Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RebeccaBoyd]

I love the names - If he is a she you can always call her Juice Newton

I have Reolink cameras and really like them. No memberships or emails to use to sign up to use them.

I hope you have today off so you can relax

I have to get pictures. I've just not been up to bringing out the camera. Juice is a boy I'm sure now. Pop of color in the comb this early does not lie. It's not much of a comb yet, but the color tells the truth.

I'd love to be wrong and Juice be a pullet, I just do not think I am.

I'm at a loss at what to do now. Until Tuesday I was dead set on not keeping any new cockerels. I was already planning on waiting until Goose was done raising her boy before I listed him. Color started popping on Juice's comb Sunday and I was in denial about what I was seeing.

Now, well, besides Davy and Barbosa I do not have any adult roosters. The silkies are never allowed free range privileges again. The big girls are now severely restricted on free ranging as well. They have to have some time out though, They are not doing well with confinement. Even If I turn Russ's stall into another pen I can already see my older girls will not tolerate it well. I need a rooster with them. When they have a adult rooster with them they are very settled. When things have happened and they do not have a adult rooster, or a young cockerel they are always on edge. Honestly, I am looking at a good 6 months or more of a unstable flock.

I've been weighing my options. I could bring in a older rooster. I really do not want to do that. I have 2 known cockerels out of 3 chicks. Goose's boy is showing he is pulling heavily from his Maran's genetics. He's huge for his age. Tall, lanky and thick. He also is going to inherit grandpa Bubba's coloring. I've not named him yet, but I've been watching him. In the back of my mind I've been thinking someone is going to get a nice free range flock rooster. Especially if his temperament is a mix of both daddy George and grandpa Bubba. I've never had a ill tempered Marans rooster. Gentle giants all of them. I also firmly believe temperaments are partially inherited from their sires. I also now have Juice to look at. Juice is a mix of Buff Orp and Polish and Silkie. I should have started suspecting male on Juice 2 weeks ago and it really does not shock me too much. Juice is big as well, with thick legs. His crest is coming along although it will never be as full as his daddy's. Still, I will be able to look at Juice and see his daddy in him. George was a little more of a spitfire then the Marans boys have been. More bold, walked with a swagger and I saw a lot of the silkie in his personality. I loved it, and I miss him.

Right now my gut is saying hang onto both boys. Give them the chance to grow up and see if they can become another Bubba and Branch and be partners. Under Bubba and Branch's time that is really when my flock was at it's most settled and peaceful. Those 2 boys were the magic combo. It will be more work for me in the next few months but in the long run the rewards would be worth it.

I honestly do not know yet. I need time to think, time to process and time to deal with whatever it was that put me in this situation. Rash decisions will help no one.

 

[Ponypoor]

I have to get pictures. I've just not been up to bringing out the camera. Juice is a boy I'm sure now. Pop of color in the comb this early does not lie. It's not much of a comb yet, but the color tells the truth.

I'd love to be wrong and Juice be a pullet, I just do not think I am.

I'm at a loss at what to do now. Until Tuesday I was dead set on not keeping any new cockerels. I was already planning on waiting until Goose was done raising her boy before I listed him. Color started popping on Juice's comb Sunday and I was in denial about what I was seeing.

Now, well, besides Davy and Barbosa I do not have any adult roosters. The silkies are never allowed free range privileges again. The big girls are now severely restricted on free ranging as well. They have to have some time out though, They are not doing well with confinement. Even If I turn Russ's stall into another pen I can already see my older girls will not tolerate it well. I need a rooster with them. When they have a adult rooster with them they are very settled. When things have happened and they do not have a adult rooster, or a young cockerel they are always on edge. Honestly, I am looking at a good 6 months or more of a unstable flock.

