Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

I guess it's a fact we know what they were being raised for... fighting is in their genes

They are scaring away my tame good layers! Dakota went missing again and now Blue didn’t come home last night either.

 

[RoyalChick]

Synopsis of chicken news for the week to October 18th
Thank you @knoturavggrl for last week's synopsis which can be found here.

@BY Bob
The big news from FBA this week has been the integration of the little Polish super-models. Their first introduction was on Saturday. All went well, but at night it was clear that they are not yet besties.
The pattern repeated the following night, but there is some progress, and tomorrow is a very big day.
Everyone got a check up from Dr. Bob.
And he remembered Phyllis the party girl.

*************************


@ChicoryBlue
There is a difficult situation developing with regard to the lovely Hazel who is being harassed by the young cockerel Shehnai and now picked on by the young pullets. It is distressing and Chicory is maintaining her calm astonishingly well while others here are offering sound advice (while @RoyalChick stands by in horror at what may be coming her way as Mr. Chips grows).
As they say on the news 'THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY' ......
Here is the situation last Saturday, and thinking on Sunday.
Some advice from @bgmathteach.
And some perspective from @ChicoryBlue on what is causing the difficult dynamics.
An idea from @Ponypoor.
And more thoughts from @rural mouse.
By Monday poor Hazel had withdrawn from the situation entirely and setting up a separate space for her and some of the BOs may be necessary.
@rural mouse shared some relevant experience.
The Hazel saga has many moving parts.
Now on to the planning stage.

**************************


@featherhead007
Had a scare when Dakota went missing, happily she has now returned, but sounds like she may have a hidden nest.

**************************


@Ikslo
Brought leftovers, and the poor pups got mobbed.
And integration of Dusty is going well, though it is possible he was kept in less than ideal conditions and needs to get used to a better life.
Is experiencing a broody hen for the first time in a less than convenient spot.

***************************


@Ponypoor
Oh no - Reenie trod on one of the Silkies - amazingly the little one is fine, I'm not sure we can say the same for Pony's heart!
And we learned that Kelly has Sweeney Todd somewhere in her family tree! Now that they have been to the barber, they are able to see well enough to escape when Kelly tries to catch them. No good deed goes unpunished!
Kelly is getting on top of the wheezy chickens - Patches is the latest to be afflicted, and hopefully they will all soon be well again.

**************************


@RoyalChick
Has a honker.
She also fears that Cookie may have feathers in place of brains.
Tassels read her chicks a bed-time story, and then left them in their brooder box so she could reclaim her favorite roost spot.
Finally the Littles figured it out (well mainly), and in the middle of the muddle, somehow a chicken got a name.
RC also took a wander down memory lane.

**************************


@rural mouse
Treated us all to some clown car videos.

**************************


@SimpleJenn
Has found a home for Delft's chicks, their move went smoothly.


*****************************************************************************************

Days of the week

Caturday
@BY Bob brought us wild water, and @Ikslo shared jungle kitty.
@Grandma The Chicken brought us a throwback Caturday.
@rural mouse contributed a late Caturday.
@Pebbles25 posted a great Caurday picture on Wednesday (I seriously cannot keep up!).
@GregnLety at least seems aware that his adorable Caturday picture was a day early.

Pony Sunday
@kattabelly introduced us to their 'ducks'.
@Marie2020 posted something that was not really about ponies (or 'ducks') but is well worth watching.

Mugshot Monday.
@kattabelly posted a simply stunning mugshot and some Zebra boys they swapped.
@Ikslo got Lacy to pose.
@Ponypoor shared several mugs - including the recently shorn.
@RoyalChick posted a picture of a very large crop with a goofy mug attached.
@knoturavggrl has joined @notabitail in day of the week confusion, but posted some lovely mugs.

Two-fer Tuesday.
@RoyalChick had some twofers.
@rural mouse had mathematically suspect twofers.
@Grandma The Chicken had a twofer that was also a first for Raven, and now Raven is up to three.
@BY Bob shared the two new ladies.

Wattles Wednesday.
@SimpleJenn shared some great wattles.
@kattabelly had some windy wattles.
@rural mouse showed some very pretty wattles.
@featherhead007 as always, brought us magnificent wattles.

Thirsty Thursday.
@kattabelly has chickens who appreciate the finest wild water.
@Ponypoor beats that with manure water!
@rural mouse serves rubber water.

