Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

That barred looks like my rooster Hades he is gorgeous.

That’s Larry she is a she (short for Larissa).

The Black is Raven

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

I have mine in a run and coop. I dont free range and if I could I wouldnt because there are too many predators and I want my chickens safe. I say keep them in the run there arent that many chickens and a predator will get them if you free range. I plan on expanding my coop and run this spring so they have more room but are safe and I have 21 chickens.

Thank you! I was thinking that I should keep them in. They have enough room and they get treats all the time to keep them busy. I put food on the ground so that they can scratch. I just feel like it is unfair to them because my guineas get to free range during the day.

 

[ValarieF]

Thank you! I was thinking that I should keep them in. They have enough room and they get treats all the time to keep them busy. I put food on the ground so that they can scratch. I just feel like it is unfair to them because my guineas get to free range during the day.

So far we have hawks and had to spray a possum with the hose because it was on the roof of the chicken coop. There are also alot of wild cats around.

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

What do y'all think about BBQ? Part Brown Leghorn? Part RIR? Just Brown Leghorn? Just RIR? Ignore the half face... you guys are lucky to get even a quarter of my face... No one is supposed to see it... Just ignore it!... maybe one day you will get to see my face, but not anytime soon

 

[bgmathteach]

Okay, I have a very serious question about my chickens health. I don't free range my chickens. They have a decent sized run. It could probably fit 8 chickens, if not more. I only have 4 chickens, but I have had 6 chickens in there. Three roos, three hens. I gave two of the roos away, they were just too aggressive towards me. Pastel is fine though. Should I start letting them out? They are all over a year old, and I am just terrified that something will happen to them. We are working on my coop, and we will have a large area to let them out during the day. They seem happy, but I live on 14 cleared acres, and I own 50 acres total. 50 - 14 = How much non-cleared land I own. I have had to chase my guineas all around in the woods to try and save their life. I love my guineas, but they are no chickens. I would die if anything were to happen to my chicks. What do you guys suggest to do? Wait until they can be let out into a big coop and stretch their legs and wings that way? Or just let them out with my guineas and hope that everyone survives? They are not trained to go back into the coop, but they could learn. I just would hate myself if a predator came and got one.
Another thing... is BBQ a RIR or a Brown Leghorn? She lays pinkish-tan eggs. Could she be a mix of both? Her comb makes me think a Leghorn, but her color makes me think RIR
View attachment 3364095

So, my thoughts on the letting them out:
You said you had an area to let them out in...is it fenced at all, or is it wide open? My chickens will eat grass in the open, but like to go into the tree areas to dig through the leaves and ground duff to look for insects and worms and such.

Can you be out with them the whole time they are out?

If yes to the fencing and to the being out....I would suggest letting them out for about 1/2 hour before they usually go to roost so you can see how they behave, and you aren't stuck out there all day: do this a couple of times. You can observe their behavior, give them a chance to explore their outside surroundings, and yet they won't wander far because it is close to 'bed-time'. If all goes well, extend the time to 1 hour before roost time.

If you are really concerned and have no fencing, you can always put up a temporary fence if you have any fencing left over.

Just my thoughts. I would read other suggestions, maybe speak with Mom or Dad for their thoughts, then do what feels right to you - whatever that may be.

As for BBQ, the picture is too dark to see for sure, but if I remember correctly from other pictures, she is not a brown leghorn. She could be a RIR or a RIR mix. They do sometimes get large floppy combs - that comb has nothing on Daisy's (no offense) - I've had BRs (@featherhead007 - yes, PRODUCTION ones!) with combs that size.

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

So, my thoughts on the letting them out:
You said you had an area to let them out in...is it fenced at all, or is it wide open? My chickens will eat grass in the open, but like to go into the tree areas to dig through the leaves and ground duff to look for insects and worms and such.

Can you be out with them the whole time they are out?

