Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

I am living through that right now. The Littles are terrified of Calypso and Sylvie and are even wary of Pooh even though she has only a half dozen feathers to her name!

Tough to watch, lots of ups and downs and duck under things to be done. Long term prospect is good.

 

[knoturavggrl]

The minis: Some Butt floof

And some toe floof

 

[knoturavggrl]

Okay, so I just can’t bring myself to get any more bantams. So many losses. So I have been considering trying to bridge the size gap. Here are the breeds that I am pondering on:

Shetlands, small but not quite Bantam small. Hens are 2-3 lbs and they do lay blue/green eggs.

Or … double silver laced barnavelders from Alchemist Farms. Their line they describe as slightly larger than bantams and slightly smaller than a standard sized hen.

Any other breed recommendations or thoughts on these 2 possibilities?

 

[bgmathteach]

wary of Pooh even though she has only a half dozen feathers to her name!

Ah, but it isn't 'wealth' that makes the man Woman, but the character within!. And Pooh certainly has character!

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

Caturday
This cat decided to be a night owl last night and go on an adventure away from home so he slept in.

 

[Labsandchickens8]

Not saying it'll always work but I think early exposure & integration can really help with getting chickens to accept different-looking breeds. Crests aren't even really noticeable on chicks until they're feathered - other than maybe a bit of extra fluff, or sometimes a vaulted skull - so they're already accepted as a part of the group before they start looking different. Once there are older chickens who are already used to crested birds, introducing more is less of an issue even if they're already fully feathered.

My first 3 chickens were 2 Polish and a Bresse my husband wanted because she looks cool. The Bresse is a mean bossy sort who made their lives hard until we integrated 7 young pullets I brooded in the house. It turns out the two breeds were a bad combo but I didn't know and the breeder didn't say a word.
Then the 2 Polish gave the young ones a run for their money, which was funny to watch. Then one Polish went broody, which isn't supposed to happen, and when she tried to move back into the roosting coop after 23 days the Bresse led an attack that hurt her badly. Hence, her own run and coop that she again rules, with the other sweet little Polish along for the ride.
So the Polish can be spunky given a chance in my experience.

 

[kattabelly]

Shetlands, small but not quite Bantam small. Hens are 2-3 lbs and they do lay blue/green eggs.

Not sure what the ones you have over there are like but I really like my Shetlands. No issues raising them with much bigger Barred Rocks or Light Sussex that were also several weeks older, or introducing them to my bossy, mean murderbird later on. They'll actually peck huge rats on the head and chase them off when they're trying to steal food, which is more than any of my other chickens bother doing Really bonnie looking birds too.

Some will likely be very tappit (almost look like Polish) and need haircuts, in case that's a deal-breaker for you. My two that do are also idiots even when they can see, but I've never noticed them being bullied.

 

[Ponypoor]

Palindrome
23732

 

[Ponypoor]

I am living through that right now. The Littles are terrified of Calypso and Sylvie and are even wary of Pooh even though she has only a half dozen feathers to her name!

Mine are mingling with them no issues unless there are treats. Then it’s every chook for themselves!

 

[kattabelly]

But once they get around 12 weeks of age it’s time for them to learn the way of the chicken and the Grups make sure the wee ones are put in their place!

I've seen it go that way before but this time around, they got all that out of the way much earlier. Not-so-littles are just coming up to 12 weeks old now and while they still regroup a few times a day, and all sleep together both at night and for daytime naps, they're often splitting off as individuals or pairs/trios and hanging out alongside the older birds now. They aren't really included yet but they're allowed to tag along, and even eat next to them some of the time. A few already have clear preferences, like my chonky white Ixworth who likes the Light Sussex girls.

Still got all the cockerel clobbering business yet to come, mind.