Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[lightm]

Synopsis of chicken news for the week to July 6th

Last week's synopsis (thank you @Ponypoor) is available here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27848678

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@BY Bob

It has been a stressful, sad, and certainly eventful week at FBA.

Bob shared the sad news that Phyllis passed away in her sleep after a busy and active day. We will all miss her, and I know our hearts go out to Bob and of course Rose.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27862013

And as if that were not enough, there has been the tension of the mysteriously missing eggs.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27858121
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27859496
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27860125

@RebeccaBoyd has been providing Bob with some coaching tips which Bob, rather bravely in my opinion, has been following.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27860918

It is getting close to time - and honestly I cannot cope with the stress and I am not even there!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27864206
I think there may be news coming soon!

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@CCsGarden

Is coping with bumblefoot and reached out for help - I am no expert, but I thought this one looked like it was on the way to healing.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27848883

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@featherhead007

Alex's neighbors are messing with him again and some of us think he should sell up and move.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27856446

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@lightm

Gave us a health update on the lovely Honey, Light, and Poopy. More good than bad.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27856180

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@Marie2020

Princess is really over delivering - another egg!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27848817

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@micstrachan

Popped in to share the very impressive results of her evaporative cooler in keeping her chickens cool during the heat wave. Both @Ponypoor and @RoyalChick (that's me) plan on giving it a try - but the humidity we live with will likely make it less useful.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27855639

She also gave us an update on Little Mill and Bridge
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27856140
Not enough pictures in my opinion - both are such pretty hens!

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@Ponypoor

Is maybe seeing some improvement in Mouse - the tiny chick that has been sick.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27849101

And has some unexpected spots and a big comb (also fluffy legs).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27851209
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27851512

@knoturavggrl, @SimpleJenn, @bgmathteach, @rural mouse, and @RebeccaBoyd all jumped in to try and help figure it out.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27851247
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27851474
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27851477
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27851561
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27851842

@RebeccaBoyd threw in the towel, and I think we are all going to have to wait and see!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27851564

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27851609

Pony shared a thank you from the school kids - I am sure they really were thankful, but I can't help thinking they realize that Kelly has so many chickens she needs a wall chart to keep track of them all!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27858310

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@RebeccaBoyd

Shared something that is not technically news - but really hit the spot in terms of wonderful roosters
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27848740

Adele is proving to be quite a handful!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27848851

Provided my favorite picture of the week - Owly's phenomenal beard. Horseflies appear to be part of the secret recipe. Enjoy this picture - it is a stunner!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27853339

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@Sylvester017

Is lucky enough to get his flock trimming the Silkies' eyes. I am thinking @Pony wishes hers would do the same!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27850485

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@TX Chick Noob

Went shopping for green bean seeds, and things did not go as planned!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-27859495

***

I hope I haven't missed anything. i have been globetrotting and spending way too much time at airports so apologies if I didn't catch everything. I was disappointed not to see a single chicken during the week - last time I visited this particular area (admittedly 20 years ago) there were chickens on the plane, chickens in the hospital facility, and of course chickens wandering around the streets. This trip: NOT A SINGLE CHICKEN!
I think some people would say that is progress.

Thank you. As you called it, we did get more news from Bob!!

 

[Ponypoor]

GLYNDA DID IT!

The first chick is out!

Oh my gosh
YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY !

 

[featherhead007]

Thank you. As you called it, we did get more news from Bob!!

I meant sad news, but also very happy news.

 

[rural mouse]

Exciting! I would have guessed Kate, the RIR, but after seeing the picturs, I am guessing Focus. Barred rocks are not generally known for being 'quick to lay'...but that is based on the Heritage breeds, not the 'production BRs' that are gotten from hatcheries. The heritage ones are much bigger, a bit slower growing, and hence generally start laying later (think, like the BOs are generally known for - later start). HOWEVER, based on comb color, my guess is Focus. Kate seems close, but I would expect the comb to be a bit redder before that happens - so maybe another week or three? Focus, is, of course, out of focus, but it appears similar case for her - I think the comb should be a bit bigger & redder. That said, some of my heritage BRs have a distinctively smaller comb and never get quite as flaming red as my others - but their face & wattles are all the same 'almost there' brightness, which she is exhibiting.

so, YES! new egg layer watch should be on . Exciting!!!

Hetty (australorp) wasn't willing to be photographed last. Ight but has comb and wattles about the same size as Kate and Focus. Blurr (the true blur in the pics) was slower to feather out than the others (although both Blurr and Focus took their time compared to Kate, Jane, and Hetty) and still has almost nothing for a comb. My added challenge is that tomorrow, I won't be able to keep an eye on the coop to see who's trying out nest boxes. Got an invite to go haul wood....which will also lay in supply for us.

 

[Ponypoor]

More movement spotted in Glynda's nest. There is a second chick but I cannot ID it. The first chick is definitely an Orpington.

Are they Buff Orps? Have to say I am happy with the ones I picked up. Nice temperament on them.

One thing i remember you sayin about Hattie’s feathers were they had something going on..? I have notes that the feathers on Laverne are almost like a frizzle, the barbs are not stuck together like on other feathers - is this an Orpington thing? Is this why they look so fluffy? The Buff Orps are not like that.

 

[rural mouse]

GLYNDA DID IT!

The first chick is out!

Mission accomplished!!! Well done, Glynda!

 

[RoyalChick]

Tasty treats for the chooks - Japanese beetles

Part one: gather a bucket with a couple inches of water, the water prevents the beetles from flying out.

Part two: hold the bucket under a branch with the beetles present and tap the branch, the beetles drop into the bucket.

Part three: distribute to the chickens and watch them enjoy!

Mine have been so effective at eating them I don’t see any these days. I used to have a plague!

 

[Ponypoor]

Hetty (australorp) wasn't willing to be photographed last. Ight but has comb and wattles about the same size as Kate and Focus. Blurr (the true blur in the pics) was slower to feather out than the others (although both Blurr and Focus took their time compared to Kate, Jane, and Hetty) and still has almost nothing for a comb. My added challenge is that tomorrow, I won't be able to keep an eye on the coop to see who's trying out nest boxes. Got an invite to go haul wood....which will also lay in supply for us.

I am still holding out hope Shirley is not a Shorty…. Comb but don’t see wattles yet.

I was also checking out the silkie chicklets, don’t see any wattles at all not that this means anything at all with silkies.

The only thing I am sure of is Bert’s a boy and Betty’s a girl

 

[Ponypoor]

Mine have been so effective at eating them I don’t see any these days. I used to have a plague!

They are just a plague here. Seems every year something new arrives to drive me bonkers.

Now there is talk of these large Joro spiders. I don’t mind spiders, think they are amazing, but not sure how I feel about such a large one crawling on me!

 

[rural mouse]

I agree. Chickens should be allowed on planes !!

Next time @RoyalChick, call Alex for a ride.....with chickens....