Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[knoturavggrl]

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.

I have 5 Swedish Flower Hens, one of which is a Rooster, 2 Silkies one is Rooster, and 1 Bantam Cochin. Two Roosters and 6 hens is not the best balance, I had more bantams but lost 4 to a dog I believe This is why I am looking for a breed to bridge the divide.

Thank you for the feedback on the Shetlands! They sound like they might well be a great fit. The head poofs don’t bother me, two of the SFH’s have small crests and of course the Silkies have head poofs and beards.

 

[BY Bob]

Well, not yet. And I just learned that the new punch shavings I got that are really course are hard for her to navigate. So I think I’m gonna remove them from the little dog house and just fold it up for now. And rake away the course shavings from it so she doesn’t have trouble getting to it.

This is how we learn what is best. Try and observe. I'm so glad you are dedicated to helping her. I expected nothing less.

 

[BY Bob]

I've mentioned this on a couple of other threads but I feel like everyone needs to know that yesterday I saw my ridiculous broody tuck an egg so far under herself that she end up doing a summersault. Head over heels, landed upside-down on her shoulders, legs and bum in the air

Pity the poor chick that ends up hatching under that galumphing great goofball

The old forward roll.

 

[BY Bob]

Two-fer Tuesday.
View attachment 4245893

Lovely ladies!

 

[BY Bob]

Some SFH photos

Thyme, my shoe is in the way but he’s still handsome:
View attachment 4246584
Porcini - love her colors
View attachment 4246585
And Chervil who just waits to use me as a roost but I do end up with great photos of her.
View attachment 4246586
View attachment 4246583
And some funny ones too.. I don’t what I said that offended her so much!
View attachment 4246587

They are so very pretty.

 

[BY Bob]

That's what I thought. She is one determined girl. The white tank behind her is where we store hay. She and a few others discovered it, then we blocked their escape route. Except this one, I have to tie up or cut out more grape vines that are enabling her.
When I figured out what was happening...I found 30 eggs. I was wondering why I wasn't getting very many...
View attachment 4246311View attachment 4246312

Those are some beautiful eggs!

 

[knoturavggrl]

How about Legbars? I have found them to be delightful and quirky and just tipping the scale at 4lb or less.
Piglet and Pooh are both Legbars.
They lay blue eggs, though not it seems at the moment!

This is Pooh
View attachment 4248557

And this is Piglet napping in the sun
View attachment 4248559

Here they are both enjoying some wild water.
View attachment 4248560

And Piglet ensuring nobody else can enjoy the foot water.
View attachment 4248562

I will put them on the list! Thank you, I didn’t realize they were such dainty ladies. Piglet is quite the character isn’t she? She definitely seems to be saying Mine Alll Mine!

Hamburgs
They're about the smallest standard size bird. Cheetah is a gold penciled one. Lark and Indigo are his daughters and kept the size. He's supposed to top out at 5 pounds with the ladies at 4 pounds. Same stats for the silver spangled versions. I haven't weighed them, but with all the ranging they do, I don't think he's more than 4 soaking wet and the girls are smaller. They're very active, alert, agile and quick. They're also very much "dont touch". Cheetah has accepted assistance without complaint when he's moulting particularly miserably, but otherwise it's hands off...but willing to hang out near by. They're also much more of the type to avoid, dodge and put space between birds rather than thump

Thank you My list is growing! They sound like they have a lovely temperament and they are really pretty birds too! I tend to let my birds be what they are, if they are friendly wonderful if not I am happy to enjoy watching them peck around.

 

[knoturavggrl]

How about these Appenzeller Spitzhauben

https://livestockconservancy.org/spitzhauben-chicken/

I would have loved to get a couple of them.

I have heard of these but only in passing, another possibility to consider, thank you! I am so glad to have asked everyone, many more possibilities than I imagined. The silver spangled is really eye catching and their crests are so cute!

 

[Ponypoor]

I have heard of these but only in passing, another possibility to consider, thank you! I am so glad to have asked everyone, many more possibilities than I imagined. The silver spangled is really eye catching and their crests are so cute!

How about the OEGB - mine are excellent fliers and run/fly like the dickens. Now my only issue with them is the cold weather. They are not winter hardy, I use the supplemental heat for them to warm up under. And Mrs LC I bring into the feedroom at night when it’s really cold.

But they are hilarious little birds and really friendly. Mrs LC enjoys a nice nap in my lap when I am working at my laptop

Edit:

Oh and don’t think Polish can’t fly… Petra tonight flew 20’ to try and land on me she has a attached herself to me since her sister died.

Of course I saw this object flying towards me and I just ducked! And the poor dear she flew into the door rather then land on me! Epic fail I told her when I picked her up to snuggle her.

But in my defence one learns to duck when something is coming towards them when one works with crazy horses!

Every night it’s the same thing, she wants to fly up on me while I am doing chores. I am thinking of getting one of those baby carriers one sees people carrying their pets around in she’s such a sweetheart though. I have been swaddling her in a towel at night to roost in her crate.

I’ve been keeping her in the feedroom where it’s warmer since she can’t roost and snuggle with the others. She’s getting along really well with the main gang during the day.