Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Another egg from Hen-Rietta this morning. I found Sir Jaffar guarding it. She had long since left after laying it. I’m not going to incubate her eggs, or anyone’s for that matter. But I might increase my tribe size this spring.
My preference would be:
EE’s
Speckled Suspects
Brown Leghorns
Or possibly Buff Brahmas or Orpingtons
I’m not convinced yet.

I love all of those choices!

 

[BY Bob]

The Brahmas might get picked on because of their feathered feet. I have some and they do.

Get some Speckled Sussex and Butt Orpingtons.

What kind of Orpingtons!

 

[notabitail]

What kind of Orpingtons!

Butt orpingtons. They're golden.

 

[BY Bob]

Tassels provided a second egg so I investigated bloom. Washing the egg definitely changes the color, but I wouldn’t say it is a green egg.
Hmmm.
I also washed one of Pooh’s eggs.
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I guess next time I add to my flock I need to try again for a green egg layer!


EDIT
Oh my goodness - maybe that isn't a Tassels egg at all. Sylvie is supposed to lay dark brown eggs with speckles. Oh now I am very very confused!

That lavender egg is just stunning.

 

[RoyalChick]

That lavender egg is just stunning.

The one I washed went back to being lavender once it dried. So the color must be coming from the shell not a result of the bloom.
I have never focused on bloom before - I assume I don't need soap to wash it off? I just rubbed it under the kitchen faucet.

 

[Ponypoor]

This is a nice pic of Tippy, nice to see them close like that!

I am watching the Buckeyes because one or both of them laid a thin-shelled egg (got two, and two good ones) this week. I am seeing the Spuds eat oyster shell but not the Buckeyes. I hate to give either of them pills, it is stressful for them. They are on Nutrena Feather Fixer which is slightly less calcium than a Layer would be. But I have seen Hazel take crushed eggshells.

Eggs - with several hens of the same breed it's hard to tell which one laid what unless you see them in the act and figure it out. I can tell the Orpington eggs versus the Buckeyes, it is a pale tan versus the darker brown, but that's all.

I think today Anna laid her first egg! Very small but cute. She herself is a small thing, so I'm hoping her eggs don't get too big anyway. She's been squatting in a funny way: she stays crouching, holding her wings out. Just holds that position, even after I've stroked her. Doesn't move, stays squatting. Today for the first time, and only once, she did stand up, fluff and ruffle. She's learning!

@Ponypoor I also wanted to ask why you don't want the chickens choosing where they sleep. Looks like there's plenty of room in Hen House A, and they all didn't pile in there, some chose the other HHB. What's your goal?

Chickens really need to be all together to feel right as a "flock" it seems. This is on my mind - if I were to get a few more chickens; my current coop will hold six standard size comfortably, more if the nesting area is opened up and other spaces provided for nest boxes. I know they all may decide to pile into one coop even if I provided a second one, and if it's too hot for all of them in one coop, it would not be good for them. The solution might be one big coop. Omlet has come out with one, twice the size but twice the cost $$$$. Maybe build one.

Oooo ! Would you get babies again? Your youngsters are Buff Orp right? I love that colour they have, maybe I look at those seeing as how I really don’t want a bunch of old English game roosters running around

Would you get them again? Or another variety?

Re: coop - you’re very handy I would do my own if you can. You did an awesome job with the run, I bet you could build a coop no problem. That way you can plan and set it up as you want.

Must go check out buff Orps… i also checked buff Brahmas - thy are both cold and heat hardy apparently. Need to check if Orps are heat hardy, I know they are likely good with cold.

 

[Ponypoor]

Not sure yet.

I checked buff brahams - they are cold and heat tolerant, it gets hot and humid here in summer - want to make sure they would be ok.

 

[Ponypoor]

This time of year I am ok but soon it will be summer and I don’t want them to get overheated - I’m trying to train them - but I think they are training me

Do you think your Buckeyes will take some calcium in a bit of bread? I cut my tablets in quarters with a pill cutter. The other night Marty thought I had treats and gobbled her piece hahahaha.

The next time she didn’t fall for that trick!

 

[rural mouse]

Yes saw those a while back but they never got back to me when I did contact them, my next best bet are these guys whom I have had chicks before- but it’s a heck of a drive likely 4 hrs….

https://www.performancepoultry.com/

They have the dark brahmas, and while they don't have the appenzeller spitzhaubens, they do have brabanters (spelling? Dunno, but they have a similar crest). They also have chanteclers and Russian orloffs (now I wish they could ship to the US).

 

[Ponypoor]

I just can't seem to get my chickens to drink water. Everytime I want a photo of them drinking water, they just walk away. As if they are too embarrassed to be drinking water in front of a human.
Relax, at least you aren't wearing a bathing suit...
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Either way, I'll give you some Grandma. Most of the photos I have taken are about the same so I don't really know which ones I have shown you all and ones I haven't. You may expect the same photo from me in other future posts.
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Try warm water - mine like that, and they really like the stuff I rinse my feed buckets and mix buckets with - warm wild water

Those are really nice photos of grandma I haven’t seen those before.