Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Hi folks. Sorry for being so absent today, but I really had to prioritize Ester. Her longest wing feathers are just starting to stick out in weird directions, so I think they're coming out, too. There is a tiny bit of feathering on her back, but it is hiding a full set of pin feathers, just like everywhere else. Only her neck and head are feathered at this point. And one little cuff of feathers where her "drumstick" meets her foot.

The good news is, we've gotten really good at tubing. She is an excellent little patient, and I'm so proud of her! I just open her crate, gently put my hands behind her to coax her toward me, and then she steps out of the crate and stands in front of me. She allows me to drape the towel over her and gently wrap it around her. I put her onto my criss-cross-apple-sauce lap as quickly as possible, speak to her soothingly, and then do the tubing as efficiently as possible. Then she gets a live meal worm reward. Today she has been tubed fluids four times and feed twice. She pooped after her last bit of fluid, and while it was still watery, it was less kelly green and had a little more substance to it. I shudder to think what would have happened if I hadn't gotten past my fear of tubing today.

Here is the cutest part. Ester likes to sit on my legs for a few minutes right after the tubing. She sort of stands there in a trance and I allow her to stay as long as she likes. Keep in mind, this is my most nervous hen who does NOT like to be handled and does NOT normally lap sit. Clearly she understands I am helping her. I hope we will be friends after all of this!

I'll try to catch up now.

Well done Michelle and Ester!

I'm so glad that she seems to be pulling through.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I don't even know how I could separate one out. Maybe I could try when the yard is covered in snow and they are bored. Hmmmmm.

Well, you could start with Phyllis. She comes into the house by herself. Start with a low perch and raise it incrementally until it is at the swing height that you want.

Take your time and if she doesn't seem to be "getting it" go back to the last point she succeeded at, reward her and finish for that session. Always try to end on a positive note to keep it pleasant for both of you.

 

[micstrachan]

Ok, my take on integration is very different and I don’t know how well it would work with your arrangement. I have a lot more birds, flocks of 10+ in 6x12’ tractors with 3x6’ roosting boxes and about 3x3’ of that is actual roosts. I slip new girls in at night onto the roosts and make sure to let everyone out very early the next morning, generally that is it. I minister and make sure there’s no bloodshed and let them sort it out on their own from there. My integration of the 8 newest rescues into the free range flock essentially was the same, with a couple nights of showing them where to roost, and now they are settled in nicely.

Kris, I read somewhere that in flocks over a certain size (for some reason the number 21 sticks out in my head, but seems too specific), birds are more tolerant of newcomers. It might have to do with how many individual faces they can recognize?

 

[micstrachan]

Well done Michelle and Ester!

I'm so glad that she seems to be pulling through.

Thanks, Aussie.

 

[micstrachan]

Ice Ice Baby

We are having a big ice storm today. You can see it building up on the branches of the birch tree. I have to watch that tree as it has split before. Despite the nasty weather, the ladies have still been leaving the complex for short bursts to grab some seeds or grass and then head back in.
View attachment 2471516

Does that tree overhang the coop or is it behind it?

 

[micstrachan]

Wet here too. Still. Lovely steady showers & much better than last year's fires.

It was wet here in California, too, today! Just a drizzle, but it was ALL DAY LONG.

 

[micstrachan]

Fluffy Butt Friday
Fran
View attachment 2471575
Maxine
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Verna
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Nora
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Impressively clean butts!

 

[Scrambles83]

Wet here too. Still. Lovely steady showers & much better than last year's fires.

We have had lots of rain here too the light Sussex bub decided to attempt a dust bath in between soakings but went to where the dirt was wet on the edge. She had fun, not so white on her tummy anymore

 

[BY Bob]

Well, you could start with Phyllis. She comes into the house by herself. Start with a low perch and raise it incrementally until it is at the swing height that you want.

Take your time and if she doesn't seem to be "getting it" go back to the last point she succeeded at, reward her and finish for that session. Always try to end on a positive note to keep it pleasant for both of you.

You are so encouraging. I want to teach Phyllis something. Maybe a swing is it. Let me think on this.

 

[BY Bob]

Kris, I read somewhere that in flocks over a certain size (for some reason the number 21 sticks out in my head, but seems too specific), birds are more tolerant of newcomers. It might have to do with how many individual faces they can recognize?

The last I saw was that they could remember over 50 faces.