Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Sylvester017]

These are her tail feathers. Started the first time she moulted (she’s 5 now) one tail feather grew in sticking out, then them next time 2 feathers grew in sticking out. Now she has these.

Very odd…!

Angel wings in ducks & water fowl is not good for birds that migrate but I don't think it's a problem for chickens... unless it's severe or causes the bird pain on it's wing feather muscle/joint? I did some reading on the causes in water fowl but didn't find anything on chickens.

 

[RoyalChick]

Temps here finally dropped to close to normal for time of year, had to clean snow off rig to come home from work (no snow at home, but had it most of the way).

Half dark and the rock keeping the hatch from closing had been nudged....birds everywhere.....got mobbed when went out to get it sorted. Took lantern out and had the Pied Piper effect going as they followed me to the coop, begging to be let in. Ended up with a Reverse Clown Car as they went popping back inside. And couldn't open the big door so they could go in faster as they crowded in too close. The push died and I had to herd Matilda who was hanging back.

I followed her in for a head count....came up short by several. Found a spot in the coop to hang the lantern so they could finish getting themselves settled while I went back out to see if I could figure out where the rest decided to roost. 2 whitish ghosts on the woodpile answered at least part of that. Grabbed one of wood splitting area lanterns and took a closer look: Arabel up high, PITA on the pile restraining wall......and Nellie and Pippa blending in in-between.....oh, boy. NONE are willing to be handled....and Bijou in also climbing around on the pile, wanting her dinner....

Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to climb about on a woodpile with a lantern in one hand, a reluctantly perching chicken sitting on the other and while attempting to spit cat tail plumes out of your mouth as the cat weaves through all of that????

All 4 perched....if only briefly, and launched from my hand to make their own way to the coop where the other lantern was still lighting the roost options for them.

All settled and accounted for in the coop, no eggs (not surprising under today's circumstances), coop closed, lanterns put away and I had to gargle the fur out.

Sorry to laugh, but yes I can totally imagine how hard it is.
One thing is clear however, you need a headlamp!

 

[rural mouse]

Sorry to laugh, but yes I can totally imagine how hard it is.
One thing is clear however, you need a headlamp!

I wouldn't use it. The band is made of polyester and I have more than enough on my plate without trying to figure out an alternative that the light can clip to.

these are the lanterns and we've scattered shepherd crook garden plant hangers around the property in strategic locations (next to the hatch for the wood bin, just outside the door to the coop...) so hangers are available, but they also clip to tree branches. Way up under the deck on top of the wood pile isn't a spot I expected to need one. May have to put a nail in so I have a hanger for next time.

 

[RoyalChick]

I wouldn't use it. The band is made of polyester and I have more than enough on my plate without trying to figure out an alternative that the light can clip to. View attachment 4269096these are the lanterns and we've scattered shepherd crook garden plant hangers around the property in strategic locations (next to the hatch for the wood bin, just outside the door to the coop...) so hangers are available, but they also clip to tree branches. Way up under the deck on top of the wood pile isn't a spot I expected to need one. May have to put a nail in so I have a hanger for next time.

Sorry, I forgot the polyester issue. I like the lanterns. I think Kelly has a headlamp attached to a hat (which sadly is probably also polyester - but could theoretically be wool or cotton).
I wear my headlamp over the hood of my cotton hoodie - but I don’t have a massive skin issue with the stuff so don’t need to be too careful.

 

[RoyalChick]

FBA Synopsis
The chicken news for the week to December 20, 2025

Thank you to @knoturavggrl for last week's synopsis which can be found here.

@BY Bob
Has an unexpected waterfall (inside!).

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@ChicoryBlue
Shared how well her polycarbonate roofing is holding up against snow and ice.

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@featherhead007
Was looking for some advice on beak trimming. Members of the group jumped in with advice including a really good idea from @Sylvester017.

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@fuentemoon
Had to deal with locked out chickens.

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@Ikslo
Had a Lost & Found situation.
And a well observed changing of the guard.

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@kattabelly
Is starting a catalogue of chicken sounds.

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@knoturavggrl
Has a great picture selected for the Caption Competition.

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@Labsandchickens8
Had a fascinating but terrifying experience.

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@Pastel the Rooster
Shared sad news about Taffy.

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@Ponypoor
Shared that sadly, Flopsy continues to have issues with her crop, that is some nasty stuff she is dealing with.
Scared the living daylights out of poor long suffering Mr. P.
Has a December broody!
Is dealing with some interesting rooster dynamics.
Thank goodness someone is ensuring Pony takes a rest.

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@RoyalChick
Got her first real snow of the year and Mr. Chips could not be less interested.
And she is worried about Cookie.

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@rural mouse
Had an adventure in the dark.

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@SimpleJenn
Had to deal with so much blood. Fortunately all is well.

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@Sylvester017
Also has a December broody - but at least it isn't Canada!

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The Days of our week
Caturday: Someone has taken over the sofa; BIG CAT!
Pony Sunday: Prairie Chickens; A mystery visitor who turns out to be a vole; Beautiful Kazakh horses

Mugshot Monday: Petra all grown up; Geronimo up high; Mr. Wyandottey; Dutch, Blaze, & Blackberry ; Matilda, Hawthorne, Jax, Tundra; Macaroni

2fer Tuesday: The House chickens got stuck outside; Triptych

Wattle Wednesday: Tiny and a wattle wobble workout; Ginormous!; Still growing; Dutch; Mrs. LC ; Tippy

Thirsty Thursday: Flopsy

Fluffy Butt Friday: Albis (confusingly on the right day); Many fluffy butts

 

[rural mouse]

Sorry, I forgot the polyester issue. I like the lanterns. I think Kelly has a headlamp attached to a hat (which sadly is probably also polyester - but could theoretically be wool or cotton).
I wear my headlamp over the hood of my cotton hoodie - but I don’t have a massive skin issue with the stuff so don’t need to be too careful.

