Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Magnet could work too...

Don't throw your floppies away. There's probably someone out there who would love to get their hands on them.

Actually, don't throw any old tech stuff away. Some of it could be worth something.

I have some commodore 64 stuff around here somewhere........

Old computer tax

 

[BY Bob]

View attachment 3980915
I'll throw him in my dungeon if he keeps this up Amori

Well don't bother me just get on with it.
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They are adorable.

 

[BY Bob]

I am, too. The attempts mostly seem to be happening in the morning. I might start waiting to let them out of their run until the afternoon, when there's a little less hawk activity around here. Although it's good practice and experience for them to pass on to future flock members, I don't want to take more risk than necessary. They are my babies, after all.

Dad wants to build a super large run for them next year if possible, because he's so nervous about free ranging with all these hawks around. From what he's imagining, it would be around 400sqft of safe space for them. That'd be perfect.

For now, they have so many safe spots around the property not including the shelter we built (bushes, brush piles, a small trailer to hide under, etc) and they utilize them constantly. It's cool watching them go from cover to cover while they forage. They're smart chickens, nearly always aware of their surroundings while out and about, keeping in touch with each other. When one gets separated she will call out and the others will answer. So sweet to see them greet the one who lagged behind, even if most of the time it includes a peck on the back, like, "pay attention, dummy! Stay with the group!"

Anyways, I'm rambling. Point is, I love my sweet girls. I'm afraid for them too, but I also love seeing them so happy out there free ranging. Hopefully we can figure something out before we have to go through any losses.

It is a difficult thing for us to judge. Freedom=danger. How much is too much risk? It's very hard.

I love seeing mine out in the yard. I can't keep them totally confined. It doesn't feel right.

 

[BY Bob]

Hi Betty! Hi Curly! How do you stay so white?!

White chickens are magical!

 

[BY Bob]

She passed away a little bit ago.
I am going to go ahead and close the plastic coop, this is the second bird who has presented as ill from it. Until I can disinfect it and add more ventilation they'll have to use the other coops.
What a bummer

Gosh I'm sorry. That was quick.

 

[BY Bob]

They are magical white chickens - right @BY Bob - white chickens are magic!

I just got a SHRA for this. That's my line!

SHRA TAX

Dolly and Trisha on the roost.

 

[BY Bob]

The plastic coop doesn't have enough ventilation, with all the younger chickens crammed inside someone ends up off the roost. It smelled strongly of ammonia which can cause respiratory distress.
So until I can get it sorted it is closed off. It's raining here so that will be tomorrow.
Cookie is mad at me because it’s her preferred place to lay eggs.

I am worried about AI since she went from breathing fine yesterday to dying this morning. But if that is the cause then there's nothing that I can do to save my birds. Crap situation.

Remember Glynda passed away from likely congestive heart failure.

Fluid can be in the lungs for reasons other than infection. If the ammonia content is real high it can cause damage to the lung tissue which results in fluid in the lungs as well.

I agree with closing off the coop until you can get proper ventilation.

If it's AI, you have to pray it doesn't take them all. There is nothing you can do to stop it.

I worry about it every time something respiratory comes along.

 

[Sally PB]

I love seeing mine out in the yard. I can't keep them totally confined. It doesn't feel right.

I would LOVE to let mine roam "the side yard." But I see/hear hawks, daily. I see raccoons at least weekly. Then there is the neighbor's dog (he's gotten "a couple" of their chickens), and our dog would probably try to go through any fence we could put up. I can't be out there for hours; most of my outdoor chores are out of sight of that area. Then there's the wild bird population, including ducks, geese, and cranes, and the possibility of AI.

I would feel I had failed them if I let them out and something got one or more, or I let a serious disease vector in.

I feel badly that they're enclosed, but the balm to my conscience is that they're safe.

My hat is off to anyone who lets their birds range, even part time.

 

[Marie2020]

I just got a SHRA for this. That's my line!

SHRA TAX
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Dolly and Trisha on the roost.

I was about to reply on your Trisha picture but the pages skipped me out again

 

[Marie2020]

I just got a SHRA for this. That's my line!

SHRA TAX
View attachment 3981143
Dolly and Trisha on the roost.

It's happened again. Page changes.

How old are they? They look so cozy together