Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I appreciate the long post, too, Shad. I’m wondering if it’s just an Illusion when I think Cashew has lost weight. She’s so fluffy, and she is an orpington. She really should be the second heaviest in my flock. But she never has been. Compared to some of the other girls, she’s been on the thinner side, but I can’t really tell until I handle her. And when she gets broody, I handle her more than normal. I was weighing them every couple of months-ish last year. Maybe I should start that back up. But today I’m not too keen on handling them, since they’re having the time of their lives in poison oak forest. Seriously, they are having so much fun, it might be enough to keep Cashew away from the coop today. I still have to handle Ruby twice a day for her meds, and I still have Dorothy on calcium. I’m not sure how I’m gonna get around handling them. Yikes.

As far as the trance, yes! I am familiar with it. The only one of mine who has gotten super broody is Cashew. Bagheera got slightly broody before, Buttercup goes a little bit trance-like occasionally. I’m sure there are others. But those the ones that stick out in my mind right now.

And while I know it is far from it, as a USA backyard chicken person, I do try to simulate nature as close as I’m comfortable with for them. They’re still in a run during the day if I can’t be outside with them with the dog. And there are no roosters. Yes, yes. I know that arrangement is not at all natural. But I do try to provide as much free range time as possible, And I enhance their run with perches, leaves, sticks, grass clippings, etc.

Sorry if I’m sounding defensive. I know I shouldn’t have to justify my position. I’m constantly learning and trying to improve things for them as I learn more about them. I think we all are.

I say this all the time, we all have unique environments in which our flocks exist. We can't all run our flocks the way each other does. We need to do the best we can for the chickens in our care. As long as we do that, who can argue. They key is that the chickens have a great life.

There is nothing that tells me that your chickens don't have a great life, hence you are doing a good job. Keep up the good work.

Let's all learn from each other so we can be better guardians of our flocks. None of those that post here are sitting in judgment of anyone else. We are all just trying to share so others can learn from our experiences and our flocks can lead longer and safer lives.

 

[BY Bob]

How would you Spend a Cold Windy Day?

Lilly has chosen to stay inside, read her book for a while, and have some tea.

 

[featherhead007]

The hens sure are LOUD today. Must be that new roo causing all that ruckuss !

 

[micstrachan]

I say this all the time, we all have unique environments in which our flocks exist. We can't all run our flocks the way each other does. We need to do the best we can for the chickens in our care. As long as we do that, who can argue. They key is that the chickens have a great life.

There is nothing that tells me that your chickens don't have a great life, hence you are doing a good job. Keep up the good work.

Let's all learn from each other so we can be better guardians of our flocks. None of those that post here are sitting in judgment of anyone else. We are all just trying to share so others can learn from our experiences and our flocks can lead longer and safer lives.

Agreed. Thanks, Bob. I love this group, along the the varying perspectives. It’s so awesome to be able to learn and share without judgement.

 

[RoyalChick]

I’m not really sure what’s going to happen here. I may just have to be sure to wash my clothes and have a quick shower after handling them. I am hopeful that a lot of dust bathing will help remove those nasty oil’s.

Take care - I remember the posts when you got it before - you don't want to go there again.

 

[micstrachan]

Sounds like you are a great chicken mom to me!!! I'm not sure I have heard anyone else who weighs their chickens every couple months. And it's great that they get to free range some of the time when you are around, but are kept safe in their run when you're not.

I'm trying to create a similar situation here. They semi-free range in my little orchard now. It is pretty secure, but not 100%. This year we are building a very secure run inside that free range space so I can keep them safe when I'm not around.

I found out last year that I do not have the heart for predator attacks.

So, keep up the great work for your chickens!

Thank you!

 

[micstrachan]

How would you Spend a Cold Windy Day?

Lilly has chosen to stay inside, read her book for a while, and have some tea.

View attachment 2130418

Lilly! Is she trying to set eggs?

 

[BY Bob]

The hens sure are LOUD today. Must be that new roo causing all that ruckuss !

They can do that

 

[BY Bob]

Agreed. Thanks, Bob. I love this group, along the the varying perspectives. It’s so awesome to be able to learn and share without judgement.

That is what this community is all about and I love it for that.

 

[BY Bob]

Lilly! Is she trying to set eggs?

Nope. She no longer lays but every so often just spends a couple of hours sitting in a nest box. That's why I had to add a third box. She was causing backups.