Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

Something is going on in the coop/run. Two little ducklings have been hanging around my yard. I noticed that the water bowl was dirty and my chooks don’t dirty their water. This morning I found one of the babies swimming around in it, just having the time of its life! They are shy of me, but they are still hanging out with my chooks. I’m very surprised that they haven’t been eaten by the barn cats yet. (There’s several of them here too)

You might be expanding your feathered friends....a step towards those cassowaries?

 

[rural mouse]

*Insert whatever curse words you want here*

I can't do it, I cannot kill a young cockerel who is showing so much promise as the interloper is this morning and afternoon.

Something happened this morning before I went out. I do not know what but Bubba and the interloper who I think I accidentally named have came to a understanding. Randy, I called him Randy when he bred Trampy Judy again and now it is sticking. The boys are sharing the horse stalls and the creek right behind the house. They can walk beside each other within 2 feet and neither one has so much as raised their hackles while I was out. Bubba is seeing to the ladies who nest in the hay like normal. Randy has responded to the escort calls and serviced the girls who lay in the coop and the porch boxes. I broke over and decided I could not kill him when while dragging the garbage cans to the front Randy spotted a hawk. He sent the entire flock for cover, including Bubba and stood in his spot and watched it. So did I. Once it left he made another call and everyone came back out from hiding in the horse stalls. The hawk was circling in front of the house, Bubba being out back could not see it. The flock was scattered between the front and back yard. I have since tested Randy to the best I can so far. He will not let me touch him. Today I can get closer, about a arms length away. I picked up a few girls in his presence. He watched. I brought out a bag of sunflower seeds. Gave a pile to Bubba to feed to the girls and then went about 15 feet away and made another pile in front of Randy. He did not eat a single one, called some of the girls to him and let them eat them. I then hand fed the girls right in front of him to see what would happen, nothing, he watched. He gives way to me while I walk around. I also feel guilty. I do not want to keep him permanently. I'm hoping for 1 or 2 boys in my group of chicks. My flock needs more then 1 rooster though, Bubba cannot be everywhere at once. The chicks are only almost 3 weeks old. If there is a boy I am looking at least 5 more months before he can be any help, and then he has to survive the idiot phase. I really do not know what to do here. Do I keep observing Randy and if the truce holds, and he continues to show promise do I hang onto him for a few months? Quite frankly that thought though makes me feel like I have stooped to the idiots level who brought him to the show to essentially dump him. It almost feels unfair to him and makes me feel like I am using him until his purpose is served. I also know Bubba will not be around forever. At any point soon I could be down to zero boys. My girls need a rooster, they obviously do not pay attention to the skies. I counted on having Branch to step up as Bubba stepped down and he was. Now, I do not have Branch. Someone please talk some sense into me. Tell me it is wrong to keep him if he continues to behave for a bit only to rehome him in 6 months to a years time.

I'm NOT going to talk "sense" to you. If he and Bubba have called a truce and are working together, Bubba can teach him good boy behavior. He's already watching the skies. GOOD! See how he does with the babies when you are letting them out. All of the babies are going to be small, even as roosters. If they can peacully co-exist, Randy may be able to help teach the babies. You don't know when Bubba will go. That bridge between the babies and Bubba may be very necessary. If Randy is as alert and savvy as Momma Hen was, you may have a good roo for as many years as she was around. I say he's on trial for the next few months.

 

[featherhead007]

You might be expanding your feathered friends....a step towards those cassowaries?

I don’t do ducks, or cassowaries or ostriches either. I had several Guinea pigs when I was little.

 

[featherhead007]

Today would be a great day to fly. The thermals are steady and there’s no crosswinds charted for today. Somebody needs to watch over the animals. I’m in need of a chicksitter

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

Something is going on in the coop/run. Two little ducklings have been hanging around my yard. I noticed that the water bowl was dirty and my chooks don’t dirty their water. This morning I found one of the babies swimming around in it, just having the time of its life! They are shy of me, but they are still hanging out with my chooks. I’m very surprised that they haven’t been eaten by the barn cats yet. (There’s several of them here too)

Lucky you!

 

[featherhead007]

Lucky you!

Lucky me? These are ducks! Messy, quacking, little creatures!!!
I can’t raise them. There’s no need for them

 

[Ponypoor]

*Insert whatever curse words you want here*

I can't do it, I cannot kill a young cockerel who is showing so much promise as the interloper is this morning and afternoon.

