Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

So basically, you have no real chickens at all?

Get him Clyde the Brave!

 

[Sylvester017]

Jenn - I have been looking at Hoovers and they Chantclar chooks - eggcellent dual purpose chooks! And really cold hardy, good for our climates.

And Russian Orlof. Have you given any thoughts to finding a Tolbunt breeder around you? Your very fortunate to have so much variety down there.

I can’t wait to see your chooks you get in the Spring - I will be living vicariously through you

Ideal Hatchery has Spangled Orloff & Meyer Hatchery has White Chantecler & Tolbundt Polish ~ looks like they'll be available Spring.

 

[Sylvester017]

Yeah I'll have a tough time deciding what to get!

Well, it's said the smaller the comb the cold-hardier the birds are ~ pea, walnut, rose, V-shaped, cushion, strawberry, no comb/crested, bearded varieties usually.

Feather-footed not a good idea for snow/mud.

& larger straight-combs/wattles are better for moderate to hot climate zones.

TRIVIA:
I love the fluffy very cold-hardy Scandinavian Hedemora breed. Sweet calm birds that forage well in snow w/roos at 5 lbs & hens weighing 4 lbs. It has a smaller straight comb & a double coat of Silkie-like hair ~ but it would die in our brutal climate's heatstroke weather.

HEDEMORA

Hedemora feathers look more like clusters of hair than bird feathers.

There are private NPIP Hedemora breeders in USA that ship hatching eggs if anyone is interested in snow-hardy birds that are calm, medium-size, Silkie-soft chickens. Surprise! ~ Featherhead007 thought the only feather dusters were Silkies!

When Greenfire Farms 1st imported the Hedemora into the USA they took the flock to a Montana snow country reserve to provide the birds a suitable climate.

 

[Sylvester017]

Not sure it shows well, but Bert has mulberry coloured comb and wattles
View attachment 3996304

He's a Polkie doll!

Red, mulberry, dark, doesn't matter in crossbreeds ~ until a bird is officially accepted into show standards anything goes & we love Mr P & Bert just fine. A pretty eye-candy bird, a good roo, a kind temperament, a defender, that's what our absolutely best birds are.

Poultry show breeders like to pick bones w/ backyard breeders cuz show people spend a lot of years, $$$, & effort to "perfect" their pet breeds & I don't fault them for their nit-picking. At least it gives the rest of us an idea of the preferred standards to use in selecting our best birds to keep or breed.

We got Dominiques that were the best temperament birds; however, our Dana is definitely disqualified by breed standards ~ her more silver pattern is a plus but she has uneven wattles, crooked leader at the back of her comb, her weight fluctuates from standard 5-6 lbs sometimes up to 7, & she only displayed the coveted U-shape back as a pullet but later developed too much cushion at the back ~ she gets more cushion than tail feathers each year. Although her sisters were better SOP birds I would never trade Dana. She & all our Doms came from Privett Hatchery (New Mexico).

Dana

We could have ordered show bird Doms from the Dominique Club's breeder list but we were in a panic to get birds in late summer so we got Privett hatchery birds thru our local feed store. I wanted Cackle Hatchery bantam Doms but it was not the right time to get them immediately. No regrets. Our standard size Doms fit in perfectly w/ our Silkies.

Jewlz, Silkie Violet w/2 Doms, 3 Dom pullets

 

[Sylvester017]

I deal with floppy combs also - just this weekend I was telling Flopsy I was going to make her a ‘splint’ to hold her comb upright.

I tried to think how I could stand it upright…..

Flopsy and Topsy

View attachment 3996432

Actual it’s Topsy and Flopsy.

I adore the agile body & temperament of Legs ~ but decided over a decade ago not to deal w/ any more oversized combs/wattles. The Leg roos have erect combs but the poor sweet hens are cursed w/ limp, vision obstructing combs! Not fair!

Although the White Leg hen is a very sweet, alert, industrious, intelligent bird, her vision-obstructing comb can catch her unaware of an aerial predator. I would bet her vision hindrance is the only reason a White Leg could ever be caught by a quick predator in open range! Her best safety/survival in open range is to be in a flock that had roos to alert the harem of danger. Since we aren't zoned for roos we stayed away from more floppy-combed White Legs.

