Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I've got broody fever rampant here. I evicted Moon yesterday when she showed signs of wanting to sit in the hope that if I caught her early she might change her mind. I felt her underside yesterday and she wasn't very hot.
Moon came to the house quite early today and got in and out of the now empty nest box.
Moon got on to the back of my chair. Her sister Tap will do this if I'm sitting in it. Moon went a step further and got onto my shoulder! I wasn't able to reach my camera easily and disturbed her in the process. The first picture is just after she got off my shoulder.
Moon settled in the empty nest box after a while and had a good rummage about looking for the eggs she had laid I presume. Well, not finding any, she decided to start again.
The next pictures are of Moon laying and egg. A couple of hours after she had laid the egg, Hurry arrived and I watched them drag the single egg back and forth. Eventually Hurry got Moons egg underneath her and laid one of her own which Moon commandeered as soon as Hurry left. Moon now has two eggs.
I'm not left with much choice now. I have to switch Moon's laying cycle off. Guess who is sitting in the nest box in my house this evening.
View attachment 2101003

View attachment 2101005

View attachment 2101009

View attachment 2101010

There is no better feeling than the trust when they choose to sit or roost on you. The trust level is off of the charts and super rewarding. I'm glad that you got rewarded today.

 

[RoyalChick]

That is pretty amazing. It's not easy being alpha hen around here. Lots to do.

• Bully the other hens on the roost
• Help hens find new nests
• Stare at other hens and intimidate them
• Dig holes by the gate
• Chase squirrels and doves
• Mutter all day long
• Inspect and approve all new construction

It's no wonder she needs to take a break and meditate in the nest box every day. Lots of responsibilities and stress.View attachment 2101671

I think all chickens have very busy lives. I still can’t figure who my alpha hen is, but all three Princesses have a lot to do.
There seems to be a lot of gossip to catch up on, and many corners of the Palace to dig holes in (presumably testing the foundations). Then there is more gossip to catch up on. And then they have to fix their feathers Then they have to provide advice on my project of creating the open pasture runs. Today I was out working in their pasture in the pouring rain (it was my only break) and they were nice and dry all lined up criticizing my work. After that they had more gossip to catch up on. I was exhausted just watching them!

 

[Kris5902]

I think all chickens have very busy lives. I still can’t figure who my alpha hen is, but all three Princesses have a lot to do.
There seems to be a lot of gossip to catch up on, and many corners of the Palace to dig holes in (presumably testing the foundations). Then there is more gossip to catch up on. And then they have to fix their feathers Then they have to provide advice on my project of creating the open pasture runs. Today I was out working in their pasture in the pouring rain (it was my only break) and they were nice and dry all lined up criticizing my work. After that they had more gossip to catch up on. I was exhausted just watching them!

I’m sure they weren’t criticizing your work, probably more nattering at you to come in out of the rain!

 

[BY Bob]

Stuck!

I found some thin wire fencing to try and replace the old run with. That way Maleficent's flowers are not hidden behind the big box. I knew the ladies could reach through and snack but I thought this might keep them far enough away that they would not devour the flowers.

It was working splendidly. In fact, aside from a few snips, no one paid the flowers any mind at all. They were more interested in mowing down the tender grass shoots that had been hidden behind the walls of the run.

Sansa thought she had discovered a way to get to the grass easier than the others fighting over the fresh shoots.

She went through the fence and started eating the grass from the flower side of the fence!

She did not bother with the flowers at all. The only problem with her strategy.

She got stuck in the fence trying to get back out!

I love that everyone is looking at her. Can she get out on her own? What's going to happen?

The best is the look of disgust and disappointment on Lilly's face. You can hear her saying, "I taught you better than that".

 

[MaryJanet]

Stuck!

I found some thin wire fencing to try and replace the old run with. That way Maleficent's flowers are not hidden behind the big box. I knew the ladies could reach through and snack but I thought this might keep them far enough away that they would not devour the flowers.

It was working splendidly. In fact, aside from a few snips, no one paid the flowers any mind at all. They were more interested in mowing down the tender grass shoots that had been hidden behind the walls of the run.

Sansa thought she had discovered a way to get to the grass easier than the others fighting over the fresh shoots.

She went through the fence and started eating the grass from the flower side of the fence!

She did not bother with the flowers at all. The only problem with her strategy.

She got stuck in the fence trying to get back out!

View attachment 2101779

I love that everyone is looking at her. Can she get out on her own? What's going to happen?

The best is the look of disgust and disappointment on Lilly's face. You can hear her saying, "I taught you better than that".
View attachment 2101781

So, she got herself out ok?

 

[BY Bob]

So, she got herself out ok?

She did unstick herself.

 

[Shadrach]

Sounds like your flock of chickens is much more welcoming than humans. Animals are by far kinder than most people.

I don't know if they are kinder, but I find some species a lot more interesting.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Alice's tail and leg feathers are starting to open

View attachment 2100158

View attachment 2100159

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I wrote my last post yesterday and forgot to hit "post reply"

This is Alice today

She has been preening and her feathers are opening out nicely

 

[Ribh]

I've got broody fever rampant here. I evicted Moon yesterday when she showed signs of wanting to sit in the hope that if I caught her early she might change her mind. I felt her underside yesterday and she wasn't very hot.
Moon came to the house quite early today and got in and out of the now empty nest box.
Moon got on to the back of my chair. Her sister Tap will do this if I'm sitting in it. Moon went a step further and got onto my shoulder! I wasn't able to reach my camera easily and disturbed her in the process. The first picture is just after she got off my shoulder.
Moon settled in the empty nest box after a while and had a good rummage about looking for the eggs she had laid I presume. Well, not finding any, she decided to start again.
The next pictures are of Moon laying and egg. A couple of hours after she had laid the egg, Hurry arrived and I watched them drag the single egg back and forth. Eventually Hurry got Moons egg underneath her and laid one of her own which Moon commandeered as soon as Hurry left. Moon now has two eggs.
I'm not left with much choice now. I have to switch Moon's laying cycle off. Guess who is sitting in the nest box in my house this evening.
View attachment 2101003

View attachment 2101005

View attachment 2101009

View attachment 2101010

All the sympathies on the broodies. My nutty lot are all taking a break from broodiness just now ~ & very nice too!