Fluffy Butt Friday.
@BY Bob shared some Polish fluffy butts - though in all honesty there is more fluff on their heads than their butts.
@SimpleJenn was able to show us what a real fluffy butt looks like.
@notabitail posted a fluffy butt picture on a Friday (which has now got me all confused).

 

[Sally PB]

Big Day Tomorrow

All the chickens will be mixed together......

 

[RoyalChick]

Made it to my flight (just). Yesterday Cookie managed the complicated task of going South in order to get in the door to go North like a pro.
But this morning coming off the roost she was puzzled and ended up doing a complex in-flight turning maneuver rather than hopping down and turning around.

I fear direction finding may never be her strength.

And those who said I shouldn’t worry about the size difference between Mr. Chips and my small hens because hatchery stock rarely reach full size for his breed (9lb) should look at these two photos.
Now they are roosting I should be able to get a weight on him. I also feel Cookie is not growing as fast as she should though apart from her topographical disorientation, she seems healthy enough.
For anyone confused by the roosting picture. Zoom in to locate little Cookie. She is in between Tassels and (huge) Mr. Chips!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

@Ponypoor
Outside of a climbing rose bush already on the property we never planted any bushes, flowers, or trees that might be harmful to chickens. I know Oleander is deathly toxic if ingested but other than that I'm no expert.

https://web.archive.org/web/20160313051928/http://poultryhelp.com/toxicplants.html#R
Rhododendron spp. (AZALEAS,LAUREL, RHODODENDRON); leaves; cardiovascular system affected by the resinoidandromedotoxin.

The big deal on rhododendrons is any honey produced from the flowers, that’s been a problem for humans. I haven’t read anything about the bees being affected.

Haven’t seen any hens or chicks eat fresh or old dead leaves here. It’s not likely anyone would want to, as the toxin produces a burning sensation in the mouth. Chickens do sort through the forest floor litter and pick off bugs on the bushes.

Microorganisms, sunlight, acidity of soil, rainfall, etc all have influence on breaking down the toxins in the leaves. Rhodos do have the waxy coating which slows it all down some.

https://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/~paulmay/webprojects2001/gerrard/andromedotoxin.html

Concern about livestock grazing near heat-composting facilities that compost vegetation with various toxins is overblown. The grayanotoxins in rhododendrons have three types and one is not very responsive to the hot composting process, but they conclude it’s not a big deal unless it’s the only vegetation used.

https://u.osu.edu/foley.353/#:~:text=Chemical Composition[2],are symptoms of grayanotoxin poisoning.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Made it to my flight (just). Yesterday Cookie managed the complicated task of going South in order to get in the door to go North like a pro.
But this morning coming off the roost she was puzzled and ended up doing a complex in-flight turning maneuver rather than hopping down and turning around.

I fear direction finding may never be her strength.

And those who said I shouldn’t worry about the size difference between Mr. Chips and my small hens because hatchery stick rarely reach full size for his breed (9lb) should look at these two photos.
Now they are roosting I should be able to get a weight on him. I also feel Cookie is not growing as fast as she should though apart from her topographical disorientation, she seems healthy enough.
For anyone confused by the roosting picture. Zoom in to locate little Cookie. She is in between Tassels and (huge) Mr. Chips!
View attachment 4234958View attachment 4234960

So Cookie and Mr. Chips is the only concern, right?

 

[RoyalChick]

So Cookie and Mr. Chips is the only concern, right?

Well I am worried about Piglet and Pooh as well. Piglet is just over 4lb.

 

[rural mouse]

Made it to my flight (just). Yesterday Cookie managed the complicated task of going South in order to get in the door to go North like a pro.
But this morning coming off the roost she was puzzled and ended up doing a complex in-flight turning maneuver rather than hopping down and turning around.

I fear direction finding may never be her strength.

And those who said I shouldn’t worry about the size difference between Mr. Chips and my small hens because hatchery stick rarely reach full size for his breed (9lb) should look at these two photos.
Now they are roosting I should be able to get a weight on him. I also feel Cookie is not growing as fast as she should though apart from her topographical disorientation, she seems healthy enough.
For anyone confused by the roosting picture. Zoom in to locate little Cookie. She is in between Tassels and (huge) Mr. Chips!
View attachment 4234958View attachment 4234960

If Cookie is actually a mottled cochin BANTAM x mottled houdan, then she could end up close to the bantam size or the houdan size or somewhere in between.

