Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the whole tribe!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Moving the Wood

I spent last summer concerned that someone was going to hop over the perimeter fence by climbing the wood pile. Well as soon as the snow was gone they were back up on the pile. Not looking for nest spots but I think just to eat bugs at this point. Well when Lilly, Sydney, Sansa, and Aurora of all hens climbed onto the pile on Saturday, they inspired me to get off of my butt and correct the situation.

Here is Lilly still climbing the pile as I try to move half of it to another location. She is actually quite a good climber. She uses her wings like we would use our hands to help balance herself.

Here are the final revised wood piles. One behind the magnolia tree and the other in the original location.View attachment 2573498
View attachment 2573497

Neither is high enough for them to see over and it would be difficult for them to fly over because of how close to the fence they are.

Everyone has been enjoying scratching where the old pile used to cover the groun. Lots of goodies there I suspect.

Nobody ever jump-flies straight up to stand on the fence edge?

 

[BY Bob]

Yep!

Wow those are very cool. I bet they were a big hit!

 

[BY Bob]

It’s not fully grown yet but it’s really healthy.

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Those are gorgeous! Very very pretty. How old are they?

 

[BY Bob]

Hello to everyone. I've had a few problems so haven't been able to be here very much. Hopefully everything is going to come together soon

Would anyone be able to advise me on alfalfa please, I don't know much about it and wouldn't want my babies to choke. And pointers would be gratefully received

I have not used alfalfa ever. Hopefully someone else can assist.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Hello to everyone. I've had a few problems so haven't been able to be here very much. Hopefully everything is going to come together soon

Would anyone be able to advise me on alfalfa please, I don't know much about it and wouldn't want my babies to choke. And pointers would be gratefully received

What do you want to know about alfalfa? Are you sprouting it in a jar? I do that, in a wide-mouth mason jar with a nylon porch screen netting screwed on with the mason lid. I have a mix and alfalfa is in there. I let it grow, rinsing and keeping it resting on it's side pointed down to drain, until it has it's first green leaves. Then we eat some and I give the rest to the ladies, who love it. At first they inspected it and carefully tasted it, and now they chow down on it. They either pick out each sprout or a few at a time and eat it right there, or pick up a large bunch in their beak and carry it away, put it down and pick at it until it's gone.

Are you planting it to grow somewhere like in a field? I'm afraid I can't help you there.

 

[BY Bob]

Fat Bird went back to see Gloria the vet this evening.
Fat Birds walking and balance is much improved but the slow crop problem is proving to be intractable.
The strange part is, Fat Bird looks well. She's alert, bright red comb and wattles, eating but very underweight.
Gloria got a thin tube past Fat Birds crop and into the passage that leads to Fat Birds gizzard. Fat Bird was not impressed. However, stuff moved. Fat Bird did one of the biggists poops she's done for ages on Gloria's inspection table and two more decent goes when she got home.
It's back to the coconut oil, water and massage for a few days and then back to Gloria again. Fat Bird is obviously getting some nutrition from her food and she still eats a lot.
Gave Fat Bird some scrambled egg for her supper and carried her up to the coop and tried placing her on the lower of the two perches. She wasn't having any of it. I tried three times. I finally twigged and put her on the higher perch next to Mel. She settled straight away.
Big love to Gloria the vet who wouldn't take any payment. She told me if Fat Bird makes it then I may charge you something.

What a wonderful vet. That sounds promising. I love that she insisted on the higher roost. Thank you for the update.

 

[Ribh]

Not chicken related but have to brag for a minute. This Friday marks the end of Rosie's 3rd 9 weeks. We have done the entire year virtual. There have been some tears *mostly on my part, I hate algebra* but for the first semester she pulled off a 4.0. This 9 weeks, we are done for the week already as of this afternoon and her lowest grade is a 99.85%. Her highest is math, 104.3% for pre-algebra and geometry and statistics combined. She's always been a good student, but I can tell she's blossomed in the home school environment and one on one attention. So much so that I'm now questioning sending her back to in person next year. If anything this year has proven that if I had to I can homeschool and for some students it may be the best option.

Chicken tax.
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When we pulled my OD in grade 9 she went from an English C student to an A in one term. And YD was reading off the primary school charts before she'd finished grade 4. There are lots of benefits to homeschooling for those that want to do it.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Fat Bird went back to see Gloria the vet this evening.
Fat Birds walking and balance is much improved but the slow crop problem is proving to be intractable.
The strange part is, Fat Bird looks well. She's alert, bright red comb and wattles, eating but very underweight.
Gloria got a thin tube past Fat Birds crop and into the passage that leads to Fat Birds gizzard. Fat Bird was not impressed. However, stuff moved. Fat Bird did one of the biggists poops she's done for ages on Gloria's inspection table and two more decent goes when she got home.
It's back to the coconut oil, water and massage for a few days and then back to Gloria again. Fat Bird is obviously getting some nutrition from her food and she still eats a lot.
Gave Fat Bird some scrambled egg for her supper and carried her up to the coop and tried placing her on the lower of the two perches. She wasn't having any of it. I tried three times. I finally twigged and put her on the higher perch next to Mel. She settled straight away.
Big love to Gloria the vet who wouldn't take any payment. She told me if Fat Bird makes it then I may charge you something.

Thank you for the update, I am hoping for the best for Fat Bird! You are helping her live to the fullest, helping her to perch where she is happiest. That is wonderful. You have a great vet there in Gloria, she seems compassionate.

 

[micstrachan]

I know the quality isn't the best, but, the boys have stolen one of the cat toys. I've yet to catch it on camera but they've already attempted to flog it a few times. Every time I bring out the camera to film it though they just end up staring at the camera.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2065030480304108

Oh my gosh! This is so culture and funny, too!