Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

I would not worry at all with PITA. 4 is not that old and with her already being proven, 12 should be a breeze for her. I think with her age and life experience she could have the smarter chicks in the long run. Those older girls have seen things and pass that wisdom down. In her last year of life my ancient ole bat Momma sucessfully raised 2 broods of chicks. She was as mean as ever and those chicks were wicked smart.

I worry slightly with my first time mothers no matter the age. I have been fortunate and so thankful that every hen I have let hatch chicks have turned into great mothers.

NONE of the mamas have EVER been broody before. I agree that PITA is SMART and her chicks will be incredibly well educated. She's always been a nosy brat with other broodies who haven't appreciated it. I suspect some of her going broody this year is due to losing her sister, Blanche, combined with a "if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself"

Cardhu is a 2nd generation broody raised (her mama, Storm, was broody raised). Should be well cared for also.

Still...none have been mothers before....I think I'm justified in worrying until I see them in full action out and about.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I realized I forgot to do a update on how Sunday's trade day went.

They ended up having a decent crowd. There were people there with some goats, a couple horses, lots of tack and yard sale items. My sis did well with her yard sale stuff and sold half of it. I sold all my eating eggs but did not sell the hatching eggs. That is ok, tonight I am filling my incubator full with them. I have enough now for every slot to be filled.

One other poultry person showed up. They brought 2 Guinea's and 6 game roosters. I admit the roosters were pretty but not for me or my flock. The Guinea's, omg, were they loud and they never shut up. Maybe if I did not have neighbors for a few miles in either direction.

I was set up by a fellow horse show person who talked me and my sis's head off. He brought 4, 10 week old Redbone x Bloodhound mix pups. He did his best to ensure I took a puppy home with me. Oh those pups were adorable and one of the girls did spend almost the entire time on my lap, but I have a horse inside already. I cannot do a puppy right now until my shoulder is fixed. Next year, I will begin looking for the right pup. That pup will be another Golden Retriever.

 

[rural mouse]

Amazing they were using the nipple waterer so young. Everyone always says they can’t do that!

Next time you run across one of those comments, PLEASE share this video and disabuse them of the idea. 2 day old chicks most certainly CAN use nipple waterers independently of mama pushing it for them.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

NONE of the mamas have EVER been broody before. I agree that PITA is SMART and her chicks will be incredibly well educated. She's always been a nosy brat with other broodies who haven't appreciated it. I suspect some of her going broody this year is due to losing her sister, Blanche, combined with a "if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself"

Cardhu is a 2nd generation broody raised (her mama, Storm, was broody raised). Should be well cared for also.

Still...none have been mothers before....I think I'm justified in worrying until I see them in full action out and about.

Ok, yes, worry a little bit for those first few days. I misread and thought PITA had successfully raised chicks in the past. From the video's you posted this morning they all seem to be doing very well with them.

 

[rural mouse]

It does. You need to take time off work so you can watch (and video) 24x7!

I have to go back on Monday. By that point, wing development will be well underway, and bi-weekly vids/evenings after work will have to suffice.

 

[RoyalChick]

Next time you run across one of those comments, PLEASE share this video and disabuse them of the idea. 2 day old chicks most certainly CAN use nipple waterers independently of mama pushing it for them.

Yes. Good point.

 

[RoyalChick]

I have to go back on Monday. By that point, wing development will be well underway, and bi-weekly vids/evenings after work will have to suffice.

I will survive.
I realize the chickens need feed.

 

[rural mouse]

I'm glad the incubator worked for you. I have never saw that sort of water system with one. I am very behind on here and with little hopes of catching up. What was supposed to be part-time for myself has turned into full time. Long 10 sometimes 11 hour days and with the added heat I am exhausted when I get home of the evening. By the time I drag myself out to take care of the chickens and double check that Rosie and Dad are actually doing their jobs correctly of helping and gathering eggs, I immediately crash and do not even sit down at the computer. The last 3 weeks have been miserable with the added heat. Even on a slow day that heat sucks the life out of me. Both AC units have decided to cop-out last week and we have a work order in, but they still have not shown up to address it. Toss in the many Dr. appointments for myself and Rosie, I'm barely keeping my head above water it seems.

I am not complaining though, I love my job and my boss. I'm just tired and cranky.

On a rare day off/evening home, sit out in the shade in a lawn chair and just soak in the flock sounds. No evaluating, no try to take good pics, just soak in the sonic melodies (thank you @ChicoryBlue for that utterly perfect phrase). Just sit and be with the birds.

 

[rural mouse]

I will survive.
I realize the chickens need feed.

I'll try to get some more long videos before then so you can parse them out in 5-10 min sections.

By the time I go back, egg supply should hopefully be such that my customers needs are easily met...especially since I froze orders effective Monday, June 30, so we had eggs for 4th bash and visit.

currently have almost 4 doz after making deviled eggs.

 

[SimpleJenn]

I KNEW Periwinkle was special& so is Navy's "Pretty in Pink" egg

Yes! The lady says her splash marans must have been the daddy of those girls! Now to wait for a Delft egg to see if she lays blue-green (Benedict daddy) or olive-brown (marans daddy)
She's so happy I'm still sending her pics of the girls, since updates like this help her understand her own flock!