Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Pastel the Rooster]

Brr chilly here today it’s 4C, but it’s sunny at least. Poor Sophia came out but she sure is shivering.
View attachment 3686394View attachment 3686395

I think Sharpie is starting to moult also now. She was hanging out under the sweeter heater earlier - smart bird!

I am so sorry, but is that a chicken? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a chicken look like that, molt or not…

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

and @rural mouse

Mostly tempermant, but yes, also body type. I prefer a heavier/dual purpose body type. Which, in reality, would limit me to the Marans - but I already have a Marans roo, and one of the 3 Marans boys is a jerk.

#4, #8, & # 9 are 'my' offspring, the rest were in purchased chicks (I had great luck with pullet ratio in my own hatches, not so much with purchased chicks! But they don't let you in to pick out the ones you want anymore)

I'm leaning towards one of these 3:

#6 Marans with red leakage (I don't like the red leakage in a marans boy - but he is the nicest to me and the girls of the 3 marans boys) I do already have a 1 yr. old Marans boy. Since I have quite a few marans girls now (cuckoo & copper marans) I'm not really looking for a marans boy - I would rather cross then with an EE or other blue egger. But, he is a dual purpose body type

Number 1: He is a sweetheart, very friendly, I love his coloring and his top knot, and he is medium build (as opposed to slight build) and he is very good with 'his' girls (hatch mates) [Yes, I'm a bit of a sucker for barring!] He is a Prairie Blue Bell, so in theory should have genes for blue eggs.

#3 He is also very nice, and @RoyalChick would appreciate the iridescence of this black boy - eye candy and so far good to the girls and fine with me. a bit skittish - but every evening I pick him up from his outside perch and put him in the coop, and he is good - and will eat from my hand (hesitantly, but will) That said, he is a slighter build than I like! No idea what he is.


Honestly, if I went on looks alone - not personality nor body type, I would pick either #1 or #2 or #8. However, #2, gorgeous as he is, is horrible with the girls! And #8 is closely related to a good, but 1 year old Roo (who I only kept because he was soooo good with the girls) So, too slight a frame and no genetic diversity. But, yes, he is gorgeous. Presently a bit rough with the girls, but that is youth - he isn't rapacious like a couple of the others.

I know that I can’t make the decision for you, but I like #1. They are a stunning! Hope it’s not too hard for you to chose!

 

[rural mouse]

and @rural mouse

Mostly tempermant, but yes, also body type. I prefer a heavier/dual purpose body type. Which, in reality, would limit me to the Marans - but I already have a Marans roo, and one of the 3 Marans boys is a jerk.

#4, #8, & # 9 are 'my' offspring, the rest were in purchased chicks (I had great luck with pullet ratio in my own hatches, not so much with purchased chicks! But they don't let you in to pick out the ones you want anymore)

I'm leaning towards one of these 3:

#6 Marans with red leakage (I don't like the red leakage in a marans boy - but he is the nicest to me and the girls of the 3 marans boys) I do already have a 1 yr. old Marans boy. Since I have quite a few marans girls now (cuckoo & copper marans) I'm not really looking for a marans boy - I would rather cross then with an EE or other blue egger. But, he is a dual purpose body type

Number 1: He is a sweetheart, very friendly, I love his coloring and his top knot, and he is medium build (as opposed to slight build) and he is very good with 'his' girls (hatch mates) [Yes, I'm a bit of a sucker for barring!] He is a Prairie Blue Bell, so in theory should have genes for blue eggs.

#3 He is also very nice, and @RoyalChick would appreciate the iridescence of this black boy - eye candy and so far good to the girls and fine with me. a bit skittish - but every evening I pick him up from his outside perch and put him in the coop, and he is good - and will eat from my hand (hesitantly, but will) That said, he is a slighter build than I like! No idea what he is.


Honestly, if I went on looks alone - not personality nor body type, I would pick either #1 or #2 or #8. However, #2, gorgeous as he is, is horrible with the girls! And #8 is closely related to a good, but 1 year old Roo (who I only kept because he was soooo good with the girls) So, too slight a frame and no genetic diversity. But, yes, he is gorgeous. Presently a bit rough with the girls, but that is youth - he isn't rapacious like a couple of the others.

Sounds like #1 is hitting the most points: genetic diversity, possibly blue shell, personality, eye candy, build. Keep him. Cross him with some DC girls and see what you get.

And take #3 to @RoyalChick so she gets a nice roo and her eye candy (shhhh! Surprise her )

 

[Sally PB]

Number 1: He is a sweetheart, very friendly, I love his coloring and his top knot, and he is medium build (as opposed to slight build) and he is very good with 'his' girls (hatch mates) [Yes, I'm a bit of a sucker for barring!] He is a Prairie Blue Bell, so in theory should have genes for blue eggs.

#1 Is also good with the girls, but not a personality of 'commander in chief' like the Marans boy. He is medium build, but, in theory, carries the blue egg coloring gene.

I liked #1 the best too. What a handsome boy! I liked #8 too, but I also believe handsome is as handsome does.
And possibly blue eggs...

 

[Ponypoor]

Maybe he's always had an ear infection then? Like the breath indicating the health of the crop, drainage from the ear would go there too. This got me reading about chickens' eustachian tube, if there is one (two) like ours, and all birds do, at least functioning like ours, between the Middle Ear and the nasopharynx system, it's called the pharyngotympanic tube.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944200617302088#:~:text=A connection between the ME,in birds (pharyngotympanic tube).

Maybe he'll be able to do his Macho Man manly duties even better now and live up to his other name, Mr. Perfect Balance!

