Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

What did she say?

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Ya I hear ya. I saw Curly off the nest earlier, not sure about Henny, but Whiskers is stubborn and won’t leave the nest. I am betting it’s the darn cockerels- when I get back home they are all going - they are causing too much stress with my mum and the hens.

I wouldn’t gauge their behavior and make final judgements now, it’s not a fair reading of what’s going on. Your own feelings missing them might be amplifying your worry too.

First off, your going away has caused everybody there some stress. Your absence and your mom stepping in has changed the routine and regular sounds and dynamics of the place.

Second, you’re not there. For all they know, you, Giant Chicken Flock Master / Hooman Servant, has died and is now just plain gone. There’s no body, but maybe the coyotes got you in the night? There’s an absence they might be grieving. That stress will change things. Sorry, it’s the way it is, no guilt trip intended here.

Third, your mom is a new caregiver, in that she’s not been who they grew up being closest to them in their care and company - she doesn’t have an office there with them in the barn, does she? - and she’s not totally chicken-wise, correct? She’s also inadvertently causing stress because she’s doing things her own way, which is going to be different and is unavoidable.

I just know from my limited experience how any stress or change tends to roll downhill and shake things up one way or another. Hazel was laying a serious beating on Butters yesterday and I don’t know why. Some routine has changed here, warranting closer observation. It may be Butters’ nutritional habits and needs which are in big flux. Maybe she challenged Hazel for the feeder.

Anyway your mom doesn’t know them all nearly as well as you too. How is she reacting to them when they talk to her and tell her the news from ChickenLand, and when they show her by how they move what’s really going on? In my opinion, as far as I’ve seen with the gang here and the new chicks, chickens do best with patient caregiving. Deliberate steady physical moves, reassuring vocal sounds, listening to them, and watching their body language just as they are watching yours. She may need more experience.

 

[Gigachad poultry]

I want to thank everyone who shared some silkie photos yesterday, even the feather duster silkies. I kept it quiet but yesterday was my birthday, 39. I am done counting, from now on it is 39 and holding. Everyone is finally on the mend and recovering from the horrible combo of Rhinovirus and Covid and for the first time in 4 years I myself was not sick. My sister came over and we spent a few hours playing rook, phase 10 and Yahtzee. Sibling rivalry is as strong as ever when it comes to games. She won some and I won a few games. All in all it was a good day and those silkie hen pictures was the icing on the cake so thank you.

Happy birthday!!! I love sharing photos of those two! Sibling rivalry is always a thing with my siblings lol. I never let my lil brother around my chickens after he almost killed them several times! He thinks it's funny to full force kick soccer balls at them, so he has a permanent ban from the coop area but he will still scare them if they go near the fence to greet him. Sometimes I feel like drop kicking him! And my sister could care less about them unless I have chicks. And they also think it's "funny" to mess with the settings on my incubator or hiding my heat lamp to my brooder.

Also I'm always really sad when I hear that someones birds passed

 

[Gigachad poultry]

What did she say?

EEEEEEEEEE Rrrrrr UUUFFFFF

 

[RoyalChick]

I wouldn’t gauge their behavior and make final judgements now, it’s not a fair reading of what’s going on. Your own feelings missing them might be amplifying your worry too.

First off, your going away has caused everybody there some stress. Your absence and your mom stepping in has changed the routine and regular sounds and dynamics of the place.

Second, you’re not there. For all they know, you, Giant Chicken Flock Master / Hooman Servant, has died and is now just plain gone. There’s no body, but maybe the coyotes got you in the night? There’s an absence they might be grieving. That stress will change things. Sorry, it’s the way it is, no guilt trip intended here.

Third, your mom is a new caregiver, in that she’s not been who they grew up being closest to them in their care and company - she doesn’t have an office there with them in the barn, does she? - and she’s not totally chicken-wise, correct? She’s also inadvertently causing stress because she’s doing things her own way, which is going to be different and is unavoidable.

I just know from my limited experience how any stress or change tends to roll downhill and shake things up one way or another. Hazel was laying a serious beating on Butters yesterday and I don’t know why. Some routine has changed here, warranting closer observation. It may be Butters’ nutritional habits and needs which are in big flux. Maybe she challenged Hazel for the feeder.

Anyway your mom doesn’t know them all nearly as well as you too. How is she reacting to them when they talk to her and tell her the news from ChickenLand, and when they show her by how they move what’s really going on? In my opinion, as far as I’ve seen with the gang here and the new chicks, chickens do best with patient caregiving. Deliberate steady physical moves, reassuring vocal sounds, listening to them, and watching their body language just as they are watching yours. She may need more experience.

