Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

Can’t read Jaffar today. I stepped out, off property, over next door. Jaffar went up on the porch and crowed for an hour straight.
1. He never comes to the top of the stairs
2. He was crowing about an hour without stopping.
He only stopped when I got home and acknowledged his presence on the porch.
He’s a rickedy old grouch, and has gotten worse lately!

I don't see that as grouchy! His second in command was gone - he was crowing for you to return - and up high on the porch as a lookout! He wanted you safe and home. That is sweet - not grouchy!

 

[Ponypoor]

It's cheap that's why you're there

Yup

Asked for a hotel this time around.

 

[Ponypoor]

This made me laugh.
For context, Babs is just a very sweet and easy going hen. Nothing rattles her.
She adores Bernie. She was Eli’s BFF, and now she is sort of a confidante to the Pentagonists.
Sylvie however just discovered that Babs has quite an edge.
Listen to Babs tell Sylvie to go pound sand when Sylvie comes in to Babs’ nest box, chattering up a storm, when Babs wants some peace and quiet.
Who knew Babs could be so stern?!

What a hoot
You tell her girl!

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

Happy Mugs!

 

[featherhead007]

I don't see that as grouchy! His second in command was gone - he was crowing for you to return - and up high on the porch as a lookout! He wanted you safe and home. That is sweet - not grouchy!

I don’t hold a grudge against Jaffar. Matter of fact I just shared my grilled cheese sandwich with him.

 

[BY Bob]

OK the Spuds wanted out of the puppy pen after an hour, one flew up to the top and hung there awhile. The Bigs seemed pretty much over the "Now they're here?" interest and appeared to not care, hanging out. So I opened the gate and out they blasted out!

They explored all around the pen, came into the run extension and helped me with the assembly work. They didn't want to read the instructions though
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Predator skirt inspection
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The Bigs just watched, see them on the right up there. Hazel did very little, but occasionally Popcorn came over and scared them through the fence. When they were inside the fence, Popcorn and Butters worked together three times to herd and then scatter them. They didn't pursue, just made them run when Popcorn would suddenly lunge. Butters just seems to enjoy standing there while a chick runs her way. So far it looks like mostly intimidation, but since this was all Day One of really sharing an area I kept an eye on them. I stepped in once when they got herded into a corner, the extension is definitely not set up with chick escape obstacle stuff, and neither is part of the main run.

Next the Spuds went beyond the extension and toured the jungle paths in a big circle, out to the Lilacs, over to the coop, and back around. Then they rested a bit where I was working after eating and drinking.
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Then they set off again, this time headed right into the main run where the Bigs were! Gutsy. They were on the left, so the Spuds went to the right. Right onto the wonderful dry pile of litter. They started scratching. They found Hazel's favorite dustbath hole. One of those cheeky Spuds started to dustbathe in it!
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Uh oh. Butters is about to come around the top of the doggy pool, Popcorn around the bottom. The Spuds retreated to another corner, and Popcorn charged. One went above the pool and found Butters and does a quick reverse, the other two split and zip to either side of Popcorn safely. The first got through also. Nobody even pecked. Whew!
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Gotta hand it to the Spuds, they ventured back in within minutes! Popcorn and Hazel had gone out to forage a little, Butters too. So they explored the left side this time. I saw Butters coming back, so went in to observe.

The Spuds found the insulated waterer and immediately recognized the water nipple even though theirs is vertical and totally shaped differently, and this is horizontal. They pecked and pushed the silver pin and got drinks! Butters heard the waterer, came over and got a drink on the opposite side. The Littles saw her but didn't panic, they stayed, one even walked around to look at her, and Butters slowly walked by them.

I will change up the main run, give the chicks better corners, blocks and under-hides. It will level up the playing field a bit to not have the layout so familiar to the Bigs. Was not thinking the Spuds would want to go everywhere so soon. But they appeared to have a great time!

How is it chickens are so bold, such risk-takers from an early age?

That sounds like a wonderful adventure for them. Glad it is was safe and fun.

 

[BY Bob]

Chick update!

So I went back to TSC early today. They had sold all the Lavender Orpingtons.

So I went home and called all the other TSCs within a 90 minute drive. Found one about an hour away that said they still had them. So hopped in the car and started driving while I called my TSC to see if the still had at least 2-3 Wyandottes and to ask if they would let me get less than the usual minimum of 4, since I would be getting some LOs at the other store. They said that was fine and they would put 4 aside for me to choose from.

Called the store that said they had the LOs to let them know I was on my way and to see if they would also let me get just 2-3 and if they would hold them for me. Got connected to a different person who told me she sold all the LOs yesterday. I was so upset, especially since the first person I talked to said they still had a lot of them. Tried a few other sources but no luck. There is still a chance one of the TSCs will get some when they get their last shipment this week, but no guarantees.

I decided to go ahead and get the Wyandottes. Glad I had convinced them to hold a few as someone was there buying all the others when I arrived. They are supposed to be Blue Laced Gold Wyandottes. But they don’t all look the same. There is a chance some could be Blue Laced Red, but I really hope they are all Blue Laced Gold.

Pictures!

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And a first fluffy butt pic for one of them.
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They are so adorable. I'm so sorry about the Lavender Orpingtons.

Perhaps this will help.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Still rooting for Butters!

Thanks. Butters had at least something in her crop this evening before roosting. She's only lost an ounce of weight since Sept 6th, and I've not tube-fed her, so that's good I think!

 

[Ponypoor]

Kiddo had to give the chicks a tiny bit of shredded cheese.
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Of course they lined up to say hello to their favorite person!
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And Kasumi has a tail finally! Maybe she'll get less clumsy flapping around with the others now haha.
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Awww so adorable

I love babies

 

[Ponypoor]

They are so adorable. I'm so sorry about the Lavender Orpingtons.

Perhaps this will help.
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Well hello pretty hen

I hope you’re feeling a bit better.