Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RebeccaBoyd]

I can sort of make out chipmunk markings in them. That is making me think partridge. You know they could end up looking like Poppet as adults. She is a type of partridge, either silver or black not sure of the technical name for her coloring.

If I end up with several little Poppet look-a-likes running around, I will definitely not complain.

 

[bgmathteach]

In memory of Wendy (March 10th, 2021 - Jun 6th, 2024)
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It is way too sudden that Wendy has passed during midnight of 6/6, but I am really glad that she suffered very little. About a week ago, Wendy showed signs of not complete self and I was still overseas. I am so glad that I got back home 3 days ago (6/4) and at that time, Wendy was still mostly fine.

But she declined so fast. She got really unwell 6/5 afternoon and we started antibiotics on 6/6, and then she was gone.

Not too much sadness. I am glad that she lived a great life and she suffered little. I will remember Wendy.

Apr 23, 2021: She is the baby at the top of the picture.View attachment 3856068
Wendy has always the biggest chicken of our flock, starting as a baby. She matured to a little over 7lbs.
She has been the alpha hen since Ginger left us a little more than a year ago, except that she is only below Light.

Wendy can be very sweet.View attachment 3855939

Wendy has always laid huge eggs. This one is very extreme and I forgot its weight, but you can see it is huge. This was laid July last year. As far as we can remember, she laid her last egg August 2023. We were happy that she stopped and we thought she would go on living a long life.View attachment 3856082

Aug 2022
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Sep 2022: moltingView attachment 3855923
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Jan 2023
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Apr 2023
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Aug 2023
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Sep 2023
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Oct 2023: giving me company
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Nov 2023
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April 2024
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[bgmathteach]

Sad day.
Dead hen.
It wasn't all because of the heat.


For the past few weeks, I've been not been seeing lots of eggs in the nest like normal. I thought it was just the summertime heat, but it was happening for weeks on end. Then Breezefeather got lodged in between two fence wires. I had never seen that before. Something had to have scared her. I watched the chook yard for a couple days at noon, and yesterday I caught a crow swooping into the yard! I ran out of my house screeching and having my hands at it, and when I got to the coop, I saw Cluckie laying on her back, breathing heavily. I brought her to her feet but she just stumbled onto the ground. Her feet didn't look injured, but I suspected the crow did something to her. I tried bringing her inside into the cool and putting water into her mouth. After a while her breathing went shallower. Then it just stopped. She had passed. I was sobbing so much. She had lived for 7 and a half years, just to die like this.
I really don't know how this death happened.... heatstroke or crow attack.
Rest in peace and fly high, Cluckie.
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She was a gorgeous girl!

 

[Ponypoor]

Silkies and color genetics. I have decided there is 1 hard rule for color genetics and silkies. Take everything you THINK you know and throw it out the window.

I have 4 chicks right now. The white Betty chick which is not a surprise. I also have 3 chicks from Poppet x Branch. When they hatched and wet I assumed black, I expected black or for them to look like Poppet.
Instead 2 out of the 3 look like this...

The 3rd one is not fully dry and fluffed up yet, it looks black but then again so did those 2 last night. I have decided to brood these myself, I know I have broody hens ready but my gut is telling me to do it myself. I will get better pictures of them this evening once they are out of the incubator. My brother is picking me up a huge tote tonight. My dog kennel that I have used had a hay bale fall on it and it is toast. No beating that thing back into shape.

Oh Adele is a frizzle! Yay!

At least she looks like it from the video and is that a ridiculously cute topknot she is sporting?

Those other chicks are grizzled in colouring aren’t they. Unusual. I wonder what their adult colouring will be? Gosh they are freaking cute who cares what colour they are they are awesome!

Congratulations

 

[Marie2020]

Good night fluffy butt's

 

[notabitail]

Good night fluffy butt's

good night.

 

[BY Bob]

The Orpingtons Are Here!

We have 4 intact eggs!

 

[Ponypoor]

The Orpingtons Are Here!

We have 4 intact eggs!

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Awesome!!!!

Yay! Ok so how are the ladies doing broody wise? They should be ready for the eggs tomorrow night I guess.

I am so eggcited, I am praying for an awesome hatch for you.

 

[Ponypoor]

Power is out again, the genny kicked in so we are at least ok for power and internet. Not sure why it’s out I didn’t think the wind was that bad.

Unfortunately the digital timer I had the fan on for the chooks doesn’t work once power is cut to it, so they are all very unhappy out there. I will go out and start it up again in a bit when the rain stops. I had to leave the Hen House door open as it is just too hot to close it up.

With temps slated to be in the mid to high 30s (high 90s) next week I really need to get a proper summer door in place. Also need to set up the fans for the chooks in the Summer House also, those bantam baby sure aren’t cold tonight.

Poor pony Lulu hasn’t shed her full winter coat so I will need to clip her body this weekend - I don’t like clipping horses it’s noisy with the clippers and the hair cuttings get everywhere.

Ah summer… love it!

Ok here is some photos of the little darlings.

We call him Mr P - P for purple

Pepper - gosh I know I said I wasn’t going to keep them all but she’s a barred rock….

And Mr B-man himself, the chicklets are getting interested in seeing what the fuss is about when is calling the ladies, will this be some more ladies for his harem?

 

[BY Bob]

Awesome!!!!

Yay! Ok so how are the ladies doing broody wise? They should be ready for the eggs tomorrow night I guess.

I am so eggcited, I am praying for an awesome hatch for you.

Thank you. I'm antsy but good.

I just flushed Phyllis from lady Featherington's nest box. She had no eggs under her. Phyllis I guess just wants to sleep with the broodies.