Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

Happy Sunday

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I have to wait about a month to start incubating, but...

View attachment 4007127

I love this.

I normally have those voices this time of year as well, but not this year. I have several things going against me and that voice.

#1. every hen except the barred rock Judy is on strike. Judy should be too. I love those eggs girl but you need to take a break. She has not stopped laying since she started up about this time last year.

#2. incubator and turner are locked up and stored in grandma's building. Oh it is clean and ready to go, it is just not here at the moment.

#3. I cannot believe I am saying this. I need a rooster. I want to incubate silkies. Finally I have enough hens to really get into the silkies, Branch is gone. The chicks are 6 months old, you would think if there was a cockerel in the group he would have let himself be known by now. Nothing, and they are all now screaming pullets to me. If I am right I have 7 silkie hen/pullets. Considering the struggle is has been to get the silkie girls, and only ever having 1 adult silkie hen at a time. This is a slap in the face. I am giving it until the middle of January. If there is a sneaky boy in the group he has until January to show himself. 2nd week of January I am going rooster shopping. I have saw several lovely silkie cockerels be posted on facebook locally. I have let them pass by in hopes for a Branch son. I am now starting to kick myself for letting the splash boy pass by 3 weeks ago.

 

[Sylvester017]

Was? I’m so sorry. You lost her

We lost Taffy many years ago. She was 3 yrs old. The vet kept her going for a little while but only prolonged the inevitable. Her sister Shellby died as a juvenile which was our 1st ever chick death. These Ameraucana sisters (not EEs) shipped from a Vermont breeder 2013.

Sister-Shellby ~ Blue Wheaten Ameraucana had more blue feathers than Taffy did but Shellby lived only a month w/us so we never saw an egg from her. She too was a sweetie. It was our plan to raise 2 sisters together but didn't go to plan. Chicks/chickens can be either very delicate or can be hardy into old age ~ just never know.
Shellby

Shellby was our 1st bird death in our 1st 3 yrs of chickeneering & we had already rehomed 5 other egg-laying more assertive hens to a neighbor who wanted them ~ it was a good exchange as we got to keep our gentler birds - 2 Silkies, a Blue Breda, & a Blue Wheaten Ameraucana.

Blk Silkie Mini, partridge Silkie Violet, blue Breda Phaedra, Ameraucana Taffy

It was bliss for another year before our 2nd bird loss (Blue Breda).
Phaedra

So glad we have pics to remember these sweeties ~ all gone years ago.

 

[Sylvester017]

View attachment 4007184
This little guy disappeared last night, but I found him in his box outside this morning. He has his supper and breakfast then went back into his box
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So we have Oliver to look forward to? He trusts you

 

[Ponypoor]

They are grumpy

I told them no going outside

They proceeded to tear the place apart

So I relented

After all I am a good Hooman who knows my place.

 

[Ponypoor]

I love this.

I normally have those voices this time of year as well, but not this year. I have several things going against me and that voice.

#1. every hen except the barred rock Judy is on strike. Judy should be too. I love those eggs girl but you need to take a break. She has not stopped laying since she started up about this time last year.

#2. incubator and turner are locked up and stored in grandma's building. Oh it is clean and ready to go, it is just not here at the moment.

#3. I cannot believe I am saying this. I need a rooster. I want to incubate silkies. Finally I have enough hens to really get into the silkies, Branch is gone. The chicks are 6 months old, you would think if there was a cockerel in the group he would have let himself be known by now. Nothing, and they are all now screaming pullets to me. If I am right I have 7 silkie hen/pullets. Considering the struggle is has been to get the silkie girls, and only ever having 1 adult silkie hen at a time. This is a slap in the face. I am giving it until the middle of January. If there is a sneaky boy in the group he has until January to show himself. 2nd week of January I am going rooster shopping. I have saw several lovely silkie cockerels be posted on facebook locally. I have let them pass by in hopes for a Branch son. I am now starting to kick myself for letting the splash boy pass by 3 weeks ago.

Gosh, if you were closer I would gladly send you Clyde, he is just such a sweetie, do I need a rooster? No, I am not doing any breeding.

Anywhoooo he is a good boy so far and enjoys warming up cuddles. So far he is getting along with Mr P.

 

[Sylvester017]

I hope I can find the fire from the electrical bus. That wasn't right and so dangerous for public transport and the people around when the explosion happened.

Well I've been educated here about these camper vehicles. It was once a dream of mine too own one but not anymore.

I'm in agreement ~ more cost is put into the looks/comfort features of RVs rather than into their unseen functions. The darn things don't have safety belts for passengers ~ only the two front seats are belted. If it's not a law requirement manufacturers can get away w/leaving out safety features. We've been asked to be guests on RV trips w/ friends or family but I'm so glad I have disabilities to respectfully decline.

In the 1970's we rented a motor home as a trial to vacation thru the western USA states & the RV broke down in the middle of nowhere in Utah. We were fortunate the little podunk town of Vernal had a mechanic that found the problem & fixed it. A simple belt malfunction. We spent a couple hours walking around the tiny town which was known for nearby dinosaur fossil excavations (Dinosaur National Monument) & had a cute fossil museum the kids enjoyed while we were detained.

Chicken ancestor ~ Vernal



Needless to say we never bought nor rode in another RV again.

 

[Sylvester017]

I went and put one of the silkie's aprons on Sue, to cover her bald back and help keep her warm. So now she is sporting a blue flower pattern apron, and from the looks, it seems to fit ok, it was a wee bit big on the Silkies.

I haven't had time to do any testing and fiddling for designs on new hen aprons.

Cool for Sue! All we need now is a hoodie & pants for Mr P's protection, poor baby.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Gosh, if you were closer I would gladly send you Clyde, he is just such a sweetie, do I need a rooster? No, I am not doing any breeding.

Anywhoooo he is a good boy so far and enjoys warming up cuddles. So far he is getting along with Mr P.

I wish you were closer. Clyde ticks all the boxes in what I will be looking for in a silkie rooster.

My silkies are pet quality, but I have a look I am going for so I will be picky.

He must have a head poof and a plus if he is bearded. I would take a smaller head poof if he has a nice beard. All of my silkies have a really nice poof now. I do not want to loose that. Thanks to Branch 3 of the chicks have a fabulous beard to go with that poof.

I want a nice walnut comb. No single combs. None of mine have a single comb, and they should not. Half of the ones currently listed have single combs, bright red single combs I might add. Automatic passes.

I also need to pay attention to color. I have blacks, partridges and silver partridges. Therefore I should look for a male that is one of those colors. Honestly if I found another nice black male I would be happy.

Now saying that, if a nice bearded blue, or white or even paint boy is listed he is not out of the question. I would jump on a blue or white boy before a paint though unless the paint is straight up eye candy.

No naked necks or show girls. I just cannot with them. A lot of people like showgirls, I am not one of them.

The last part is going to be the hardest for me to find. I want a friendly nice roo. I have raised up all my boys myself. I have never had to buy a rooster. I will need to rely on the seller being honest about the boys temperament.

Temperament leads me to thinking about plan b.

Plan B.
I wait until February and buy a few day old silkie chicks. I brood them myself and pray my previous luck returns and once again I'm overrun with a clutch full of boys. This way I would have months to have assessed their personalities for the best fit.

 

[BY Bob]

I went and put one of the silkie's aprons on Sue, to cover her bald back and help keep her warm. So now she is sporting a blue flower pattern apron, and from the looks, it seems to fit ok, it was a wee bit big on the Silkies.

I haven't had time to do any testing and fiddling for designs on new hen aprons.

I'm glad you helped her out. Now I need to see a photo.