 

[fuentemoon]

Hello friends. I need to ask for your prayers/good thoughts/ positive energy what ever you do. Things are a bit dire here financially. I really need a solid buyer for my property in the next week. Without a buyer my choices are the county takes it or i take out a loan i can't afford.

At least Alinta has lots of berries to eat!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I wouldn’t gauge their behavior and make final judgements now, it’s not a fair reading of what’s going on. Your own feelings missing them might be amplifying your worry too.

First off, your going away has caused everybody there some stress. Your absence and your mom stepping in has changed the routine and regular sounds and dynamics of the place.

Second, you’re not there. For all they know, you, Giant Chicken Flock Master / Hooman Servant, has died and is now just plain gone. There’s no body, but maybe the coyotes got you in the night? There’s an absence they might be grieving. That stress will change things. Sorry, it’s the way it is, no guilt trip intended here.

Third, your mom is a new caregiver, in that she’s not been who they grew up being closest to them in their care and company - she doesn’t have an office there with them in the barn, does she? - and she’s not totally chicken-wise, correct? She’s also inadvertently causing stress because she’s doing things her own way, which is going to be different and is unavoidable.

I just know from my limited experience how any stress or change tends to roll downhill and shake things up one way or another. Hazel was laying a serious beating on Butters yesterday and I don’t know why. Some routine has changed here, warranting closer observation. It may be Butters’ nutritional habits and needs which are in big flux. Maybe she challenged Hazel for the feeder.

Anyway your mom doesn’t know them all nearly as well as you too. How is she reacting to them when they talk to her and tell her the news from ChickenLand, and when they show her by how they move what’s really going on? In my opinion, as far as I’ve seen with the gang here and the new chicks, chickens do best with patient caregiving. Deliberate steady physical moves, reassuring vocal sounds, listening to them, and watching their body language just as they are watching yours. She may need more experience.

This is a good post and some valid points were made. I agree Mr. P would benefit with the help of a 2nd rooster. Deep down I would love to here that Martin or Rico gets to stay. Secretly rooting for Martin but that is me being selfish.

Now, stepping away from my selfish wishes I have to remind myself that @Ponypoor is in a difficult position. With this new job that is permanent she is not going to be around every day. Her aging mother will now be the flocks primary caregiver. If we remember last winter while she was away her mom also filled this role. I do not think her mother was too happy about it and is not 100% a chicken person. I get that, there are people who are not, the world needs all people. I think her mom likes Mr P, that is good. When it comes to bringing up a new rooster yes, a older boy and older hens help in raising him right, it actually plays a huge part in it. Another huge factor is stability with the human caretaker. The boys are right smack in the middle of their "idiot" phase, hormones are kicking in or will be if they have not already. This is a nightmare if you either A. do not have experience with a young cockerel, or B, afraid of roosters. What may help and I wonder if this is driving some of the boys bad behavior is so many young cockerels. Before deciding they all need to go I would take this break at home and make the hard decision to pick just one of the boys. See if getting rid of the rest of them allows your keeper to calm down. He is trying to find his place in the flock. Not only does he have to learn Mr P is the boss, he is competing with his brothers all going through the same thing. That right there may be the key to solving some of your issues. You will know then with your next absence if you will be able to have a multi rooster flock.

If it fails, you tried. They key point to remember though is above all else you have Mr. P. You love him, your mom likes him and most importantly is willing to care for the flock with him as a member of it.

 

[Gigachad poultry]

Should I try to remove part of Jerry's bad wing. Like should I cut off the blood supply with what they use for goats...you know, “golf balls"

 

[RoyalChick]

Should I try to remove part of Jerry's bad wing. Like should I cut off the blood supply with what they use for goats...you know, “golf balls"

Why would you do that? From your prior post it sounds that things are stable, so I would say leave well alone.

 

[bgmathteach]

Hello friends. I need to ask for your prayers/good thoughts/ positive energy what ever you do. Things are a bit dire here financially. I really need a solid buyer for my property in the next week. Without a buyer my choices are the county takes it or i take out a loan i can't afford.

At least Alinta has lots of berries to eat!
View attachment 3630939

I am sad to hear about your financial issues - that stress is never fun. I hope it doesn't come down to you losing your property, and I do hope you have a place to go regardless of whether the property is bought or taken.

I'm not sure I should ask - I hope this doesn't cause more grief...but do you have a place you can go if the property gets sold, and can you take your chickens with you? I know for me when I have really bad days, my chickens provide some serenity, joy, and entertainment. I am sure you are even closer to yours, given you have a nice, friendly small flock (not around 100 like me).

Alinta - no wonder you have such nice, dark feathers - eating those blackberries!!