Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Sylvester017]

They have a golden cuckoo Marans?!!!!

Forget the barn.

I need a whole tropical island (with no predators of course) for all the breeds I need to have running around while I sit on my lounge under a palm tree…..

The GCM roos are extraordinarily gorgeous too!

 

[Sylvester017]

My thoughts on construction sand - a couple of months in.

Pros:
- It keeps my coop cleaner day to day than anything else I have tried so far.
-Cleaning currently every other day takes about 5-8 minutes or less.
-The abrasive nature of sand does seem to deter all bugs except flies of course. I have never seen a single bug of any kind except flies.
- The birds feet stay very clean, this is important to me since I have lots of feathered footed birds coming in soon. I have hope it could also reduce the likelihood of having mites as an issue.

Cons
- It’s heavy when initially getting it into the coop. I get a half ton in my truck bed and then we have to tractor it to the coop and shovel it in. Even with these advantages it’s still tiring. That said this is likely to be an issue only a few times a yr.
- compared to deep bed, it’s more labor. I must clean it every couple of days probably every day once the chicks add to the poop. The deep bed was hands off on the daily but for 2 times a year where we did a clean out and refresh.

Thoughts, so far I prefer the sand. It’s a lot cleaner and the added benefit of bugs not likening it is awesome. We shall see if winter changes my mind. I plan on getting another ton this fall to add to the overall depth and another in the Spring.

Important side note: Two things make sand easier for me - First Saturday Lime (helps ensure dryness) and The Coop Scoop (it actually does what one would hope and picks up the poop and feathers leaves the sand) I am not sure I would like it without these two things.

Nice to hear the sand works for you ~ pros & cons are all true but still one of our favourite choices. We only have the outdoor 4'x4' sandbox under a 10'x10' popup tent to protect box from broiling summer sun & winter rains ~ but it is a favourite chicken hangout ~ cool shaded sand in the summer & dry dustbath in the rainy winter.

Beginning sandbox constuction a decade ago.

A video under the canopy w/sandbox edge showing in lower right of video.

 

[SimpleJenn]

A couple from today. Horribly sick

The guineas alerted at a bluejay overhead then shot me a dirty look like I control all birds. If I did, I would be freaking RICH.

@BY Bob little Roadrunner's egg has lightened up to blue!
And my cemani/marans cross lays MAUVE with white speckles

 

[Sylvester017]

To prove that I am completely insane, I drove all the way to Meyers.
Much of the drive is very scenic and I had downloaded a lot of podcasts so it really wasn’t too bad.
The way back was a bit stressful because the chicks kept yelling at me and so I had to keep pulling over at rest stops to check they were OK. I would lift the box lid and they would all look up at me like ‘what’s up?’.
The people at Meyers were lovely they are located in farm land and seem to raise cows as well.

You probably didnt need to keep checking on the chicks when driving. They constantly chirp & mutter all the time anyway. Even w/ a passenger to hold the chickbox in the lap, the chicks never stop peeping. DH had our Dom chicks in our pet carrier & they would stop peeping only when he put his fingers thru the wire & they all cuddled next to his fingers ~ softer sounding but still kept peeping all the way home. They never shut up! Funny little buggers.

Silkies in a box on the drive home ~ 2 separate pickups ~ peeped all the time. Guess that's a good thing?

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Oh dear. The UPS mailer turns out to be no match for Geronimo - here she is assessing the height before backing up and running and flapping.
She got her toes onto the top before I batted her back!
View attachment 4190517

You know they have a drive to join their “mama”. Who is that? YOU!

Sit as close as you can in a washable outfit and let them jump up to your arm and lap!

What I found with the Buckeyes, more than the Orpingtons, but even with them, is that they want a perch there at the edge. You could make one out of a cardboard box and tie it to the mesh, they are so light right now that will be enough. Also some bricks piled up and a narrow board placed / tied to them. The top of the Brinsea plate was the anchor for one side of mine.

Once on the edge, they will often stay there and observe. But they need contact with you first, before you do chores. Lay your arm on the edge! Then in a bit show or give them something interesting back in the brooder and that’ll keep them occupied for a bit.

 

[Sylvester017]

This is what I have come up with so far.
Waiting for someone to figure out how to use it!
View attachment 4190478

Very innovative! Tap on the nipple to start a drip or two. They'll see the drip & catch on.

 

[Sylvester017]

Dentist appointment tomorrow.
Wish me luck please

 

[ChicoryBlue]

You probably didnt need to keep checking on the chicks when driving. They constantly chirp & mutter all the time anyway. Even w/ a passenger to hold the chickbox in the lap, the chicks never stop peeping. DH had our Dom chicks in our pet carrier & they would stop peeping only when he put his fingers thru the wire & they all cuddled next to his fingers ~ softer sounding but still kept peeping all the way home. They never shut up! Funny little buggers.
View attachment 4190613

Silkies in a box on the drive home ~ 2 separate pickups ~ peeped all the time. Guess that's a good thing?
View attachment 4190614
View attachment 4190615

Yes, same here, when I stopped and looked and put my hand in, they calmed down. They are making themselves known and findable! They need the physical touch, it was better when I was quiet than when I talked to them and they heard me close yet not touching. Thankfully it was only a three mile drive back. Their lives depend on it, no surprise they sound so desperate. But a good thing for them that we empathize, though it is torture for us!

 

[RoyalChick]

Yes, same here, when I stopped and looked and put my hand in, they calmed down. They are making themselves known and findable! They need the physical touch, it was better when I was quiet than when I talked to them and they heard me close yet not touching. Thankfully it was only a three mile drive back. Their lives depend on it, no surprise they sound so desperate. But a good thing for them that we empathize, though it is torture for us!

I just hope they say the right things to Tassels!

 

[drstratton]

I rehomed the last three lil roos I had yesterday… I found a girl who shows and breeds true bantam Ameraucanas… so she took the boys and traded me these two… she is almost positive that they are girls.. if not she will take them back. If the ermine one is a roo I might keep him… anyway, I have them separate.. how long do I need to wait to put them with my 7 week old chicks.. these two are 8 weeks…
This is Erma.. and Dove.. she looks exactly like an actual dove! View attachment 4190354View attachment 4190355

They're adorable WhoDat!

I have a Dove too and Erma looks kind of like my Opal!

Dove

Opal