Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Thirsty Thursday: Fresh water not out of the nipple waterer, our favorite!View attachment 3719390

Concerning:
Today was a free range day. Perry ran for the dust bath (as per the usual), and was really going to town. Fearing she would miss a prime opportunity to mingle with the flock without a barrier between them, after like 15 minutes I scooped her up and brought her out to them.
View attachment 3719385
Which led to a moment of deep concern: her legs didn’t seem to work properly. Once I placed her on the ground, she couldn't stand up. And to move around she waddled on her ankles. It lasted for several long minutes. Instantly my mind went to
1) mareks
2) spinal damage
3) the dust bath was SO good, and she had SO much sand on her, that she couldn’t walk. Somehow.
Then it went away and she went about her business in the yard with the others as though nothing happened.
View attachment 3719386

These are her current digs: a teeny, drafty, temporary coop. Will need to get her in the big coop for next week’s cold temps.
View attachment 3719388

Tax for all this chicken talk: baby is cutting her first tooth, and learning to stand. (read between the lines: this means nobody is getting any sleep at night.)
View attachment 3719387View attachment 3719395

First time my silkie waddled like that after a dust bath I freaked out, then she shook all the sand out and she was fine

Give baby a frozen eggs waffle yummy and soothing

EDT: ummm meant Eggo Waffle - not egg waffle

 

[Ponypoor]

Fluffy butt Friday

Some BFTP butts

I can’t wait to get some photos for Marty getting her new feathers and the babies.

 

[BY Bob]

They have personality that is for sure. Now that I know serial stalker turned serial pecker Dottie is only doing this for attention and affection I am again happy with my choice on them. The stalking is never ending, always right there a few steps behind, growling and talking to me. I had better at some point stop and bend over to at least pet her during one of my trips outside. If I go more then 2 without petting her, she lets me know by pecking my pant legs. Spot is a nosy busybody as well, she also watches me. She just does not need to be touched like her sister. As long as she can see what I am doing and be in range incase food is offered she is happy.

That's wonderful that Dottie needs and demands your attention. You must be a special person for chickens to choose you.

 

[rural mouse]

Pear and Cuckoo gave me some fluff pics this week...

 

[BY Bob]

It has rained practically every other day for 2 weeks. Several areas of the backyard is still a mudhole. White chickens who like to dig and mud is not a good combo. To top it off it is cold and 2 of the Marshmallows are in desperate need of a booty bath. If I did one now though they would have to stay in overnight.

I was wondering. White chickens are pretty good at keeping themselves clean. I had a wet stretch a while ago and Glynda was rubbing her tail on the Cluckle Hut when she went under it. They hold their tails so straight up that they rub on things all the time.

 

[Sally PB]

As it is we run around $490/month for fuel in the winter (Oct to April) that’s a lot of money.

My neighbor said they were spending $650/month. They got an outside wood burner/boiler and turned their propane off. The boiler heats their (biggish) house to 75, and supplies all their hot water.

BIG caveat: They are burning a TON of wood. They have gone a couple cords, at least, in a month. And it's been unseasonably warm and dry. When their current pile is gone, I don't know where they will get more. Buy it, maybe? I think it's going for $250-300/cord around here. Not much savings there! I think the salesman may have oversold them on this thing's efficiency.

We also heat with wood, but have an interior wood stove, heating a MUCH smaller area. (It doesn't include hot water, so we still burn propane.)

I wish we could get 4-6" of snow. We have had diddly, maybe 2" so far this season. By this time last year, we had had about 4-5 FEET of snow. Hubby wants to go cross country skiing and use his rat rod Falcon plow!

 

[BY Bob]

Fluffy butt Friday

Some BFTP butts

I can’t wait to get some photos for Marty getting her new feathers and the babies.
View attachment 3719442View attachment 3719443View attachment 3719444View attachment 3719445View attachment 3719446View attachment 3719447View attachment 3719448

Those are awesome!

 

[Sally PB]

Tax, because I owe:

Widget's fluffy butt.

 

[BY Bob]

Pear and Cuckoo gave me some fluff pics this week...View attachment 3719468View attachment 3719469

Nice bums

 

[BY Bob]

Tax, because I owe:
View attachment 3719477
Widget's fluffy butt.

So lovely!