Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

I never heard of them - but pretty. And this little one is a hoot. She is determined to get out of the tent and investigate the bathroom. She does a sort of running long jump whenever I open the flap!

And no more availablity this month I see. Just as well I can’t get them up here anyways!

EDIT

But anyone wishing to come for a visit - I am sure they would check under the driver seat for anything…. Just saying!


Edit - WOULDN’T I meant - wouldn’t check

 

[Ponypoor]

This is the Golden Cuckoo Marans I think. Just noticed very fluffy legs!
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Here is chippy showing off her leg color: pink. Is that white?
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Bit worried about chippy - pooping a sort of clear gel. Doesn’t act ill. Is that usual for a very young chick. Don’t think I have ever had chicks on day of hatch before.
And yes, I am already a helicopter Mom!

Just make sure eating, drinking, pooping (not sure on the ‘gel’ - photo?), and a full crop.

You’ve done this before you’re a good mum!

 

[Ponypoor]

I did not give them the Gro-Gel - the lady said it was just electrolytes and by the time i got home and realized they were too small for my usual chick waterer I forgot to mix it in to the water I gave them.
Maybe just stress - though compared to being shipped in the mail I don't think it was that stressful for them.
I wrongly thought they wouldn't eat in their first 12 hours so didn't give them food - stopped for water a few times - but no food. Maybe that stressed her out because they were all very keen to eat once in my bathroom.
And I believe chippy (I am really resisting naming them!) is a Speckled Sussex.
I basically got one of each non-bantam breed they had available on Monday. I was surprised how much they had cut back their hatching for the summer.

Tax: I know, you will all get bored - but I am besotted so keep taking photos!
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So did you pick them up at TSC? Or Meyers? Or somewhere else?

Take all the photos you want. I am living vicariously through you

 

[Ponypoor]

Any idea what goes into it? I am guessing Silkie, but I think it has regular feathers.

You will only get silkie feathers if both parents carry the gene. Think Bert…. Silkie mum Polish dada, regular feathers but feathered legs and topknot!

 

[knoturavggrl]

My thoughts on construction sand - a couple of months in.

Pros:
- It keeps my coop cleaner day to day than anything else I have tried so far.
-Cleaning currently every other day takes about 5-8 minutes or less.
-The abrasive nature of sand does seem to deter all bugs except flies of course. I have never seen a single bug of any kind except flies.
- The birds feet stay very clean, this is important to me since I have lots of feathered footed birds coming in soon. I have hope it could also reduce the likelihood of having mites as an issue.

Cons
- It’s heavy when initially getting it into the coop. I get a half ton in my truck bed and then we have to tractor it to the coop and shovel it in. Even with these advantages it’s still tiring. That said this is likely to be an issue only a few times a yr.
- compared to deep bed, it’s more labor. I must clean it every couple of days probably every day once the chicks add to the poop. The deep bed was hands off on the daily but for 2 times a year where we did a clean out and refresh.

Thoughts, so far I prefer the sand. It’s a lot cleaner and the added benefit of bugs not likening it is awesome. We shall see if winter changes my mind. I plan on getting another ton this fall to add to the overall depth and another in the Spring.

Important side note: Two things make sand easier for me - First Saturday Lime (helps ensure dryness) and The Coop Scoop (it actually does what one would hope and picks up the poop and feathers leaves the sand) I am not sure I would like it without these two things.

 

[rural mouse]

Hey don’t encourage me! I have 3 broodies all wanting babies!

See if you can get eggs from that neighbor with the wandering polish beauty.

 

[Ponypoor]

You will only get silkie feathers if both parents carry the gene. Think Bert…. Silkie mum Polish dada, regular feathers but feathered legs and topknot!

SHRA tax on silkie genetics…..

Another ‘guess this breed’ from Hoovers…. Never did figure out what Patches and Silver are.

Brown eggs BTW

Patches

 

[rural mouse]

I never heard of them - but pretty. And this little one is a hoot. She is determined to get out of the tent and investigate the bathroom. She does a sort of running long jump whenever I open the flap!

Mamas take them out early. This one's a go getter.

 

[rural mouse]

SHRA tax on silkie genetics…..

Another ‘guess this breed’ from Hoovers…. Never did figure out what Patches and Silver are.

Brown eggs BTW

Patches
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According to Hoovers brown egg layers list, the birds with blue feathers are blue laced red wyandotte (clearly no), ble gersey giant (again, no), blue copper marans (also no), sapphire gem (maybe), and blue Plymouth Rock (maybe).

They say the sapphire gem is a Czech breed close to the Andalusians (not quite sure how as the Andalusian are Spanish). The blue Plymouth Rock is from a blue australorp roo and a barred rock hen. This cross would be a sex-link with the roos barred and the hens not. Patches clearly has faint barring so.....speculating that someone goofed during the breeding and put a barred rock male with the blue australorp females making ALL the offspring blue barred from that hatch.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Good to know! I am constructing a vertical nipple waterer for them now. Figuring how to hang it in their tent.

I made a cage of hardware cloth and zip ties open on one side and tied that side with string. Hung it with an S hook hooked into the top HC from the walker in the brooder. Later hung from the back zip ties for more height. You could probably also attach it to the tent mesh, if it's not too filled & heavy, or through the mesh to a firm panel or structure on the outside of the mesh (shoelaces might thread through the mesh well, they did on my tent, the caps on the ends are good for that).

If only I could upload pictures...
I restarted my phone...I don't know what's wrong....