Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I have roundworms in my flock but haven't found an easy way to get a fecal float. So I treat the whole flock once a year in spring with Flubendazole (which isn't available in the US) or Fenbendazole (the stuff in Panacur).

Flubendazole is available in the US. It is my "go to" for worming. I get it through a source that supplies medicine to people who keep pigeons.

 

[Sylvester017]

Only fear I have is losing my pets to a racoon , or a bird of prey.
I like your setup.

TY & Yes, that was our concern too. We were driving down our neighborhood street after dark & spotted a raccoon big as a goat!!! crawling into a street storm drain only 5 houses away!!! We may be an old established suburb neighborhood but we have had wild critters in our supposedly reinforced wall/yard ~ hawks, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, stray dogs, feral cats, squirrels, someone's loose exotic vicious abandoned lizard/alligator?, rabbits!

Our cultivated yard for chickens didn't happen overnight. It's been over 13+ yrs that we've worked on developing safety measures through trial & error. What worked for other owners did not work for us & vice versa. Our setup works for our circumstances & so far have not lost a bird to a predator yet ~ but you never know when a Grizzly might show up. My DD has had bears in her yard, trash & pool captured on night camera! And she doesn't go out after dark cuz of skunks & rattlesnakes basking on her warm cement patio!

 

[Ponypoor]

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Boy

 

[Ponypoor]

The silkies are finally coming out of the ugly phase and are starting to look like mini adults. This cross between Branch and Poppet is going to produce some beautiful little birds. Branch, he had a mighty fine beard but to be honest his topknot left a lot to be desired. Poppet, no beard but you cannot deny she is rocking the topknot. I can now tell all 6 have inherited their momma's fuller topknot. 3 of the 6 have their daddy's beard to go with it. I actually have 3 pairs color wise. There are 2 blacks, 2 Black with brown leaking through all over and 2 partridges. Each of the pairs have a bearded and non-bearded version.
I believe that the bearded Partridge will be miss Patsy.
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Black and brown
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non bearded
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Now for the black chicks
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Oh
My
Gosh
They are so ridiculously adorable! Teeheehee I love their wee topknots!

 

[rural mouse]

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I'm seeing rooster hackle/saddle feathers. I'm saying roo, with very calm/laid back personality

 

[rural mouse]

I try not to share. But you see, someone is right here the minute I sit down.
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He is very determined to find out what is in my cup and share. This morning he managed to get a beak full the brat.

Is his TAIL popping an orange wash?

 

[Ponypoor]

Yes, TY. I have seen these before & even if the language is a barrier the gorgeous photos tell it all! Before we got Breda fowl we saw them selling on Greenfire Farms website. We were intrigued w/ their beauty & supposed gentle temperament so we absorbed all info we could on Breda before getting them.

Right after Greenfire acquired Breda to distribute to US breeders Greenfire next acquired the Pavlovskaya chicken in two varieties. Wish we weren't maxed out in hens or we would have ordered them too!

Ooooooo my dream chookie Pavlovskaya

Alas not meant to be.

 

[Ponypoor]

Julio, still no crow but really no denying he is a boy. The topknot has gone crazy.
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Now no one panic, this is not blood and he has not been pecked. I have already had a meltdown and checked. His head is full of pin feathers.
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I dare not let him out around the big girls right now. They would go after those pin feathers and I would have a Mr. P situation on my hands.

You sure would! And then he would be
Purple like Mr P from Blu-Kote spray.

But he sure is pink under those feathers! No dark silkie skin there.

 

[Ponypoor]

Is his TAIL popping an orange wash?

I was wondering too but thought it was just the shading. Interesting!

 

[rural mouse]

Thirstyday

Nellie said wild water is tasty.

And in other news, my youngest graduated from bootcamp today. Like my oldest, following in dad's footsteps into the Navy.