Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Both, I'd say!

You would not be wrong.

 

[Ponypoor]

I thought that was supposed to be maple leaf shaped for Canadian hens?

Good one !

 

[RoyalChick]

Like Eve's Barbie Lamborghini?

She seems like a very accomplished driver!

The pair of you have taken over. I'm just along for the ride these days.

Oh no - don't abandon us - we need you!

 

[BY Bob]

I'm with you guys. Overly warm chicks, IMO, get pasty butt, cool ones do not. Is it bc cool chicks move around more, stimulating their guts? Idk. Our cooler chicks have been healthier, stronger, more robust, had less pasty butt and we had fewer or no losses.

The heat dries the poo quickly. It then sticks fast to the bottom.

 

[BY Bob]

Tina seems okay but I'm not happy with her wings so low, could it be the heat or is it heart problems. She's breathing okay so I can't work it out.

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It could easily be heat.

 

[lightm]

Oh no - don't abandon us - we need you!

Yes this thread has no soul without you. @BY Bob

 

[rural mouse]

Oh gosh. I hope you were right and it was a simple sprain.

Still limping. Just got home from work. Will see if can stay awake long enough to try again tonight. Definitely a game little thing. Plucky, determined to be in the thick of things.

 

[BY Bob]

I figured I'd show this to you all since it's that time of the year again. Parmesan is looking like a pullet... and yellow.
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Glynda is getting yellow as well. It's time for a molt.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Spud shots tonight, they're getting into the great fugly stage, baby fuzz getting all loose and feathers coming in! Hatchday July 31, so 3 1/2 weeks old.

 

[BY Bob]

These guys were roosting this way, and stayed there until morning! Not a case of going in and out of warm / cool places. But yes, better cooler than hot. Yesterday in the sun first they sunbathed, then ran around, and two began panting and they went into the shade.
Brought them down in the tote
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I had showed them water which they ignored, maybe didn’t recognize was water in a new dish even though I tapped it and dipped my finger in it, but then when I put my finger with a drop in front of them they drank and drank and got the picture eventually.

PS Popcorn has discovered it is really satisfying to peck them, and has begun hunting them in between foraging. So now the chicks are afraid of them all, I’m not sure they’ve zeroed in on who to watch out for yet. Popcorn is lowest ranking; Butters doesn’t care much, she protects the feed she’s eating (their feed) with a look when a chick comes close; Hazel, top hen, is either hands-off or is afraid of them, she won’t come near and watches with a really tall neck at times.

Yesterday I set up more and better obstacles to big hens and had the chicks exploring a more protected spot with less access. Because in last the two days, they’ve been more exposed, and twice I tapped Popcorn on the neck and back hard after she practically grabbed and almost threw one. So since then I’ve moved my body in between her and the chicks, twice, and as she moved to go around me I would move too and she got the message and moved off. So yesterday she came around again once, and I see her watching me watch her. She saw an alley, moved toward it, and then saw me move slightly and she left and didn’t come back. But she would look from a distance.

I figure when they are a bit bigger they will be better able to fend for themselves, they seem too tiny for the rough treatment Popcorn wants to dish out now. They haven’t been in the exact same physical setup each day out either, making it harder for them. Think I’ve found the right setup now though so will stick with that for several days. The run area for them is not finished so I can’t put them in there yet.
Out back day before yesterday
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Popcorn will be merciless. She is not going to lose her position to newcomers. Be ready as she will try your patience.