Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[TOMTE]

Well without seeing her myself I can only say that it could be anything.

One year, one of my hens was going through her first moult (I think it was Dorothy) and she started walking backwards and in circles and generally not acting right.

Of course this freaked me out, but then I realized that it was her pin feathers on her belly which were causing her distress. I tell you though it really had me worried; I was sure she was dying. Once I realized it was her feathers, I put her up on top of my round bale to eat and drink away from the others and just made sure she wasn’t bothered by the others.

I also figured out that she enjoyed a gentle massage of her belly feathers.

For your girl I would just ensure she is eating and drinking ok, and keep her quiet for a couple days.

Next year you might want to look at some electric fencing to keep them from wandering and keep some larger ground predators out.

You can use these plastic poles and run about three strands along the bottom to keep the chooks in, and put another one up at about the 2’ level to keep out dogs, foxes, bears…..
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They are super easy to put up the spike at the bottoms gets stuck into the ground, and easy to take down, I would use the electric twine rather than the tape.

Anyways it’s an option for you in the future.

Dad and I have talked about electric fencing, I think it was you who brought it up after Aliss was bit by the dog. It's a possibility, as always, it just comes down to $. We've also thought about expanding the run all the way down the hill to the playhouse. We have ideas, just need to decide which one would be best for our situation and save up to do it.

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

She’s a beauty

Did you do your homework?

Most of it! My family is forcing me to go to a store kinda like TSC today, so I’m going to have to finish it once we get home.
I’m not complaining though. Rural King is amazing.

Tax: Here is another one of my Polish mix roosters comb. I call this guy Roadrunner, because the is the fastest chicken I have ever seen. My dad started calling him it, so I just decided to name him it.
I have no idea who his mom is, but his dad was Nemesis.

 

[Ponypoor]

In honor of Pony Sunday....View attachment 4216328I bring you a Dragon in the Skies!

We’ll call him Puff

Looks like nice weather out your way - it’s glorious here!

Guess what I’m doing?

 

[Ponypoor]

Most of it! My family is forcing me to go to a store kinda like TSC today, so I’m going to have to finish it once we get home.
I’m not complaining though. Rural King is amazing.

Tax: Here is another one of my Polish mix roosters comb. I call this guy Roadrunner, because the is the fastest chicken I have ever seen. My dad started calling him it, so I just decided to name him it.
I have no idea who his mom is, but his dad was Nemesis.
View attachment 4216336

Another handsome wee fellow

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

Pony Sunday-
A while back, I was lunging Auggie and I was petting him after I decided he had done enough. He grabbed the lunge whip out of my hand and held it in his mouth.
It was hilarious.

 

[rural mouse]

Most of it! My family is forcing me to go to a store kinda like TSC today, so I’m going to have to finish it once we get home.
I’m not complaining though. Rural King is amazing.

Tax: Here is another one of my Polish mix roosters comb. I call this guy Roadrunner, because the is the fastest chicken I have ever seen. My dad started calling him it, so I just decided to name him it.
I have no idea who his mom is, but his dad was Nemesis.
View attachment 4216336

That looks like a rose comb with the polish V mixed in.

 

[bgmathteach]

@rural mouse, @bgmathteach, @Ponypoor
You three are terrible enablers! I found myself actually considering keeping him. This is NOT what I planned!
If this is what happens you will have to guide me. I am already worried as I have not got close to the Littles. Mostly that is because they belong to Tassels and though she is reasonably chill about me being around it isn't like she approves of me trying to pick them up and most of the day she has them deep in the bushes where I couldn't reach them anyway.
Do I need to start trying to get them to like me? Or won't that make any difference to any relationship with a roo in the long term? It isn't like any of mine are lap chickens.
I can't believe I am even considering this!

Just being around them - so they know you aren't a threat - is really all you NEED with a roo. As Tassels gives them up, you might want to start giving treats...and giving them to him first (i.e. near him) so he can tib-bit to the others (again, after Tassels gives them up, and as he approaches 'teen stage'. Do be prepared for the idiot phase, and watch to be sure the older girls thump him, and teach him manners....otherwise, nope, there is really nothing different to do with him versus all girls.....just respect that the 'girls' will become 'his' as he ages into it.
(again, assuming it is a 'he' not a she - don't worry - either way, it WILL be fine!)

 

[TOMTE]

Just remembered... Esme tid-bitted the other day. She found a cricket in the grass and was picking it up and dropping it, making the tuk-tuk noise. None of the other chickens were around, just me... But when I went to check it out she ate it

 

[knoturavggrl]

@RoyalChick This was my BCM’s @ about 7 weeks or so. Brownie had a really prominent comb, they both had combs
at about 3 weeks. His kept growing and getting darker red while hers remained where you see it in this picture until she matured. Contrasting greatly with the other pullets of other breeds who at this point had almost no comb or wattle development at all. I know it’s not the same breed but both breeds do end up with good sized combs and wattles so I thought perhaps this comparison would help you. I do think there is still reason to hope Chippy is a pullet.

 

[Ponypoor]

@RoyalChick This was my BCM’s @ about 7 weeks or so. Brownie had a really prominent comb, they both had combs
at about 3 weeks. His kept growing and getting darker red while hers remained where you see it in this picture until she matured. Contrasting greatly with the other pullets of other breeds who at this point had almost no comb or wattle development at all. I know it’s not the same breed but both breeds do end up with good sized combs and wattles so I thought perhaps this comparison would help you. I do think there is still reason to hope Chippy is a pullet.
View attachment 4216417View attachment 4216418

Well I guess now I know we’re my kiddies get their lack of tails from!