Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

She's got partridge in some of her hens. And silkies have been so mixed as far as colors go.... all I can say is self-blue is the same as lavender, BBS is pretty clear (until it mixes with lavender/self blue), chocolate (I think) is a brown version of BBS...? And lavender and chocolate together do odder things. Add partridge into that (along with whatever is hiding under other stuff) and I'm going with a variation of @RoyalChick and stating "gorgeous feather dusters" (yes, @featherhead007 , I'm acknowledging your term)

Anything goes!

 

[kattabelly]

It must be so breed specific, because I look at Chippy and just see a regular pullet. Is it the stance too? Are there any of the famous pointy feathers anywhere? When compared to this one below, and I mean this kindly, I wonder what you're getting so worked up about, lol!

Okay I'm hijacking your post and saying stop worrying about Chippy and look at this one here!

Also, I'd like to see how Bucky is getting along. Any pictures? Got a bit of her in a Cookie picture...

I give you Shanai. 16 weeks, I think.
Hackles are not pointy yet, though the upper neck feathers are (but so are all of the pullets', to a lesser degree). Saddle is getting significantly defined with drapey & shiny feathers, but not pointy yet. Tail is very seriously roo. But two other pullets are beginning one or two pointy tail feathers now, nothing quite like this though. Leg length & size, game-bird reminiscent when seen from the side, is startling. DH is now stating/asking if she's a rooster. I have not been ready with the camera when there's been the opportunity to show this, but Shanai is 1/3 bigger/ taller than everybody else.

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The top of the cinder block is not a stretch for Shanai
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Some of the other Buckeye pullets. Demure little ones, they are, compared to Shanai.
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Definitely looks like male saddle feathers growing in to me, in the fourth pic especially.

 

[Ponypoor]

Some pups are really true joys... DH was gone for 2 weeks puppysitting DD/SILs dogs & DH took a video of Quincy nudging his hand to scratch her chest. I couldn't wait for Pony Sunday

Isn’t it hilarious how they all have us so well trained!

 

[Marie2020]

I wish we only had squishy green grasshoppers but once in a while a giant brown locust gets a taste of some of our garden leaves & DH & I have to chase it down ourselves. The locusts are very dangerous when caught as their powerful razor-sharp hind legs will saw thru your hands/fingers & bleed bad.

Our chickens avoid those locusts so DH & I capture them w/ a stunning smash, then cut off their heads so the little Silkie beaks can eat the entrails. The outside armour & legs of locusts are too hard & razor-sharp dangerous to ingest.

Locust w/hard armour body & razor-sharp leg barbs

Omg
These are terrifying

 

[rural mouse]

It must be so breed specific, because I look at Chippy and just see a regular pullet. Is it the stance too? Are there any of the famous pointy feathers anywhere? When compared to this one below, and I mean this kindly, I wonder what you're getting so worked up about, lol!

Okay I'm hijacking your post and saying stop worrying about Chippy and look at this one here!

Also, I'd like to see how Bucky is getting along. Any pictures? Got a bit of her in a Cookie picture...

I give you Shanai. 16 weeks, I think.
Hackles are not pointy yet, though the upper neck feathers are (but so are all of the pullets', to a lesser degree). Saddle is getting significantly defined with drapey & shiny feathers, but not pointy yet. Tail is very seriously roo. But two other pullets are beginning one or two pointy tail feathers now, nothing quite like this though. Leg length & size, game-bird reminiscent when seen from the side, is startling. DH is now stating/asking if she's a rooster. I have not been ready with the camera when there's been the opportunity to show this, but Shanai is 1/3 bigger/ taller than everybody else.

View attachment 4219209
View attachment 4219210
View attachment 4219211
View attachment 4219212
View attachment 4219217

The top of the cinder block is not a stretch for Shanai
View attachment 4219227
Some of the other Buckeye pullets. Demure little ones, they are, compared to Shanai.
View attachment 4219215
View attachment 4219216
View attachment 4219226

FWIW, those famous pointy hackle and saddle feathers don't start growing until 10-12 weeks, so Chippy isn't old enough yet. (Most inexperienced eyes don't notice them until 15+ weeks)

Shanai, however, is looking VERY cockerely (99% certain)....and I suggest name shift....Shiner being close.

