Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Pastel the Rooster]

I think that I'm homesick.
My stomach has been hurting for a few days.
While I'm on swings, riding I'm cars, everything. Even just sitting down.

It sucks.

 

[Ponypoor]

Family is here for supper and they keep taking my phone or slapping it out of my hand - no cell at the table (but that doesn’t mean me of course), so they keep interrupting me and my quality FBA time

Tax

Out and about today

 

[Ponypoor]

I think that I'm homesick.
My stomach has been hurting for a few days.
While I'm on swings, riding I'm cars, everything. Even just sitting down.

It sucks.

Sorry to hear your not feeling fine - rest and drink lots of fluids

 

[Ponypoor]

I didn't know there was a contest about that right now.

Here is the link

Thread '2024 BYC Calendar Photo Contest—We Need Your Pictures!'
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-photo-contest—we-need-your-pictures.1575178/

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Aww all cuddled together. Will you be getting more? Or wait till next year and see...

I wanted to get two Buckeyes and two Buff Orpingtons earlier this summer, and coop sleeping and run logistics pushed that to next year because I didn't want to set up another coop right now (it would have been eight chickens, and the coop I have will fit six) and I'm still working out the welded wire run configurations and what I'd need there. Then Peanut being ill threw all that onto the back burner. Here's my complicated thoughts currently. I haven't sorted it out.

Everyone's thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I'm dealing with the sorrow of loss, but love the joy the ones who are still here is really amazing. I'm wondering whether I can handle it all, and handle the care each one may need going forward, and if increasing the numbers will translate to multiplying the worry. I have the finances now and have found vets, which eases the unknown aspect of worrying, but still. And there's a big time commitment, for instance I'm spending a good three-four hours a day in extra care right now, digging worms for Butters and trying to get her to eat. I suppose that one can put in only as much time as one wants. Sort of like giving under-skin fluids to our cat when she had kidney failure, or cleaning her wounds when she was attacked, etc, and giving her brother insulin and checking his glucose.

So getting more chickens, does that mean multiplying all this that many times? On the other hand --

The vet said (when asked) she says that it seems in her experience with clients it's luck of the draw how hardy the stock is when getting birds from hatcheries, she thinks it's genetics. She sees clients who get a batch of chicks and those birds have high mortality rates going forward, and the same clients have another batch that have lasted for years. I asked and she herself said she likes Murray McMurray. They have a minimum order of six chicks.

On yet a third hand -- Another consideration is for Hazel and Popcorn especially now that Butters seems to have one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel. I'm concerned for the well being of the remaining two, should Butters pass. They would probably do better with more companions /underlings (Hazel is Queen now) if they become just two. If one were to die, one sole hen is definitely not good.

Buckeyes aren't to be found now. There's still Buff Orpingtons, and I'm looking at Mt. Healthy. With minimum orders from this hatchery of three, if I order this summer I think six in the coop, three of them young, will work for this winter. I would probably set up another coop either this fall or next spring. The Omlet coop will fit six but I think with the heat and the size of these birds a second coop would be better. (See if they use it, hah!). Then if I'd like more Buckeyes maybe three next year? And that means eight or nine in total, over two coops.

I go in circles.

 

[rural mouse]

She got them out.

 

[RoyalChick]

She got them out.View attachment 3590130

Clever girl!

 

[Ponypoor]

She got them out.View attachment 3590130

There is just something about the light your way today, the colour in the photos is amazing

And of course the wee ones are adorable (babies, and you know me and babies )

 

[RoyalChick]

I wanted to get two Buckeyes and two Buff Orpingtons earlier this summer, and coop sleeping and run logistics pushed that to next year because I didn't want to set up another coop right now (it would have been eight chickens, and the coop I have will fit six) and I'm still working out the welded wire run configurations and what I'd need there. Then Peanut being ill threw all that onto the back burner. Here's my complicated thoughts currently. I haven't sorted it out.

Everyone's thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I'm dealing with the sorrow of loss, but love the joy the ones who are still here is really amazing. I'm wondering whether I can handle it all, and handle the care each one may need going forward, and if increasing the numbers will translate to multiplying the worry. I have the finances now and have found vets, which eases the unknown aspect of worrying, but still. And there's a big time commitment, for instance I'm spending a good three-four hours a day in extra care right now, digging worms for Butters and trying to get her to eat. I suppose that one can put in only as much time as one wants. Sort of like giving under-skin fluids to our cat when she had kidney failure, or cleaning her wounds when she was attacked, etc, and giving her brother insulin and checking his glucose.

So getting more chickens, does that mean multiplying all this that many times? On the other hand --

The vet said (when asked) she says that it seems in her experience with clients it's luck of the draw how hardy the stock is when getting birds from hatcheries, she thinks it's genetics. She sees clients who get a batch of chicks and those birds have high mortality rates going forward, and the same clients have another batch that have lasted for years. I asked and she herself said she likes Murray McMurray. They have a minimum order of six chicks.