I've been weighing my options. I could bring in a older rooster. I really do not want to do that. I have 2 known cockerels out of 3 chicks. Goose's boy is showing he is pulling heavily from his Maran's genetics. He's huge for his age. Tall, lanky and thick. He also is going to inherit grandpa Bubba's coloring. I've not named him yet, but I've been watching him. In the back of my mind I've been thinking someone is going to get a nice free range flock rooster. Especially if his temperament is a mix of both daddy George and grandpa Bubba. I've never had a ill tempered Marans rooster. Gentle giants all of them. I also firmly believe temperaments are partially inherited from their sires. I also now have Juice to look at. Juice is a mix of Buff Orp and Polish and Silkie. I should have started suspecting male on Juice 2 weeks ago and it really does not shock me too much. Juice is big as well, with thick legs. His crest is coming along although it will never be as full as his daddy's. Still, I will be able to look at Juice and see his daddy in him. George was a little more of a spitfire then the Marans boys have been. More bold, walked with a swagger and I saw a lot of the silkie in his personality. I loved it, and I miss him.

Right now my gut is saying hang onto both boys. Give them the chance to grow up and see if they can become another Bubba and Branch and be partners. Under Bubba and Branch's time that is really when my flock was at it's most settled and peaceful. Those 2 boys were the magic combo. It will be more work for me in the next few months but in the long run the rewards would be worth it.

I honestly do not know yet. I need time to think, time to process and time to deal with whatever it was that put me in this situation. Rash decisions will help no one.

I know I suggested it before - but you could always put up a few strands of
electric fencing on those moveable electric fence posts. Use the bottom holders for the electric fence twine.

It’s easy to move and inexpensive.

The post goes into the ground by stepping on that flat lower piece, and the spike on the bottom holds it in the ground.

The lower most holder is less than 6” from the ground - so it will keep chickens in and predators out.

I really like my electric fencing.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I know I suggested it before - but you could always put up a few strands of
electric fencing on those moveable electric fence posts. Use the bottom holders for the electric fence twine.

It’s easy to move and inexpensive.

View attachment 4172775

The post goes into the ground by stepping on that flat lower piece, and the spike on the bottom holds it in the ground.

The lower most holder is less than 6” from the ground - so it will keep chickens in and predators out.

I really like my electric fencing.

I can see that working for the silkies and the cochins. The rest of my flock are fliers though. I will need something covered to keep them in. I will look into it. Maybe Lowes will carry something similar.

 

[RoyalChick]

I can see that working for the silkies and the cochins. The rest of my flock are fliers though. I will need something covered to keep them in. I will look into it. Maybe Lowes will carry something similar.

I like my fence too.
It may be that yours learn that inside the fence is safe and that they will fly back in when there is a threat.
I have had fliers but they only rarely flew over the fence and they did know how to fly back.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Juice, Georgina and no name.

Juice has color already in the comb. It is still small, but the color is starting.

Maybe wattles getting ready to pop as well. I'm also starting to think he is splash like his sister. That grey is new, as in the last week new.

Georgina is my only hope for a pullet.

She is definitely splash though. More spots incoming.

Goose's boy. I have not named him yet because if I name him he will stay.

He is a chunk though, albeit a little homely at the moment. Juvenile molts are doing him no favors.

 

[rural mouse]

I have to get pictures. I've just not been up to bringing out the camera. Juice is a boy I'm sure now. Pop of color in the comb this early does not lie. It's not much of a comb yet, but the color tells the truth.

I'd love to be wrong and Juice be a pullet, I just do not think I am.

I'm at a loss at what to do now. Until Tuesday I was dead set on not keeping any new cockerels. I was already planning on waiting until Goose was done raising her boy before I listed him. Color started popping on Juice's comb Sunday and I was in denial about what I was seeing.

Now, well, besides Davy and Barbosa I do not have any adult roosters. The silkies are never allowed free range privileges again. The big girls are now severely restricted on free ranging as well. They have to have some time out though, They are not doing well with confinement. Even If I turn Russ's stall into another pen I can already see my older girls will not tolerate it well. I need a rooster with them. When they have a adult rooster with them they are very settled. When things have happened and they do not have a adult rooster, or a young cockerel they are always on edge. Honestly, I am looking at a good 6 months or more of a unstable flock.

