Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

It is still getting cold at night here so they sleep huddled under the hot-plate. I have created some safe places in the coop part of the Palace but I need to figure out ramps and ladders so they can get in and out of their home. Maybe next week it will warm up enough for them to come out from the heat plate. Thanks for this thread - it gives me confidence!

I would leave the heat plate in until they are fully feathered around 6 weeks. Give them the choice. Mine use Sydney for warmth constantly.

 

[BY Bob]

I think we all know that @BY Bob is 'a Prince among men' and I am so happy for him and for you as the lamp will clearly make you both happy.

I'm a little embarrassed by this. You are all sweet to say so.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I had the extreme privilege of checking on @BY Bob chooks, including Sydney and babes, today.

As soon as I opened the door to go outside I heard Phyllis!! She was protesting the grave injustice of no free ranging!! I made sure I heard her complaints loud and clear!!

Sydney and babies look amazing!! She is a super mom and very protective of her babies. I was able to quickly see each one and they are all the picture of absolute health!!!

Each chick is different, which will make for easy identification!! I can't wait to see how they change as they grow.

 

[BY Bob]

As one might expect, By Bob has been unreasonably generous in his portrayal of events.
A few weeks a go I was seriously struggling financially here. I had spent the last of my money on a couple of bags of chicken feed and a few essentials with absolutely no idea how I was to survive without any cash. Food is not a problem, nor are bills really but anything that needs paying for was looking like a serious challenge. When the main house went into shutdown I didn't get paid. Normally throughout the year I sell a few lamps or other items I make. The sale of one lamp can net me a months income, or more. Missing the late winter and spring fairs, not have guests renting the apartment attached to the main house which has provided a few customers over a year because they see me making the lamps, and not be allowed to travel even locally meant no income.
Bob very generously offered to help out financially which I couldn't accept. A couple of other people offered to fund the chicken feed which was what I was most concerned about. Interestingly it wasn't the people who one might expect from the 'we're such nice people' parade. Of course I didn't accept and in the end my daughter paid for the feed and a couple of other items I needed.
I think it is very hard for most to grasp how I live here. I'm not complaining. I made a choice many years ago to live a simple live in relative poverty. I think Bob has a rough idea more than most.
A number of people have expressed an interest in obtaining one of the lamps I make. Bob sent me a PM stating an interest in buying one. At this point I offered to try and make something commemorative of Maleficient.
I write this because Bob is portraying me as a generous person who has provided a gift, where the truth is Bob has shown timely intervention and a spirit of generosity not common in my experience of people. I like to be honest in my dealings with people and in portraying an accurate image of who I am.
So, the reality is, thank you Bob for taking a risk and buying one of my lamps. I couldn't think of anyone I would rather give one to and perhaps one day in better circumstances I can repay your kindness.

I'll just mention that the purchase of the lamp will enable me to buy more electrics etc and make more lamps!!!

I have been trying to figure out how to reply to this for what seems like over an hour. Let me just say I have great respect for you and how you have chosen to live your life. I feel grateful that you have chosen to share your talents with me.

I am so grateful that I live in a time where I can meet so many wonderful people on of all things a chicken website. I am especially glad to know you Shadrach.

 

[RoyalChick]

I would leave the heat plate in until they are fully feathered around 6 weeks. Give them the choice. Mine use Sydney for warmth constantly.

Yes, I am in no hurry to remove it.
My big challenge is really how they get in and out of the brooder on their own because it is 30" above the floor on the coop side. You may remember that the Chicken Palace is built on an extreme slope which makes everything more complicated. I am making them a ladder but I need to be sure they know how to get home on their own before I leave them unattended.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes, I am in no hurry to remove it.
My big challenge is really how they get in and out of the brooder on their own because it is 30" above the floor on the coop side. You may remember that the Chicken Palace is built on an extreme slope which makes everything more complicated. I am making them a ladder but I need to be sure they know how to get home on their own before I leave them unattended.

I would leave things as it is until they are larger, especially because of the slope. I agree they need to know their way home and they have no Sydney to show them. How much space do they have now?

 

[WhoDatChick]

Chick Fix

Here they are this morning.

I swear.. there is nothing sweeter or cuter than a mother hen and her chicks .... it’s my favorite!!!!

 

[RoyalChick]

I would leave things as it is until they are larger, especially because of the slope. I agree they need to know their way home and they have no Sydney to show them. How much space do they have now?

They have about 7 square feet. Maybe a bit more. And I am giving them more vertical space with perches and ladders. They perch up on the ‘roost proof’ (ha ha) lid of their hot plate very happily.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Can anything be more adorable?

NO!!

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I swear.. there is nothing sweeter or cuter than a mother hen and her chicks .... it’s my favorite!!!!

Mine too!!