Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Isn't it fun. It is great to have someone new join us every so often so we can reminisce.

Yes that!

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Gorgeous fluffy butts! So clean too!

Thank you!

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

I'm wondering if Kat "Dry cleans" them ? (That's not the product of a regular wash cycle)

What can I tell you? They spend hours dust bathing and primping.

 

[RoyalChick]

Are you sad about that? I'm a little sad that only Sansa still squats for me.

Actually I feel completely rejected and a bit upset about that. And I don't know what changed. Diana will occasionally manage a half-hearted squat like she knows it makes me feel good. But none of the others do any more and the little road-runners never did.
I am also a bit anxious about how I would pick them up if I had to - when they squatted it was easy and it was only ever Maggie who would ignore me if she had her mind set on going for a walk. Now I worry about how I would grab one in a hurry if I had to.

 

[RoyalChick]

Well there's a tag team situation going on here indeed! Frankly, but I am joking too, I was reminded of that prison series called Oz! My goodness, what's a hen to do when she needs to roost in confined quarters?

So it gets my brain trying to think of more ways to provide for evasive maneuvers and especially sight blocks since roosting occurs so early with good daylight still. Chickens don't get a stink eye for someone they can't see, do they?

First thought of an additional roost, parallel to the main one but out of reach when perched on either, like the high roost bar. Right now the long main bar is so easily patrolled.

But then thought that visual blocks might be a quick thing to try? Like hang cloth or something at a couple of intervals along the long main bar, perpendicular to it, so the sight line down the length is interrupted. The bar is still easily accessed from the coop floor anywhere along the length, so a hen looking to bully could patrol from the floor if they want to. But it might cut down on the development of "stink eye" while on the bar?

That is a creative idea. Worth a try maybe?

 

[RoyalChick]

Fluffy butts for Friday
Fran and Peggy
View attachment 2499274
Verna, Nancy, Maxine, and Peg again
View attachment 2499275
Ethyl and Fancy confused about the day
View attachment 2499276
And a bonus wheelbarrow of fun
View attachment 2499277

Those are fantastic photos. I love them. So pretty! I love the wheelbarrow - do they expect you to wheel them around in it?

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Fluffy butts for Friday
Fran and Peggy
View attachment 2499274
Verna, Nancy, Maxine, and Peg again
View attachment 2499275
Ethyl and Fancy confused about the day
View attachment 2499276
And a bonus wheelbarrow of fun
View attachment 2499277

What breed is Verna? Really pretty coloring!

 

[FransGran]

Those are fantastic photos. I love them. So pretty! I love the wheelbarrow - do they expect you to wheel them around in it?

Oh no—I’m quite sure that would render me very unpopular, temporarily. They like to dust bathe and nap in it, though.

 

[FransGran]

What breed is Verna? Really pretty coloring!

She’s a blue black splash Orpington. When they were little and in that awkward stage I wondered if she might be male, her feet and shanks were so big.

 

[RoyalChick]

Yes I got a great appreciation for the vastness of your setup. They have a lot of room. That will hold 40 chickens easily.

Well played!