Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

What a wonderful day. Those are the best! I especially love when they are underfoot.

Yes, I love their company!
Even more care needed now with crampons on though, getting over to the run. Once there I'll change to the in-run boots, but in order to proceed forward I have to hold whatever is in my arms away to the front - the three boldest (Popcorn, Butters, Hazel) are always jockeying for a position directly under it. It is very interesting how chickens want to jump-fly straight up at something.

 

[MaryJanet]

That's net enough mealies to feed Phyllis but they say thank you just the same.

I was tempted to put hundreds of them in the post, but thought it might be dull reading for the humans?

 

[BY Bob]

I was tempted to put hundreds of them in the post, but thought it might be dull reading for the humans?

Indeed.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

So I'm ready to call it, the oldest group of chicks are 4 1/2 weeks old. 1 boy and 3 girls. Karen is going to remain Karen lol. I took some pictures last night after I redid their brooder. and here they are.
That is Karen giving me the stink eye on the log.
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Oh I think they are so cute!
What is the liner you are using there - with the handy tie-ups? Is that something like a picnic table cover?

 

[BY Bob]

Ned taught me that. I'll try and find pictures of the two of them.

Here is Ned. He is about a week old. Notice his carriage.

Here is Lucky for comparison.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I am little curious about their current roost. Can you take a picture of them roosted at night? I'd like to see how they use it.

I can try! It would involve getting up close to the pop door and looking in before the autodoor closes. I have considered getting a couple of coop cams, what type & brand do you all use?

The main coop human access is from the back, but it's disruptive to open it very far when they've settled down, though I have briefly checked on them that way. I can tell you because I have it that the coop light comes on for 5 minutes before the autodoor closes that they seem to pick spots in there and stick to them, but it's not an unchanging arrangement.

Last week I hung out with them near the pop door while they went to roost and I think it changed their routine and caused the following: Queenie went in first, but then came right out again just as Hazel was ready to go through, and sat on the door jamb, looking out. She was blocking the door, and everyone else was lined up ready to go in. What gives here? Confusion. Hazel was supposed to go in after Queenie, and tried to get by her, clucking and making it very obvious she wanted to go in. Queenie was denying her. Gandalf on the bridge!

Clearly the proper thing to do would be to let everyone in. Why this shenanigans now? Hazel tried to wedge in on the side. Nope. Can't go over. Side again? Nope. She even wedged herself under, drove herself between Queenie's legs, pushing very hard with her feet. She got halfway under there, Queenie was partially standing, but not giving way. I wish I had my phone for that picture! "Fluffy butt under determined gaze." Hazel was really struggling and shifting her feet and kept pushing, but it was clear Queenie was pushing back harder. Interestingly, not any sounds from Queenie that I could tell. The quiet dominance was impressive.

Hazel backed away, and Queenie sat down again. Hazel pecked her head pretty hard twice, and Queenie lowered it but didn't budge an inch. Everyone else was upset and clucking now. What gives? Then Hazel went nuts and did some football-style rush, scrambling up onto her in some way that succeeded. Either she went over her or Queenie gave way, or both. Okay, they're both in. "Are we done now?" Butters, Popcorn and Peanut quickly and quietly filed in. Goodnight!

What was that all about?

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Here is Ned. He is about a week old. Notice his carriage.
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Here is Lucky for comparison.

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Ned and Lucky now!❤

 

[RoyalChick]

Proof

Just so everyone knows that Spring has arrived.

I love how they all said hello when you said 'say hello everyone'. I wish I could give an equivalent tour but I still can only move a few feet for all the snow and ice. I have high expectations of tomorrow - sun and above freezing in the afternoon at least.

 

[RoyalChick]

Yes, I love their company!
Even more care needed now with crampons on though, getting over to the run. Once there I'll change to the in-run boots, but in order to proceed forward I have to hold whatever is in my arms away to the front - the three boldest (Popcorn, Butters, Hazel) are always jockeying for a position directly under it. It is very interesting how chickens want to jump-fly straight up at something.

Yes. That. You are living my life only sensibly you have crampons!

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I managed to get home before dark today thanks to a doctor appointment. I let Ned and the layers out for a bit of sun.