Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

So, One of my hens hatched a lone chick yesterday. I have 3 broodies -each in their own nest box in that coop....and they ALL tried claiming the one poor chick! I had to remove the REAL Mamma and the chick and put each of the other 2 back on their own nests. (Those 2 didn't start setting until the 19th & 25th respectively - they still have work to do before their chicks appear!) I suspect that this chick (the first out) and resulting 'fight' over her caused 2 more chicks to 'not make it' One was trampled, and the other's shell was crushed - it looked fully formed, but the yolk sac wasn't quite absorbed. All three were 'in' the elevated nest box that is 14"x14".

I am not sure this Mamma will accept additional chicks - but I will try to get a few today on my way home from work - if TSC still has some. I really don't want to buy 6 more...but unless my buddy Ross is there, I will have to.

I did buy a large tote, and have it all marked out to make it a brooder tote like @rural mouse 's I think now I may have to get another one, too! I'll see how this one goes with Mom and chick, first, though. It is 26.5" X 19.5", so a bit over 3.5 sq. feet. And I have some really small fence panels (designed for guineas or such) that will, for now, give them an additional 4-5 sq. feet. That should be okay for the first week...no? They will be locked in the tote overnight - but have both spaces available during the day.

I honestly don't know what I will do when the next set hatches. Maybe the WR mum and her chicks can start sleeping with her flock and I can use that broody hut for the next batch?

This is crazy this year. I now have 3 mums that have hatched chicks, and have 4 more incubating!!! It is unheard of here. And, 3 of them have never brooded before (one thought about it last year - at 1 yr. old - but never did. AND....Miss Crop Girl is definitely sitting - broody. She is 5 and was never interested in brooding before....WTH????

I shouldn't complain...I just wasn't expecting this many - nor this quick.

chick Pictures will be coming

It all seems quite hectic. I am sorry they are so much trouble for you.

 

[BY Bob]

View attachment 3564783

That's funny.

 

[BY Bob]

I have a question for you Fluffy Butt Acres friends: at what age do a clutch of chicks 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.

My last 3 had a pecking order at 6 weeks. Glynda was always clearly in charge.

 

[BY Bob]

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?

Well put. That fits with my observations.

 

[BY Bob]

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

Poor guy. Some ladies are impossible to please.

 

[BY Bob]

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.

Very good. Not all leaders are like Lilly and Aurora. Some never do the dirty work themselves. Watch for looks and sounds when treats are distributed. The best leaders enforce without the need for violence.

Hattie mostly does that but Sydney must have ticked her off today. I can see Sydney doing that. She does not listen and defer well. Hattie had to mount her today and remind her of her place. It had to be really irritating Hattie. Hattie would rather not get up to eat. For her to mount Sydney means Syd was really under her skin over something.

 

[BY Bob]

That would point to Tassels or Calypso as the leader. Tassels makes sense as she is so huge.
I will keep watching.

Nothing better than watching them. This is a good excuse.

 

[BY Bob]

Thanks that was very interesting, and fun. We all enjoy seeing new breeds of chickens

This is very true.

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you- hubby did the majority of the work.

He did a great job.

 

[BY Bob]

Just for a darn ol' bottle of wine? No thanks I can spend my money on more useful things than wine... Good I don't drink any alcohol at alll and never will.

That will be a big money saver for you. Hopefully you do not smoke as well. Tons of money saved.

Saving money tax