I've been weighing my options. I could bring in a older rooster. I really do not want to do that. I have 2 known cockerels out of 3 chicks. Goose's boy is showing he is pulling heavily from his Maran's genetics. He's huge for his age. Tall, lanky and thick. He also is going to inherit grandpa Bubba's coloring. I've not named him yet, but I've been watching him. In the back of my mind I've been thinking someone is going to get a nice free range flock rooster. Especially if his temperament is a mix of both daddy George and grandpa Bubba. I've never had a ill tempered Marans rooster. Gentle giants all of them. I also firmly believe temperaments are partially inherited from their sires. I also now have Juice to look at. Juice is a mix of Buff Orp and Polish and Silkie. I should have started suspecting male on Juice 2 weeks ago and it really does not shock me too much. Juice is big as well, with thick legs. His crest is coming along although it will never be as full as his daddy's. Still, I will be able to look at Juice and see his daddy in him. George was a little more of a spitfire then the Marans boys have been. More bold, walked with a swagger and I saw a lot of the silkie in his personality. I loved it, and I miss him.

Right now my gut is saying hang onto both boys. Give them the chance to grow up and see if they can become another Bubba and Branch and be partners. Under Bubba and Branch's time that is really when my flock was at it's most settled and peaceful. Those 2 boys were the magic combo. It will be more work for me in the next few months but in the long run the rewards would be worth it.

I honestly do not know yet. I need time to think, time to process and time to deal with whatever it was that put me in this situation. Rash decisions will help no one.

With those 2, take your time. Predator situation (whatever it truly is) can be worked on while you're evaluating the little guys.

 

[rural mouse]

I can see that working for the silkies and the cochins. The rest of my flock are fliers though. I will need something covered to keep them in. I will look into it. Maybe Lowes will carry something similar.

keep an eye out for taller posts and maybe some sort of netting?

 

[rural mouse]

Juice, Georgina and no name.
View attachment 4172781
Juice has color already in the comb. It is still small, but the color is starting.
View attachment 4172783
Maybe wattles getting ready to pop as well. I'm also starting to think he is splash like his sister. That grey is new, as in the last week new.
View attachment 4172784
View attachment 4172791View attachment 4172793
Georgina is my only hope for a pullet.
View attachment 4172796View attachment 4172797
She is definitely splash though. More spots incoming.
View attachment 4172798View attachment 4172799
Goose's boy. I have not named him yet because if I name him he will stay.
View attachment 4172801
He is a chunk though, albeit a little homely at the moment. Juvenile molts are doing him no favors.
View attachment 4172802View attachment 4172803View attachment 4172805View attachment 4172807View attachment 4172808

He is quite the chunk! If you keep him, I suggest a name on par with Drumstick.... Hambone or Muttonchop (although I see that more on a bearded bird).

I wonder if Juice is going to have BLUE crest/hackle feathers to go with the orange....good thing you don't live in Colorado. The football references would be incessant.

 

[RoyalChick]

Juice, Georgina and no name.
View attachment 4172781
Juice has color already in the comb. It is still small, but the color is starting.
View attachment 4172783
Maybe wattles getting ready to pop as well. I'm also starting to think he is splash like his sister. That grey is new, as in the last week new.
View attachment 4172784
View attachment 4172791View attachment 4172793
Georgina is my only hope for a pullet.
View attachment 4172796View attachment 4172797
She is definitely splash though. More spots incoming.
View attachment 4172798View attachment 4172799
Goose's boy. I have not named him yet because if I name him he will stay.
View attachment 4172801
He is a chunk though, albeit a little homely at the moment. Juvenile molts are doing him no favors.
View attachment 4172802View attachment 4172803View attachment 4172805View attachment 4172807View attachment 4172808

You should definitely take your time but they are all gorgeous!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

He is quite the chunk! If you keep him, I suggest a name on par with Drumstick.... Hambone or Muttonchop (although I see that more on a bearded bird).

I wonder if Juice is going to have BLUE crest/hackle feathers to go with the orange....good thing you don't live in Colorado. The football references would be incessant.

If I keep him, he has some strong names behind him and his would need to be fitting. Great-Grandpa Drumstick, Grandpa Bubba and Daddy George.

A name will come to me. Rosie and Michael get zero say in this one. I've not called him anything out loud. In my mind though 2 have been floating around. Homer or Winston. I'm not set on either yet. I'm still reluctant honestly to name him. But, he deserves to be called something other then Goose's boy.