Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

How are you doing? How is Arduina? And the boys?

Goats - oooo I forgot about her goats

 

[rural mouse]

We already have personalities
View attachment 4049655
Cutie patootie squad
View attachment 4049656
Cuddler
View attachment 4049658
Adventurous
View attachment 4049657
Grumpy (has pecked me already!)
View attachment 4049659
Shy

And...long time missed, fresh fluffy butts!View attachment 4049660

Someone is jealous
View attachment 4049661

They're darling. Light brahmas (well, really, any Colombian chicks) usually have some grey in their down. I'm intrigued by yours not showing any. The feisty Rhode island....my Kate was the ring leader of her brooder mates.....and got roundly thumped by the adults when she tried with them. Once that group started laying, order shifted and she's in the middle of her group. Jane, my other RIR, is a shy one and bottom of the order. It's amazing how different each bird can be even within a breed.....and how they break the breed stereotypes.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

The Order

The pecking order here remains quite obvious. Most of you should know that I stopped watching roosting a long time ago because of how nasty Aurora can be. Last night I was checking to make sure everyone was safe in the coop when i caught Aurora at work. I'm putting this behind a spoiler because it is not for the faint of heart.

I had checked in twice because the first time Hattie was not in the coop. On my first check Lady Featherington and Aster were on the low roost in front of the heat panel. When we check in this time you will see they are now in the high roost with Sydney. Im pretty certain they moved to avoid Aurora. Hattie was probably not in the coop because Aurora was keeping her out.

If you don't want to see poor Hattie picked on, don't watch this video. She is the only hen Aurora can reach.

Spoiler: Aurora at Work

I share this so everyone is reminded how Aurora maintains her position through brute force and terror at roosting time. She is not all warm and friendly.

It's too bad. Yup, don't watch.

On the other hand, playing devil's advocate, yes Hattie is the one available to beat on, but Aurora may be reacting (in the horrible chicken manner of such things) to Hattie's arthritis and her inclination to not submit by moving away. So Hattie's not acting "chicken normal", and maybe that causes Aurora to double down. The way she goes back at least twice is notable.

Is it inclination, or stubbornness? How do we know Hattie isn't sh*t-talking Aurora all the while (at this point I wouldn't blame her)? I'd love to hear that!

Finally, is it hard pecking - have you seen injuries / marks on Hattie?

 

[SimpleJenn]

They're darling. Light brahmas (well, really, any Colombian chicks) usually have some grey in their down. I'm intrigued by yours not showing any. The feisty Rhode island....my Kate was the ring leader of her brooder mates.....and got roundly thumped by the adults when she tried with them. Once that group started laying, order shifted and she's in the middle of her group. Jane, my other RIR, is a shy one and bottom of the order. It's amazing how different each bird can be even within a breed.....and how they break the breed stereotypes.

There were some with darker bits, this is just the one I got ahold of haha. She has a couple black speckles. I wonder if she'll have less strong Colombian markings?

Put a dish of feed on top and made bedding ramps. Still plenty of airflow underneath!

This one keeps calling for me to do things.

Yes, I'm hoping my little red bird isn't too feisty. I passed on the wyandottes since they're pretty boisterous, just my luck kiddo insisted on another dominant bird haha.

This was cute. Two on top, two below

 

[TOMTE]

There were some with darker bits, this is just the one I got ahold of haha. She has a couple black speckles. I wonder if she'll have less strong Colombian markings?
View attachment 4049706
Put a dish of feed on top and made bedding ramps. Still plenty of airflow underneath!
View attachment 4049707
This one keeps calling for me to do things.
View attachment 4049704
Yes, I'm hoping my little red bird isn't too feisty. I passed on the wyandottes since they're pretty boisterous, just my luck kiddo insisted on another dominant bird haha.
View attachment 4049705
This was cute. Two on top, two below

I can't stop SQUEEEEEing! Your chickies!! Any names yet?!

 

[SimpleJenn]

I can't stop SQUEEEEEing! Your chickies!! Any names yet?!

Tempted to name them after the raptor squad in Jurassic World. Gonna let them settle in for a bit first.
Kiddo wanted to pull up a seat and hang out

 

[TOMTE]

Tempted to name them after the raptor squad in Jurassic World. Gonna let them settle in for a bit first.
Kiddo wanted to pull up a seat and hang out
View attachment 4049739

I'm so happy for you guys. Such pretty chicks and a really happy kiddo, I bet!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Hi everybody, got some pics yesterday. The chickens have been a great comfort to me though I've also stressed about them some. My sister died last week from the cancer she's been fighting for a couple of years, and it's just been a very tough time losing her.

