Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Well, with the dynamics in your flock, I have no fear of any of the young pullets joining in and attacking an older hen - your older girls are all 'strong' in their own right, unlike Hazel who was always a bit of a wall-flower until she became queen by default due to her age and status. Each flock is different, but @ChicoryBlue 's present dynamics are very, very unusual in the sense that pullets are joining in with a young roo's marauding!!!!

Yes true, and none of mine are elderly - they are all young and strong. But I do worry about my two little ones - Piglet and Cookie.
Beating up Cookie has already started - fortunately she flies quite well. And of course she has taken to chest bumping Mr. Chips which is quite bizarre really!
I am looking at opportunities to add even more junk so that there are lots of hiding places. One of the (no longer safe for people) cedar Adirondack chairs could maybe come inside the Chicken Palace for example. It is so cold and wet and windy right now I don't think I can make that move today and I am not 100% sure it will fit through the door!

Tax: Tassels and her gang

 

[featherhead007]

I really need to get something off my chest…… but Coco won’t budge! She likes napping on me, just like she did as a chick. Now shes probably seven pounds. Heavy!

 

[kattabelly]

Very nice! Should be more durable than wood... especially since your climate near the sea has a lot of moisture.

It's not built for Orkney weather - it gets full of rain. It'll be regulated to backup housing soon, once the final long-term rebuild is finished. A few of them are still choosing to roost in there for now and it's easier to just let them and avoid the hassle of teaching them to sleep somewhere different more than once.

 

[rural mouse]

Chicory blue explained that earlier. The BOs will fight back/go after him, Hazel doesn't - she just screams and runs away.

I read that as why isn't he trying to mate the BOs....if he could corner one alone...

 

[BY Bob]

I am really surprised at Lady F - I would not have thought she would be so keen to be throwing around her weight, but then having seen Misty (who is generally a quiet no drama hen) take on Raven in a vicious brawl, I guess we really don't know what goes through their minds.

Do you think she is making a pre-emptive strike to ensure that they know their place is below her?

I do. I'm absolutely certain this is about pecking order.

 

[featherhead007]

I wish I could get a cross with one of my Orpingtons and my roo Mr Wyandottey. I’d bet that would be a pretty offspring. So far, no fertile eggs that I could detect.

 

[kattabelly]

I'm with Shad on that. I think it's a "Rooster, come and help!" There's either an issue with the nest or it's I'm done and want to know where the others are. I've seen it happen when they're out of sight of each other, and seen a roo head towards rhe "lost" hen echoing the call until she can see him. Then it's done. When it's an issue with the nest sight, it's usually "the spot I want is occupied. Come and make her move" ( Nellie, Indigo, Rose)

My favourite version that I've heard was between the pullet and cockerel that I'm thinking about hatching chicks from. When she first started laying and he thought she was taking too long, he'd stick his head in the coop and do a really shouty version of the egg song at her

 

[BY Bob]

The deed is done….

Spoiler: Sorry Bob but it had to be done

Spoiler: And now they can play on the pile of branches!

Before
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After!
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Poor Babies

 

[kattabelly]

I wish I could get a cross with one of my Orpingtons and my roo Mr Wyandottey. I’d bet that would be a pretty offspring. So far, no fertile eggs that I could detect.

AI is meant to be quite easy with chickens, I think...

 

[Ponypoor]

Poor Babies

But look at them on the ‘Jungle Gym’ having a blast hopping around the branches