Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Dawn temps this morning: below 0⁰F.

Mid morningView attachment 4036924about 10⁰F....it's amazing how warm it feels with no wind compared to grey, cloudy, no wind, same temp...

View attachment 4036922Someone loves it!View attachment 4036923

And chickens are ALL out.View attachment 4036921mostly hanging on the slope where the snow has cleared off

View attachment 4036920with short forays up to the garage where it's also cleared off.

(Warmed up to mid teens)

More beautiful scenery, and lovely chooks and pup

 

[Ponypoor]

Some scenery to add….

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Good afternoon everyone.

Oh the things you find out at work. While I am only working 2 to 3 days a week at the moment, Mom is working the other days the diner is opened.

My coworker Val asked me yesterday how were my hens doing and if they were laying good. They want to buy my eggs for their baking, they prefer to use fresh eggs when making their cakes. Not yet, girls are currently on strike due to freezing weather. It is supposed to warm up this week so maybe, just maybe they will get their butts in gear.

Then she told me she had talked to mom about them and let slip mom's plan. My mother, "Mrs. We have enough chickens", wants to get a dozen buff orps this year. Wait, what? For months after we lost Butter and 2 of her sisters you fought me and wanted me to sell Siri my last buff orp. It hurt to much to see her walking around without Butter. Now she wants a dozen more? We need to have a long talk. I'm all for another buff or two, but there are other colors of orps. How does she plan on accomplishing this as well? It has been guaranteed by the end of March when the new restaurant is opened where it is bigger I as well will be full time along with her. Who is going to raise those chicks? If mom seriously wants some more orps this spring I guess I need to find some eggs. I will not have time to bring up chicks myself, I will need a broody hen. I'm looking at you Raven or Holly. If she wants Buffs, I also want either jubilee or silver laced orps as well. I'm also for sure getting my silkie rooster now at some point this year if she plans on adding to the flock.

Love it!
Can you add a chocolate orp to the list? I have never met one in person but they look very pretty!

All my favorites! When I do get chickens, I'm going to do jubilee and chocolate, and possibly an Easter Egger or two. I just haven't had a breed I've liked as much as Orpingtons, other than EEs.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

My pet chicken prices for the 2 orpington needs I have.

View attachment 4036966View attachment 4036967

Does not take many eggs to hatch to make them more cost effective.

Very true! You could make something selling those.

 

[LhickenChicken]

Late caturday

Gale got to go outside for the first time today. Last weekend, he got neutered.

 

[LhickenChicken]

Hello everyone-

After a difficult personal upheaval, I am back and trying to catch up.

The flock I had was rehomed however the people that took them send me updates and they are doing well and thriving. I was also able to keep them all together. So, I currently have no chickens till Spring.

I am planning on getting some Swedish Flower hens. I swear this time I will keep my numbers down to a reasonable amount. You believe me right?

What are everyone’s plans for spring? Has anyone decided if they are going to make additions, if so what breed(s)?

I missed everyone and reading all the stories, glad to be back!

We do have a new puppy she is a mixed breed part poodle part old english sheepdog. Her name is Luna.

View attachment 4036635

View attachment 4036636

I am doing a small hatch. They're a week along so far and I'm going to candle them today. I'm hoping to sell them if I can.

 

[Ponypoor]

Late caturday

Gale got to go outside for the first time today. Last weekend, he got neutered.

View attachment 4037035

I love his whiskers! They are amazing!

 

[Ponypoor]

Yours are a tougher crowd than mine. Everyone came out and inspected the edge of the snow and then returned to their run. It was quite windy so I had some sympathy with their desire to hunker down. Also I put new straw down and that seems to be a fan favorite!
I have dismantled the warming station (well switched it off, not yet removed it). They didn't use it even when it was down at 0F - it really just made me feel better!
Also interesting is that Tassels who is amazingly fluffy, is much less willing to go out in the wind than Calypso who still has naked patches. Tassels stays out of the snow and in the sun. Calypso is more likely to be following Piglet who goes everywhere without hesitation (after all, there may be food to be found!).

I find my oldsters are the ones usually hanging out by the heat sources. And the silkies. The youngsters are far too interested in tearing apart the horse stalls, all those yummy bits of poop I missed and the grains in the straw.

But when it was really cold they all used the new heat lamp to have a snooze under.

 

[Ponypoor]

Dawn temps this morning: below 0⁰F.

Mid morningView attachment 4036924about 10⁰F....it's amazing how warm it feels with no wind compared to grey, cloudy, no wind, same temp...

View attachment 4036922Someone loves it!View attachment 4036923

And chickens are ALL out.View attachment 4036921mostly hanging on the slope where the snow has cleared off

View attachment 4036920with short forays up to the garage where it's also cleared off.

(Warmed up to mid teens)

Gosh Sherlock is a hoot, have you had any other visits from the old dog?

 

[Ponypoor]

My pet chicken prices for the 2 orpington needs I have.

View attachment 4036966View attachment 4036967

Does not take many eggs to hatch to make them more cost effective.

I would get more lavender Orps if I could from Peavey in the future but I guess that won’t likley happen anymore Laverne has turned into such a lovely pullet, friendly and sweet, but a pain in the butt she keeps getting under foot

The buff Orps also are very friendly (too friendly!).