Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Happy Friday everyone.

I was going to post this last night but was too tired and crashed after I dealt with the chickens. I got called in to work at 8:30 yesterday morning and spent a 12 hour day at the diner in almost 100 degree heat with the ac out. I had flashbacks of working in the greenhouse in July 13 years ago yesterday.

Anyway, that phone call ended up saving Gryffyns life. I would have not gone out to feed and top up waterers for at least another hour otherwise.

I went out and was feeding the silkie chicks when I noticed Gryffyns 2 were running around screaming and trying to integrate with Goose and her boy. Goose was semi- ok with them but I found that very odd. I start looking for Gryffyn thinking maybe she was close and her 2 were just trying to play with the other chick. Gryffyn is not to be found. Panic sets in and I start looking everywhere for even a sign of blue feathers and I find nothing. At this point I'm really worried and fear she is gone. CeeCee comes around the house and goes and lays down in the creek to cool off. When CeeCee hit the creek it set off all my other chickens, they lost it.

Ok, I'm thinking something happened in or near the creek and maybe a coyote so I head over to see if I can see any evidence of a attack. I'm standing on the edge of the creek bank in front of the stalls focusing on the opposite side and hillside when I hear a low growl. Startled I look down and there she was. The creekbank had given way with her and she had fallen in. She was trapped on her side with dirt on top of her so she could not get up and the poor girl was exhausted, submerged all but her head and neck and close to dying. I waded the creek in my pj's and crocks to rescue her. She was waterlogged but she went straight to her relieved chicks. I really do not think she would have survived much longer in her predicament.

I got home late last night and she was the first one I checked on. Back to her old grouchy self and she got a good peck in when I lifted her up to do a head count on her chicks.

Big girl, that is twice now I have had to save your fluffy behind from the creek. last summer you managed to get trapped on the opposite side when the water was up and could not get across. You pecked me then in the midst of saving you. Ungrateful brat is what you are.

Side note, there is a new development with her two chicks Georgina and Georgette. Now that feathers are starting to come in they did inherit something from their daddy after all. It it tiny and just now noticeable but they are developing a crest. Right now it is a tiny mowhawk on each of their heads with a few feathers starting to stick up. They will not have Georges full crest, but they could have little fascinator style crests.

How terrifying. So glad you could rescue her. She will have wild tales to tell the babies about her near death experiences!

 

[RoyalChick]

Can just picture you scooping up some poor possum and chucking it over to your neighbour.

Don’t forget painting it orange!

 

[knoturavggrl]

Integration Begins
The weather broke so I took down part of the fence late today so the ladies could mix it up for the first time.

Lady Featherington had been trying to get through the fence at the Phyllistines since the fence went up. It took her a while but she found her way around and in tonight.

I Luke that Hattie out am end to it but that was not the last time she went after them.

Later Lady Featherington managed to corner one in the run and I had to intervene in order to put a stop to it.

After that Lady Featherington went over to the magnolia tree with Sydney.

Aurora did not bother with them and they left her alone. Aurora did go into the Cluckle Hut and check everything out before going to bed.

Here they are enjoying some time outside the fence.

When it came time for bed, they could not find their way back around the fence and were going to roost here.

I removed them from the chair and put them down on the correct side of the fence. They made their way back into their coop. The first night of integration complete. They are shy some feathers but wiser about those big chickens.

This is always so stressful, it does look like they have friend in Hattie for sure. It clearly will not exempt them from some unwanted pecks but I bet it would be more intense without Hattie vouching for them. In my opinion I think this went as well as a first integration could have gone. Side note: They are fast

It's because they like the high ground, where the pillows are! I have a cheap fleece blanket under two rag sheets covering completely from the headboard to the bottom, pretty good protection.

Today one chick (still unnamed) perched on my upturned hand, her feet curling on my fingertips. She was very comfortable and preened a little. Her feet were soft. It was very nice.

However, her butt hovered directly over my palm. That Presented a Potential Problem. I said to her, "You are Perched Perfectly Positioned to Poop in my Palm!"

She said nothing; she settled in; she was going to nap. But first, she pooped a cute little poop, and yes, exactly into the middle of my palm. Then she went to sleep.

Brow and the other unnamed chick were on my other arm. They had me pinned down. I couldn't move. So I didn't.

Later on
View attachment 4159465

They are adorable. I love your set up. I am a huge advocate for tent brooders. Yours looks awesome, I especially appreciate the higher sides at the bottom I bet this reduces wood chips escaping. The boxes are also a wonderful idea perfect playground for small chicks!

Happy Friday everyone.

