Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

It's still Friday somewhere right? I'm very grateful to be able to share this little fluffy butt.

Peggy.

View attachment 2418948

Still Friday here and Peggy's but it's always welcome here any day.

 

[BY Bob]

We could close Scooby in the run for the night. That should take care of it!!

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Le Rat is only here during the day. I never get it on camera during the night. Its one of the reasons I think it may not live here.

I threatened to lock Isabel in the run but I bet Scooby would be more up to the task. What does he charge?

 

[BY Bob]

Isn't he still on the mend? Or was that an ancient post? (I've been trying to read this thread from the beginning!) Didn't he have a gum injury? Poor Scooby, his services are needed everywhere! Is there no rest for the weary? So many rodents and so few real rodenteers....Plus it looks like his ear's been docked somehow too...Let this soldier rest on the laundry, he's earned it!

I like this new word....."rodenteers"....... I believe I may adopt and use that one.

 

[micstrachan]

Big Girls!

Hi folks! I just got home from work and I’m so excited, I had to share. My after-work routine is to go inside, greet the dog, drop my purse, don a headlamp and head back outside to lock up the girls. I usually check the upper level first, then the main coop, and the babies in the mini coop last. The littles are fully integrated by day, and have shown interest in the big girl coop, but were chased off by Buttercup.

Tonight there were 5 “upstairs,” as follows:
• Bridge, Ester and Dorothy up top
• Ruby and Minnie (besties who always roost together) below
• Mental note: That’s 5 hens.

Then I walked around to count the remaining girls in the main coop, expecting the other five adults. But the first bird I saw, front and center, was Flash. Flash the pullet? Yes, and she was on the same roost as Buttercup! So the main coop was situated as follows:
• Lucky back left, as usual
• Roxy back center, as usual
• Minnie and Cashew back right, as usual
• Buttercup front left, as usual
• Flash center front, a first!

So I grabbed the other two pullets from the mini coop and put them with Flash. Since I’ll be home over the full Thanksgiving week, I figured I’d assist starting tomorrow, but instead got a jump start on it tonight! I’ll just have to be sure to get up at a reasonable time so all 13 aren’t crammed in the coop during daylight for too long. Excuse the mess, but lookie! I’m so excited! (This is the main coop. Roosts are about chest high on me.)

I also wanted to point out to Bob that OF COURSE the pullet with Leghorn was first to decide it’s time to roost with the bigs. ❤

 

[micstrachan]

Shucks!......Darn it!.........Drat!..........Argh!...........no those aren't right..........

RATS!

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I finally caught the bugger on camera! They do not come by at night. So I left the camera on today during the day. I caught the nasty little thing. I can't tell if they live here or are coming by to snack. There is a passage into the run that i have found that extends outside the perimeter fence. It was the first clue that i had a problem. I have not closed it because I have baited it.

It hurts me to kill any living creature and I feel bad that I have to do it. But they cannot stay. I will close off the entrance once I have eliminated some vermin.

I will be extra vigilant on Phyllis' roosting for sure until things are closed back off.

Rats are no fun. Ask me how I know.

 

[Kris5902]

You must post a photo of those weird eggs for us!

Will do when she starts laying again! I expect they will still be the odd shape. I may have an older pic, I will see...

 

[BY Bob]

Big Girls!

Hi folks! I just got home from work and I’m so excited, I had to share. My after-work routine is to go inside, greet the dog, drop my purse, don a headlamp and head back outside to lock up the girls. I usually check the upper lever first, then the main coop, and the babies in the mini coop last. The littles are fully integrated by day, and have shown interest in the big girl coop, but were chased off by Buttercup.

Tonight there were 5 “upstairs,” as follows:
• Bridge, Ester and Dorothy up top
• Ruby and Minnie (besties who always roost together) below
• Mental note: That’s 5 hens.

Then I walked around to count the remaining girls in the main coop, expecting the other five adults. But the first bird I saw, front and center, was Flash. Flash the pullet? Yes, and she was on the same roost as Buttercup! So the main coop was situated as follows:
• Lucky back left, as usual
• Roxy back center, as usual
• Minnie and Cashew back right, as usual
• Buttercup front left, as usual
• Flash center front, a first!

So I grabbed the other two pullets from the mini coop and put them with Flash. Since I’ll be home over the full Thanksgiving week, I figured I’d assist starting tomorrow, but instead got s jump start on it tonight! I’ll just have to be sure to get up at a reasonable time so all 13 aren’t crammed in the coop during daylight for too long. Excuse the mess, but lookie! I’m so excited! (This is the main coop. Roosts are about chest high on me.)

I also wanted to point out to Bob that OF COURSE the pullet with Leghorn was first to decide it’s time to roost with the bigs. ❤

View attachment 2419040

Just amazing. That leghorn blood. No fear, curiosity, Intelligence. This is great news!

 

[micstrachan]

I just doubt that for some reason. She has started to molt though. Very late too I might add.

Ooooh! I am catching up, but I hope this explains it. Some of mine are such weenies when they start molt, you’d think they’re dying. When we’re anywhere near molt season, I give them a day or teo before worrying. Once molting, though, they get extra visual attention (no touch!) as mine tend to starve themselves during molt. For the fatties, I don’t mind if they drop a little fat.

 

[BY Bob]

Rats are no fun. Ask me how I know.

How are you making out?

 

[micstrachan]

What do you reckon to this then?
https://www.statnews.com/2020/09/24/crows-possess-higher-intelligence-long-thought-primarily-human/

Apparently I missed a few posts. I would have been all over this! I’ve heard about crows and their intelligence. I can’t wait to read this!