 

[Ponypoor]

Matilda tried sleeping out again...this time she perched in the Russian Olive just outside the doorView attachment 4218999and was a pain to get to...wouldn't step BOTH feet onto a branch...inserted from any direction....had to slide though the branches (getting my hair tangled in the VERY prickly currant family bush next to it), dodging the 1-2 inch long thorns in the tree itself....slid 1 finger under 1 foot, started on the other with another finger when she fully stepped onto my hand.....only to try to flip her over with a small branch under her chin when I tried to lower her (didn't see the branch in the shadows)....and have her jump when I tried to add my other hand for stability....right into the prickly bush....from whence she scrambled out....the other side....and around the far side of the coop. I grabbed the lantern and ducked around the opposite way, dodging Castor, who had followed Bijou (takes his kitten sitting duties seriously don't he), who had followed me and was frolicking on the open side of the coop. Thankfully she stayed there (her color makes her VANISH when you're looking directly at her). Matilda was loitering around the old hatch when I rounded the coop....to scoot back around the other way (door still open). I ducked back the way I came (Bijou, please stay out of the coop, please stay out of the coop) to find Matilda scrambling up the triangle ramp/stairs inside. Closed the door....AFTER ascertaining the whereabouts of both kitties....who escorted me back to the house....Bijou trying to trip me by POOFING up right in front of me. It's a good thing I didn't try to gather eggs tonight. They'd have gone flying if I didn't land on them first.

I am so sorry to laugh….

But the visual of the branch catching her ‘under the chin’ was just too much for me!

And I am happy to know that others have the same adventures in ‘herding cats’ (chickens) as I do!


Lost Georgie and her 4 brats out in the horse paddock. They are small enough to fit through the chicken netting, not sure how Georgie got out there with them.

Then try herd them all back to the barn - nope didn’t happen. I had to get them to go back the way they came. I was covered on burrs attacked by raspberry brambles, and had to climb two gates. I am getting too old for that crap!

Mr P - fluffy butt in repose

 

[Ponypoor]

I need him
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I need him
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While we are at it...
I want him
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and him
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and him another one just posted, cream
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Gonna be a bit noisy at you place Rebecca!

 

[RoyalChick]

Definitely looks like male saddle feathers growing in to me, in the fourth pic especially.

I don’t really know what I am looking for so I am just posting and hope it will be clear at some point!

 

[RoyalChick]

FWIW, those famous pointy hackle and saddle feathers don't start growing until 10-12 weeks, so Chippy isn't old enough yet. (Most inexperienced eyes don't notice them until 15+ weeks)

Shanai, however, is looking VERY cockerely (99% certain)....and I suggest name shift....Shiner being close.

I didn’t know that. Might be more than two weeks to clarity then.
Maybe I should just stop worrying and accept our fate.

 

[rural mouse]

I am so sorry to laugh….

But the visual of the branch catching her ‘under the chin’ was just too much for me!

And I am happy to know that others have the same adventures in ‘herding cats’ (chickens) as I do!


Lost Georgie and her 4 brats out in the horse paddock. They are small enough to fit through the chicken netting, not sure how Georgie got out there with them.

Then try herd them all back to the barn - nope didn’t happen. I had to get them to go back the way they came. I was covered on burrs attacked by raspberry brambles, and had to climb two gates. I am getting too old for that crap!

Mr P - fluffy butt in repose
View attachment 4219269

That bush last night is nothing but brambles (I'll try get good pic in daylight).

Best way I've found to "herd": 2 people, 1 in front with treats, slowly leaving a trail here and there (scratch/sunflower seeds work well here) with the other behind slowly pushing the stragglers along. If necessary, a stick to extend arm reach for the person behind them. MOST CRITICAL: MOVE SLOWLY. Moving quickly startles them and startled birds go everywhere EXCEPT where you want them to.