I was going to post this last night but was too tired and crashed after I dealt with the chickens. I got called in to work at 8:30 yesterday morning and spent a 12 hour day at the diner in almost 100 degree heat with the ac out. I had flashbacks of working in the greenhouse in July 13 years ago yesterday.

Anyway, that phone call ended up saving Gryffyns life. I would have not gone out to feed and top up waterers for at least another hour otherwise.

I went out and was feeding the silkie chicks when I noticed Gryffyns 2 were running around screaming and trying to integrate with Goose and her boy. Goose was semi- ok with them but I found that very odd. I start looking for Gryffyn thinking maybe she was close and her 2 were just trying to play with the other chick. Gryffyn is not to be found. Panic sets in and I start looking everywhere for even a sign of blue feathers and I find nothing. At this point I'm really worried and fear she is gone. CeeCee comes around the house and goes and lays down in the creek to cool off. When CeeCee hit the creek it set off all my other chickens, they lost it.

Ok, I'm thinking something happened in or near the creek and maybe a coyote so I head over to see if I can see any evidence of a attack. I'm standing on the edge of the creek bank in front of the stalls focusing on the opposite side and hillside when I hear a low growl. Startled I look down and there she was. The creekbank had given way with her and she had fallen in. She was trapped on her side with dirt on top of her so she could not get up and the poor girl was exhausted, submerged all but her head and neck and close to dying. I waded the creek in my pj's and crocks to rescue her. She was waterlogged but she went straight to her relieved chicks. I really do not think she would have survived much longer in her predicament.

I got home late last night and she was the first one I checked on. Back to her old grouchy self and she got a good peck in when I lifted her up to do a head count on her chicks.

Big girl, that is twice now I have had to save your fluffy behind from the creek. last summer you managed to get trapped on the opposite side when the water was up and could not get across. You pecked me then in the midst of saving you. Ungrateful brat is what you are.

Side note, there is a new development with her two chicks Georgina and Georgette. Now that feathers are starting to come in they did inherit something from their daddy after all. It it tiny and just now noticeable but they are developing a crest. Right now it is a tiny mowhawk on each of their heads with a few feathers starting to stick up. They will not have Georges full crest, but they could have little fascinator style crests.

Wow, what an adventure! I have a creek too this is always a fear of mine. It’s inevitable they will find their way down, currently I am just trying to delay this.

Mini crests are fabulous, I am rather fond of them.

 

[Marie2020]

But I need to remind you that you did good by her, one chicken alone without her own kind would have been torture. I’m sure she misses you, but she’s happy in her new surroundings

Loving someone or any creature you have to let go. If they are not fully contented.
It hurts yes, but knowing they are happy and safe is the best option

 

[Marie2020]

Ps. I painted the tip of its tail bright orange (so I would recognize it if I saw it again)

You raving nutter

Remind me never to fall out with Alex

 

[Marie2020]

Rue - update

She is improving slowly but steadily. She remains very alert. She preens, peeps at me, and has even pecked me for trying to help her get to her water bowl!

Her gate is now a clear limp vs the very a wild weird gate and other neurological symptoms she was displaying. This leads me to an injury induced neurological issues.

I hope not

I have moved things around to accommodate her and reduce the amount of movement necessary for her to eat and drink.

You're a great chicken Mama

I have quite a bit of hope that she will recover in time and be able to go be a chicken with her flock, she will be a house chicken until then.

She might just want to stay with you with that luxury set up

@Ponypoor has been helping me, thank you so very much Kelly! I think we have the likely cause narrowed down to a hip or a spinal injury.

Her tent set up. The opened flat food tray and everything being in the middle of the tent really made a huge difference.
View attachment 4159676
Rue today - still fighting!
View attachment 4159675

 

[RoyalChick]

You raving nutter

Remind me never to fall out with Alex

Well actually I have done that a couple of times.
Once when I was live-trapping mice in the house and once with a neighbor's dog who kept coming round to visit because the neighbor kept forgetting to turn on her fence.
I got blue spray paint designed for marking cattle so it was safe, but I noticed that she started to remember the fence after her white dog returned with a blue stripe along his back.

Tax: Piglet feeling much better today now it is cool. Tail up again.

 

[SimpleJenn]

Chicken related, I swear.
My computer is tucked in a cubby so I decided to sticker up my 3d printer cabinet instead. I covered up the sweary part of one sticker

 

[SimpleJenn]

Tax, leggy butts all on a perch. They wanted to sleep out there last night so I let them

 

[SimpleJenn]

Cochin crosses update

Very fluffy and cute