Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

I told you, put out a 'pool of water' and they will come running,

did I not???

You did!

 

[featherhead007]

@RebeccaBoyd You are putting a lot of thought into this, that's good. He's handsome and is currently happy as subordinate roo. Will he stay that way? Time will tell. If he misbehaves, then yep give him a humane end so he doesn't end up as a fighter.

Hubby and I are discussing hatching eggs...but there is no backup if the silkies reject them. We have no incubator and no plans to get one.
Storm Beryl will be in town the next few days so we might not get the coop set up by Saturday. I told him I'll ask the polish chicken lady. I'm sure if the weather is bad she'll be fine meeting a different weekm

It must be nice to have your very own Polish chicken lady.

 

[bgmathteach]

*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.

First, you do not know how long Bubba will be healthy enough (and not in pain) to keep - he has already slowed down due to his feet - and you stated surgery isn't an option. AND, he has definitely proven to Bubba he is 'acceptable' - that alone is a statement in and of itself.

So: how long has it taken for Bubba's feet to go from 'noticeable swelling' to where he is at now? I am NOT saying 'replace Bubba'! I am saying this may have been a blessing in disguise - someone who Bubba can train and take some of his responsibilities NOW, so he can be more comfortable and 'ease off' on his duties, and maybe be able to live a bit longer comfortably.....AND be around to help 'train' the hormonal idiot stage of the little Branchlettes!

I say this because sometimes there is 'weird Karma' that actually turns out to be a good thing when initially you think the opposite!
[I will share one such case: last fall I was hit by a car - literally smooshed between the offender and a stationary van. Fortunately no broken bones, but in a lot of pain. Had to fight the car insurance to have medical bills paid - it was a physical, emotional & financial mess. I thought 'why me??" Well fast forward a few months - that accident probably saved my life because the Xray to make sure nothing was broken revealed something else. It initially was written off as, essentially, nothing, but an astute sonographer, which the ultrasound was done as a follow-up, said ' there is no way it is X (a nothing to worry about 'x'), and called the reading Dr. in. Long story short, again, because of that crazy, painful, unwanted accident - something was found that wouldn't have been otherwise, and is probably saving my life!]

So, sometimes blessing come/arrive in very odd, initially unwanted, ways. I say, if he continues to behave, not cause trouble with Bubba, and be watchful and good to the ladies - let him stay. At the very least, you will keep him from being a coyote's dinner - and IF you need to rehome him later, you will have socialized him so he will be good around people and make a good addition to a backyard flock - again, IF he can't stay long-term. Personally, I would be happy to be a member of your flock if I was a chicken....even if only on a 'trial' basis.

Okay - just my 2 cents and a different perspective. You have to live with your decision, I will support whatever you think is best for you and your flock.

(p.s., I think Momma hen would approve - but again, no pressure!)

 

[Ponypoor]

@featherhead007 @rural mouse and @Ponypoor

No help you bunch of enablers.

Ok in all seriousness I have brought in dad on the decision as well. He is going to observe as well when he is out and put in his opinions. I can also trust his opinions, he will not look at him through rose colored glasses like I may be doing right now. I am grieving Branch, get attached to Roos and feel sorry for all of them. I cannot just up and say he stays, mom and dad, mostly dad have to also be on board.

Let's just say Randy is officially on trial. To earn a place in the flock he has to meet several criteria.

First, this truce with Bubba has to hold out. They start fighting, and if they do not stop he is gone.

He can never, ever show any human aggression, idiot phase or not. There are children of all ages in the neighborhood, I will not tolerate it. Even to adults. He does not have to like being held or even want to be held. He attacks a person though, he is gone.

He has to remain in the backyard. It must become his home base, he cannot keep going down to the barn and leading hens down there. If he chooses to roost in Momma Hens tree, fine. I would prefer he eventually roosts in either the coop or on the main roost with Bubba.

He must learn and learn quickly to be gentle with the girls. I know young cockerels can get rough with them in the idiot phase, but he WILL not hurt one of them. I really worry about Poppet my smallest. Poppet is gravitating towards him, I was watching out the kitchen window while I did dishes. He danced for her her but she dodged him. To his credit he did not try to grab her. He actually has not grabbed any of the girls roughly yet that I have saw. That said, he hurts a girl he is gone.

The chicks, when I move them outside the first few weeks they will be confined to the coop. Both he and Bubba and the rest of the flock can interact with them through the safety of the coop. When they are released at first it will be with my supervision. I will not tolerate any aggression at all towards the chicks. He shows aggression towards them he is gone.

As far as the chicks go, they are too young to sex yet and will not be so for a while. I want a cockerel in this group. In theory I should have at least 1. I have never had a all pullet hatch. So lets say I get the boy I want out of these chicks. He too will have to prove himself but mainly the only thing that will cause me to rehome him would be human aggression. When the possible boy hits his idiot phase Randy would be roughly about a year old give or take. Hopefully by then IF he is still here he has had sense whipped into him. He will be allowed to whip the new boy into shape as long as he does not maim or try to kill him. He needs to show tolerance, just like Bubba is doing with him. He does not he is gone.