 

[SimpleJenn]

Not sure it shows well, but Bert has mulberry coloured comb and wattles
View attachment 3996304

How in the world are we gonna manage getting that beauty out here <3
As for chickens, we'll be limited by budget, unfortunately.

I'm thinking this weekend, if it is warm and dry enough, I'll go take the bedding out.

 

[Sylvester017]

Beauties

I find that in my flock it’s more about age. My silkies and my cousins old hens and Red all hang out together. Laverne has been accepted into that group as she was raised by Curly. But wee Georgie and Mrs LC no way!

In the main gang I have noted that the pullets who have started laying are now ‘allowed’ to join the older (or big girls as I call them) ladies roosting at night.

There is no separation with silkies, or what-not. It’s all about age. Gossipy old hens hahaha

The young pullets and Roos roost in Hen House B (seen here) and the big girls and Bert are in Hen House A (through that door).

View attachment 3996443

Yep, age groups at 1st are a factor. But after a while we noticed w/ time that the alike breeds were together often. This is general for there always will be the occasional oddball breed pairing. Once all the pullet & egg-laying stages are past, our alike breeds huddled together. A single breed bird was odd-man-out often.

This sweet gentle soul was odd-man-out often as she had no other alike pairing in the 3 yrs she was w/us ~ Blue Wheaten Ameraucana "Taffy" ~ we had her sister too but that chick did not survive so Taffy was mostly a loner in the flock.

 

[lightm]

FBA chicken Synopsis
16-23 november​

Link to last week's synopsis by lightm : https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fluffy-butt-acres-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28149780

The first days left everyone subdued from last week's sad news. Thoughts were expressed again for SimpleJenn, By Bob and Mrs By Bob.


@BY Bob has a new avatar, created by @LozzyR ! A tribute to Phyllis.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28150919
And a beautiful picture Lozzy drew of her.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28151310
Snow tax :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28151096
The most fashionable hen at FBA... loved yucky slugs !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28152040
Mugs.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28156054
Bob has always had a thing for chickens who are supposed to lay green eggs but don't.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28157149
Afros rule !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28157214
Aster can chase a lynx away... like only her mum could.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28158666
Locked in the coop for two days :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28166050
________________________________

@ChicoryBlue
Molting in November, a lovely update on the spuds / meringue !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28150855
Both the buckeyes and then the spuds managed to use the treadle feeder.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28152275

________________________________

@Debbie292d
How cute is Nosy, the nosy crossbeak ?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28150426
Nipple waterer can be used for chicks as soon as one week old
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28150552
________________________________


@featherhead007
Missing his friends..tax
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28152805
Two for Tuesday !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28157905
Rant and rain tax in the sun
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28160360
Has a hooligan at home
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28163563
________________________________


@Grandma The Chicken
Shared a glowing picture of Parmesan
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28151362
________________________________

@GregnLety
Roosters pictures
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28155025
Cholo Jr doing good in spite of his crossbeak
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28160144
A very fashionable cross breed bantam lady
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28167723
And a gorgeous cross bantam roo
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28167723
________________________________

@Marie2020
A wonderful update on Princess
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28157151
________________________________

@Ponypoor
Is starting Laverne on sulfatrim for her swollen face
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28151041
Topsy is laying at night..
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28151793
Time thieves !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28152238
Laverne's swelling seems a bit better !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28155458
Has a funky topknots contest in her flock
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28157153
Cuddle with Mrs LC and news of Laverne
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28160393
________________________________

@RebeccaBoyd
Offering some wonderful pictures of George to Mrs By Bob. He may not be a polish but he has the vibes.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28150499
Momma hen's spirit lives in Poppet
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28154032
Many beautiful mugs
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28155180
Surprise !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28155776
What could she be ?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28155818
Let the afro's take over the flock he said !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28156762
The surprise girl is smaller than goose.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28156781
And she bonded with Rosie https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28158105
And mum ?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28162732
________________________________

@RoyalChick
Why is pooh absent from the picture ?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28152248
Monday mugs
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28153924
Bananas are a very polarising subject for chickens and RC's princesses vote for them.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28156652
By the way they are called princesses because they live in a palace
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28156659
A pumpkin was needed after two days of snow
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28167962
________________________________

