Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Ebony is even getting some sparkle on her silkie feathers.

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So cute, I am not used to seeing them without a beard

 

[Ponypoor]

Panic

What is that? Is it a rat?’ Up with the chickens roosting! It’s beady eyes staring around.

In a panic I raced to the barn to protect my wee charges - I crept into the barn - silently raced across the floor, and shone my light on the culprit, through the chicken wire on the door.

What on earth?’

Mrs Little Chicken

She is just the size of a rat. I guess it was too warm inside the box to roost.

She is just the size of a rat!


And no fireflies to be seen at all.

 

[Ponypoor]

Good morning all

Missy says hello also on this steamy hot summer morn.

My banana plants are doing great in this weather.

 

[Ikslo]

Good morning all

Missy says hello also on this steamy hot summer morn.
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My banana plants are doing great in this weather.

Missy is a gorgeous cat!

 

[Ponypoor]

So my lavenders are really growing. But Heather is definitely still a runt. Definitely smaller and with slower feather development than the other four. But she seems to be ok otherwise. I try to make sure she gets some extra attention every day, and check her crop to make sure she is getting enough food.

Heather and Violet
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All five, Heather is in the middle.
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Just lounging around.
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How many of us can fit on “mom’s” back?
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Sleeping on the grownup roost.
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And some Friday butts for other flock members
Hershey and Nestle
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Glory
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Buffy and Jasmine
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Broody Blue
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Your lavender Orps are so adorable. I wish I was able to get more of them, Laverne is such a sweetie. And my Buff Orps are very sweet and friendly.

Yours seem equally friendly and curious

 

[Ponypoor]

Missy is a gorgeous cat!

My “pipeline” kitty.

She was found in one of the Inspector’s truck one morning when he came to the Laydown Yard for the morning meeting. Next thing I know I have a kitten plopped on my desk!

She’s very sweet.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

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!

Watching little ones dig is the best!

 

[rural mouse]

No pics this morning, but shoulder feathers are starting. Crest watch is also happening, but so far, nothing. I'm still hopeful that at least 1 of the little black ones is a Thing grandchick. One of the blacks is feathering out seal brown. Final colors will be interesting. Comb/wattle/red epaulets watch starts in another week or so.

Last night, Rose was lingering going into the coop. Seems a specific ant hill was rather tasty (didn't see any of the flying ones, but they could be starting).

This morning, one of Lark/Indigo and one of Hyacinth/Violet are wandering around the rose patch and have headed into the grasses on the other side of the hedge: grasshopper hunting? Make that both H & V...and Enigma.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Guess that would depend on the chickens. Our birds are steppers more than rampers Even old Dana has taken to stair-stepping rather than using the ramp.

The older Omlet style coop ladder was a total step situation, but their new ladder that fits both the older Cube and the new Pro is a combination, which is interesting-looking and a big improvement. I bought a new one for the Cube. https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_k...s/ultimate-ladder-for-eglu-cube-chicken-coop/

The 7 week old chicks got up it no problem (to explore, they haven’t even looked in their coop yet). Previously the old style steps were a slight problem for chicks/pullets, maybe visually the space between each ledge was an issue? They kept trying to go up the side rail, so I put rug gripper stuff on that tube. They learned how to navigate it eventually but most of the time took one step and flap-jumped up. This design is much better.

I think I’ll have the new Buckeyes roost in the old Cube coop for now, in their own space, as I’ve waited until they're older to be doing the see-no-touch thing. Nine hens in the Pro is possible now with their size, but when they’re full-grown that will really be pushing it. So I’m inclined to let them separate or join in roosting as they wish, with two coops available to either group, though that’s more maintenance for me.

This might reduce integration stress and help keep everyone healthier, given there’s respiratory disease here. Not by keeping it from the new guys but maybe reducing the severity of infection due to less stress? And helping the older hens out too with their flare-ups?

I’ve heard stories where 13-14 chickens want to cram into one of the old (smaller) Cubes, even though two were provided next to each other, so we’ll see.

 

[Ponypoor]

Watching little ones dig is the best!

Agreed!