Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

It is an interesting roost design. A cross between a flat shelf and roosting bars. Does it get very poopy at night?

No, it doesn't, which is interesting. 95% falls down between the roost bars onto the tray below. Goopy poops sometimes will leave something on the side of a bar. The bars have a non-stick quality/texture to them and are easy to scrape, wipe or clean. If someone poops against or close to a wall those poops will sit on top because there's a bit of shelf. Usually I find one or two like that. Once in a while the top surface will be poopy if someone steps in a poop and then shifts or walks around in there.

When they were 6-7-week old chicks I removed the roost bars and moved them in there with a puppy pad and deep wood chips covering tray to bring it up to door height, and the (press 'n seal wrapped) heating pad set on low on one end they could sit on if they needed it (they did love that on cold September nights). Then when they were bigger pullets and big enough to deal with the bars there was a fairly short period where there were poops all over the bars. Their butts not lining up right? Roosting differently, finding where is most comfortable to grip, or finding their favorite spots? Some people have removed the bars and set up regular roost bars over the tray, from their stories I think they haven't waited through that poopy pullet stage to see if it was going to last.

I can't tell yet how the bars are for their keel. Maybe the deepest part of the curve sets in a space? That would distribute weight on two points. I don't see any problems there yet. There is more than one thread on BYC on the ideal roost bar width and shape! I've read through at least two.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Thanks so much. I was trying to picture how they used it. This is very helpful. Thanks. I hope it was not too much trouble.

No, no worries, it wasn't much trouble! I'm used to getting in there, not hard. The chickens are used to me coming around and saying goodnight from outside the coop, not inside the run at that time of night, or sitting sort of close to the pop door then. Or seeming to want to get in there with them (when I tried to get a closer shot!) But they trust me (enough) hanging out with them, whenever.

 

[RoyalChick]

That poor hen , laying such a monster of an egg..... Hope the lady is OK!

I don't know who it was but they all mobbed me for shrimp tails and cabbage this morning and are running around as normal. The road-runners have messy fluff (so no FBF photos from them today!) but it certainly wasn't one of them. I think I have to wait until it is warmer to wash their fluffy butts.

 

[BY Bob]

Wow - all the fluffy butts out together. What a treat!

Indeed it is. And they are fluffy for sure!

 

[BY Bob]

I think Ned would make a good president of the United States of America! just saying

Imagine the campaigne posters!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I have no idea who layed this monstrosity (egg on left). The one in the middle is what the Princesses normally lay and on the right is a Minnie’ mini contribution.
The one on the left is one ugly egg!
It isn’t the first sign of some deadly disease is it?

View attachment 2555162View attachment 2555163View attachment 2555164

My approach would be to see if this continues. Keep an extra eye on the hens to see if anyone is uncomfortable and not laying due to something stuck. I don't think this is due to lack of calcium, my guess is the sheer size slowed the passage through all the stages, slowed the rotation and smooth laying-on, so the shell was uneven. But I'm not an expert here.

 

[BY Bob]

No, it doesn't, which is interesting. 95% falls down between the roost bars onto the tray below. Goopy poops sometimes will leave something on the side of a bar. The bars have a non-stick quality/texture to them and are easy to scrape, wipe or clean. If someone poops against or close to a wall those poops will sit on top because there's a bit of shelf. Usually I find one or two like that. Once in a while the top surface will be poopy if someone steps in a poop and then shifts or walks around in there.

When they were 6-7-week old chicks I removed the roost bars and moved them in there with a puppy pad and deep wood chips covering tray to bring it up to door height, and the (press 'n seal wrapped) heating pad set on low on one end they could sit on if they needed it (they did love that on cold September nights). Then when they were bigger pullets and big enough to deal with the bars there was a fairly short period where there were poops all over the bars. Their butts not lining up right? Roosting differently, finding where is most comfortable to grip, or finding their favorite spots? Some people have removed the bars and set up regular roost bars over the tray, from their stories I think they haven't waited through that poopy pullet stage to see if it was going to last.

I can't tell yet how the bars are for their keel. Maybe the deepest part of the curve sets in a space? That would distribute weight on two points. I don't see any problems there yet. There is more than one thread on BYC on the ideal roost bar width and shape! I've read through at least two.

Ever since I saw the roosts I have been wondering about its effectiveness and frankly, how they would use it. That is why I asked for photos. I have never seen anything like it but it seems to be working fine. Especially in your cold weather. It must allow them to effectively cover their feet. It is certainly a clever design.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Imagine the campaigne posters!

With the state of the world, I'd vote for a stable Rooster any day over some of the choices we've had in recent years. Just saying.

 

[BY Bob]

Imagine the campaigne posters!

Chicken tax

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

First up for fluffy butt friday is the littles out for the first time.

Saved this from the other day.