@rural mouse
Wood split tax
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28152214
Lacing, barring, penciled :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28156699
Thirsty Thursday
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28161686
And different fluffy butts
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28164657
________________________________

@Sally PB
A rare moment
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28152698
________________________________

@SimpleJenn
Shared some feelings and perspective for the future
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28155852
Guess what her little one plays with ?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28162763
Chicken planning again
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28166659
________________________________

@Sylvester017
Nipple waterer are an effective way to keep wilds birds out of the chicken's water. Many examples:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28150263
And porthole feeders :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28150315
Chickens don't eat yucky slugs !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28151938
The difference between cuckoo and barring :
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28157950
________________________________

@TOMTE
Hawk attack, again !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28151966
The girl ascended Mount Everest!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28152591
Esme and Aliss
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28157188
How egg-citing !
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28162440

Thank you!

 

[Ponypoor]

Well, it's said the smaller the comb the cold-hardier the birds are ~ pea, walnut, rose, V-shaped, cushion, strawberry, no comb/crested, bearded varieties usually.

Feather-footed not a good idea for snow/mud.

& larger straight-combs/wattles are better for moderate to hot climate zones.

TRIVIA:
I love the fluffy very cold-hardy Scandinavian Hedemora breed. Sweet calm birds that forage well in snow w/roos at 5 lbs & hens weighing 4 lbs. It has a smaller straight comb & a double coat of Silkie-like hair ~ but it would die in our brutal climate's heatstroke weather.

HEDEMORA

Hedemora feathers look more like clusters of hair than bird feathers.

There are private NPIP Hedemora breeders in USA that ship hatching eggs if anyone is interested in snow-hardy birds that are calm, medium-size, Silkie-soft chickens. Surprise! ~ Featherhead007 thought the only feather dusters were Silkies!

When Greenfire Farms 1st imported the Hedemora into the USA they took the flock to a Montana snow country reserve to provide the birds a suitable climate.

I have no issues with my silkies feathered feet and mud or snow, seems feathers are far less likely than fur to mat and to stay water logged.

I have had them out in all sorts and then when they get back inside digging in the straw and shavings they clean up nicely. Don’t ask me how they stay so white and clean! Bob says they are magical - white chickens.

Last December 2023

Mud and snow… no problem!

 

[Ponypoor]

Yep, age groups at 1st are a factor. But after a while we noticed w/ time that the alike breeds were together often. This is general for there always will be the occasional oddball breed pairing. Once all the pullet & egg-laying stages are past, our alike breeds huddled together. A single breed bird was odd-man-out often.

This sweet gentle soul was odd-man-out often as she had no other alike pairing in the 3 yrs she was w/us ~ Blue Wheaten Ameraucana "Taffy" ~ we had her sister too but that chick did not survive so Taffy was mostly a loner in the flock.
View attachment 3996589View attachment 3996590View attachment 3996598

Yes but you only have a few

I have a few dozen (gosh I don’t even know how many I have now!!!), the girls that grow up together usually stay together but they hang out more with the Grups (grown ups). Size colour silkie or not. Once they start laying eggs, mine want to hang out with the older ladies. Of course the older ladies can be picky about who joins their club

The real older ladies (my silkies, my cousins hens and my BIL’s ladies) all hang out together - it’s as if they know they are the oldest, then there are the next generation, who hang out together, and the last years chicks and Betty (hatched last Nov) hang out together, along with the Azur Blue triplets (whom I brought here as ready to lay). Now this years chicks.

But the pullets all try to hang out with the older ladies if they can. Sometimes the older ladies let them into their club. Dorothy and Rose, my grey ladies and Buttercup are all now considered ‘old enough’ to join the oldest ladies it seems hahaha.

Things are very fluid when you have dozens of animals, friendships are varied, leadership’s are always a moving target. There is no real boss hen now, Penelope used to be, but she is so old now she steers clear of everyone.

Not even the Roos are the boss! Bert is clobbered by Raven, who in turn is clobbered by old Red, who is harassed and chased down by Bert - which is why she is in with Mr P, she’s too old a fragile to put up with randy Roos.

It’s a crazy mishmash of alliances here