Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

Yes darn it. Color at weeks old. Why is there color at 2 weeks old.

He's precocious

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I've been out with the chickens this morning and got some new pictures. I think we need to talk about my white silkie Calypso. I believe a name change may be in order dang it. While there is definitely no attempts at crowing yet, and Calypso is the 2nd smallest I am seeing things that cannot be ignored. They hatched May 7th to May 9th so just over 3 months old now. Still a bit young as far as silkies go to attempt crowing anyway. It's the tail and the head poof that are doing it for me. That and what I spotted today when looking up close at the comb, color changing already. Yes I let out a string of curse words after a real close look at the comb. Now, regardless, he's staying, I'll make it work somehow, but I am open to name suggestions. He's still a sweetheart and very friendly. I would almost name him "Brad" after the late white silkie "Useless Farms" had. Brad was a jerk though, I'm almost afraid to use it and Calypso turn into a jerk after his namesake. I'm still very tempted anyway. I loved Brad and his jerkiness from afar.

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Prince is another name I'm toying with after "chookens" lovely sweet white boy.

So friends, who is he? Is he Brad or is he Prince? I'm also open to suggestions for this little guy.

Calypso is a good neuter name... IMO I wouldn't change it. But it's your birdie & you can even name it Blackie if it works for you

Adorable sweetie any way you look at him.

I agree, Calypso seems neither male nor female, good for both. “Soca” or “Sokah” means Soul of Calypso. I just read that another Caribbean music genre closely related is “Kaiso”.

@RebeccaBoyd “Blackie” actually works too - there is a Caribbean connection there - Chris Blackwell was a good friend and supporter of Bob Marley and the Wailers from very early on, he was Bob’s friend for life.

 

[SimpleJenn]

I was wondering why the guinea birds were freaking out when I walked away the other night...this is the GLOW IN THE DARK back of my new hoodie

 

[bgmathteach]

@bgmathteach You have mother ducks, right? The reason I ask is because I learned that if you don’t have a mother duck to waterproof the ducklings, they should get very limited swimming time until they are 5-6 weeks old. Otherwise they can get waterlogged and drown or catch a chill. Because their oil glands aren’t developed yet.

The babies don't have swimming water yet - they have a deep enough dish to dunk their beaks in, but they can't get into it/really swim in it - though they can/do get their breast wet with the splashing of their beaks. The adults have actual an actual swim tub.

And, they do have a brooder plate to warmup with...they may not need the brooder plate much longer at night if they stay in the house...but I really need to get them out...so might have to run an extension cord out to the small hut I have waiting for them.

You are correct about the oil gland. Mom's oil their feathers (well, down) for them. Wild ducks have their babies in the water within 1-2 days - they are super vulnerable on land, and so have to go to the water quickly as there are fewer (not non) predators in the water. Mine were hatched in an incubator. i used to have 2 ducks that always went co-broody. I lost one fo the two this spring...and the other one (who was always the 'lead broody'), didn't go broody at all this year.

 

[SimpleJenn]

Navy and her baby beans

I filled this and put the black bowl on top as a lid THIS MORNING
They emptied it! That's it, now you gotta eat the floor food.


The criminals in question. They will be off heat this weekend. Then it'll be deciding how to divide them between rangers and run dwellers...

 

[bgmathteach]

…


Daisy - hope she moults soon too, she’s looking a bit rough.
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She has started moulting - just slowly - but fast enough to no longer look polished. She is still lovely, though

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

Twofer Tuesday
They are inseparable.

 

[Ikslo]

The Red (RIR pullet) wasn’t roosting at lockdown tonight. Saw her an hour before. Heard nothing. Sigh. Hope she turns up in the morning.

 

[Ponypoor]

Hatch day is nearing.

I did one last candle of the eggs tonight, still some room to move somewhat for the wee kiddies, but it’s getting tight in those eggs.

I will let Whiskers off the nest one more time tomorrow night, then she will be on lock down. Silkies generally hatch day 19, and these eggs will likely also hatch then.

Today is day 17, so Thursday night is the time to watch and see if any will hatch then. It’s the long weekend coming up and I couldn’t have planned it any better to be home.

Am I eggcited? Of course, but also dreading what is to come with the cockerels. I am hoping my neighbour will take all the chicks back (minus the one that may be a Polish Pullet), they have their chooks listed for sale all the time so their place is known. The chicks can stay here until Whiskers weans them then hoping they can get new homes.

Meanwhile the Noirans are still up in the air, I may sell them as a group when they get older, I will see how they mature.

One rooster is gone - the big statue of the white Roo is gone! But I am sure it’s because there is construction going on there - Enbridge is running a pipeline through there so Mr Roo had to be moved. I would have happily housed him here for a while

Mr Roo, where are you?!
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You all remember Mr Roo?

Wonder how heavy he is?

 

[Ponypoor]

Yes darn it. Color at weeks old. Why is there color at 2 weeks old.

Yep frustrating, and why I am dreading these eggs hatching.