Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

He's is just adorable ❤

He was crowing up a storm this morning, I turned on the cameras and it was so loud it startled me hahaha!

When I get home at Christmas I will trim back his head feathers again; and the silkies.

 

[Ponypoor]

Don’t give rodents any room!

Haven't seen any since the other day, I screamed at it over the camera hahaha

Horror stories about rats and mice nibbling on pets (use your imagination)
I keep feral cats around for rodent control, but I still find them around sometimes.

I don't really think they will harm a full grown chicken (even a silkie), but why take a chance I say!

 

[Ponypoor]

Those 3 hens remind me of Tony. She is still going through a molt right now but her feathers are going back. I'll try and get a photo later today.

Oh I look forward to seeing her! Moulting has to be miserable for the wee kiddos.

No pictures today it's really dull outside and we had ice fog yesterday.

View attachment 3336925
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He is patiently waiting to go for a walk

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hahaha - he is looking at you saying 'come on Mum stop taking pictures of me - lets go!'

My friend wasn't having a funny on me again she is ill I feel bad about not knowing that. She ordered the rechargeable dehumidifiers and I made one out of the pine wood pellets and salt last night, the coop seems much better.

I have to clean the run again it's got so wet with all this heavy rain we have had


The fog is not as bad in this picture
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They don't seem to mind the weather, lots of bugs to find under those leaves!

 

[knoturavggrl]

I would say she is a barnyard mix (I call her a mutt haha), but she does lay the most pretty blue eggs.

Interesting, thank you for taking a moment to let me know

My most recent picture of Buttercups twin in Ohio.

 

[ValarieF]

Haven’t heard from Valerie today…? Hope she is feeling ok.

All good @ValarieF ?

Been fighting headaches and neck and back pain......the nausea is the worst.

 

[knoturavggrl]

No pictures today it is rainy, windy and but I do have an update.

I did it, I made a decision and got some nest boxes finally. I got the plastic ones that screw into the wall and have a little bar in front for them to stand on. I will put them up here in the next few days and take some pictures to post here.

I also got a bucket heater to stop the water from freezing not even into full winter yet and the battle against ice has already begun!

I also got some oyster shell and put it out. None of the pullets seem interested at all yet and I am unsurprised by that however, what I was surprised about was the one chicken who did eat some was my Roo . I feed all flock 20% protein now and plan to keep on getting that since I read that the calcium in layer feed can possibly be harmful to Roosters and who goes directly to the oyster shell and gulps down several pieces but my Rooster.

He really seems super hungry lately though I think he is going through a growth spurt as he gulps downs any and all treats as if he doesn't have food in the coop available at all times. I guess teen Roos and teenage boys aren't all that different in this regard

Hope everyone is doing well today!

 

[featherhead007]

Good morning so far! Jaffar is still inside with us. Not a crow at all from him yet (rule: no crowing in the house) but I need to get something off my chest. Coco is laying comfortably on my chest and I can’t pet her ( molt hurts her) I’m gonna have to get up sometime today!

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

It is very cloudy today. It was 33 F. Now is 50 F and today is supposed to be 55 F. Here's a live footage but I don't think it works well. Perhaps.
https://www.weatherbug.com/weather-camera/?cam=CCHSP

 

[bgmathteach]

No pictures today it is rainy, windy and but I do have an update.

I did it, I made a decision and got some nest boxes finally. I got the plastic ones that screw into the wall and have a little bar in front for them to stand on. I will put them up here in the next few days and take some pictures to post here.

I also got a bucket heater to stop the water from freezing not even into full winter yet and the battle against ice has already begun!

I also got some oyster shell and put it out. None of the pullets seem interested at all yet and I am unsurprised by that however, what I was surprised about was the one chicken who did eat some was my Roo . I feed all flock 20% protein now and plan to keep on getting that since I read that the calcium in layer feed can possibly be harmful to Roosters and who goes directly to the oyster shell and gulps down several pieces but my Rooster.

He really seems super hungry lately though I think he is going through a growth spurt as he gulps downs any and all treats as if he doesn't have food in the coop available at all times. I guess teen Roos and teenage boys aren't all that different in this regard

Hope everyone is doing well today!

Do you have grit out free choice? Maybe he needs grit - or was just constantly hungry and thought 'oh, something new to try!'

 

[BY Bob]

Ask Aurora

Our very first question comes from Diana.

Diana asks:

Dear Aurora,
I am the ruler of my little tribe but Bernadette keeps taking my roosting spot. I peck her on the head but she ignores me. She jumps on top of me and she is very big. She has no manners.

What can I do?

Diana


Diana,
I am going to make a guess that you have achieved your lofty position through survival and attrition and not through ambition and action. It is clear that this insolent tramp Bernadette has no respect for her betters, including you. My guess is that you have one of these soft humans who dotes on you all and wishes “everyone would just get along”. Don’t listen to her. She knows nothing about the way of chickens. I am going to provide you with some advice that I hope you are hen enough to appreciate.

First and foremost, Niccolo Machiavelli said it best when he said, “He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.” It is clear you do not know how to command and do not have the respect of your lessors. So how do you gain the respect of your lessors? I can sum it up in one word.

FEAR

They need to fear you. More importantly, they need to fear your capriciousness. Attacking out of the blue for no apparent reason over nothing is a great way to engender fear and gain their respect. This needs to be a constant campaign. My second in command is much larger than me but is a sweet lady. Everybody loves her. They call her Hattie the Nice. She used to tell me to stop taking her food. Ha! I took it anyway.

How was I able to crush her and become Queen of my Tribe? I tried fighting her one on one, but like Bernadette, she was larger than me and others helped her because she was nice. However, I constantly harassed her and when the opportunity arose to pass her, I seized it. I now spend time every day attacking her for no reason. She must be constantly reminded that I am her better. To quote the great Machiavelli again, “It is much more secure to be feared than to be loved.”

You pecking Bernadette in the head only at bedtime when she takes something that is rightfully yours is pitiful. She does not fear it. I’m sure you give up after a couple of pecks and accept that she has taken what is yours for the night. Have you ever just thrown her off the roost for no reason? Try it sometime. It feels amazing.

I hope for your sake you take my advice and begin your campaign of fear soon. If not, it is certain that someday a hen with ambition, like yours truly, will come along and depose you as I did with Hattie the Nice. In fact, this Bernadette kind of reminds me of someone. You better get her in line quickly or you may suffer the same fate that Hattie did.