Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

So sad to lose birds. Excluding external causes like avian diseases or predators/injuries ~ sometimes internal organs or digestive tracts don't form right in chicks & they die sooner than their hatchmates. When you think about how tiny a fertilized egg is to contain all the needed nutrients for an embryo to develop we or the bird has no control over their adult hardiness if they had a shaky start at conception in the mother hen.

Chickens are one of the most satisfying poultry to raise that it angers me they have so many health issues that shorten their lifespan. We need thick skin as owners to face the reality of poultry loss if we raise chickens ~ or even dogs w/ average lifespans of 10 years after we get so attached to them ~ some live longer & then we're faced w/their lingering age-related health issues. Not fair, but that's the truth of keeping animals.

Some of our first departed friends
Violet & Trumpet 2011
View attachment 3991297

Bela (Bay'lah) 2011
View attachment 3991298

Tish (Cuckoo Marans) 2011
View attachment 3991300

Mini 2012
View attachment 3991302


Danni 2013
View attachment 3991308

Taffy 2013
View attachment 3991313

Shellby 2013
View attachment 3991314

Xena 2013
View attachment 3991315

I love Taffy - so adorable!

 

[TOMTE]

I know how hard they peck!

It's like being punched with scissors!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Well, I uh, I have a new hen.

I had a knock on my door 30 minutes ago and it is the new neighbors that moved in a couple months ago. The guy works for the city. Last week in town there was a stray chicken. A employee caught it and took it to the Dump which is where his office is over the weekend. He caught her after work and came a knocking saying Merry Christmas. Their daughter Vivvy was with them so what am I supposed to do, turn her down? No, Vivvy was too excited. Instead I did the next best thing. This is not technically my hen, oh no, it is Vivvy's she is just going to live with me. She has to come up with a name for her as well. It was dark when they came over but I looked her over as best I could. She has no mites, no scabs or anything on her comb. I listed to her lungs and no wheezing. By all outward appearances this is a healthy chicken.

Here is the kicker, they thought they were bringing me a silkie because it is a bantam and has feathered feet. I'm here to tell you this is no silkie, not a ounce of silkie in her. She is 1 of 2 things, either a bantam cochin or a bantam dark brahma.

Her comb and coloring and lack of wattles, and body shape, I swear I have a bantam Brahma on my hands. She is the size of Goose and Spooky.

I will get pictures of her tomorrow for you all. I want to see what your opinions of her are.

 

[GregnLety]

Awesome! That’s great! Who is that?

She doesn't have a name but she's an escape artist.

 

[Ponypoor]

She doesn't have a name but she's an escape artist.

And a hen lovely! I have a few escape artists. Two are moulting so they can’t fly over the fence now - the third has just started moulting.

Does your girl fly ? As a frizzle I am interested in how well they fly. Betty can fly upward about 4’, and she can flap hop across the grass about 10’. But she doesn’t get off the ground very high.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Forget tomorrow. I took my headlamp out and got some pictures. Her voice is changing and she sounds like a goose so she is young. What do you all think, Brahma or Cochin? She has to be between 4 to 5 months as their is no sound of a chick peep so she is not a large fowl.
Also, excuse the coop, clean out day is tomorrow.

 

[Ponypoor]

Well, I uh, I have a new hen.

I had a knock on my door 30 minutes ago and it is the new neighbors that moved in a couple months ago. The guy works for the city. Last week in town there was a stray chicken. A employee caught it and took it to the Dump which is where his office is over the weekend. He caught her after work and came a knocking saying Merry Christmas. Their daughter Vivvy was with them so what am I supposed to do, turn her down? No, Vivvy was too excited. Instead I did the next best thing. This is not technically my hen, oh no, it is Vivvy's she is just going to live with me. She has to come up with a name for her as well. It was dark when they came over but I looked her over as best I could. She has no mites, no scabs or anything on her comb. I listed to her lungs and no wheezing. By all outward appearances this is a healthy chicken.

Here is the kicker, they thought they were bringing me a silkie because it is a bantam and has feathered feet. I'm here to tell you this is no silkie, not a ounce of silkie in her. She is 1 of 2 things, either a bantam cochin or a bantam dark brahma.

Her comb and coloring and lack of wattles, and body shape, I swear I have a bantam Brahma on my hands. She is the size of Goose and Spooky.

I will get pictures of her tomorrow for you all. I want to see what your opinions of her are.

Oooooo I can’t wait! I am hoping she looks like Henny who I think is half Cochin.

So will Vivvy be helping out with the chicken chores?

 

[SimpleJenn]

Forget tomorrow. I took my headlamp out and got some pictures. Her voice is changing and she sounds like a goose so she is young. What do you all think, Brahma or Cochin? She has to be between 4 to 5 months as their is no sound of a chick peep so she is not a large fowl.
Also, excuse the coop, clean out day is tomorrow.

View attachment 3991636View attachment 3991637View attachment 3991639View attachment 3991640View attachment 3991641View attachment 3991642View attachment 3991644

Bantam brahma

 

[Ponypoor]

Forget tomorrow. I took my headlamp out and got some pictures. Her voice is changing and she sounds like a goose so she is young. What do you all think, Brahma or Cochin? She has to be between 4 to 5 months as their is no sound of a chick peep so she is not a large fowl.
Also, excuse the coop, clean out day is tomorrow.

View attachment 3991636View attachment 3991637View attachment 3991639View attachment 3991640View attachment 3991641View attachment 3991642View attachment 3991644

Oh she is adorable! Is that orange feet?!

Gosh those feathers sure look dark Brahma, but RM would know best.

She’s lovely! Bet she’s broody by February

 

[Ponypoor]

Bantam brahma

I know right?!!

(Welcome back )