Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

Can I just ask how Random got his name? (I assume that's the yellow rooster, right?)

You can and what's more, I'll give you an explanation.
When I took over the chickens here Random and Mini Minx lived with the Marans.
Although I had worked with chickens before, this lot were new to me. When I opened up the Marans in the morning, Random used to hare out of the coop pop door and disappear down the sheep field track. I would let other creatures out and feed them and I would see Randon haring along to some other destination. He hardly ever stood still and I then had no idea what he was doing rushing about.
There were some bantams housed on the other side of the main house and this is where he went first thing in the morning. Then he would rush back to find Mini Minx. He spent his day running between Mini Minx and the other bantams. It seemed totally random to me at the time, hence his name.

 

[HappyClucker7]

You can and what's more, I'll give you an explanation.
When I took over the chickens here Random and Mini Minx lived with the Marans.
Although I had worked with chickens before, this lot were new to me. When I opened up the Marans in the morning, Random used to hare out of the coop pop door and disappear down the sheep field track. I would let other creatures out and feed them and I would see Randon haring along to some other destination. He hardly ever stood still and I then had no idea what he was doing rushing about.
There were some bantams housed on the other side of the main house and this is where he went first thing in the morning. Then he would rush back to find Mini Minx. He spent his day running between Mini Minx and the other bantams. It seemed totally random to me at the time, hence his name.

That's so funny!

 

[Ribh]

Rodents vs RC - the saga continues
No traps were sprung overnight but the cameras showed at least 2 and possibly 3 mice in the Palace having a ball gorging on scraps of chicken food. I can't believe that I had sealed in that many mice so I still think they are getting in somehow even though my cameras on the foundation show them trying but failing to get past my Saturday patches and fortifications. There must be somewhere I missed.
Rodents 3: RC 0
Maggie had a rough start to the morning because Diana shoved her off the roost because she was in the way (Diana gets up at least 40 minutes before dawn to lay an egg). I can't believe I wasn't aware of the pecking order before. Diana is a bully! Is it possible that it wasn't my observation skills but that it is getting more extreme (adding new Princesses, shorter days etc.)?
And talking of adding new Princesses this fluffy butt is Minnie exploring the nest box. There are 6 boxes but they all use one. Both Dotty and Minnnie had a look around but I only got the shot of Minnie. Both their combs are bright red but I assumed with the shorter days they wouldn't start laying until the spring.

View attachment 2415475

They may start laying over winter. I buy my POL @ the end of summer, beginning of Autumn so I get some eggs @ least over winter. Not all start laying then but most do.

 

[Ribh]

I'm not certain i want to know.

MJ's explanation wasn't @ all horrible, Bob.

 

[Ribh]

If they've got pointy heads they're in the category "Leonards & Henrys" and if they've got spotted necks they're in the category "Margarets & Helens"

Ps I think Howards End is one of the best novels ever and I love the period drama version the ABC trots out during Summer.

@BY Bob: see, that wasn't too bad now, was it?

 

[WhoDatChick]

Rodents vs RC - the saga continues
No traps were sprung overnight but the cameras showed at least 2 and possibly 3 mice in the Palace having a ball gorging on scraps of chicken food. I can't believe that I had sealed in that many mice so I still think they are getting in somehow even though my cameras on the foundation show them trying but failing to get past my Saturday patches and fortifications. There must be somewhere I missed.
Rodents 3: RC 0
Maggie had a rough start to the morning because Diana shoved her off the roost because she was in the way (Diana gets up at least 40 minutes before dawn to lay an egg). I can't believe I wasn't aware of the pecking order before. Diana is a bully! Is it possible that it wasn't my observation skills but that it is getting more extreme (adding new Princesses, shorter days etc.)?
And talking of adding new Princesses this fluffy butt is Minnie exploring the nest box. There are 6 boxes but they all use one. Both Dotty and Minnnie had a look around but I only got the shot of Minnie. Both their combs are bright red but I assumed with the shorter days they wouldn't start laying until the spring.

View attachment 2415475

Oh, they should start laying... they usually lay through their first winter...

 

[MaryJanet]

I feel like I get the same video every year of the first snow. Off to the coop they go. Lilly is old hat at it now. She stood on the porch for a while watching it snow.

Did you see Phyllis get blown over in the one video? She is partially obscured by the pinwheel. You can see her wing flap out as the wind tries to knock her over.

I wondered what caused her tumble!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Rodents vs RC - the saga continues
No traps were sprung overnight but the cameras showed at least 2 and possibly 3 mice in the Palace having a ball gorging on scraps of chicken food. I can't believe that I had sealed in that many mice so I still think they are getting in somehow even though my cameras on the foundation show them trying but failing to get past my Saturday patches and fortifications. There must be somewhere I missed.
Rodents 3: RC 0
Maggie had a rough start to the morning because Diana shoved her off the roost because she was in the way (Diana gets up at least 40 minutes before dawn to lay an egg). I can't believe I wasn't aware of the pecking order before. Diana is a bully! Is it possible that it wasn't my observation skills but that it is getting more extreme (adding new Princesses, shorter days etc.)?
And talking of adding new Princesses this fluffy butt is Minnie exploring the nest box. There are 6 boxes but they all use one. Both Dotty and Minnnie had a look around but I only got the shot of Minnie. Both their combs are bright red but I assumed with the shorter days they wouldn't start laying until the spring.

View attachment 2415475

Mice can climb. Anything with a slight texture they can manage. They are masters at it and practically rappel up and down walls. So they could be coming in from anywhere, I'm afraid . You might set some traps along any high rafters and near the roof vents, and see what you get. They love peanut butter, that might outrank chicken feed in desirable food....

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Ha! Mine seem to view my lawnmower as a large, loud food processor too! They won't hardly even get out of my way. I have to shoo them out of my path.

That would be Rex!! He's gotten better, but he barks and tries to "save" us for noisy objects. He looses his marbles when I vacuum.

 

[BY Bob]

A while back we were talking transport. Some very nice cars came up in converstation.
This was my transport a while back. Posh eh!
View attachment 2415941

Feels very minimalistic.