Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Sylvester017]

Sultans... while not actually in existence that far back that we know of, it's possible there was some form going that far back.

https://www.chickenfans.com/sultan-chicken-all-

I thought about Sultans but somehow a peacock was more regal, larger, & more colorfully striking... for kids, they live in fantasy anyway

 

[Sylvester017]

Happy Caturday! I finally got a picture of Orange Kitten. Such a sweet kitty.
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You have my bible Ruth's kitty!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Wonderful, I think what you wrote showcases what the “best” really is and that is the chicken tender keeping close tabs on the flock and then adjusting things accordingly.

I think at least one of the reasons for all the different outcomes could be in our backyards. Each of us has different types of grasses and weeds, different kinds of bugs and worms, ect… so what our chickens consume other than feed differs greatly nutritionally. I suspect this could be a significant factor in why one thing might be great for my flock feed wise and bad for yours. This is impossible to quantify though so all we can do is observe and react to what we see.

You are doing a wonderful job and they couldn’t be in better hands.

Thank you

 

[Sylvester017]

No, never!
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Deb, Sweetie, and Redbird. These three don't like Riddick so it's not the biggest loss.

Hurray Periwinkle!
Are these ladies the dark egg Marans?

 

[Sylvester017]

Am I seeing things or does Cardhu's blue chick have the beginnings of a crest?View attachment 4178050

Surprise, surpriseKeep us posted...

 

[Sylvester017]

Caturday Saturday

A BFTP for everyone - most of you have likely seem these beauties.

Nov 2022 Northern Alberta Canada
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Feb 2023 Northern Alberta Canada
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Maine Coon on steroids... Gorgeous Lynx... we see them here but rarely. Very illusive

 

[Sylvester017]

Not that I can tell. The chickens go for them when they rise every time they find them. They leave all of the not winged ants alone.

The winged ones are probably bigger & juicier. If there are two crickets or two spiders or two raisins to snack on a chicken always chooses the larger ones. They're no dummies

 

[Sylvester017]

FBA chicken's weekly synopsis
13 - 19 July 2025​

Link to last week's synopsis by @SimpleJenn .

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@BY Bob​

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Smart Sydney is starting her moult now, so she can be done when it gets cold !​

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A Monday mug for Hattie's fanclub.​

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Weather wise teenagers won't go to bed !​

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A very happy day at Fluffy butt acre : Hattie turned 7 ! She may be the oldest chicken that ever lived at FBA. Happy hatch day to Hattie !​

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Another milestone for the Phillystines that made Mrs By Bob very happy.​

And ...some tips on how to tell them apart !​

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@ChicoryBlue​

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First intermingling between the chicks and the adults, which went rather well overall !​

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@drstratton​

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FBA welcomed back @drstratton ! But, we were all shocked and sad when almost all the flock was killed by a dog that broke in. A sad situation, occurring while they are away for the week. It seems the two survivors Maybelline and Penny are doing good.​

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@featherhead007​

Chick-fil-A, the little dude from the game bird clan is wounded but impossible to catch.​

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Dakota has been feeling a bit unwell, we hope she improves !​

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@Grandma The Chicken​

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Happy memory : a video of the very much missed Grandma eating vanilla cake.​

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@Ikslo​

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Meet Walnut for Monday mug !​

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Curiosity the cockerel is so proud of himself for his half failed attempt to mount Einstein .​

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Einstein may has switched her "laying tree" ? Check this post for an interesting nest !​

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@kattabelly​

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How eggciting... A first egg ! It never gets old .​

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@knoturavggrl​

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The whole flock in picture - that is, until the babies come home next week hopefully!​

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@Ponypoor​

A good coop is one that accounts for the local weather and situation and having the henhouses in the barn is very confortable for Kelly and her chooks.​

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A bunch of her chickens have also started moulting early.​

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Making sure the chickens.stay confortable in horrid weather - thankfully it didn't last.​

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@RebeccaBoyd​

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There will be some decisions to make on roosters for the flock's future ; Rebecca needs time to watch the growing boys.​