McMurray breed weights:
Houdan: 6.5 lbs hen (8 for rooster)
Cochin bantam: 1.75 lbs hen (2 for rooster)

I don't think she's going to be truly bantam sized. Being as Cheetah is tiny for a standard breed (4lb hen, 5lb roo) and he's bred with one of my dark brahmas (9.5 hen, 12 roo), size ratio is similar. Him crossing with brown leghorn, white sapphire (both 4.5 hen, 6 roo) and houdan for 8 chicks, produced 7 keeping the hamburg size/shape. Crossing with a golden wyandotte (6.5 / 8.5) produced 1 squarely in the middle between them and a blend of body shapes. Shan, the Brahma cross, isn't as large as her mother, but is definitely the largest of Cheetah's offspring by a significant margin, rivaling Horus (the leghorn x exception) for size.

This makes me think that when breeds are fairly close in size, the offspring hit one or the other, but the greater the difference, the more likely to be a mean (math) of the 2. Puts Cookie ending up about 4 pounds. Roos stand TALLER than hens even when they're about the same weight. Their legs are longer. Also, hatchery breed weights tend to be heavier than the ranging birds are, so.....I think she's going to be close to Pooh and Piglet in the end.

Currently they're of an age to be going through growth spurts. If he's already started one and she hasn't yet, the side by side size comparison looks skewed. Hawthorne is HUGE compared to Arabel and Matilda at the moment. For the one who feathered out LAST, he sure made up for it with size. Meanwhile those 2 are the smallest little things. With their beards, I think they've got some average EE in them, which should put them larger than Nellie when they're full grown. At the moment, they look like they're going to be Twirp sized. Wait and keep feed available.

When you can't handle/heft/weigh them, size comparison works better when they're sitting on a roost. Takes the leg length out of it.

 

[knoturavggrl]

Synopsis of chicken news for the week to October 18th
Thank you @knoturavggrl for last week's synopsis which can be found here.

@BY Bob
The big news from FBA this week has been the integration of the little Polish super-models. Their first introduction was on Saturday. All went well, but at night it was clear that they are not yet besties.
The pattern repeated the following night, but there is some progress, and tomorrow is a very big day.
Everyone got a check up from Dr. Bob.
And he remembered Phyllis the party girl.

*************************


@ChicoryBlue
There is a difficult situation developing with regard to the lovely Hazel who is being harassed by the young cockerel Shehnai and now picked on by the young pullets. It is distressing and Chicory is maintaining her calm astonishingly well while others here are offering sound advice (while @RoyalChick stands by in horror at what may be coming her way as Mr. Chips grows).
As they say on the news 'THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY' ......
Here is the situation last Saturday, and thinking on Sunday.
Some advice from @bgmathteach.
And some perspective from @ChicoryBlue on what is causing the difficult dynamics.
An idea from @Ponypoor.
And more thoughts from @rural mouse.
By Monday poor Hazel had withdrawn from the situation entirely and setting up a separate space for her and some of the BOs may be necessary.
@rural mouse shared some relevant experience.
The Hazel saga has many moving parts.
Now on to the planning stage.

**************************


@featherhead007
Had a scare when Dakota went missing, happily she has now returned, but sounds like she may have a hidden nest.

**************************


@Ikslo
Brought leftovers, and the poor pups got mobbed.
And integration of Dusty is going well, though it is possible he was kept in less than ideal conditions and needs to get used to a better life.
Is experiencing a broody hen for the first time in a less than convenient spot.

***************************


@Ponypoor
Oh no - Reenie trod on one of the Silkies - amazingly the little one is fine, I'm not sure we can say the same for Pony's heart!
And we learned that Kelly has Sweeney Todd somewhere in her family tree! Now that they have been to the barber, they are able to see well enough to escape when Kelly tries to catch them. No good deed goes unpunished!
Kelly is getting on top of the wheezy chickens - Patches is the latest to be afflicted, and hopefully they will all soon be well again.

**************************


@RoyalChick
Has a honker.
She also fears that Cookie may have feathers in place of brains.
Tassels read her chicks a bed-time story, and then left them in their brooder box so she could reclaim her favorite roost spot.
Finally the Littles figured it out (well mainly), and in the middle of the muddle, somehow a chicken got a name.
RC also took a wander down memory lane.

**************************


@rural mouse
Treated us all to some clown car videos.