So here's to life continuing -

Annie, the most talkative and seemingly cheeriest chirpiest hen. She loves any lap time and will gladly hang out there forever. She is fine with sharing a lap with Tedi too.

And my loyal friend Hazel, the steadfast leader and remaining Buckeye from the OG group. A low-key talker with very useful things to say. She has always helpfully made sure my clothes are in order, especially in the back where I can't see the obvious disarray.

Below, an interesting study in insanity and hostility, Diane Ida-Biter. I sing "Nutzo, nutzo hen" to the tune of "Macho Man" with her. She keens and growls a lot, and maneuvers around to challenge me head-on while I'm doing chores. She will also eat from my hand, but warily, glancing up at me after every bite. She will not fight me when I pick her up, she stays still and submits, which is good for health checks and any needed baths, though I need to be mindful of not putting a hand in front of her. Otherwise while freestanding she wants to get a fight on. She is almost continually corrected by everyone else, and will walk away keening. She's especially worked up with any treats around - being at the bottom she probably has to be opportunistic in order to get any, because she is pushed off all the time, but this is the opposite of Popcorn (RIP), who was on the bottom but could grab a bite and make nice with everyone at the same time. Diane is fairly reasonable around me in the morning, but it goes downhill from there. Near roosting time? Forget about it. What do you all think these clues mean? She is not a very happy hen it seems. Her best buddy, if she has one, is Good Queen Hazel, who is fine with her around as long as she behaves sanely.
Crazy Eyes Diane.

Here is Tedi below, a happy go-along hen who loves food and lap time and pushes her neck against me for snuggles. She comes around and hangs at my knees if I already have Annie on my lap, and asks to be picked up to join in. They both happily share. Tedi has big legs and is a great digger and forager.

I think this is Annie getting oyster shell

And Annie showing how useful those toenails are

 

[TOMTE]

Hi everybody, got some pics yesterday. The chickens have been a great comfort to me though I've also stressed about them some. My sister died last week from the cancer she's been fighting for a couple of years, and it's just been a very tough time losing her.

So here's to life continuing -

Annie, the most talkative and seemingly cheeriest chirpiest hen. She loves any lap time and will gladly hang out there forever. She is fine with sharing a lap with Tedi too.View attachment 4049712

And my loyal friend Hazel, the steadfast leader and remaining Buckeye from the OG group. A low-key talker with very useful things to say. She has always helpfully made sure my clothes are in order, especially in the back where I can't see the obvious disarray.
View attachment 4049721

Below, an interesting study in insanity and hostility, Diane Ida-Biter. I sing "Nutzo, nutzo hen" to the tune of "Macho Man" with her. She keens and growls a lot, and maneuvers around to challenge me head-on while I'm doing chores. She will also eat from my hand, but warily, glancing up at me after every bite. She will not fight me when I pick her up, she stays still and submits, which is good for health checks and any needed baths, though I need to be mindful of not putting a hand in front of her. Otherwise while freestanding she wants to get a fight on. She is almost continually corrected by everyone else, and will walk away keening. She's especially worked up with any treats around - being at the bottom she probably has to be opportunistic in order to get any, because she is pushed off all the time, but this is the opposite of Popcorn, who could grab a bite and make nice with everyone at the same time. Diane is fairly reasonable around me in the morning, but it goes downhill from there. Near roosting time? Forget about it. What do you all think these clues mean? She is not a very happy hen it seems. Her best buddy, if she has one, is good Queen Hazel, who is fine with her around as long as she behaves sanely.
Crazy Eyes Diane.
View attachment 4049720

Here is Tedi below, a happy go-along hen who loves food and lap time and pushes her neck against me for snuggles. A great digger and forager.
View attachment 4049719
View attachment 4049718

I think this is Annie getting oyster shell
View attachment 4049717

And Annie showing how useful those toenails are
View attachment 4049711

I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what that's like, losing a sibling to cancer. Lots of hugs for you

At least you have some lovely birdies to help you through. They're so cute!

 

[featherhead007]

Oh my… and I was just going to whine about the foot that is slowly melting here! after a few days of freezing the poor Water Chickens were more than ready to resort to improvised ponds… aka water buckets, and that was even before the white stuff hit! View attachment 4049625Stay safe and warm out there folks!

Its Kris. Yep. These peeps have been going on and on about their snow days.