That lantern lights around it and out the bottom. The handle is wide enough to go on the back of 3 fingers so the hand is still usable....sort of. And it has feet so you can set it down...although with the bottom light stiffled, it changes how it lights up the area. You can also change how bright it is. Made by Ozark trail, I think. Found at Walmart for about $10. DH wanted a couple more so he can split wood at night (he works nights so it works). I take mine out to the coop when I have to put out feed in the dark and can even clip it to the bucket handle. I also take it along when walking Sherlock in the dark even though he has a light up collar for those walks. I have a hook next to the patio so can light up the grass when playing with kitties and Sherlock too.

 

[Labsandchickens8]

The polish pen. They can go out to the run if they want to...
View attachment 4268897
Spotty is a pretty girl
View attachment 4268898
Snowball
View attachment 4268899
Louis
View attachment 4268900Vuitton

They are all so beautiful!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Temps here finally dropped to close to normal for time of year, had to clean snow off rig to come home from work (no snow at home, but had it most of the way).

Half dark and the rock keeping the hatch from closing had been nudged....birds everywhere.....got mobbed when went out to get it sorted. Took lantern out and had the Pied Piper effect going as they followed me to the coop, begging to be let in. Ended up with a Reverse Clown Car as they went popping back inside. And couldn't open the big door so they could go in faster as they crowded in too close. The push died and I had to herd Matilda who was hanging back.

I followed her in for a head count....came up short by several. Found a spot in the coop to hang the lantern so they could finish getting themselves settled while I went back out to see if I could figure out where the rest decided to roost. 2 whitish ghosts on the woodpile answered at least part of that. Grabbed one of wood splitting area lanterns and took a closer look: Arabel up high, PITA on the pile restraining wall......and Nellie and Pippa blending in in-between.....oh, boy. NONE are willing to be handled....and Bijou in also climbing around on the pile, wanting her dinner....

Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to climb about on a woodpile with a lantern in one hand, a reluctantly perching chicken sitting on the other and while attempting to spit cat tail plumes out of your mouth as the cat weaves through all of that????

All 4 perched....if only briefly, and launched from my hand to make their own way to the coop where the other lantern was still lighting the roost options for them.

All settled and accounted for in the coop, no eggs (not surprising under today's circumstances), coop closed, lanterns put away and I had to gargle the fur out.

Laugh emoji for the scrambling and the gargling….Smart to leave a light in the coop on as directional for the woodpile gang!

 

[Ponypoor]

Temps here finally dropped to close to normal for time of year, had to clean snow off rig to come home from work (no snow at home, but had it most of the way).

Half dark and the rock keeping the hatch from closing had been nudged....birds everywhere.....got mobbed when went out to get it sorted. Took lantern out and had the Pied Piper effect going as they followed me to the coop, begging to be let in. Ended up with a Reverse Clown Car as they went popping back inside. And couldn't open the big door so they could go in faster as they crowded in too close. The push died and I had to herd Matilda who was hanging back.

I followed her in for a head count....came up short by several. Found a spot in the coop to hang the lantern so they could finish getting themselves settled while I went back out to see if I could figure out where the rest decided to roost. 2 whitish ghosts on the woodpile answered at least part of that. Grabbed one of wood splitting area lanterns and took a closer look: Arabel up high, PITA on the pile restraining wall......and Nellie and Pippa blending in in-between.....oh, boy. NONE are willing to be handled....and Bijou in also climbing around on the pile, wanting her dinner....

Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to climb about on a woodpile with a lantern in one hand, a reluctantly perching chicken sitting on the other and while attempting to spit cat tail plumes out of your mouth as the cat weaves through all of that????

All 4 perched....if only briefly, and launched from my hand to make their own way to the coop where the other lantern was still lighting the roost options for them.

All settled and accounted for in the coop, no eggs (not surprising under today's circumstances), coop closed, lanterns put away and I had to gargle the fur out.

How did I miss this 'tale'? Oh I can just imagine you scrambling around on that wood pile! This is where a go-pro head-cam would be handy - just saying!




Best thing ever are my head lanterns - I have two so that I can swap them out if one's batteries die out. Or I can hang one in the Hen House to get everyone settled while herding the rest to bed.

 

[Ponypoor]

Fiancé does not want cameras. I don’t care enough one way or the other to fight him on it. I work from home at least, so I do listen for them all day and try my best to go out there whenever possible. I watch them. At this point, I haven’t seen any abnormal issues with the gals, and none seem to be stressed out. The smaller two are the best fliers and seem to be able to get away quite easily if they don’t want to be bothered. I don’t see any one gal getting more attention than the rest. All the boys were good about leaving Einstein alone while she was molting. There’s enough roosting space that they don’t seem to fight about where to sleep. It’s been awhile since I witnessed any issues there. I’m just going to observe for the next few weeks, and if needed, I will consider possibly adding another coop and separating some or letting them separate themselves. I’d rather not have to manage separate free-ranging though. There is always the possibility of removing a roo altogether, but I’d rather not have to do that unless I can’t find other resolution. Right now, Curiosity is just maintaining distance. Clearly dethroned and pouting about it.

No camera?! But they are so entertaining, esp at 2am when you see someone launching themselves off the roost into the abyss! Oh did I mention I was 4,000km away and couldn't do anything about it!

You ok Marty???

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...es-stories-of-our-flock.1286630/post-28862646


FYI - it is pitch dark in there, looks light because of the IR cameras.