related to another hen fight.

Today it was sadness. Because today Lady Featherington decided to move up in the pecking order as well. She attacked Betty and Betty backed down and started to flee. Once she started to flee Glynda decided to give chase. When it was over Betty was alone in the far corner of the yard.

Yes, I know this is the way of the chicken. But it still breaks my heart. I even took some corn over to Betty so she had a treat.

View attachment 3457485

Then my heart swelled and warmed up with affection. It was grooming time. Check out this photo. Aurora is standing guard over Betty so she can groom in peace. No one can bother her because Aurora is in the way.

View attachment 3457486

Aurora has driven me nuts at times over the years. There was a time I lived in fear of her taking over this tribe. But more and more I coming to appreciate her as a leader of this tribe.

Always a roller coaster isn't it? I am glad to hear of their recovery. Their dominance scuffles can be hard to watch. They are like us humans in some ways capable of incredible acts of kindness and also completely capable of brutality. Looks like your girls will establish a new normal and I am glad the drama is winding down for you.

 

[ValarieF]

Ya know I havent had one broody hen

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Ok, here is my dilemma, I have Marty and Fluffy whom I feel would like to go broody. Marty spent a lot of time in the nest box the past few days, in and out. Today I thought she would stay put, but no such luck.

Fluffy spends some time in the nest box and nests there at night she has also plucked some feathers.

Any suggestions Rebecca? I would like to have these two raise some of those chicks - really wish Henny Penny would just go broody! She has experience raising chicks.

What about when I bring the chicks home, do you think I can see if Henny will get all motherly? I had a horse once who would steal foals for her own…

How long until the chicks arrive? It sounds like at least Fluffy is toying with the idea. You are collecting the eggs still right? If you are, stop. This is no guarantee to work, but, if they are toying with the idea it may speed the process up. Even if the girls sit on the eggs for periods of time until they truly sit for 3 days no development will happen. You can mark and date the eggs if you wish. I would mark them and let the clutch build up to 5 or 6 eggs. After that remove the oldest eggs until hopefully it clicks and one sits for you. Another option as they loved golf balls last year seed the nest with 2 or 3 golf balls.