Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Labsandchickens8]

We live on 3 acres in an area that used to be pretty rural. We have never had a fence. 15 years or so ago we got shock collars for the dogs and laid wire down around the property. The dogs soon learned their boundaries and never leave even if the batteries in their collars go dead (they will eventually, but we just quickly replace batteries). It's been remarkably effective in containing them. When I got chickens, DH moved the wire to keep them back from the runs.
Maybe your Dad could do that? It's just not okay to let dogs kill pets

This is my bestie dog Jack waiting for me to stop messing with the chickens. He's at his boundary. He would probably kill a chicken given the opportunity, given he's a bird dog.

 

[BY Bob]

Happy Mugshot Monday
Did someone say hormonal idiot?!
View attachment 4259262

I’ll be honest it is a bit stressful here at the moment. Mr. Chips has taken a shine to Piglet. This is definitively not consensual. And no, he does not put his weight on the ground.
To make matters worse, while Piglet was still frozen on the spot - clearly thinking she had been attacked led by a hawk - mean girl, Calypso laid into her.
I don't see how Mr. Chips will learn to be a gentleman if nobody tries to correct him. Piglet is way too meek and scared to peck. Tassels doesn’t seem to care one way or the other (this morning she just kept on eating while he tried to get his balance).
Poor Piglet is traumatized and spent most of her day hiding in a nest box. She doesn’t seem to have mastered that she can escape upwards or onto one of the wobbly logs.

I really hate this for Piglet. There is some serious cruelty in the chicken world at times.

These are for you. I wouldn't want to traumatize Piglet further.

 

[BY Bob]

That is one glorious headress! I believe in trimming Polish head feathers so they can see to function, but sometimes they're just so beautiful I hesitate.

Tilly needs a little trim. But I agree. It's who they are. I can't see cutting it all away like some people do.

 

[BY Bob]

We live on 3 acres in an area that used to be pretty rural. We have never had a fence. 15 years or so ago we got shock collars for the dogs and laid wire down around the property. The dogs soon learned their boundaries and never leave even if the batteries in their collars go dead (they will eventually, but we just quickly replace batteries). It's been remarkably effective in containing them. When I got chickens, DH moved the wire to keep them back from the runs.
Maybe your Dad could do that? It's just not okay to let dogs kill pets

I agree. Her Dad needs to contain his dog somehow.

 

[BY Bob]

This is my bestie dog Jack waiting for me to stop messing with the chickens. He's at his boundary. He would probably kill a chicken given the opportunity, given he's a bird dog.

A dog should know it's boundaries. Well done.

 

[Ponypoor]

It's been so cold & overcast lately that the birds are constantly at the door begging for food to keep up their body temps. I left the door open enough so they could feast on the not-so-cold feed, mealworms, & sunflower seeds in the kitchen dish before they went to roost. Froze my tush w/ the part-open door but I felt so sorry for them

What’s your temps there?

Hopefully not cold enough to freeze pipes and such. I find the silkies are good with the cold as long as no wind. The heat really gets to them.

 

[Ponypoor]

Happy Mugshot Monday
Did someone say hormonal idiot?!
View attachment 4259262

I’ll be honest it is a bit stressful here at the moment. Mr. Chips has taken a shine to Piglet. This is definitively not consensual. And no, he does not put his weight on the ground.
To make matters worse, while Piglet was still frozen on the spot - clearly thinking she had been attacked led by a hawk - mean girl, Calypso laid into her.
I don't see how Mr. Chips will learn to be a gentleman if nobody tries to correct him. Piglet is way too meek and scared to peck. Tassels doesn’t seem to care one way or the other (this morning she just kept on eating while he tried to get his balance).
Poor Piglet is traumatized and spent most of her day hiding in a nest box. She doesn’t seem to have mastered that she can escape upwards or onto one of the wobbly logs.

Awwww poor Piglet, cockerels are such doorknobs.

Maybe show her an escape route when silly boy comes around. If silly boys come calling with the young pullets I pick them up and put them on a stall door or something. They seem to figure this out fast once shown.

 

[Ponypoor]

HAHAHAHA here's Pentatonix: Chicken Edition!
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Will they break out in song?!

 

[Ponypoor]

We are sorry to inform you, but beady eyes are not allowed in View attachment 4259240This forum. Jeckel /Hyde eyes were acceptable, but now they too have been banned. Eyes staring off into space are acceptable, under strict regulations. Please make a note of it.

MEMO

Please make a note to check for beady eyes. If noted, make note of this in your notes.

 

[Ponypoor]

View attachment 4259272View attachment 4259273

Ooo la la ! She’s a model! Very lovely!