Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Funny!
I can’t get over how dainty she is. If I had a cup of seeds they woukd be vacuumed up in seconds!

Aurora would have been at them like a sewing machine. Lady Featherington was trying not to seem piggy so I let her have as much as she wanted. She was there for a while and got down on her own.

 

[BY Bob]

So I had a surprise pop out from under our building this morning. My neighbors calico cat was there, with 6, yes you heard me right 6 new kittens. They are tiny but look to be around 4 1/2 to 5 weeks old. George and his gang were not amused, at all. George acted like a true rooster for one of the first times and escorted Momma around the house with the kittens following. The silkies were ganging up on the kittens and herding them to follow Momma. No cat, chicken or kitten was harmed I promise. I snapped a few pictures while they were doing this.

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Once Momma and babies were around the corner everyone was happy again. The chicks have taken over this corner of the yard. The area behind the coop and under the building and in front of the coop is their playground. I'm happy with this as if something scares them they dart under the building for cover. They also have a security guard.
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CeeCee is let out now every morning when the chickens are turned loose. The majority of the time she is camped out on the sawdust sunbathing. She comes back inside when I put everyone up at night. It has cooled down some and CeeCee loves this time of year so she is wanting to be outside.

Great job George!

 

[Ponypoor]

Funny!
I can’t get over how dainty she is. If I had a cup of seeds they woukd be vacuumed up in seconds!

Yup same here!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Great job George!

From the time they were let out under supervision I've learned one thing about George. He does NOT like cats. He will stalk any cat that comes in the yard, and the neighborhood is full of them. He's actually tried to spur a few of them and chased them. It is 100% Keeper's fault. Keeper and a few of my big girls "play" with each other. Judy and the speckled sussex's seem to play tag with him. He'll chase them half-heartedly and then they will turn and chase him up a tree. He then will curl up and sleep in a nest box with them while they are in it laying a egg so I know he will not hurt them. Well, I start letting the chicks out and what does Keeper do, he decides he is going to try to play with them and go "Bowling" for chickens. The silkies scattered and George got angry and offended. He now chases Keeper every chance he gets and will peck, kick him if he gets a chance. Keeper brought this upon himself and I have no sympathy for him. I sort of feel a bit bad for the neighborhood cats though, they just get caught in the middle. Momma Hen used to be the holy terror to all the cats, George is taking up where she left off. I see this as a good thing though in case next year there are chicks running around. I have NEVER lost a chick to any of the countless cats roaming around. Part of that was due to the fact that Momma Hen was viscous to any that came in the yard. They KNEW not to mess with the chickens. George is tiny but mighty and is going to remind them that she may be gone, but do not mess with the chickens.

 

[Ponypoor]

Aurora would have been at them like a sewing machine. Lady Featherington was trying not to seem piggy so I let her have as much as she wanted. She was there for a while and got down on her own.

A true lady

 

[Ponypoor]

From the time they were let out under supervision I've learned one thing about George. He does NOT like cats. He will stalk any cat that comes in the yard, and the neighborhood is full of them. He's actually tried to spur a few of them and chased them. It is 100% Keeper's fault. Keeper and a few of my big girls "play" with each other. Judy and the speckled sussex's seem to play tag with him. He'll chase them half-heartedly and then they will turn and chase him up a tree. He then will curl up and sleep in a nest box with them while they are in it laying a egg so I know he will not hurt them. Well, I start letting the chicks out and what does Keeper do, he decides he is going to try to play with them and go "Bowling" for chickens. The silkies scattered and George got angry and offended. He now chases Keeper every chance he gets and will peck, kick him if he gets a chance. Keeper brought this upon himself and I have no sympathy for him. I sort of feel a bit bad for the neighborhood cats though, they just get caught in the middle. Momma Hen used to be the holy terror to all the cats, George is taking up where she left off. I see this as a good thing though in case next year there are chicks running around. I have NEVER lost a chick to any of the countless cats roaming around. Part of that was due to the fact that Momma Hen was viscous to any that came in the yard. They KNEW not to mess with the chickens. George is tiny but mighty and is going to remind them that she may be gone, but do not mess with the chickens.

Missy is afraid of the chickens ever since Roxanne attacked her - poor Missy!

 

[Ponypoor]

That makes sense. She is molting now. If you look closer the older white feathers are kind of yellow.

She is more narrow than I remember an Orpington pullet being and boy she can fly. Éowyn surprised her and she flew way up into the magnolia tree today.

I continue to wonder what kind of chicken she is.

She really reminds me of my Azur- they are built somewhat like she is.

I cannot wait to see what sort of egg she lays… green or brown?

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I am assuming winter came into play. I expect this lady will be relatively old when she lays her first egg.

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She is 14 weeks old today. If she were to lay mid-february she will be 40 weeks or 9.5 months old. That will not be a late starter for any reason other than winter arrived as she would normally start laying.

Aster is so pretty. I am still 100% convinced she is a splash orp. American Orps are different from their english counterparts. They are more upright, and slender and leggier. For 14 weeks she looks right on target for a orp pullet. Look at those legs, the color also matches orp leg color. She will lay a tan orp egg. Mark my words people. No blue or Green, or white eggs in this girls future.

 

[BY Bob]

From the time they were let out under supervision I've learned one thing about George. He does NOT like cats. He will stalk any cat that comes in the yard, and the neighborhood is full of them. He's actually tried to spur a few of them and chased them. It is 100% Keeper's fault. Keeper and a few of my big girls "play" with each other. Judy and the speckled sussex's seem to play tag with him. He'll chase them half-heartedly and then they will turn and chase him up a tree. He then will curl up and sleep in a nest box with them while they are in it laying a egg so I know he will not hurt them. Well, I start letting the chicks out and what does Keeper do, he decides he is going to try to play with them and go "Bowling" for chickens. The silkies scattered and George got angry and offended. He now chases Keeper every chance he gets and will peck, kick him if he gets a chance. Keeper brought this upon himself and I have no sympathy for him. I sort of feel a bit bad for the neighborhood cats though, they just get caught in the middle. Momma Hen used to be the holy terror to all the cats, George is taking up where she left off. I see this as a good thing though in case next year there are chicks running around. I have NEVER lost a chick to any of the countless cats roaming around. Part of that was due to the fact that Momma Hen was viscous to any that came in the yard. They KNEW not to mess with the chickens. George is tiny but mighty and is going to remind them that she may be gone, but do not mess with the chickens.

That will be good work by George. He doesn't have to like cats. They need to be cautious around your chickens. I'm sure Keeper will still be able to play with the others when George isn't around.

 

[BY Bob]

Aster is so pretty. I am still 100% convinced she is a splash orp. American Orps are different from their english counterparts. They are more upright, and slender and leggier. For 14 weeks she looks right on target for a orp pullet. Look at those legs, the color also matches orp leg color. She will lay a tan orp egg. Mark my words people. No blue or Green, or white eggs in this girls future.

I swear Hattie was broader than that at this age. She is an American Orpington. I will wait to see but I will remember your thoughts on this.