**************************


@SimpleJenn
Has found a home for Delft's chicks, their move went smoothly.


*****************************************************************************************

Days of the week

Caturday
@BY Bob brought us wild water, and @Ikslo shared jungle kitty.
@Grandma The Chicken brought us a throwback Caturday.
@rural mouse contributed a late Caturday.
@Pebbles25 posted a great Caurday picture on Wednesday (I seriously cannot keep up!).
@GregnLety at least seems aware that his adorable Caturday picture was a day early.

Pony Sunday
@kattabelly introduced us to their 'ducks'.
@Marie2020 posted something that was not really about ponies (or 'ducks') but is well worth watching.

Mugshot Monday.
@kattabelly posted a simply stunning mugshot and some Zebra boys they swapped.
@Ikslo got Lacy to pose.
@Ponypoor shared several mugs - including the recently shorn.
@RoyalChick posted a picture of a very large crop with a goofy mug attached.
@knoturavggrl has joined @notabitail in day of the week confusion, but posted some lovely mugs.

Two-fer Tuesday.
@RoyalChick had some twofers.
@rural mouse had mathematically suspect twofers.
@Grandma The Chicken had a twofer that was also a first for Raven, and now Raven is up to three.
@BY Bob shared the two new ladies.

Wattles Wednesday.
@SimpleJenn shared some great wattles.
@kattabelly had some windy wattles.
@rural mouse showed some very pretty wattles.
@featherhead007 as always, brought us magnificent wattles.

Thirsty Thursday.
@kattabelly has chickens who appreciate the finest wild water.
@Ponypoor beats that with manure water!
@rural mouse serves rubber water.

Fluffy Butt Friday.
@BY Bob shared some Polish fluffy butts - though in all honesty there is more fluff on their heads than their butts.
@SimpleJenn was able to show us what a real fluffy butt looks like.
@notabitail posted a fluffy butt picture on a Friday (which has now got me all confused).

Awesome synopsis! Thank you and safe travels this week.

 

[RoyalChick]

If Cookie is actually a mottled cochin BANTAM x mottled houdan, then she could end up close to the bantam size or the houdan size or somewhere in between.

McMurray breed weights:
Houdan: 6.5 lbs hen (8 for rooster)
Cochin bantam: 1.75 lbs hen (2 for rooster)

I don't think she's going to be truly bantam sized. Being as Cheetah is tiny for a standard breed (4lb hen, 5lb roo) and he's bred with one of my dark brahmas (9.5 hen, 12 roo), size ratio is similar. Him crossing with brown leghorn, white sapphire (both 4.5 hen, 6 roo) and houdan for 8 chicks, produced 7 keeping the hamburg size/shape. Crossing with a golden wyandotte (6.5 / 8.5) produced 1 squarely in the middle between them and a blend of body shapes. Shan, the Brahma cross, isn't as large as her mother, but is definitely the largest of Cheetah's offspring by a significant margin, rivaling Horus (the leghorn x exception) for size.

This makes me think that when breeds are fairly close in size, the offspring hit one or the other, but the greater the difference, the more likely to be a mean (math) of the 2. Puts Cookie ending up about 4 pounds. Roos stand TALLER than hens even when they're about the same weight. Their legs are longer. Also, hatchery breed weights tend to be heavier than the ranging birds are, so.....I think she's going to be close to Pooh and Piglet in the end.

Currently they're of an age to be going through growth spurts. If he's already started one and she hasn't yet, the side by side size comparison looks skewed. Hawthorne is HUGE compared to Arabel and Matilda at the moment. For the one who feathered out LAST, he sure made up for it with size. Meanwhile those 2 are the smallest little things. With their beards, I think they've got some average EE in them, which should put them larger than Nellie when they're full grown. At the moment, they look like they're going to be Twirp sized. Wait and keep feed available.

When you can't handle/heft/weigh them, size comparison works better when they're sitting on a roost. Takes the leg length out of it.

The Meyer Hatcher site says Cookie should be about 4lb when grown - so similar to Piglet.
I just hope his growth spurt isn’t indicative of final adult size! With kittens paw size is often a good indicator, not sure if there is a chicken equivalent.
I am away about 10 days. A lot of growth can happen in that time and I will do a weighing (including of Tassels and Sylvie) when I get back.
I do love his green tail feathers. I don’t think he will be as eye-catching as your lovely roos (basically just brown) but hopefully still a good looking fella!