Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I have inadvertently created a monster.

Spoiler: Here be a monster

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As soon as I sit down she jumps onto my arm and burrows into my jacket because she believes I have sunflower seeds in my shirt pocket.

That's perfect. I assume you will always have them now. Much like me and Sansa with walnuts.

 

[BY Bob]

Chicken conga line
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All the pretty girls walk like this
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Those are great!

 

[BY Bob]

@RoyalChick, here is my Willow girl. And everyone else, since all of my other pictures are awful Also, look at how red her comb is! She must be about to lay!!View attachment 3422561View attachment 3422562View attachment 3422564View attachment 3422565View attachment 3422566View attachment 3422560

She is beautiful!

 

[featherhead007]

Cocorico!!! And a good morning to you too Jaffar.

 

[featherhead007]

Lovely day, and all the chooks are running around in the yard doing chickeny things ( in the sunshine) still a little chilly but sunny

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Ok - so architect I am not... but this is what I am thinking - along the walls (not just that one wall) I would have a series of shelves staggered. @BY Bob suggested a lower height and that would be likely what I will do - but for now here is what I drew:
- Each shelf would be big enough for a chicken to roost on comfortably, any squabbling and they would be moved to the next one (lower or higher...). I could even have another level under it.

FYI - The dash-line is the 4' height of the wall.... incase you can't read my writing.

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I’d try just one board across, and deep enough that they can shuffle around each other and change places without falling off. I believe that the staggering idea, which is interesting, won’t make them stick to their own “spots” and still has the height issue, though to you and me it’s minimal, it might be enough to make everyone want to be on the higher ones.
I would try one or two boards (for depth) going across, at a low height and see what happens. You can always go to your staggered idea later.

 

[RoyalChick]

I’d try just one board across, and deep enough that they can shuffle around each other and change places without falling off. I believe that the staggering idea, which is interesting, won’t make them stick to their own “spots” and still has the height issue, though to you and me it’s minimal, it might be enough to make everyone want to be on the higher ones.
I would try one or two boards (for depth) going across, at a low height and see what happens. You can always go to your staggered idea later.

I have found that having a ‘passing spot’ on the main roost is quite helpful.
I can take no credit for the design of that - it came about because the tree trunk I used for the roost is not perfectly straight and so I had to add a chunk of branch to stop myself from getting stabbed by the brackets that stuck out. But the Ptincesses definitely use it to pass by each other.

 

[RoyalChick]

Happy Mugshot Monday everyone!
This week’s mugshots are brought to you by Eli who is turning into a real ham!

She wants to know which is her best side.

 

[Lilion]

Mr P is laying eggs?!!

Be careful with that. Rooster eggs are where Basilisk come from!

I am right there with you. I have SO many eggs Its time to go meet the neighbors and see if they want some lol I love eggs but not 6 a day which is what I have been averaging from 9 girls.

Oh my! We get 3 most days-19 in the week I counted, and that's too many for my husband and me. We gave a dozen to the neighbors we're planning to ask to take care of the chickens when we're away and a dozen to the eccentric elderly neighbor with his 11 cats. He's on a fixed income and always talking about money...that and the End of Days. Yeah...we give him food and otherwise stay away. Really, I keep trying to not give eggs away. I want to have several dozen frozen for winter. Husband keeps reminding me it's not yet spring.

Nightly Marshmallow roosting report. Once again they played all over the roosts. And once again Chiquita won and got them all down into the tote with her.

Sooo cute! I love them trying to get under her. Some mom's never know when to let go!

 

[Ponypoor]

Cocorico!!! And a good morning to you too Jaffar.

Good morning to all of you! Hope the weather isn't too cold there. I see some places in California are still cold with a lot of snow.

Lovely day, and all the chooks are running around in the yard doing chickeny things ( in the sunshine) still a little chilly but sunny

And I guess I SHRA!!! I will owe tax for that hahaha

I’d try just one board across, and deep enough that they can shuffle around each other and change places without falling off. I believe that the staggering idea, which is interesting, won’t make them stick to their own “spots” and still has the height issue, though to you and me it’s minimal, it might be enough to make everyone want to be on the higher ones.
I would try one or two boards (for depth) going across, at a low height and see what happens. You can always go to your staggered idea later.

Yes I have decided on a height of 2.5', and new nest boxes at the one end with the lower ones protruding about 6-8" as a step up to the roost. I will make the roost about 12-14" deep so that they can shuffle around each other to find a spot to their liking.

Bottom boxes will be around 12-13" tall, and I will make them 14x14" to accommodate those big ladies I will eventually have, and if two or three silkies want to be broody together, they will fit nicely. I am also, now, thinking of putting the nest boxes at the far end of the coop. This way I will have the roosting shelf wrapped around all the walls, minus the area where the doorway and sliding summer door are located.

I will draw up a plan of what I am thinking later today...

I have found that having a ‘passing spot’ on the main roost is quite helpful.
I can take no credit for the design of that - it came about because the tree trunk I used for the roost is not perfectly straight and so I had to add a chunk of branch to stop myself from getting stabbed by the brackets that stuck out. But the Ptincesses definitely use it to pass by each other.

Yes I am liking that idea more and more - I have found this really helpful reading everyone suggestions! as they say 2 heads are better than one! And I really really take to heart everyone's suggestions - most of you have way more experience with the chooks than I do.

OK here is a SHRA tax for Alex's weather watch

Dreaming of a summer day when everyone is out roaming a bit.