Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

What's that?

Why are my kiddos not in bed? It's gone 7pm and they are ooot-n-aboot.

 

[BY Bob]

Success on two fronts:
First the kids pool got set up:
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Second, this is not the greatest photo by far but it represents a lot of learning, a lot of trusting nature and one amazing almost hen (she isnt quite a yr old yet)
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A quick story on how we got to here today: This morning Brownie flew at the side of tent, I took this as I believe it was meant, let me out of here or I will eat one of these kids they are driving me nutz!! So, I said okay okay okay!

Let all the bigs out to peck around the yard and took Brownie and the chicks to the coop along with food and water. We gave them about an hr to explore and then I lured the bigs back into the coop with cheese balls (these never fail).

I set up camp outside the run fully expecting disaster but nothing happened. Brownie set the bubble, made an example of a few without bloodshed and now no one will dare mess with the chicks and that is that. The queen rules the coop and run again with her tiny minions in tow.

I have verified they can easily enter and exit from the coop into the run and back again.
I am about to go out and see if they are settled in somewhere and I think if they are I will leave them all out there together. Brownie seems to have this well in wing, if I would just stay out of her way.

That's just wonderful. Great job Brownie.

 

[BY Bob]

I have Eggciting news, at 18 weeks and 2 days old 1 of the Leghorns laid her first egg. Do not know which one it was but there was a white egg in the porch box this afternoon and I had already collected Chiquita's white egg.

I can't believe I almost missed that! Woohoo! More to come.

 

[BY Bob]

It is early to me. Sadly that is one appeal for leghorns in the commercial industry. They start laying around 18 weeks. I am gearing up for one day future problems from them. I would have been happier if they had waited a few more weeks, but all the signs were there that the first eggs were coming. I am totally smitten with this group and I am trying to enjoy them to their fullest and not dwell on future potential problems. I did top off the oyster shell dish a couple days ago. I have a feeling these girls will need it.

Expect as much as 360 eggs a year. That is how much Daisy, the greatest hen ever, laid in one 12 month period. You are going to get a lot of white eggs.

 

[BY Bob]

Almost forgot my twofer. It's still Tuesday
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Wonderful.

 

[Ponypoor]

Yes, they have had two excursions outside so far. I had them in a play tent with a zip out floor, so they could eat grass and be on the ground. They have done well.

Myrna was alarmed by them and some of the other hens noticed them, but made no comment.

I am a bit nervous about letting them go free as it's hard enough to catch them in their 25 square foot coop!

Yes I know what you mean! It takes me about 15 min the get everyone inside now. Those chicks are all bad! Any other time I can't get rid of them, but as soon as I want them to go to bed they are running around and I can't catch them

I guess your other hens are thinking 'now what has she gone and done'

 

[BY Bob]

Not really, only when I get inspired. Otherwise it is just not right.
Bob might get a realllly good pic of Aurora and I could maybe do it. I'm not good at pea combs or rose combs, I'm better at single combs.

Aurora has a straight comb.

 

[BY Bob]

Leghorn egg #2 is on it's way. I also know which girl is laying. I took @BY Bob advice and decided not to bath my dirty leghorn. She is almost clean, but still has a trace of the dirt on her side. She is the first one to lay.

How wonderful. Don't waist a moment. Enjoy them every day.

 

[Ponypoor]

My problem is that it gets a bit dark, like dusk in the wee hours of the morning before starting to get light again, and I don't want to stay up that late ! We are very far north.

I experienced this with my first hens when they were chicks. Now that they're mature ladies, they go into the coop around 8:00 pm.

Hahaha, that's likely why my gang isn't in bed yet, not dark now till almost 10...

I know about the midnight sun!

I can't wait till the school chicks figure out the Red Bowl and get wings....

 

[BY Bob]

She did it.
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She was so confused afterwards though.
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One of her sisters is now on the porch checking out the box and the egg.

Way to go young lady!