Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

A Special Day

 

[RoyalChick]

A Special Day

Happy Hatch Day Aster!
(I can’t believe it has been a whole year).

 

[RoyalChick]

Piglet the action chicken!

 

[Ikslo]

Still missing my flock. Two days to go and then I am home. First day on vacation seeing chickens! (Tax?)

 

[thistlewick]

I have around 40 chickens total, I can tell you with 100% accuracy that Raven is my top hen. Before Raven, when Butter was alive she was the "Queen" of the flock. I have multiple feeders and water stations plus I toss scraps out to them. Raven is there first, gets what she wants and will run those lower then her away as she see's fit. When Raven needs to lay a egg, if her chosen spot is occupied she drags the unfortunate victim out of the nest by the comb. Raven roosts on the roosting bar overtop the horse stalls. She has her "spot" on the roost. If she is late getting up there she will throw other hens down in her way to get to it. No hen is allowed to roost to the left of her, strictly enforced

None of this happens in my flock. From anyone, to anyone. Maybe I just have sweet hens?? I would not brook that kind of behavior from a chicken. It's rude as heck. Absolutely ZERO nest drama from anyone - I'm amazed, honestly. My girls just wait, and line up, quietly and calmly. Or pick another nest.

Roosting time? It's different every night. I'm there, every single night and have been for their entire lives - I'm there, I don't have an auto door to lock them up so I spend about an hour with them watching chicken TV before lock up every single night.

They roost in different spots all the time. No one fights. A squawk, perhaps, once every few days and that's the MOST drama I get.

Is your space bigger than a radius of 300 feet? That's how much area chickens will use if left to their own devices. 6.5 acres - asking because you didn't specify.

I'll watch and see if there is some kind of mysterious chicken jerkery happening outside of my observations; but I doubt it. I spend hours and hours with them a day. I don't see any of it.

For instance, if I bring out scratch - a very seldom treat - what happens? I give the call -- they come RUNNING from wherever they are - and wait for me to throw it out and they eat it. They don't peck each other. Chuck tidbits, but they all know where it is. No one 'gets it first' no one pushes anyone away.

The biggest new thing that is happening is that Oscar, our new Cockerel is starting to learn to tidbit and you get the odd hen or two who will listen to him. They already accept his mating them - and Chuck will not stop him from mating. Chuck only stops Heath.... because the hens do not like Heath. The hens like Oscar - and so, Chuck likes Oscar. That's about it.

 

[thistlewick]

A Special Day

That's the cutest dang thing I've seen in a while

 

[Ponypoor]

A Special Day

Happy Hatchday Aster!

I can’t believe it’s been a year already!

 

[Ponypoor]

Still missing my flock. Two days to go and then I am home. First day on vacation seeing chickens! (Tax?)

Awesome!

And some of their own poultry - are they landrace?

I look forward to you getting home and sending more photos of your gorgeous flock and that lovely Roo

 

[Ponypoor]

Oooops!

I forgot to put the steps back where they belong. They will certainly let me know what they think when I head out there.

And that brat Mr Little Chicken - he better not poop on that fan!

The usual suspects have gone to roost (as they should!), and those youngsters though, they are swanning around the barn! So many yummy things to eat before bedtime.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Hazel's left eye continues to improve with Terramycin under the upper lid (sort of), it looks pretty good today. Her partial molt might be done too. She's acting like she feels so much better!

Right eye for comparison.

Left eye pics, still has bubbles but the swelling is way down. I'd say this might be as good as it gets, but I'm pleased, and she is too. She's on the Terramycin through July 8 (7 days of treatment). She's been very compliant getting the ointment in her eye, and not acting so nervous about it when I pick her up to do it. I don't have to wrap her.

Head on