Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

I kept noticing birds allowed near one mother were NOT allowed near another. And Tuff....is not interested in guarding babies while the other boys are. Maybe none are his offspring?

I suspect it is more likely personality/temperament. BRanch would happily take on ANY chick. I've had roosters that ignored all chicks - and I KNOW some were theirs because they were the only male with 'x' trait given to chicks. I've had other roosters that when mom gave them up, happily 'fostered' the female chicks - would 'gently' peck/deter the male chicks (at the time, I didn't understand it - as not all the males had 'revealed themselves'...so I didn't know why they were okay with some and not others ......it wasn't until later that I realized he was just building his harem!!! . I will say, that is the only rooster I have ever seen do that, though!)

 

[rural mouse]

I suspect it is more likely personality/temperament. BRanch would happily take on ANY chick. I've had roosters that ignored all chicks - and I KNOW some were theirs because they were the only male with 'x' trait given to chicks. I've had other roosters that when mom gave them up, happily 'fostered' the female chicks - would 'gently' peck/deter the male chicks (at the time, I didn't understand it - as not all the males had 'revealed themselves'...so I didn't know why they were okay with some and not others ......it wasn't until alter that I realized he was just building his harem!!! . I will say, that is the only rooster I have ever seen do that, though!)

He's great on sentinel, settled down some from the idiocy, and actively chases down Maizie most mornings. He wasn't tidbitting....it was more "nope, that's my spot", like a hen would....unless he was testing waters with her for potential mating and attempting to be subtle about it?

 

[Marie2020]

My little Elsa, just won’t let it go!
She don’t care that sticky mouse traps also trap feathered creatures too. Took me half an hour to get her unstuck! Now she’s running out in the yard covered in Wesson oil!

What did you use to get that glue off?

 

[rural mouse]

I can officially state the pea tree hedge is 150 feet long. It took 3 50' lengths of drip hose connected to run the length of it. Hooked up to Sherlock's favorite watering spigot, by the gate. Next year, starting work on running the other hedge, roses through the lilacs. Should be a steady water source for adventurous birds like Lark and Indigo.

The pea tree pods are popping, so they're hitting those up for the extra protein. I don't think the babies have been brought all the way over to the pea hedge, but they've been introduced to the Nanking cherries.

 

[BY Bob]

Happy Caturday!

First let me introduce Pip. (aka Pipsqueak). She was born to a feral mama. The mama died and we saw her and her brother eating chicken scratch. The poor babies were starving. So, we caught them. Sadly her sweet brother was very sick and didn't make it. She follows us all around the yard, throws herself on the ground in front of us, demanding belly rubs... really, she loves having her belly rubbed...
View attachment 4173149

Meet Anubis... named by my DIL. He is also a stray kitten, but he came to us older...look don't touch, but he can meow at me and demand that I look at him or feed him...
View attachment 4173148
He and Pip are best buds. We still have our son's orange kitten and yes that's her name, didn't see her tonight, she's the old lady...

Pip and Orange Kitten are both spayed. We will have to catch Anubis and get him taken care of too.

Do I love kittens, yes, did I want more kittens, no, but here we are!

They are gorgeous. You did a special thing taking them in. Great job!

 

[BY Bob]

Sorry I haven't been active on here. Here's a Caturday to hold you all over while I get chicken pictures.
View attachment 4173155
View attachment 4173158

Great photos!

 

[BY Bob]

Video fix for those living vicariously (@Ponypoor @RoyalChick + more)

So many happy chicken sounds.

Is PITA ever un-poofed? She seems perpetually crabby.

 

[drstratton]

They are gorgeous. You did a special thing taking them in. Great job!

They're fun to have around. Thankfully our son is still here and he can take care of them when we're away.

 

[Ikslo]

This made me happy this morning. Lots more butterflies on the farm this year.

 

[rural mouse]

So many happy chicken sounds.

Is PITA ever un-poofed? She seems perpetually crabby.

Surprisingly, yes. She is unpoofed. I find her poofed still so surprising that I try to capture that every chance I get. As a leghorn mix, she's a shocker.