Goose's little guy picked himself a name !​

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A wonderful post on handling young chickens with a child.​

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@RoyalChick​

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This week at the palace was all about learning to use the new rat proof feeder. The smaller princesses had to work together ; Tassels was very proud of her success !​

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Piglet had a hard time with the heat. Happy to know she was better as soon as it cooled down!​

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@rural mouse​

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A chick fix video, with some very interesting interactions between chicks and adults : noticeably not all chicks are allowed the same things, and Tuff wasn't allowed near any of them.​

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Another chick video : tiny, fast and bold.​

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Combs explained.​

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Flying ants are a rare seasonal delicacy in the chicken world !​

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@SimpleJenn​

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Mr handsome in black is happy, Delft is back with the flock.​

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Owl is turning into a gorgeous guy.​

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Jenn had an incubator issue but after candling 31 eggs are still good.​

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An escapee had an adventure!​

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@Sylvester017 ​

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Having a weatherproof outdoor coop can be quite a challenge.​

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Mirror mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all ?​

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@TX Chick Noob​

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Look how gorgeous Cotton is ! (Even though some may claim he has nothing to do with a chicken )​

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@TOMTE​

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The two bigger girls have bumblefoot unfortunately. I have to agree with the advice given, please do not attempt surgery unless all other options have failed​

Spoiler: Here is why

Having dealt with bumblefoot over and over again, I followed this thread a few months ago, where a beloved rooster ended up loosing his foot to infection after home surgery, even though their owner had done it several times before successfully on other birds, and even though they had sterilised tools and foot as well as they could. A rare occurrence, but why take the risk ?​

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TY for synop... & the spoiler... I heartily agree!

 

[Ponypoor]

Such an adorable kitty! Lovely diluted orange color.



What a cute little crest!



OMG, this made me suddenly realize something. I have two roosters now! Do I need to switch to a lower calcium feed when they are all grown? Right now, because of the different age chicks mixed in with the adults, I have been feeding a mix of:

Nutrena non-medicated chick feed (18% protein, Calcium minimum 0.80%, maximum 1.30%) and

Nutrena Feather Fixer (used to be . 18% protein, now 20%, Calcium minimum 3.25%, maximum 3.75%)

I have always fed at least 18% protein in any feed I have used, I never liked the 16% feeds. And I always keep oyster shell calcium and occasional egg shells available. Have a few hens who still lay the ossacional thin shell, but not many.

My primary feeds used to be either:
Nutrena Hearty Hen (18% protein, Calcium minimum 3.7%, maximum 4.7%), or
the Feather Fixer (used to be . 18% protein, now 20%, Calcium minimum 3.25%, maximum 3.75%).

Which one I used depended on which one was the freshest when I would pick it up at Tractor Supply or the local feed store. I have several hens who seem to have molting issues or are being picked on because they always have areas of thin/missing feathers).

When I am ready to stop mixing in the chick starter (about 6 more weeks because of the lavenders), should I go to Nutrena All Flock instead (20% protein, Calcium minimum 1.4%, maximum 1.9%)??? I like the higher protein, but worry about more thin eggshells. But also don’t want my two Roos to have issues from the calcium in the other feeds.

Side note, I tried the following food for the bantams when they were smaller:
Nutrena Silkie & Ornamental Chick Starter Grower 24% Micro Clean Crumb (24% protein, Calcium minimum .75%, maximum 1.25%)
But even though the little micro pellets were supposed to be made for bantams with smaller beaks, I found my smallest ones seemed to have trouble and were not eating it. Which was too bad, it was such a nice clean feed with no “dust”. They make a layer version (22% protein, Calcium minimum 2.6%, maximum 3.6%), but I have never seen it locally. Which is too bad, looks like a great feed for any size hen, with those nice clean pellets.

I don’t feed my Roos anything different from the flock. Everyone gets 18% layer pellets and also 18% textured layer. It’s a mix of grains and a pellet. So the boys get a choice what to eat somewhat.

But they don’t get anything special.

 

[Ponypoor]

Good night all

Finished my hay today yay! Hope I sleep well!