Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

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!

It's Kris!

Did you see the new Ask Aurora?

 

[BY Bob]

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

Yes @Kris5902. Mrs BY Bob wants a goat update!

 

[RoyalChick]

They are not actually on strike. As part of their contract, negotiated by the IFLC, there is no requirement for them to lay eggs during the months of November, December, January, or February nor while molting or after the age of 5 years.

This does  NOT this relieve you of the obligation to provide meal worms.

It is very important that you understand the contract completely as wildcat strikes can occur if you do live up to your obligations. You should have regular meetings with your group's shop steward to assure that there are no miscommunications.

@RoyalChick has had multiple disputes and a strike. I am sure she can provide additional guidance.

Beware the shop stewards. They peck!
I had to negotiate with Maggie (RIP). She was tough!

 

[BY Bob]

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?

I do not see injuries on Hattie. It is clearly dominance pecking and not intended to cause injury.

While Hattie might be talking bad about Aurora, that just doesn't seem to be her way. I have never seen her be vicious towards another chicken. Sure, she has delivered some reminders about another chicken's place in the order but she has always enforced her place more through vocalizations and looks than pecking. She has also fought Aurora to maintain her spot in the pecking order but only when challenged.

 

[Ponypoor]

DH rotates bringing inside a Silkie to me to pet & treats. They are so cute & small. Only our Partridge Ginny is a big Silkie girl.
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Georgie girl and Marty are my smallest silkies. The other three are larger and have a bit of heft to them.

 

[RoyalChick]

I submitted Maggie’s shop steward photo to the caption competition.
Post in thread 'Official BYC Poultry Caption Contest Photo Submission - Thread #11'
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...to-submission-thread-11.1637916/post-28405880

 

[Sylvester017]

That first photo should go in the caption contest! I love how they are looking at the wild birds

Those House Sparrows are a scourge around the neighborhood. We're constantly spraying them w/ cayenne pepper water & it keeps them away about an hour & then they're back! They attack all the gentle House Finches, Yellow Finches, Brewers Blackbirds, Mourning Doves ~ only the Black Phoebe & Mockingbird aren't intimidated. House Sparrows will even gang up on an individual Crow. Sparrows are nasty little armies.
More window gazing ~ parked in front of the window door to watch the Sparrows

Here comes old Violet outside

Awwww ~ she chased the Sparrows away!

 

[Sylvester017]

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Thanks for the info. Will stock up on cold packs and popsicles.
I should have had them out as a child/teen but when the doctor said "if she gets tonsillitis one more time we'll do it" my body took that as a challenge and stopped.
I tried to get a referral from every primary care physician when I became an adult, none would do it until my current doctor. Honestly, with how much of my throat is blocked I don't think I would be able to manage if they had said no.

Tonsil Tax
Browsing through saved snapchats and...kiddo sure did win on the egg incubator
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Cute little Cream
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Best girl
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And finally, the original 4 as babies!

More dumplings
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LOVE the close-up photos

 

[rural mouse]

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.
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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.
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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.
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I think this is Annie getting oyster shell
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And Annie showing how useful those toenails are
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[Desertvalleychickens]

Hello everyone and happy Fluffy Butt Friday!

Windblown Fluffy butts

And a video...

And there was a storm last night, so the leftover clouds are on top of the mountains.

A bit more fresh snow