Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Still sick. No fever for a couple days, but the lingering covid is compounding with the stumps where my tonsils were to give me lots of throat pain. Which leads to vertigo, which is annoying. Maybe I should invest in a rollator for when it acts up...

My view from earlier when kiddo and I were outside, before the wind picked up and sent us back in.
View attachment 4076117

They sure are growing fast!

Hope you feel better soooooon.

 

[Ponypoor]

Mr P! He's going to give his fangirls heart attacks!

He just looks awful now! Like a wild man!

 

[Ponypoor]

Oh goodness, Mr P, stop giving your chicken tender such a hard time. Sending to you Kelly.

He is going to be locked up forever now!

 

[RoyalChick]

And yes. Tassels is full on broody.
Even if I could get chicks at such short notice I don’t Think the timing will work. She went full on broody this evening. That means if I tried to slip chicks under her I would do so in 3 weeks and I would have to leave a week later.
That might be fine if she accepts them. But if she doesn’t I will have to brood them. Feels like a lot to ask of my pet sitter. I guess I could ask the pet sitter if she would be OK with it.

 

[knoturavggrl]

And yes. Tassels is full on broody.
Even if I could get chicks at such short notice I don’t Think the timing will work. She went full on broody this evening. That means if I tried to slip chicks under her I would do so in 3 weeks and I would have to leave a week later.
That might be fine if she accepts them. But if she doesn’t I will have to brood them. Feels like a lot to ask of my pet sitter. I guess I could ask the pet sitter if she would be OK with it.

If she just went broody this evening… what about snagging a few fertile eggs and just letting her hatch them? If any do hatch then you would not have to worry about the acceptance issue.

 

[bgmathteach]

Hi all! I’d love advice from those who’ve raised these breeds. As you know I am going to start a flock of Swedish Flower Hens (SFHs) My research shows they rarely go broody, which seems legit across sources.

Here’s my dilemma: when I want more chicks, I could get an incubator or add Silkies (my daughter loves them) or Bantam Cochins (those fluffy butts get me). Both go broody often, which is perfect. But my dirt-floor coop isn’t insulated, and rats have taken chicks before—I can control them somewhat, not fully.

Which breed might handle this better—Silkies or Bantam Cochins or should I forgo these bantam sized breeds altogether to be safe?

I’d try to raise them together as chicks to prevent bullying, but what else should I consider? Thoughts?

Can you dig out a bit of the dirt floor and line it with hardware cloth? I like 1/2" X 1"...you can get it in 4' wide rolls. (obviously bend it up to the base of coop, and screw there), then cover it back up with dirt...then whatever you use for bedding. It will be a bit of work, but. pick-axe/grub hoe would make short work of it, and it would make it so much safer! Rats will take chicks (as you know), and they learn from each other - so they will continue to look/hunt for them once there are chicks there again and they get one.

Then - go for it with the broody of your choice.

Personally, I would get the cochins due to your winters....but @RebeccaBoyd would probably be a better judge of what you might need for the silkies to keep them okay through your winters.....and if she says it really isn't a problem - then I say pick your favorite (or, better yet, get a few of both!!!! )

 

[knoturavggrl]

He is going to be locked up forever now!

- for you
- for Mr P, I hope her Highness doesn't hear of this.

 

[bgmathteach]

And yes. Tassels is full on broody.
Even if I could get chicks at such short notice I don’t Think the timing will work. She went full on broody this evening. That means if I tried to slip chicks under her I would do so in 3 weeks and I would have to leave a week later.
That might be fine if she accepts them. But if she doesn’t I will have to brood them. Feels like a lot to ask of my pet sitter. I guess I could ask the pet sitter if she would be OK with it.

You could probably get chicks in 2 weeks - while 3 is what most people state, I have had hens accept chicks earlier.....can you get some, vaccinated, for 2.5 weeks. At 1.5 weeks old, if she hasn't accepted them - they aren't as fragile, so wouldn't be as much work. If I remember correctly, you have a really good set-up for your chicks.

I'm not saying 'don't ask - just do it', rather I am saying 'Do ask...as opposed to just assuming 'no.' If you can afford it, maybe offer her a bit extra for the effort of looking after the chicks? I am sure she will just love watching the babies grow up.

If you are nervous about them being with Tassels while she is watching them....can you make a good nest for Tassels IN the brooder you have, so momma can care for them - but in a safe place just in case? You wouldn't have to put her in there with them unless there was a bit of a ruckus (probably won't be, but just in case - as a back-up to the back-up).

[So, to be clear
Best option: Tassels take them on and raises them with no issue

2nd option: Tassels takes them on, but you put her and the chicks in the brooder so all are safe and contained - in the case of any issues while you are home/before leaving is when you make the move - not preemptively, mind you.

3rd option: Tassels doesn't accept them and you put just the chicks in the brooder.]

 

[RoyalChick]

If she just went broody this evening… what about snagging a few fertile eggs and just letting her hatch them? If any do hatch then you would not have to worry about the acceptance issue.

But many of them would die from Marek’s.

 

[bgmathteach]

If she just went broody this evening… what about snagging a few fertile eggs and just letting her hatch them? If any do hatch then you would not have to worry about the acceptance issue.

It is because of the marecks. Most places don't inoculate in the egg. @BY Bob did get some eggs, though - were his vaccinated in the shell? If so, @RoyalChick, maybe you could order from the same place? Who knows what you would actually end up with for pullets, though!