Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

Oh that is interesting. I have an almost unlimited supply of cut tree stumps - I am sure you have seen in my pictures I have them around and about in the Chicken Palace. I could add some more placed near each other - I could even create a square that only smaller hens could get in to.
Lots to think about - I was thinking about drilling something like a hanging plant bracket into one of the upright beams holding up the roof so little chickens could jump up and perch. I have one good perch in the run - but was thinking about whether I could figure out another 1-2. Tree stumps will be easier.

In my opinion, both would be good. More roost options: lowish tree branches/sturdy bushes(that double as places to hide under), higher "branches"(semi- ladder "stepping stones"), tree stumps, bricks, points to see above, places to go under (and sit on top of) are ALWAYS good. Even a semi-solid curtain modeled after those bead door curtains can be great. I've noticed that favorite hang outs allow birds to see out but not be seen (dappled leaf canopies). Duplicating synthetically is difficult, but you (and @ChicoryBlue ) have lots of ingenuity and plenty of minds to help spark ideas.

Another "roost" idea I've toyed with (and will probably implement if I'm ever able to build a bigger coop/coop-run combo) is a "tree stand": modeled after a coat stand, set in a solid base and fastened to the ceiling, with 2-3 foot "branches" extending out at most 4 feet at assorted heights in all directions. A 4x4 would be sturdy enough for the vertical, with the branches being 2 x 4 fastened flat side to the vertical or varying diameters found tree limbs, some entirely level and some more like natural branches coming off a tree. If there's a natural more level area bending off the end or a sturdy split at one end for the end perch, even better. Given the right branch, it could even be centered on the vertical. Change the face the next "branch" up is mounted to and you've built yourself an indoor (or in run) roosting "tree", taking up only the area of the length of the branches. How to do the "leafy" curtain....still mulling that one.

 

[rural mouse]

Very interesting, maybe a high-ish flat spot feels too exposed and not safe from potential aerial predators to them?

The pullets here have used the low side table to go under to get away from Shehnai (@bgmathteach and you recommended?) but he's not really pursuing them yet.

The high open spots are prime locations when preening and/or doing sentinel duty. They're NOT used for mating purposes even though they're sturdy enough to not move under a hen and they're rough enough for feet to not slip. They're much more likely to stand in mud to mate.

 

[rural mouse]

Very helpful. Thank you.
I have some ideas percolating. I think specifically for Cookie I want some more 'up' spaces as her instincts seem always to levitate upwards. That may modify as she grows - I think partly she is so tiny that when she energetically flaps, her feet just leave the ground and she just goes with it!

Up is good. Lark and/or Indigo have both been in the trees Matilda has used (tiny end branches, half supported by leaves) and have been on the roof of the coop. Cookie is probably going to be about the same size.

Even Pear as a pullet went tree climbing. It was a crab apple, so very sturdy lower branches that she didn't move off of. In her defense, there was a suet cake cage there.

 

[knoturavggrl]

Some sad news

I took some time off before I was ready to post but I lost 4 of the 5 bantams I got from Myers. I only have Elma left and the two Silkies from Red Barn. All of SFH’s are just fine.

I believe it was a dog or maybe a fox. I left them free ranging for maybe a half hr. because the kids needed me and when I came back out they were not alive and all the others had hidden.

Fly high Gemma, Gia, Maple, and Oakley.

I do not think I will be getting anymore Bantams. Pebble, Nyx, and Elma will be it I think. Maybe next spring I will look at some smaller breeds like the Shetland’s to cross the divide without risking more bantams.

 

[notabitail]

Some sad news

I took some time off before I was ready to post but I lost 4 of the 5 bantams I got from Myers. I only have Elma left and the two Silkies from Red Barn. All of SFH’s are just fine.

I believe it was a dog or maybe a fox. I left them free ranging for maybe a half hr. because the kids needed me and when I came back out they were not alive and all the others had hidden.

Fly high Gemma, Gia, Maple, and Oakley.

