Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[lightm]

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.

@ChicoryBlue

I will be lazy and say that RC's suggestion sounds good to me.

 

[ManueB]

In my previous post I stated I was done with chicks for the year. I am not lying after yesterday morning I am literally done. I woke up yesterday morning to find my silkie chick had passed overnight at 8 days old. Poor Perdita is beside herself looking still for her chick. The hits just keep coming. I also have one of the cochin girls Gryffyn take ill suddenly who I am going to have to put down. For the last 3 days she has penguin walked and I feel a fluid filled abdomen. She is not egg bound as she is still laying. There is nothing I can do for her and will not see her suffer.

I'm so sorry. You were so excited about that silkie chick, and it must be terrible for Perdita. And having to put down poor Gryffyn just now makes it especially hard.
There are a lot of heartaches with chickens, and when they happen so close to one another it just feels overwhelming.

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.

You've had very good advice. I still want to chime in, because it has also been a question I have thought a lot about.
I wasn't of a mind to add more chickens. I felt fine with my original six ex-batts. I will tell the truth, when I got Théo and Chipie, then seven months later Chipie's chicks, it added a whole lot of trouble and worries. For one thing, in both cases integration did not go well. Then, I went from no rooster and a cohesive group of six ladies that grew up together, to a tyrant tiny roo that hated me, a hatch of chicks that was rejected by the flock and especially by the roo, and on to two roosters that hated each other.

And yet I did make the choice to add more. And I have to say now I have 19, it's actually working out better than last year when I had 10. The dynamic of the flock is shifting. The roosters have stopped fighting now there is a clear hierarchy. The chickens still quarrel but they are not focused on bullying one specific chicken. And like RC, I'm personally much less attached to the chicks and new pullets than to the original girls and Chipie's first hatch, so I feel less stress. I think it's a reaction from too much sorrow, and also it's the realization that taking a step back can actually help things work out better.

More chickens, does however mean more chance that they will get in trouble simultaneously. You are already experiencing this with loosing Popcorn, and worrying for Butters. When I have more than three chickens requiring special care at the same time, it gets really complicated - even isolating them physically becomes a challenge.

So yes, I think on the whole not getting all of them at the same time is a good idea in the sense that the younger ones should likely be less prone to health issue- though of course it doesn't always work like this. It will mean two different integrations, and when integrations go well, it's almost fun, but when it doesn't it can be very trying. But once it's done, it's over. And if you get two coops the following year, it will help to solve many potential issues.

In the end I have mixed feelings about numbers. My first add-ons made things a lot harder. The four adult pullets we bought this year socially worked out great for the flock, but they brought in health issues. And the six additional chicks are integrating great, but like most of FBA followers, we won't be able to keep the roosters. It's not all black and white and always a bit of a gamble.

Tax : it looks more and more like Léa's six chicks are four pullets, and two roos...so the early wattles (two weeks and three days) were maybe not conclusive. They will be ten weeks old Saturday.

 

[rural mouse]

Thirstyday

 

[RoyalChick]

Thirstyday

I love the hop over move!

 

[Ponypoor]

I needed this lighthearted laugh this evening more then you know, thank you and your wonderful scribe for putting pen to digital paper to make us smile and laugh.

You feeling ok? I am hoping for a good outcome from you upcoming appointment.

How’s the weather your way? It’s grim here, just so humid - and the mosquitoes are ferocious - I will need to bring the horses back inside soon, they are running around to get away from the mosquitoes.

 

[RoyalChick]

Have a happy Thirsty Thursday everyone

 

[BY Bob]

Why did you have to resort to flipping Phyllis. Deep down, I want to say heads. I am done with chicks this season, I will explain more in the next post. I also do not want Phyllis harmed. For that reason alone I am choosing tails. @BY Bob add a extra layer of pine shavings and bubble wrap down for me tonight so I can choose heads please.

Sydney went heads while Lady Featherington went with tails. Hattie tried to take "sides" but Aurora wouldn't let her. She said if Phyllis lands on her side she would just flip her again until either heads or tails came up.

 

[BY Bob]

It made me laugh!
Does Aurora accept questions from chicks?

She sure does. Anyone obviously. And I am out of questions at this point for sure.

 

[BY Bob]

In my previous post I stated I was done with chicks for the year. I am not lying after yesterday morning I am literally done. I woke up yesterday morning to find my silkie chick had passed overnight at 8 days old. Poor Perdita is beside herself looking still for her chick. The hits just keep coming. I also have one of the cochin girls Gryffyn take ill suddenly who I am going to have to put down. For the last 3 days she has penguin walked and I feel a fluid filled abdomen. She is not egg bound as she is still laying. There is nothing I can do for her and will not see her suffer.

Gosh. So much sadness. I'm so sorry.

 

[BY Bob]

Well, depends on the state, Massachusetts forces them to require a purchase of 6 or more chicks. (state regulation, not TSC)

That makes better sense. Back when we got our first chicks it was 6 and now it's 4. With the local laws limiting the number you can have in suburban places, usually 4, the 6 was a real problem. I would suggest that long term it will be so in Massachusetts as well.