Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

My chic are in a very large shed were half of it is a coop. They have room and windows and I have a fan in there during the summer months. It actually stays pretty cool. So they are protected from the elements and have room. My run is 2/3 rds covered from the sun and 190 square feet that I am doubling soon to 380 square feet. They dont need 4 feet in a coop that they only sleep in and I have 5 roosting bars and many nesting areas. Right now the birds have 4 square feet but if I add that will shrink. Using 2 feet per bird means I can fit 40 birds in there. Not gonna have that man though.

You are asking a lot for them to be able to sleep together with only 2 square feet per bird. How many feet of roosts do you have?

 

[BY Bob]

Thirsty Thursday
I give you broody Phyllis having a drink.

 

[Ponypoor]

February is just a bittersweet month for me chicken wise.
February 7th marked a year that I lost my sweet Poppy. She tragically passed before she even laid her first egg so all hopes were dashed of having the Branch x Poppy chicks me and Rosie were so looking forward to. This was the last picture I took of her before her passing.
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I desperately want another black silkie hen. I take comfort in having Branch and Chiquita, but Poppy's passing has left a hole in the flock that needs filling. I think that is a tiny part of my love for @Ponypoor Wee Miss Marty, and why I will fight to be first in line if she ever chose to part with her. I know and understand she wont and that is ok, I still call dibs first.
Tomorrow would be a very special hatch day if the fates were different. My sweet Ezzie would be turning 1. I was in denial almost right up to the end that he was a boy. I did eventually come to terms with it and made arrangements for him to stay. He even managed to win over my mom before he passed and was every bit of a love bug as Branch.
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The 19th we celebrate Holly's hatchday. My last original Marans turns 3. She has lost her sister Daisy, and Drumstick but she is still going strong. She is very opinionated on who is allowed to share her roost. After Daisy's passing many tried and failed to share her roost. She threw them all off unmercifully until Twig tried. At first she was having none of it, attempted to toss him off as well, but that young boy had grit. He refused to budge and took her viscous pecks like a man. That earned him her respect and the honor of being granted permission to snuggle right up to her at night.
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The 22nd is also another hatchday. The 3 buff orpington girls and the 2 Cinnamon Queens turn 1. They were purchased from Rural King to join Ezzie when he turned a week old. They are a lovely group even though 2 of them had to join the girls who like to lay on the main top of the hay.
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(Hugs Hugs Hugs)

Awwww I know how you feel I so miss Stanley and Roxanne, and Sally, and all my other pets I have pass away over the years - having pets is like having children and requires nerves of steel.

I am so tempted to send Marty down to the Roo where my mares are kept and get some eggs just for you and hatch out some beautiful Silkies - hopefully one that is a beautiful black pullet (or 2 or 3).

Oh and all those baby pics - so adorable all of them

 

[featherhead007]

I would think that I had enough perching space for my chooks, but they surprised me. After they settle down for sleep, they are very close together (in one area of the coop) and Jaffar is below, keeping watch when he’s not inside with me.
Coco is my companion tonight:

 

[Ponypoor]

My chic are in a very large shed were half of it is a coop. They have room and windows and I have a fan in there during the summer months. It actually stays pretty cool. So they are protected from the elements and have room. My run is 2/3 rds covered from the sun and 190 square feet that I am doubling soon to 380 square feet. They dont need 4 feet in a coop that they only sleep in and I have 5 roosting bars and many nesting areas. Right now the birds have 4 square feet but if I add that will shrink. Using 2 feet per bird means I can fit 40 birds in there. Not gonna have that man though.

All this coop / run talk got me thinking of how I am going to 'finish off' my Rooster Run (it's not just for roosters haha). I really want to put part of it under a solid roof, and the rest under netting. But then I was calculating the size of roofing I needed and panicked !! Need to win that lottery for sure now!

I am still planning on turning Truly's stall into a 'summer coop' - and that will be more able to be done (though I still need to win that lottery hahahaha).

So I have a 10'x20' stall to work with, I need to make it Racoon proof so I will need to put wire of some sort from the top of the walls to the ceiling and also replace the two stall doors with more secure doors to protect those chickies from any Racoons. Then there will be a good space for them and the huge stall fans to keep air moving. Better than the 4x10 Hen House!

I will work up to the Rooster Run... but it's huge so not going to be able to roof it any time soon unfortunately! But netting to keep birds of prey out is do-able - 16'x98' of netting is more able than with half of it as a solid roof!!