If yes to the fencing and to the being out....I would suggest letting them out for about 1/2 hour before they usually go to roost so you can see how they behave, and you aren't stuck out there all day: do this a couple of times. You can observe their behavior, give them a chance to explore their outside surroundings, and yet they won't wander far because it is close to 'bed-time'. If all goes well, extend the time to 1 hour before roost time.

If you are really concerned and have no fencing, you can always put up a temporary fence if you have any fencing left over.

Just my thoughts. I would read other suggestions, maybe speak with Mom or Dad for their thoughts, then do what feels right to you - whatever that may be.

As for BBQ, the picture is too dark to see for sure, but if I remember correctly from other pictures, she is not a brown leghorn. She could be a RIR or a RIR mix. They do sometimes get large floppy combs - that comb has nothing on Daisy's (no offense) - I've had BRs (@featherhead007 - yes, PRODUCTION ones!) with combs that size.

I have a large area of my coop that is partly fenced. The whole front area has no protection around it. I could put a little bit of chicken wire up and let them out. I have an open air coop, so they just have a wooden box that my dad made. It's a large box though, and it is raised. It was supposed to be a nesting box, but they lay on the ground in two nests that they made under it. They love making things hard for me! We are going to be working on the coop so that we can let them out AND get more birds!!! I don't know where they sleep. We just got them as eggs before we had an area for them. Oh the Joy's of having an Agriculture teacher who gives you free eggs to hatch out!! They don't have a roosting bar. I have been wanting to put one in for ages, but my dad is always too busy. I don't know why don't put one in myself. Where we live we have a ton of predators. Bobcats, foxes, coyotes, coons, birds, and my guineas if they got into a fight. I have had a few hawk attacks on my guineas, but luckily no one was killed. Just a scratch or two on a few guineas.

 

[featherhead007]

Update on my Colorado trip: I have been quite busy with my friend and his horse ranch in Loveland. And I met a nice lady (I think I was set up, but so what!) seems I have a lot of BYC catching up to do. It’s crazy how the weather here is actually not so bad. I will be heading home tomorrow.

 

[featherhead007]

So, my thoughts on the letting them out:
You said you had an area to let them out in...is it fenced at all, or is it wide open? My chickens will eat grass in the open, but like to go into the tree areas to dig through the leaves and ground duff to look for insects and worms and such.

Can you be out with them the whole time they are out?

If yes to the fencing and to the being out....I would suggest letting them out for about 1/2 hour before they usually go to roost so you can see how they behave, and you aren't stuck out there all day: do this a couple of times. You can observe their behavior, give them a chance to explore their outside surroundings, and yet they won't wander far because it is close to 'bed-time'. If all goes well, extend the time to 1 hour before roost time.

If you are really concerned and have no fencing, you can always put up a temporary fence if you have any fencing left over.

Just my thoughts. I would read other suggestions, maybe speak with Mom or Dad for their thoughts, then do what feels right to you - whatever that may be.

As for BBQ, the picture is too dark to see for sure, but if I remember correctly from other pictures, she is not a brown leghorn. She could be a RIR or a RIR mix. They do sometimes get large floppy combs - that comb has nothing on Daisy's (no offense) - I've had BRs (@featherhead007 - yes, PRODUCTION ones!) with combs that size.

 

[ValarieF]

What do y'all think about BBQ? Part Brown Leghorn? Part RIR? Just Brown Leghorn? Just RIR? Ignore the half face... you guys are lucky to get even a quarter of my face... No one is supposed to see it... Just ignore it!... maybe one day you will get to see my face, but not anytime soonView attachment 3364103View attachment 3364104

Looks like a RIR

 

[RoyalChick]

What do y'all think about BBQ? Part Brown Leghorn? Part RIR? Just Brown Leghorn? Just RIR? Ignore the half face... you guys are lucky to get even a quarter of my face... No one is supposed to see it... Just ignore it!... maybe one day you will get to see my face, but not anytime soonView attachment 3364103View attachment 3364104

Looks similar to my Maggie (RIP) who was a RIR. But a word to the wise - never ever take my view of chicken breeds seriously. I am hopeless.