Something happened this morning before I went out. I do not know what but Bubba and the interloper who I think I accidentally named have came to a understanding. Randy, I called him Randy when he bred Trampy Judy again and now it is sticking. The boys are sharing the horse stalls and the creek right behind the house. They can walk beside each other within 2 feet and neither one has so much as raised their hackles while I was out. Bubba is seeing to the ladies who nest in the hay like normal. Randy has responded to the escort calls and serviced the girls who lay in the coop and the porch boxes. I broke over and decided I could not kill him when while dragging the garbage cans to the front Randy spotted a hawk. He sent the entire flock for cover, including Bubba and stood in his spot and watched it. So did I. Once it left he made another call and everyone came back out from hiding in the horse stalls. The hawk was circling in front of the house, Bubba being out back could not see it. The flock was scattered between the front and back yard. I have since tested Randy to the best I can so far. He will not let me touch him. Today I can get closer, about a arms length away. I picked up a few girls in his presence. He watched. I brought out a bag of sunflower seeds. Gave a pile to Bubba to feed to the girls and then went about 15 feet away and made another pile in front of Randy. He did not eat a single one, called some of the girls to him and let them eat them. I then hand fed the girls right in front of him to see what would happen, nothing, he watched. He gives way to me while I walk around. I also feel guilty. I do not want to keep him permanently. I'm hoping for 1 or 2 boys in my group of chicks. My flock needs more then 1 rooster though, Bubba cannot be everywhere at once. The chicks are only almost 3 weeks old. If there is a boy I am looking at least 5 more months before he can be any help, and then he has to survive the idiot phase. I really do not know what to do here. Do I keep observing Randy and if the truce holds, and he continues to show promise do I hang onto him for a few months? Quite frankly that thought though makes me feel like I have stooped to the idiots level who brought him to the show to essentially dump him. It almost feels unfair to him and makes me feel like I am using him until his purpose is served. I also know Bubba will not be around forever. At any point soon I could be down to zero boys. My girls need a rooster, they obviously do not pay attention to the skies. I counted on having Branch to step up as Bubba stepped down and he was. Now, I do not have Branch. Someone please talk some sense into me. Tell me it is wrong to keep him if he continues to behave for a bit only to rehome him in 6 months to a years time.

Why would you have to rehome him in 6 months? Are you afraid he will attack and kill a young Roo?

I can only give you some insight I have here with Bert.

He is a good boy, his idiot phase is not a bad one. He backs down from Mr P, he has his own group of hens he woos, but also if given the opportunity will go for Mr P’s harem - Mr P will thump him if he sees this.

I will also throw down treats for him but he lets the ladies and chicks eat them. He ignores the chicks, I had wee ones run between his legs and he doesn’t bat an eyelash.

I was all set to get rid of him early on but everyone told me I needed another Roo - I was sceptical I was ready to hop him over the head if he was bad.

He has been a lovely young Roo, does do stupid things if he can get away with it? Sure. But over all he is showing up to be just like Mr P.

I feel this is because there were no other Roos around to challenge him and goad him into being a moron.

To my way of thinking, if this young fellow is the only one with Bubba, he will learn from the best and when Bubba passes on, he will likely be an outstanding rooster.

Would you want to breed those blooodlines into your flock? Likely not.

But here’s another thought. Have you thought that he could be a Momma Hen replacement? Of sorts…?

He sure is eye candy, and those wattles

 

[featherhead007]

Maybe I will just drive up (past the casino) to the lake. Nice park there. Lots of beautiful scenery and I have rented a houseboat for several occasions there before.

 

[rural mouse]

Lucky me? These are ducks! Messy, quacking, little creatures!!!
I can’t raise them. There’s no need for them

They may bond with your flock....and attack the inerloping roo....

 

[featherhead007]

Why would you have to rehome him in 6 months? Are you afraid he will attack and kill a young Roo?

I can only give you some insight I have here with Bert.

He is a good boy, his idiot phase is not a bad one. He backs down from Mr P, he has his own group of hens he woos, but also if given the opportunity will go for Mr P’s harem - Mr P will thump him if he sees this.

I will also throw down treats for him but he lets the ladies and chicks eat them. He ignores the chicks, I had wee ones run between his legs and he doesn’t bat an eyelash.

I was all set to get rid of him early on but everyone told me I needed another Roo - I was sceptical I was ready to hop him over the head if he was bad.

He has been a lovely young Roo, does do stupid things if he can get away with it? Sure. But over all he is showing up to be just like Mr P.

I feel this is because there were no other Roos around to challenge him and goad him into being a moron.

To my way of thinking, if this young fellow is the only one with Bubba, he will learn from the best and when Bubba passes on, he will likely be an outstanding rooster.

Would you want to breed those blooodlines into your flock? Likely not.

But here’s another thought. Have you thought that he could be a Momma Hen replacement? Of sorts…?

He sure is eye candy, and those wattles

He sure is gorgeous!