For the sides I will put a couple rows of electric twine around the outside to keep coons and foxes, etc from climbing in / digging in (I love electric fencing!).

Anyways it's a plan for when I get home, something to look forward to!

 

[Chicken poppy]

How is everyone doing?
Another hawk attack.
Saw a hawk fly up and the chickens freaking out and the rooster making a odd noise. Went outside and saw a pile of feathers and all the chickens were gone. I went looking and found all but two. Quite deep in the woods, i saw Jolene with ruffled feathers. I took them all in the coop and felt bad, Gabby was the one missing and they never left each others side. Earning the nickname ”the twins”

I kept looking just to be sure but no Gabby, i was sure i heard squeaking but i figured it was just my mind hoping she was okay. Then, the one place i hadn’t looked, a leaning pallet where the rooster was in front of. She was perfectly fine, no injuries.


Which meant.. Jolene was the one injured! She had a very good size wound under her wing and no idea how she even managed to survive. A friend of mine is a vet and she offered to suture her for me. She is okay now and everything is normal but phew, that was a rollercoaster!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Ask Aurora

Today’s letter comes from @ManueB rooster Theo.

View attachment 3406479

And he writes……..

Dear Aurora,
Let me introduce myself. I am the most beautiful, most angry, and most proud little rooster in the world.
My name is Théo and I live in France in the mountains.

Here is my problem. I have four hens who should honour and worship my beautiful self. Unfortunately, I happen to be half bantam. Can you believe that those french humans have the cheeks to call us bantams "dwarves", by the way? Anyway, my hens are bigger than me and since I live on a very steep slope, I never manage to mount and mate them properly. Because I need to maintain some balance, I must grab their feathers as I would fall otherwise, and this displease them so much that they run away from their duty to my gorgeous self.

Would you have any advice on dealing with this shameful problem? I trust your discretion not to mention this to any of your beak book friends.

Cocorico from your beautiful Théo.


Dear Théo,

You are the second rooster to write to me requesting advice. Most of my knowledge of roosters has come from stories told by Lilly and Hattie so I am relying on them some to answer your question. So don’t blame me if I miss something somehow.

Despite this, it is wise of you to seek council so that you can better understand the hen’s point of view. This speaks well of your character. So many chickens are unwilling to admit they need help and seek out creative ways to learn. In fact, the world would be a much better place if everyone took the time to understand why others are reacting to situations in the manner they may be. It is only by trying to understand the motivations of others that we can better relate to them and avoid conflict.

Too much of the world is focused on themselves and what is happening to them. This Self or “S” focus leads to a point of view that is more “I can’t believe they are doing this to me” instead of “I wonder why they would react in that fashion”. Things are always happening to these S individuals and they take no responsibility for their own environment.

Individuals who are Other or “O” focused spend their time trying to understand why others react as they do. By understanding the motivations of others you can modify your behaviors and approach and create an environment suited to a better life for you and everyone around you.

Take Phyllis for example. I have spent a lot of time watching her and trying to decide why she reacts as she does. I have determined that those silly head feathers of hers are passing through her skull and impeding brain function. It is not her fault she reacts as she does. So being the “O” focused hen that I am, I am assisting her by trying to pull out her head feathers whenever I can. One of these days I will get enough out, or get the correct one, to fix her. I even have Sydney helping her as well. It is not easy, but it is my way of being O Focused and concerned about others.

View attachment 3406486

Let me now discuss your concern over the use of the term “Dwarves” to describe bantams. If you solely focus on those goofy dwarves from Disney’s Snow White, I could see why you would be so offended. But that is hardly the definitive imagine of dwarves. Did you know that JRR Tolkien was so offended by Disney’s portrayal of dwarves in that film that he put in his will that Disney could never have the rights to any of his materials. My suggestion is to accept this term as a compliment and picture yourself as one of Tolkien’s brave dwarves, maybe Gimli.

View attachment 3406485

Now on to your main question. Clearly you are doing some things right as your ladies are willing to have relations with you. That speaks well of you. You must bring them food and keep them safe. Great work! So what you are really asking me is why the ladies get upset when you grab some feathers to balance yourself.

You must agree that now that I have broken this down to the crux of the problem, your questions seems silly. Do you like it when someone grabs and pulls your feathers? You don’t have to be a leghorn to figure out why they might be upset.

Do try to remember that not only Roosters are proud of their feathers; hens are too. One of the most prized possessions we ladies have is our feathers. We spend a lot of time fluffing and grooming as well. Even more important is the amount of harassment a bald hen would take from the other ladies. You are doing her no favor if you pull some out.

