Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Yes, outside time is important - they need sunlight for Vitamin D. It is really important for all animals (including humans!). That is why many people who live in my area/latitude are Vit. D deficient in the winter, we are indoors working when the sun is out, so for months we go without adequate sun, and it can cause all kinds of problems - including poor calcium absorption. I have to take Vit. D supplements, and I end up doubling them in the winter to keep my Vit. D in range.

Yes I do also working way up in the North where there is hardly any sun all winter. I take Vit D for sure.

I think Chickens make their own Vit D though? don't they?

OK speaking of Vit D - I am going outside for a break - lunch time! I will see if I can eat without someone stealing my lunch ha!

 

[Ponypoor]

? No idea

I might not have been you that sent links last night - my brain doesn't work well at night (or during the day it seems haha).

 

[rural mouse]

This young lady was willing to oblige with a fluffy butt photo shoot.
She will be a silver version of Bernadette and like Bernie she has very long legs and big feet.
We are just past the age when Bernie lost the use of her legs so I am going to give a bit of Vitamin B supplement just in case.
I need her to tell me her name. Isn’t she pretty?!
Note Piglet forcing her way in to the photo shoot as usual!

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She reminds me of a ballerina with her long legs. Name her after a famous one?

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/u...cers-celebrated-by-the-national-dance-awards/

 

[bgmathteach]

Yes I do also working way up in the North where there is hardly any sun all winter. I take Vit D for sure.

I think Chickens make their own Vit D though? don't they?

OK speaking of Vit D - I am going outside for a break - lunch time! I will see if I can eat without someone stealing my lunch ha!

All of us do/can, but we need sunlight to do so. Maybe @RoyalChick can give more detail? All I know is that Vit. D is important in either the absorption or usage of calcium in the body. Too little Vit. D is not good - for humans nor chickens.

 

[rural mouse]

Hello everyone. I took a day break as it was Rosie's birthday yesterday and wow am I behind. I did see where @Ponypoor is worried about Martina being a boy because of sparring. Looking at current pictures and video's I am sorry I do not see a boy. That soft gold color on her to me screams pullet. I feel if it was a young cockerel they would be more of a brighter orange or red. Pullets can fight with the best of them. The Marshmallows have frequent sparring matches to this day trying to assert dominance. Remember when Corona was a chick? She was the only pullet in her hatch and had 7 brothers. If you had went by behavior you would have swore she was a young cockerel. She was the dominate chick and whipped every single one of her brothers daily. She is still fairly high up on the pecking order. If someone challenges Butter occasionally, it is Corona. She also stands up and starts fights with Momma Hen the crazy girl. By the pictures you posted of the teens yesterday I say you have 2 pullets and a cockerel. Now, If i am wrong, I will admit it later....when one crows.

@Ponypoor I'm in agreement. 2 pullets. The cockerel has rhe comb already started, but the other 2 I'm seeing pullets...at least for now. Martina isn't rusty toned enough for a roo at the moment.

 

[RoyalChick]

All of us do/can, but we need sunlight to do so. Maybe @RoyalChick can give more detail? All I know is that Vit. D is important in either the absorption or usage of calcium in the body. Too little Vit. D is not good - for humans nor chickens.

We make Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight and so do chickens.
I believe it is one reason they sunbathe.
It used to be thought that the oil from the preen gland was important in making Vitamin D but I think that theory has been disproved.
Chickens are unusual in that they can make vitamin D in response to sunlight hitting their retina. Don’t think that works for us.
In people Vitamin D deficiency comes from being covered up and never exposed to the sun (eg traditional dress in the Middle East), having very dark skin, and maybe also sunscreens.
Vitamin D is essential for absorption and metabolism of Calcium.
It is possible for chickens to have too much Vitamin D but I think it is uncommon and I don’t totally understand it. Unlike vitamin B which is water soluble and therefore near impossible to overdose on, Vitamin D accumulated in fat.
But yes, chickens need sunlight for their vitamin D-calcium metabolism to work.
Gonna haul Eli out again to top up her vitamin D levels!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

My sister stopped by yesterday evening. She has to work on Mother's Day. When she arrived Rosie was down at the ring riding Russ with her best friend. She stopped and yelled for us both to come to the car. She handed Rosie a envelope and said Happy Birthday. Then she handed me one and said Happy Mother's Day, Birthday and Merry Christmas. Look inside....Pink concert tickets . Me, Rosie, mom and sis have a date in Louisville come November 11.

 

[RoyalChick]

She reminds me of a ballerina with her long legs. Name her after a famous one?

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/u...cers-celebrated-by-the-national-dance-awards/

This may be more her thing

 

[ValarieF]

Are your Tweens housed in that cage under them all day? If so you really need to get them out of there - it isn't adequate for them. I thought your hubby was building a new coop and run for these kiddos? They really need to be running around - this is when they develop their bones and muscles, I thought you had them running free.

Your current housing is running out of room for all your kiddos. This is why I am building the Summer House so I can house my 2 or 3 extra I am keeping. I only want around 15 total, that will be more than plenty for eggs, and my 30x60 barn in the winter.

Remember - you are the 'Mum' to all these animals - they depend upon you to ensure they have a healthy environment to develop and grow in. Just throwing food and water to them is really not enough.

Sorry if I sound tough or mean - but you are the one who brought them into this world and you are the one responsible for their total wellbeing. They need more space and to get outside. Do what I do - sit on a lawn chair and watch them run around eating bugs.

They have plenty of room, and they were smaller than now and couldn't put them with the big chickens they would get killed. Their transition is today. Dont worry I know what Im doing Im not an idiot when it comes to birds and chickens.

 

[featherhead007]

Over like on top of? Raining poop down on the tweens?! Poor tweens!

What I was thinking also