Yes I am hoping a week on his meds will clear anything bacterial. But I also know from researching this, the bacteria can be difficult to get rid of. But for now he is acting like a Macho, Macho Man

 

[Ponypoor]

Sounds like #1 is hitting the most points: genetic diversity, possibly blue shell, personality, eye candy, build. Keep him. Cross him with some DC girls and see what you get.

And take #3 to @RoyalChick so she gets a nice roo and her eye candy (shhhh! Surprise her )

I too like #1, and #3 would be an awesome fit with RC if I were closer/able to, I would deliver to her

 

[Ponypoor]

@RoyalChick I immediately thought of you and Bernie when I saw this!!

What the heck?! Is that suppose to scare people who don’t know animals? Or will the local municipality offices cut off your finger .

 

[Ponypoor]

Awe! Sue might be a RIR? I can’t believe that they are laying/gonna be laying. It’s crazy how fast they grow.

Mr. P, your haircut is the latest fashion, don’t worry!

Twister is your baby, isn’t she

Well Sue is supposed to be part of Hoovers coloured layer package - so I am not sure what she is, I will have to wait to see what colour egg she lays. But I love her mahogany colour, so rich and gorgeous.

I am so sorry, but is that a chicken? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a chicken look like that, molt or not…

Yes poor Sophia has I really bad, she always has a hard moult, but this is the latest she has done her moult. She isn’t a happy girl.

I liked #1 the best too. What a handsome boy! I liked #8 too, but I also believe handsome is as handsome does.
And possibly blue eggs...

…and with blue being dominant then any pullet chicks he throws should have blue or at least green eggs.

And of course I love that barred pattern.

 

[knoturavggrl]

Synopsis of the chicken events at Fluffy Butt Acres
November 11-18, 2023

If you are more than a week behind, here is the link to last week's synopsis:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27304487

@BY Bob
Relayed Aurora's horror at @RoyalChick's Tassels and her beard-care.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27308174
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27308997
This prompted a lot of beard discussion. @Ponypoor may be moving from being obsessed with wattles to focusing on beards, and @RebeccaBoyd Owly and Goose stole the show.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27310576

@BeastBaby
Shared adorable video of her hen-pecked dog.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27307854

@ChicoryBlue
Gave us a tour of her chicken housing.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27316823
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27317196

@GregnLety
Shared the wonderful progress Lety made with putting shade cloth up on the pen with the new roof (Greg is back in action so don't worry too much)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27309758

@Lexicon
Uncovered the mystery of why her hens were not laying.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27305257
Poor Cesario is still not recovered, but is making do.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27305294

@Lilion
Is nursing Eenie back to health after her nasty injury.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27305134

@Marie2020
Has been taking special care of Princess. Both Marie and Princess are mourning the loss of their close friend Tina. Princess is looking as gorgeous as ever.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27304495

@Ponypoor
Shared the most stunning photos - some of which were picked up by her TV station - unfortunately not the one of Mr.P which is definitely TV-worthy.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27310018
She has thoughtfully put a fence up to help the chickens climb up into the trees.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27310420
The biggest news from Pony however is that poor Mr. P has a skin infection which she is treating. I am sure we are all hoping he recovers soon.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27313306
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27314242
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27315029
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27315065
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27316971
Roosting drama has gone to a whole new level.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27315027

@rural mouse
Little Twirp has been schooling Tuff in how a gentleman rooster should behave.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27315644

@Sally PB
Has to put up with Pip and her poopy feet - such hardship!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27308289
And is on tenterhooks waiting for a first egg.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27312060

@SimpleJenn
May have to come clean soon about Thane

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27305197

***
I hope I didn't miss anything important.
Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Thank you awesome synopsis!

 

[knoturavggrl]

and @rural mouse

Mostly tempermant, but yes, also body type. I prefer a heavier/dual purpose body type. Which, in reality, would limit me to the Marans - but I already have a Marans roo, and one of the 3 Marans boys is a jerk.

#4, #8, & # 9 are 'my' offspring, the rest were in purchased chicks (I had great luck with pullet ratio in my own hatches, not so much with purchased chicks! But they don't let you in to pick out the ones you want anymore)

I'm leaning towards one of these 3:

#6 Marans with red leakage (I don't like the red leakage in a marans boy - but he is the nicest to me and the girls of the 3 marans boys) I do already have a 1 yr. old Marans boy. Since I have quite a few marans girls now (cuckoo & copper marans) I'm not really looking for a marans boy - I would rather cross then with an EE or other blue egger. But, he is a dual purpose body type

Number 1: He is a sweetheart, very friendly, I love his coloring and his top knot, and he is medium build (as opposed to slight build) and he is very good with 'his' girls (hatch mates) [Yes, I'm a bit of a sucker for barring!] He is a Prairie Blue Bell, so in theory should have genes for blue eggs.

#3 He is also very nice, and @RoyalChick would appreciate the iridescence of this black boy - eye candy and so far good to the girls and fine with me. a bit skittish - but every evening I pick him up from his outside perch and put him in the coop, and he is good - and will eat from my hand (hesitantly, but will) That said, he is a slighter build than I like! No idea what he is.


Honestly, if I went on looks alone - not personality nor body type, I would pick either #1 or #2 or #8. However, #2, gorgeous as he is, is horrible with the girls! And #8 is closely related to a good, but 1 year old Roo (who I only kept because he was soooo good with the girls) So, too slight a frame and no genetic diversity. But, yes, he is gorgeous. Presently a bit rough with the girls, but that is youth - he isn't rapacious like a couple of the others.

1 would my choice, he is beautiful and well tempered. There is a chance he could be second gen and have the double blue gene and if so, bred with your Marans hens, you have a fair shot at producing olive eggers.