What to do? Well, I am going to suggest you work on your balance more. Try to become more agile. Jump onto a branch and practice your motions with nothing to hold onto. Maybe even try that French training methodology, parkour.

Barring your ability to be able to complete the process without grabbing on I am going to suggest that you petition your human servant to bring in some dwarf hens for you. I fear what might happen if a full-sized rooster shows up. You could lose all your hens. At least those that wish to have babies someday.

Aurora

View attachment 3406488

Quite a scholarly, wide-ranging column, and a superb Gimli Rooster!

 

[Chicken poppy]

Ask Aurora

Today’s letter comes from @ManueB rooster Theo.

View attachment 3406479

And he writes……..

Dear Aurora,
Let me introduce myself. I am the most beautiful, most angry, and most proud little rooster in the world.
My name is Théo and I live in France in the mountains.

Here is my problem. I have four hens who should honour and worship my beautiful self. Unfortunately, I happen to be half bantam. Can you believe that those french humans have the cheeks to call us bantams "dwarves", by the way? Anyway, my hens are bigger than me and since I live on a very steep slope, I never manage to mount and mate them properly. Because I need to maintain some balance, I must grab their feathers as I would fall otherwise, and this displease them so much that they run away from their duty to my gorgeous self.

Would you have any advice on dealing with this shameful problem? I trust your discretion not to mention this to any of your beak book friends.

Cocorico from your beautiful Théo.


Dear Théo,

You are the second rooster to write to me requesting advice. Most of my knowledge of roosters has come from stories told by Lilly and Hattie so I am relying on them some to answer your question. So don’t blame me if I miss something somehow.

Despite this, it is wise of you to seek council so that you can better understand the hen’s point of view. This speaks well of your character. So many chickens are unwilling to admit they need help and seek out creative ways to learn. In fact, the world would be a much better place if everyone took the time to understand why others are reacting to situations in the manner they may be. It is only by trying to understand the motivations of others that we can better relate to them and avoid conflict.

Too much of the world is focused on themselves and what is happening to them. This Self or “S” focus leads to a point of view that is more “I can’t believe they are doing this to me” instead of “I wonder why they would react in that fashion”. Things are always happening to these S individuals and they take no responsibility for their own environment.

Individuals who are Other or “O” focused spend their time trying to understand why others react as they do. By understanding the motivations of others you can modify your behaviors and approach and create an environment suited to a better life for you and everyone around you.

Take Phyllis for example. I have spent a lot of time watching her and trying to decide why she reacts as she does. I have determined that those silly head feathers of hers are passing through her skull and impeding brain function. It is not her fault she reacts as she does. So being the “O” focused hen that I am, I am assisting her by trying to pull out her head feathers whenever I can. One of these days I will get enough out, or get the correct one, to fix her. I even have Sydney helping her as well. It is not easy, but it is my way of being O Focused and concerned about others.

View attachment 3406486

Let me now discuss your concern over the use of the term “Dwarves” to describe bantams. If you solely focus on those goofy dwarves from Disney’s Snow White, I could see why you would be so offended. But that is hardly the definitive imagine of dwarves. Did you know that JRR Tolkien was so offended by Disney’s portrayal of dwarves in that film that he put in his will that Disney could never have the rights to any of his materials. My suggestion is to accept this term as a compliment and picture yourself as one of Tolkien’s brave dwarves, maybe Gimli.

View attachment 3406485

Now on to your main question. Clearly you are doing some things right as your ladies are willing to have relations with you. That speaks well of you. You must bring them food and keep them safe. Great work! So what you are really asking me is why the ladies get upset when you grab some feathers to balance yourself.

You must agree that now that I have broken this down to the crux of the problem, your questions seems silly. Do you like it when someone grabs and pulls your feathers? You don’t have to be a leghorn to figure out why they might be upset.

Do try to remember that not only Roosters are proud of their feathers; hens are too. One of the most prized possessions we ladies have is our feathers. We spend a lot of time fluffing and grooming as well. Even more important is the amount of harassment a bald hen would take from the other ladies. You are doing her no favor if you pull some out.

What to do? Well, I am going to suggest you work on your balance more. Try to become more agile. Jump onto a branch and practice your motions with nothing to hold onto. Maybe even try that French training methodology, parkour.