I do not think I will be getting anymore Bantams. Pebble, Nyx, and Elma will be it I think. Maybe next spring I will look at some smaller breeds like the Shetland’s to cross the divide without risking more bantams.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Oh that is interesting. I have an almost unlimited supply of cut tree stumps - I am sure you have seen in my pictures I have them around and about in the Chicken Palace. I could add some more placed near each other - I could even create a square that only smaller hens could get in to.
Lots to think about - I was thinking about drilling something like a hanging plant bracket into one of the upright beams holding up the roof so little chickens could jump up and perch. I have one good perch in the run - but was thinking about whether I could figure out another 1-2. Tree stumps will be easier.

Perches are good, but Mr. Chips will be able to jump even better than they, farther & faster with each leap, right up there too. Here, Hazel & the BO's wouldn't stay on the perch feeling safe, like "Go ahead and try and mate me here, you can't do it!" No, they are just all panicked in escape mode and jump or flap off down to the ground again.

At least Shehnai's legs are that way now, versus the plump large-framed Orpingtons efforts, and Hazel is five, I'm not sure how painlessly she jumps. They aren't fast, and Shehnai followed them up the perches no problem, like a kung-fu movie. It's like having a giraffe in amongst zebras, his legs are massively long and strong in comparison. But faster and more agile than a giraffe. He trots along in this graceful bouncing motion and jumps with ease like a gazelle, hardly breaking a sweat. Maybe more like a leopard? It's the wild kingdom over here!

Hazel and the B.O's prefer running low and mostly evading, hopefully out of sight. They can't outrun him. A few strides and he's covered the ground they're scrambling across.

Maybe also the pullets are a little smarter about getting away and using under-hidey-spots because not only are they lighter and more agile but they are still in the "we are tiny chicks and can fit under and in everything, we go everywhere!" mentality. I saw one use the low pallet to get away from him for instance, but never saw Hazel or the BO's use it except to stand on. Also just a few days ago saw a pullet use the low table too. They both can get under it but she's faster than he is fitting through it. This whole situation is all new to the Bigs and they have been adults for a few years.

Not sure I've even seen him run at full speed. He hasn't had to run away from anything yet and his instinct seems to tell him not to. He makes warning calls and stands tall and looks at the problem (hawks, crows, woodchuck, etc). I've only seen him retreat once right after a warning, to under a shelter, but it was very close, only a few feet away (and none of the idiot pullets followed him).

@rural mouse @bgmathteach

 

[rural mouse]

Some sad news

I took some time off before I was ready to post but I lost 4 of the 5 bantams I got from Myers. I only have Elma left and the two Silkies from Red Barn. All of SFH’s are just fine.

I believe it was a dog or maybe a fox. I left them free ranging for maybe a half hr. because the kids needed me and when I came back out they were not alive and all the others had hidden.

Fly high Gemma, Gia, Maple, and Oakley.

I do not think I will be getting anymore Bantams. Pebble, Nyx, and Elma will be it I think. Maybe next spring I will look at some smaller breeds like the Shetland’s to cross the divide without risking more bantams.

 

[bgmathteach]

This is a rooster too, any questions? And another one too.View attachment 4241239View attachment 4241240

Hey, I think I have met him before!

Yes????

He just parts his hair feathers on the other side now!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Here's Annie not happy about Shehani right there at their run. He was out of their run with the pullets. She's making this persistent whine at him. This is right after fighting through the fence, they pecked at each other and Shehnai brought his feet up briefly before going back to tidbitting.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Some sad news

I took some time off before I was ready to post but I lost 4 of the 5 bantams I got from Myers. I only have Elma left and the two Silkies from Red Barn. All of SFH’s are just fine.

I believe it was a dog or maybe a fox. I left them free ranging for maybe a half hr. because the kids needed me and when I came back out they were not alive and all the others had hidden.

Fly high Gemma, Gia, Maple, and Oakley.

I do not think I will be getting anymore Bantams. Pebble, Nyx, and Elma will be it I think. Maybe next spring I will look at some smaller breeds like the Shetland’s to cross the divide without risking more bantams.

So sorry, what a horrible experience. Rest in peace now, little ones!