Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Gigachad poultry]

That looks like it could be a great option - the metal framework of the container repurposed as a run is ingenious!

My one concern about that as a coop is ventilation. You definitely want to add ventilation - but in a way that won't allow water in during a storm. (a traditional coop, the roof overhang would help with that - this one you will need to figure out how to prevent rain for dripping into your vents & from blowing in if there is just a bit of sideways wind.

I'm sure you can figure something out

I'm planning on adding plastic roof panels to it so I can add ventilation safely. I think I'd add the ventilation to the door. I'm planning on making a separate plastic door with two locks on the bottom and top. That way there shouldn't be any draft during winter. Here where I live we do get about a foot of snow so I think I might make it raised just a foot or two.

 

[Gigachad poultry]

I'm wondering if I should try to help Eda's egg hatch? It hasn't pipped, but Eda is no longer that interested in sitting on it! Should I make a safety hole or is that risky? Should I help it pip? I really don't want her egg to die!!! I have been candling it, but I don't if it has internally pipped. It's currently on day 22 or so, and it's almost on day 23-24. Should I give up like Eda is starting to?

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I'm wondering if I should try to help Eda's egg hatch? It hasn't pipped, but Eda is no longer that interested in sitting on it! Should I make a safety hole or is that risky? Should I help it pip? I really don't want her egg to die!!! I have been candling it, but I don't if it has internally pipped. It's currently on day 22 or so, and it's almost on day 23-24. Should I give up like Eda is starting to?

I can’t help you, others here probably could, but if you want faster answers since it’s a weekday make a separate post on the egg hatching forum or the emergencies forum, as there are people who monitor those often and can direct you or alert others.

 

[Ponypoor]

And.....Quartz didn't follow Storm out of the coop this morning. Sitting there in the coop alert, but moving with a limp. Won't let me catch to do a physical check, but rejoined Mama Storm, so trying to keep up and rest at the same time. Dunno if Storm will let me check this evening or not, but the earliest I stand a chance of catching the little one is bedtime. Praying is simply a sprain/strain and Quartz is able to rest the leg enough to make a difference.

Oh these chickens are going to give us all grey hair! I sure hope its just a sprain, poor wee pookie.

 

[Gigachad poultry]

I can’t help you, others here probably could, but if you want faster answers since it’s a weekday make a separate post on the egg hatching forum or the emergencies forum, as there are people who monitor those often and can direct you or alert others.

thanks! i will be sure to do so!

 

[Ponypoor]

I'm wondering if I should try to help Eda's egg hatch? It hasn't pipped, but Eda is no longer that interested in sitting on it! Should I make a safety hole or is that risky? Should I help it pip? I really don't want her egg to die!!! I have been candling it, but I don't if it has internally pipped. It's currently on day 22 or so, and it's almost on day 23-24. Should I give up like Eda is starting to?

As ChicoryBlue suggested I would post on the emergency forum - there are always people there. You can also candle it to see if the chick has pipped internally into the airsack, not sure if giving a pip at the airsack end would help or not, again try the emergency forum. Good luck

 

[Gigachad poultry]

As ChicoryBlue suggested I would post on the emergency forum - there are always people there. You can also candle it to see if the chick has pipped internally into the airsack, not sure if giving a pip at the airsack end would help or not, again try the emergency forum. Good luck

i just did that, i hope someone can help!

 

[knoturavggrl]

Went out to close the coop this evening. Probably the first true head count I've done in a week. Between shock, grief, exhaustion, and home after full dark, the head count hasn't happened.

Silver was missing. Went looking. Finally found her body. Other side of the olive trees, near the favorite dust bathing area. Over the last several weeks, I would occasionally see something that made me look at her more closely. I checked her over and the only thing I found was she was on the skinny side. Mixed up an easy to eat, loaded with extra nutrients mash which got her eating again. Kept an eye on her to make sure she was eating (she was), but the niggling thought of something internal going on popped up. I suspect that's what took her. She passed with the whole tribe around her, but I couldn't say for sure when.

Silver was the Queen. She was also the last of the 4 that started my tribe, gift from my much-loved MI, who raised her as a chick. Silver is now with the wonderful lady who raised her, cuddled her, and let her go to become Queen here.

I will have to do some observation to see of Pear stepped up or not. She was up around the house some yesterday (kind of unusual for her) and Cheetah and Blanche were on the south side at one point (also unusual) and Twirp was on the west side (not unusual). All while we were dressing for the funeral. Pear is next oldest. After her, Cheetah and the 7 ladies are the same age: Blanche, PITA, Cuckoo, Thing, Twirp, Jessica, and Nellie. Storm is 9 weeks younger and was raised jointly by Silver and Pear when she was orphaned at 3 weeks.

Rest in peace sweet lady. May your raising of every single one of the rest of the tribe demonstrate your smarts, sweetness, and common sense.View attachment 3617021View attachment 3617023View attachment 3617026View attachment 3617027

I am so sorry. It never does get easier to lose them. Sending lots of

 

[GregnLety]

Feeling sorry for the neighborhood deer. Last night at sunset they were trying to eat from the bird feeder in our front yard. There's very little to browse on thanks to the heat. Fixing to go get 100 pounds of corn and get the deer feeder going. 1 deer was brave enough to jump into our backyard a few days ago. Fortunately he's faster than our dogs and he escaped unharmed. I will get a food block also to help em out with needed minerals.

 

[knoturavggrl]

A day late twofers