To be fair I am giving Randy a chance, but he IS a game cockerel. He is not a small old english game cockerel like @Ponypoor has. He is essentially a fighting cockerel that whoever hatched and raised him decided he did not make the cut. That could be in his favor to be honest. I have to remain skeptical though. I NEED multiple boys, 2 to be honest. I am asking Randy to fit into a flock that goes against EVERYTHING he was bred to be. Right now, I will not kill him, I see potential. I am hoping he starts roosting in the coop that way he could be contained IF he crosses a line and needs to go. I should not have to bear the responsibility to rehome him if it comes to that. I will though, I will first try to find him a home if he does not work out for me.

Very reasonable. I have those same criteria for Roos here.

So far Bert has been a model Roo. I also do not need a Roo to cuddle, I need a Roo to be on alert and protect the ladies, and to be eye candy.

I now really worry about Mr LC, he is extremely cuddly, and friendly. Will that translate into human aggression at some point? I don’t know. I am super cautious about how I handle him now; I only pet his wings and chest, he has had a few thumps from me for chasing and grabbing the chicks, I feel this is just youthful naughtiness, but I do not want him to start thinking he can pick on chicks.

He doesn’t bother with Curly’s babies - and to be truthful he has tried to harass Shirley and she turn on him and chased him away, he now stays away from them.

Also he is very tiny, and Bert and Mr P are large roos, if he tries to fight them I fear he could be hurt.

There is a lot I need to make sure work out here I don’t want to have a
bunch of crazy Roos harassing my hens. I don’t want a Roo who attacks people. I don’t want Roos fighting. I have no space to separate Roos - they must all get along.

 

[bgmathteach]

Ducks lay lots of eggs. More than one a day… yummy!

Umm, nope only one a day, but they are pretty reliable layers - just how many a week depends on the breed. Also, as long as they have a 'pool' (i.e. water they can bathe in), they are more resistant to the heat than chickens.

 

[Ponypoor]

I’m taking his side of this argument. Will he even have a chance to be a rooster? Nobody is perfect! He is going to make mistakes.
He’s a roo, what ya gonna do?
He’s in need of a lot of attention and love. Seems like he hasn’t had much of a chance at that.

I have had plenty of randy young Roos here, and have had the deadly consequences as you recall from last year. I never want to go through that again.

I live in eternal fear of coming home and finding Mr P or Bert seriously injured or killed from fighting. So far they have behaved, I have plenty of hens and lots of places to get out of sight and hide away.

But I now keeep my silkies separate when I not home, I don’t want them harassed and injured.

 

[Ponypoor]

Umm, nope only one a day, but they are pretty reliable layers - just how many a week depends on the breed. Also, as long as they have a 'pool' (i.e. water they can bathe in), they are more resistant to the heat than chickens.

My BIL Runners laid 2 eggs a day ? He said that was normal- ? I know nothing about ducks. Other than they are complete quacks.

 

[Ponypoor]

Ok all I must really do chores I wanted to have them done early I need an early start tomorrow. Oh well plans and all that…

“every plan breaks easily,
Because the intention is a slave to memory
At the moment of birth, it digs itself a grave,
Like a fruit, that holds to a branch, while green.”

(Shakespeare: Hamlet)

 

[Ponypoor]

First, you do not know how long Bubba will be healthy enough (and not in pain) to keep - he has already slowed down due to his feet - and you stated surgery isn't an option. AND, he has definitely proven to Bubba he is 'acceptable' - that alone is a statement in and of itself.

So: how long has it taken for Bubba's feet to go from 'noticeable swelling' to where he is at now? I am NOT saying 'replace Bubba'! I am saying this may have been a blessing in disguise - someone who Bubba can train and take some of his responsibilities NOW, so he can be more comfortable and 'ease off' on his duties, and maybe be able to live a bit longer comfortably.....AND be around to help 'train' the hormonal idiot stage of the little Branchlettes!

I say this because sometimes there is 'weird Karma' that actually turns out to be a good thing when initially you think the opposite!
[I will share one such case: last fall I was hit by a car - literally smooshed between the offender and a stationary van. Fortunately no broken bones, but in a lot of pain. Had to fight the car insurance to have medical bills paid - it was a physical, emotional & financial mess. I thought 'why me??" Well fast forward a few months - that accident probably saved my life because the Xray to make sure nothing was broken revealed something else. It initially was written off as, essentially, nothing, but an astute sonographer, which the ultrasound was done as a follow-up, said ' there is no way it is X (a nothing to worry about 'x'), and called the reading Dr. in. Long story short, again, because of that crazy, painful, unwanted accident - something was found that wouldn't have been otherwise, and is probably saving my life!]

So, sometimes blessing come/arrive in very odd, initially unwanted, ways. I say, if he continues to behave, not cause trouble with Bubba, and be watchful and good to the ladies - let him stay. At the very least, you will keep him from being a coyote's dinner - and IF you need to rehome him later, you will have socialized him so he will be good around people and make a good addition to a backyard flock - again, IF he can't stay long-term. Personally, I would be happy to be a member of your flock if I was a chicken....even if only on a 'trial' basis.

Okay - just my 2 cents and a different perspective. You have to live with your decision, I will support whatever you think is best for you and your flock.

(p.s., I think Momma hen would approve - but again, no pressure!)

Well stated

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

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