Barring your ability to be able to complete the process without grabbing on I am going to suggest that you petition your human servant to bring in some dwarf hens for you. I fear what might happen if a full-sized rooster shows up. You could lose all your hens. At least those that wish to have babies someday.

Aurora

View attachment 3406488

Wow! Absolutely loved it, what a fun read. Theo sounds exactly like my rooster who is 1/4 of the ladies size! He chases them like a puffy turkey holding on to their wing like a leech.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Ask Aurora

Today’s letter comes from @ManueB rooster Theo.

View attachment 3406479

And he writes……..

Dear Aurora,
Let me introduce myself. I am the most beautiful, most angry, and most proud little rooster in the world.
My name is Théo and I live in France in the mountains.

Here is my problem. I have four hens who should honour and worship my beautiful self. Unfortunately, I happen to be half bantam. Can you believe that those french humans have the cheeks to call us bantams "dwarves", by the way? Anyway, my hens are bigger than me and since I live on a very steep slope, I never manage to mount and mate them properly. Because I need to maintain some balance, I must grab their feathers as I would fall otherwise, and this displease them so much that they run away from their duty to my gorgeous self.

Would you have any advice on dealing with this shameful problem? I trust your discretion not to mention this to any of your beak book friends.

Cocorico from your beautiful Théo.


Dear Théo,

You are the second rooster to write to me requesting advice. Most of my knowledge of roosters has come from stories told by Lilly and Hattie so I am relying on them some to answer your question. So don’t blame me if I miss something somehow.

Despite this, it is wise of you to seek council so that you can better understand the hen’s point of view. This speaks well of your character. So many chickens are unwilling to admit they need help and seek out creative ways to learn. In fact, the world would be a much better place if everyone took the time to understand why others are reacting to situations in the manner they may be. It is only by trying to understand the motivations of others that we can better relate to them and avoid conflict.

Too much of the world is focused on themselves and what is happening to them. This Self or “S” focus leads to a point of view that is more “I can’t believe they are doing this to me” instead of “I wonder why they would react in that fashion”. Things are always happening to these S individuals and they take no responsibility for their own environment.

Individuals who are Other or “O” focused spend their time trying to understand why others react as they do. By understanding the motivations of others you can modify your behaviors and approach and create an environment suited to a better life for you and everyone around you.

Take Phyllis for example. I have spent a lot of time watching her and trying to decide why she reacts as she does. I have determined that those silly head feathers of hers are passing through her skull and impeding brain function. It is not her fault she reacts as she does. So being the “O” focused hen that I am, I am assisting her by trying to pull out her head feathers whenever I can. One of these days I will get enough out, or get the correct one, to fix her. I even have Sydney helping her as well. It is not easy, but it is my way of being O Focused and concerned about others.

View attachment 3406486

Let me now discuss your concern over the use of the term “Dwarves” to describe bantams. If you solely focus on those goofy dwarves from Disney’s Snow White, I could see why you would be so offended. But that is hardly the definitive imagine of dwarves. Did you know that JRR Tolkien was so offended by Disney’s portrayal of dwarves in that film that he put in his will that Disney could never have the rights to any of his materials. My suggestion is to accept this term as a compliment and picture yourself as one of Tolkien’s brave dwarves, maybe Gimli.

View attachment 3406485

Now on to your main question. Clearly you are doing some things right as your ladies are willing to have relations with you. That speaks well of you. You must bring them food and keep them safe. Great work! So what you are really asking me is why the ladies get upset when you grab some feathers to balance yourself.

You must agree that now that I have broken this down to the crux of the problem, your questions seems silly. Do you like it when someone grabs and pulls your feathers? You don’t have to be a leghorn to figure out why they might be upset.

Do try to remember that not only Roosters are proud of their feathers; hens are too. One of the most prized possessions we ladies have is our feathers. We spend a lot of time fluffing and grooming as well. Even more important is the amount of harassment a bald hen would take from the other ladies. You are doing her no favor if you pull some out.

What to do? Well, I am going to suggest you work on your balance more. Try to become more agile. Jump onto a branch and practice your motions with nothing to hold onto. Maybe even try that French training methodology, parkour.

Barring your ability to be able to complete the process without grabbing on I am going to suggest that you petition your human servant to bring in some dwarf hens for you. I fear what might happen if a full-sized rooster shows up. You could lose all your hens. At least those that wish to have babies someday.

Aurora

View attachment 3406488

Question, are people really writing Aurora letters? If so, i might have to write one from Peep.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

Really quickly, Thirsty Thursday.