Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Imagine having 28 of the little flockers!

Today I have been so ill with a migraine, and I was so upset they all bolted out the door before I could contain them. Thought I had them all inside so I did a count… OMG where is Frosty the white silkie chick!!!!

I was frantic! No peeping so I didn’t know where she was, finally I spotted her outside in the run. She was happily digging around on her own, and so you think o can catch her? No!

Finally got her pushed her inside so another count, OMG Martina is gone! She was also in the run but way at the top, I chased her back couldn’t catch her either, by now my head is
killing me and I am about the vomit. Finally she flaps up through a small opening in the barn doorway.

After a sit down I count everyone:
10 grups and one in a nestbox - check
8 school chicks - check
2 broody mamas and 4 chicks - check
3 bratty tweens - check

I am too old for this eggcitement. But one thing I notes, those silkie chicks can likely be weened pretty soon, they and mama are spending more and more time apart, it’s just at night they all cuddle together.

Seriously though, how do you get them in? My evening was completely ridiculous running around in the undergrowth (and now I need to do a tick check).
I feel some kind of herding tool is needed!

 

[featherhead007]

Look What I Found Today!

View attachment 3543470

I have no idea why they switched back to blue but who am I to question.

Here’s a possibility:
Amazon? BeakBook?

 

[Ponypoor]

How do you yank them out?!

Well the first couple times when I first started trimming him, I was trying to be gentle but those suckers are tough to pull out!

At first I used needle nose pliers, now I just grasp them with my fingers and give a really hard tug, if I pull hard and fast he doesn’t move, which if he does suggests discomfort, but tonight I didn’t pull hard enough on one. So he struggled, I moved to another one and came back to that one.

I pulled about 6 out tonight. And trimmed some other feathers.

He isn’t used to being handled so I don’t want to stress him for too long.

 

[Ponypoor]

Seriously though, how do you get them in? My evening was completely ridiculous running around in the undergrowth (and now I need to do a tick check).
I feel some kind of herding tool is needed!

I have two long sticks which I use as extensions of my arms, I also use the command ‘go home’ which the grups and tweens know and school chicks are learning.

Usually the red bowl does the trick - I yell come on come on come on… and it’s a stampede! The school chicks just naturally run with the herd. But now they are getting a taste for scratch grains so they come looking for it.

Today though was rough as I was so ill (still miserable), I was happy to let the horses out and put the chooks all to bed tonight. Now just waiting for some meds to take effect.

I see the chicks are having a grooming session.

 

[Ponypoor]

Girls, there will be a hatch day party for Hen-Rietta July 6 11:00 am pst. You are all invited to join us. There will be a cornbread cake and outdoor activities for everyone. Tulare County rural
Route 144 . Dress casual

The gang and I will be there in spirit!

 

[The Chick Addict]

The gang and I will be there in spirit!

X2!!!

 

[Ponypoor]

Strong thunderstorms, maybe even tornadoes are in for us!

Be careful!

 

[The Chick Addict]

Be careful!

Thanks! There was Tornado warning but thankfully it passed. A Severe Thunderstorm is going on right now and we're going to be in the heart of it!

 

[Ponypoor]

Oh trust me today I was almost crying, (it’s Cappy who I am fond of) well Cappy hops up on my arm and snuggles down for a snooze.

If I hadn’t been so sick I would have left her, but I needed to lay down.

I go from wanting them gone fast and telling myself I don’t need anymore, to making plans to make a deal with Shannon to keep her and bring one of her Roos down next year to cover her and give her the eggs

Of course I don’t know if she wants to sell them keep them or what. I want to go see the chicks she hatched a while back from Marty and mr P this weekend - I will broach the subject then

Also if I can keep the silkie I will send the other two back to her, and keep Penne and Cappy to be with the mamas till they ween them - if shannon wants them back soon. Otherwise I will let them naturally ween.

But gosh ya I would like to keep her she is such a sweetheart. Her and Petunia and Little Grey

Ok so what does that bring me up to now ? If I keep Cappy, Petunia and Little Grey?

Hmmm
13 original grups
3 tweens
3 ‘wanna keeps’

Good grief !!! 19?!

Well kiss that idea of getting chicks next year good bye!

Remember, my Niece’s (read Brother in Law’s actually) 5 hens will be coming here at some point before winter.

Now what’s that? 24?!!!

2 dozen chickens - holy mother

Ok ya, no, that’s way too many

Well I can’t think now my head and neck are aching, and I can’t read anymore. I will need a plan - but tomorrow is another day.

Good night all have great evening

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

Oh, he knows "its" name. He just calls them "its" and "stupid birds" to get on my nerves. And I am eggcited about possibly having chicks, even for a short time before giving them away.

He likely doesn't know her name

So might have some chicks then - that's good news!