Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

I really wish I could let mine range too. We have the room, 25 acres. But there are eagles and hawks, dogs, raccoons, possums, skunks, and probably coyotes.

I've considered fencing in "the side yard" where they coop/run is. I'd use electric fence, I think. But that area is used for many other things. Parking, access to the propane tank, access to the woodpiles, the clothesline. Having to open an electric fence to do any of that is a non-starter with hubby. And I can see his point. We're not necessarily home when the propane truck comes to deliver, and they won't call ahead.

I've thought about fencing in an area behind the run that goes into the woods. I have seen the effect of raccoons climbing trees and getting into the neighbor's run and coop.

Actually, we heard the effect at 11 pm a few weeks ago: BOOM! the neighbors have shot 7 of the local raccoon population. And yet, the other morning, I saw 3 raccoons run across our driveway.

I'd have to fence and cover any additional area for the chickens, and it would have to be raccoon proof. Right now, my run is perhaps not Fort Knox, but is as predator proof as I can make it.

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Monday mug shot.

Hahaha BTW that photo needs to go in the Caption thread

 

[bgmathteach]

Finally someone finally got it you are the god of chicken breeds!

???How does 'Blonde' Area of Piedmontese' sound like a dessert??? That completely threw me off!

 

[Ponypoor]

That must be a nightmare.
We are having a bunch of crows here. They didn't use to bother my girls but they are getting really nervous now. Tina and Princess don't want to venture anymore unless I am with them

Hi Marie ! How is the weather on the UK? It’s hot and humid here, other than having to put in hay today (that loft was about 40c!), I am loving the weather - the horses and chickens not so much

 

[Ponypoor]

My phone camera doesn't do well when its hot outside, so I'm sorry if the pictures suck. Also, Featherhead, I'm sorry. I forgot Meally Worms for my friends chooks.
Yup, blurry. Darn.
This is Pumpkin (the huge roo) and all if his girls. BR, GLW, ISA Browns, RIR, some Spanish breed, LO (lavender Orphington), BA, Starlight Green Egger(?) And maybe some more.
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All of Pumpkins sons and the few daughters he has. The green one is so pretty. I think my friend is going to keep him even though he is a roo.
The big darker barred one is also a roo. I think that they are calling him Pastel because he looks like my awesome boy. They watch my birds while we are gone, and my Pastel IMMENSELY DISLIKES (not hate, hate is a strong word) my friend.
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This is some really pretty breed. Not a lavender orphington, but she is really sweet. I was calling her Smokey.
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And then these are RIR cockerels. They are being raised as meat birds.
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Sorry about the poor quality pictures.

It’s fine, they are lovey thank you for sharing

 

[bgmathteach]

I have a question for you Fluffy Butt Acres friends: at what age do a clutch of checks get a pecking order?
I know it can change over time, but do they have one from day one?
I am trying to figure who is currently the top Pentagonist and it is not clear to me. Sometimes I think Piglet or Sylvie but I am not sure if they are showing leadership or just being mischievous.
Tassels is the biggest by far. Pooh seems the most developed in that her voice is breaking first. Sylvie and Piglet are the most adventurous.

They definitely start that (working out the pecking order) within the second week - and it continues to be worked on for a bit. By the time they are 6 weeks old or so, it is fairly well established and will, for the most part, stay like that until one of the girls starts to lay - she may temporarily just up a few notches in the pecking order, until the others start laying.

@rural mouse @RebeccaBoyd @BY Bob ? Concur? Need to add qualifiers?

 

[Ponypoor]

Viola says "Happy Monday!"
View attachment 3564592

Viola is the chick who took a while to start thriving. She is doing well, but I find myself watching her closely because she has a way bigger comb and wattles than any of the other chicks, although she is smaller. She is 6.5 weeks old.

Wow she has grown so much! Yep keep an eye on her , those wattles are big for 6weeks .

 

[RoyalChick]

???How does 'Blonde' Area of Piedmontese' sound like a dessert??? That completely threw me off!

Yeah. I was looking for the Tiramisu chicken breed.

 

[RoyalChick]

They definitely start that (working out the pecking order) within the second week - and it continues to be worked on for a bit. By the time they are 6 weeks old or so, it is fairly well established and will, for the most part, stay like that until one of the girls starts to lay - she may temporarily just up a few notches in the pecking order, until the others start laying.

@rural mouse @RebeccaBoyd @BY Bob ? Concur? Need to add qualifiers?

Interesting. I need to observe the Pentagonists more closely. I can’t figure out who is the leader.

 

[Ponypoor]

I am not going to tell my husband about the possibility of Viola being a cockerel. He is quite anti-rooster, mostly because of the noise.

I tell him about all the good stories of roosters that I read on BYC and point out that the hens are not exactly quiet when they are laying!

It will be so fun to watch these chicks grow up!

Mr P has been hilarious past few days now that he has Fluffy and Curly back in circulation

He has been scouting nests for them and they just look and then she ignore him hahahaha

 

[bgmathteach]

Interesting. I need to observe the Pentagonists more closely. I can’t figure out who is the leader.

The top leader may not peck anyone and may seem 'relaxed'. Remember with Bob's tribe, Patsy? Lilly was her second, and was the enforcer. And @Lilion didn't realize her top hen was top because she usually didn't peck or interceded.....just food for thought when observing.