Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[knoturavggrl]

Love the fluffy butts I got some of my own

Welcome to FBA, great photos of your fluffy butts!

 

[Ponypoor]

Made a video of the new little guys today. They are almost seven weeks old. Seems the YouTube channel process has changed? It's been a long time since trying to do it, let me know if it's not working.
First pullet is Isabel, the bulging-eyes napping chick that is developing slowly, she is behind everyone, and yet she is growing and hasn't faded away. I don't see the napping need increasing, for instance, which I am guessing would be a sign she can't do it anymore. She is surely enjoying everything she can for now.

Also have some pics will post soon.

To me they all seem to be thriving well even the wee Isabel. And I love the digging action on that one wee chickie! Wow!

 

[Ponypoor]

Love the fluffy butts I got some of my own

Welcome! You have lovely chooks thanks for sharing

 

[knoturavggrl]

It is with a heavy heart that I have to share this news. I needed a few days to process it and come to terms.

Rest in Peace..

My nosey Dottie
View attachment 4171536
My beautiful Spot
View attachment 4171537

And the one that possibly hurts most of all.
Rest in Peace my beloved, brave, dear sweet George.
View attachment 4171540

I worked Monday and Tuesday. Our AC is broken and I spent 2, 11 hour days in 105 degree heat which drained me.

Monday night I came home and drug myself out to lock everyone up and do a head count. I could not find my speckled suspects. I was tired and knew I had to go in again the next morning. I assumed they joined the ranks of my many broody girls and I would search for their nests on my next day off Wednesday. I have so many girls broody at the moment them not showing up that night honestly did not send off immediate alarm bells.

Tuesday was brutal and I got home late. I came in, sat for a minute and then grabbed my headlamp and went outside to be confronted with the truth. Instead of my loyal George waiting on the crate beside the silkie coop for me to put him up I found a pile of white feathers.

I have a problem and that problem is striking just after dark. My brother informed me that he was outside until 8:30 that evening working on his motorcycle and George was underfoot. I went out first thing Wednesday morning and really looked and found evidence of the attacks on the Sussex sisters in Russ's old stall. I also found out where the culprit is coming on and off the hill. I saw a few white feathers on the hill behind the big old pine tree on the hill. I've been here before, same pattern and same path and I strongly suspect it is a coyote.

Until I can eliminate it everyone, including the girls that roost on the big roost overtop the horses are in lockdown in the coop no later then 7 in the evening. They are not let out until around noon or later when I can be outside with them. I did end up setting Raven. She is in the orange tote beside the hay. I took apart the metal dog crate and reassembled it overtop of her tote. When I have to work, they are not free ranging at all.

Me and my brother have taken turns waiting for it to come back, I know it will. Yesterday evening not long after I locked them up I was talking to my neighbors when every single one of them went off. I ran and checked, nothing had came off the hill but they clearly spotted something up there. I could not spot it. They were silent the rest of the night and I gave up about 1 am.

I am sorry, this is a lot to handle at once, I relate to needing time. Loss hits me in a similar way. I hope you’re able to chase off/trap or whatever needs doing that wiley coyote. Fly high Dottie, Spot, and George. Sending hugs your way.

 

[Ponypoor]

It is with a heavy heart that I have to share this news. I needed a few days to process it and come to terms.

Rest in Peace..

My nosey Dottie
View attachment 4171536
My beautiful Spot
View attachment 4171537

And the one that possibly hurts most of all.
Rest in Peace my beloved, brave, dear sweet George.
View attachment 4171540

I worked Monday and Tuesday. Our AC is broken and I spent 2, 11 hour days in 105 degree heat which drained me.

Monday night I came home and drug myself out to lock everyone up and do a head count. I could not find my speckled suspects. I was tired and knew I had to go in again the next morning. I assumed they joined the ranks of my many broody girls and I would search for their nests on my next day off Wednesday. I have so many girls broody at the moment them not showing up that night honestly did not send off immediate alarm bells.

Tuesday was brutal and I got home late. I came in, sat for a minute and then grabbed my headlamp and went outside to be confronted with the truth. Instead of my loyal George waiting on the crate beside the silkie coop for me to put him up I found a pile of white feathers.

I have a problem and that problem is striking just after dark. My brother informed me that he was outside until 8:30 that evening working on his motorcycle and George was underfoot. I went out first thing Wednesday morning and really looked and found evidence of the attacks on the Sussex sisters in Russ's old stall. I also found out where the culprit is coming on and off the hill. I saw a few white feathers on the hill behind the big old pine tree on the hill. I've been here before, same pattern and same path and I strongly suspect it is a coyote.

Until I can eliminate it everyone, including the girls that roost on the big roost overtop the horses are in lockdown in the coop no later then 7 in the evening. They are not let out until around noon or later when I can be outside with them. I did end up setting Raven. She is in the orange tote beside the hay. I took apart the metal dog crate and reassembled it overtop of her tote. When I have to work, they are not free ranging at all.

Me and my brother have taken turns waiting for it to come back, I know it will. Yesterday evening not long after I locked them up I was talking to my neighbors when every single one of them went off. I ran and checked, nothing had came off the hill but they clearly spotted something up there. I could not spot it. They were silent the rest of the night and I gave up about 1 am.

I am so sorry Rebecca, I know you are very sad - I am sure he gave his life to save his hens. It’s the roosters duty.

 

[Ponypoor]

Fluffy buttView attachment 4171893

I feel I need to up my game and clean some butts here - that is one clean fluffy bum

 

[Ponypoor]

My son pretending to magically float a caterpillar, to cute View attachment 4170960
Pebble looking fabulous but also completely oblivious as to the location of his entire flock who had gone to roost for the evening. Both of the SFH Roos tried to come get him but he just kept on pecking and scratching. I had to go get him in and this is why supervision for free ranging is likely to remain necessary
View attachment 4170954

I should say though that Clyde the Brave roosts with the older hens when they go to bed. He’s a smart wee lad

 

[knoturavggrl]

Once he gets older he will stop that nonsense. Maybe. Still waiting for last year’s chickaloos to go to bed with the rest of the flock. Brats!!!

My impression so far with silkies is that they are absolutely adorable. But, I am gonna say it, their situational awareness is questionable at best and I don’t think it’s all due to their head poofs. They can snag a larvae thrown in their general direction in half a millisecond. All that to say I am unsure it will change with the Silkies but I am fine with it, I like chicken sitting and I am happy to have them in my flock.

In fact, I am getting some more. I reordered from Meyers as they finally had some availability again. 3 Cuckoo Silkies and 3 Bantam Calico Cochin Pullets. This time I am making the drive. Pray for me I have to go in their retail store this can’t be safe at all. Juniper looking like she agrees this could be dangerous.

This will leave me with great foundation group of 6 SFH’s once I finally find a home for Fennel and 8 little Bantams. Assuming, I make it out of Meyers with only what I ordered. Caper and Parsley judging my decision to get more mini chickens.

 

[knoturavggrl]

Fluffy Butt Friday photo:

 

[featherhead007]

Dakota must love me a lot. She shared a projectile poop all over my leg. What a mess