On yet a third hand -- Another consideration is for Hazel and Popcorn especially now that Butters seems to have one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel. I'm concerned for the well being of the remaining two, should Butters pass. They would probably do better with more companions /underlings (Hazel is Queen now) if they become just two. If one were to die, one sole hen is definitely not good.

Buckeyes aren't to be found now. There's still Buff Orpingtons, and I'm looking at Mt. Healthy. With minimum orders from this hatchery of three, if I order this summer I think six in the coop, three of them young, will work for this winter. I would probably set up another coop either this fall or next spring. The Omlet coop will fit six but I think with the heat and the size of these birds a second coop would be better. (See if they use it, hah!). Then if I'd like more Buckeyes maybe three next year? And that means eight or nine in total, over two coops.

I go in circles.

I know exactly how you feel and went through much the same agonizing myself.
All I can do is share how I thought about it - and happy to really debate over PM if you would find that helpful.

In the end I concluded that chickens are happier in groups and so I needed to have enough chickens that the flock could withstand the death of one or more without leaving anyone on their own.

I also didn't think introducing just a single chicken was a good idea.

Remember my context was I went though a phase of losing an appalling number of chickens to unknown causes in a very short time.
It took quite an emotional toll on me and I imagine also the remaining chickens.
Although I do have Marek's in my flock, I am not sure that is what killed them all.

So, I came to the conclusion that I should manage to a flock size of 6-12 and add in groups of at least 3 at a time.
I introduced 5 this time and honestly it has been a bit overwhelming - just counting them all seems to take me forever each night!
But I must say it has made a world of difference to flock dynamics. It seems like everyone has a friend and they have collective routines. I love it!
If I were to do it over I would probably have introduced 4 (maybe 3) rather than 5. With the loss of Eli I only have 7 chickens, so when I lose another one I will probably introduce another three.
I hope that I don't lose one for a very long time, but with Marek's in my flock I feel like it could happen at any moment (as it did with Eli).

So if it were me, I would introduce 3 this year and plan to introduce another 3 next year. Maybe you can get some Buff Orpingtons this year and next year find some more Buckeyes.

Not saying I am right - just how I think about it.

 

[Ponypoor]

I wanted to get two Buckeyes and two Buff Orpingtons earlier this summer, and coop sleeping and run logistics pushed that to next year because I didn't want to set up another coop right now (it would have been eight chickens, and the coop I have will fit six) and I'm still working out the welded wire run configurations and what I'd need there. Then Peanut being ill threw all that onto the back burner. Here's my complicated thoughts currently. I haven't sorted it out.

Everyone's thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I'm dealing with the sorrow of loss, but love the joy the ones who are still here is really amazing. I'm wondering whether I can handle it all, and handle the care each one may need going forward, and if increasing the numbers will translate to multiplying the worry. I have the finances now and have found vets, which eases the unknown aspect of worrying, but still. And there's a big time commitment, for instance I'm spending a good three-four hours a day in extra care right now, digging worms for Butters and trying to get her to eat. I suppose that one can put in only as much time as one wants. Sort of like giving under-skin fluids to our cat when she had kidney failure, or cleaning her wounds when she was attacked, etc, and giving her brother insulin and checking his glucose.

So getting more chickens, does that mean multiplying all this that many times? On the other hand --

The vet said (when asked) she says that it seems in her experience with clients it's luck of the draw how hardy the stock is when getting birds from hatcheries, she thinks it's genetics. She sees clients who get a batch of chicks and those birds have high mortality rates going forward, and the same clients have another batch that have lasted for years. I asked and she herself said she likes Murray McMurray. They have a minimum order of six chicks.

On yet a third hand -- Another consideration is for Hazel and Popcorn especially now that Butters seems to have one foot in the grave and one on a banana peel. I'm concerned for the well being of the remaining two, should Butters pass. They would probably do better with more companions /underlings (Hazel is Queen now) if they become just two. If one were to die, one sole hen is definitely not good.

Buckeyes aren't to be found now. There's still Buff Orpingtons, and I'm looking at Mt. Healthy. With minimum orders from this hatchery of three, if I order this summer I think six in the coop, three of them young, will work for this winter. I would probably set up another coop either this fall or next spring. The Omlet coop will fit six but I think with the heat and the size of these birds a second coop would be better. (See if they use it, hah!). Then if I'd like more Buckeyes maybe three next year? And that means eight or nine in total, over two coops.

I go in circles.

Do you have a feed store like TSC near by? They usually have chick days, and no minimums. You should call around and see, and likely cheaper than an order from a hatchery.

I like to think I lucked out with the four I got from the feed store, but also I made sure to do a lot of calling and then made sure I knew when they were arriving so I could get them first thing.

May be you can get something like that and get 2 or 3. I would say 3 would be best.

I hear you on the extra work bit, some days I look at my dozen or so chooks and wonder why did I put myself in this position?!

Then they do something funny and make me smile - like kids