Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

The puzzle Bob has put up is a good distraction as I'm sorting out a near-disaster today.

The coop tractor is not unattached yet from the large run, and I had let the chickens free-range, supervised, the last several days, but I'd gotten too casual about it. Of course I had thought, hawks are going to be coming through here soon in their migrations, got to get the tractor unhitched and going soon, but I trusted the chickens to stick close to the house, thinking that was a safe strategy, and they mostly have done that. I noticed how very happy and enthusiastic and just chicken-y they behaved when they were exploring and scratching and moving around naturally. They are encountering a varied environment that challenges and exercises their brains too as they look for good things to eat. They are totally built for free-ranging. Yesterday they all helped me garden, and were spotting worms way before I could even get started seeing one.

But today they were attacked by a hawk. I believe they are all okay. I did a basic check on the two I was most concerned about, Popcorn and Butters, and will check more thoroughly tomorrow. Later this afternoon back in the big run Peanut and Hazel were digging a hole to China and getting into a dustbath, and I didn't want to stress them again with a closer check as at least for now they appeared well enough. Queenie looked good and a quick feel of her sides and breast feathers turned up nothing.

Also tomorrow I'm going to unhitch the coop tractor and start moving it around and keep them in it. I am thinking of building a secure low tractor that I could also move with it to give them more square feet in each spot. They will have new ground every day - leaves and woods floor stuff and grass, and that's got to be better than the run litter they've been looking at all winter. I decided at least for now, I didn't want to lose anyone this way, through a free-range attack, and from my point of view the fun times of free-ranging wasn't worth the terror of today for them and the sadness and guilt for me, at least not for now.

But maybe a chicken's thoughts work differently. Do they just roll with these things? They had no desire to leave the coop for several hours after this incident, about six hours. But late today I think they would gladly have gone out again. Short-term memories at work? Or when I'm around the coop or they see me anywhere they feel safe and want to come out? Or do I have here a bunch of thrill-seekers on my hands?

My neighbors have urged me to free-range the chickens. I have been researching electrified predator fencing for ground predators, and thinking of ways to protect against aerial predators in combination with the coop tractor moving around. With free ranging, I considered that there could still be a loss when outside the coop tractor even with reasonably good protections, and have been weighing how I feel about that possibility. Now I know. The thing is, a chicken that gets to really be a chicken by not being confined is living a great life, but if it is killed or wounded by a predator, was or is that still considered a good life? Who is the judge of this? And what kind of vote am I entitled to? Am I okay with knowing they lived really well and happily up until meeting a violent death, or painful wounding, or having a just-plain terrifying (thrilling?) experience?

What happened, if you care to read more --
I let the chickens out to free-range around the house, and DH was outside too, working nearby, about 70 feet away. I was in and out, and had just noticed that Hazel was in the coop run but didn't see the others. So I had gone in for a few minutes when a hawk attacked four of them in some blackberry bushes right at the base of a tree about 10 feet from the house. I think the brambles being in the way helped, slowing down grabbing someone. Queenie let loose all kinds of desperate calling and screaming and DH looked over to see a lot of flapping and realized it wasn't just a group of chickens flapping there, there was a big hawk on them, and he rushed over to drive the hawk off. The hawk saw him but paused and didn't want to move. DH kept going toward him and it finally flew off. That pause DH reported made me think someone had been in it's talons. But now I think there was still a chicken there - Butters - right in front of it, so close, and the hawk had not wanted to leave.

I flew out the sliding door on the side where the screaming was, and Queenie was right there at the door and hopped up and inside as I went out, and I saw the hawk flying up and circling around, and land briefly in a tree near the road. It was big but I was pretty sure it wasn't carrying anything. One Buckeye was coming from the brambles straight toward me and went right under the little deck that that door opens on to and I was standing on. I looked around and didn't see anybody else, then found Peanut under the nearby Rhododendron bush. I called her and she came towards me all twittering, and I led her to the other Buckeye - turned out to be Butters - under the deck space, then got Queenie and showed her the others and got her under there too. Then we went looking for the fourth; Hazel had retreated to the bump-out nook of the coop run and was scared but okay, but the fourth Buckeye was nowhere to be found.

Checked on everyone under the deck again and the one Buckeye was crouched in a most inaccessible corner of wood, she appeared to be sitting and not moving much, with Peanut standing but wedged right next to her, looking around but sort of cowering, and Queenie standing in front of them, all neck up and wary, seemingly guarding them both.

We looked around and called and called, and I checked under the house crawl spaces, then we did a wide circle around in front, checking every fallen tree and nook and hiding place. It didn't make sense that a hawk could carry anyone, and we both thought it didn't have anything when it flew up. I made a big circle around the house, checking on Hazel again as now I didn't see her either - but she had moved to the coop itself and was sitting down on the roosting bars, a very unusual daytime place for her but a safe one. She looked wary but okay. She later moved into the nestbox to lay her egg.

After a long search I was very sad and worried but concerned for the remaining group, so I got the three hens out from under the small deck with some mealworm enticement. They were really reluctant to leave there, but I led them along the house's front, which was reassuring to be next to, and then across the driveway and when they saw we were going to the coop they broke into a run toward it. Nobody was limping or bleeding in any obvious way. Saw it was Butters with them, so it was Popcorn who was missing - spunky Popcorn! We circled and searched again, but this time also went around to the very back end of the house and the garage barn.

It took half an hour to find her. At least it felt like ages. She had got herself in under a corner of our big back porch and side decking. Totally hidden, and up on the slope of the ground, way under the decking. I was calling and suddenly thought I heard a tiny, faint pip. Called again, and there it was again, a little louder bok. Then I saw a shadow move through the light coming through the deck boards. She must have run straight back from the attack toward DH, but along and under the overhanging side of the house, a good fifty feet, to then hang a sharp right and run another twenty feet to the most dark and far-away corner under there.

She came partly out and I gave her some mealworms while I cried. Then she scooted back in. It took some convincing to get her to come out. Then I picked her up, which I know she isn't crazy about, but I wasn't sure she would go with us back to the front and the coop. But she didn't want to be held, and putting her down again she did follow us back, my DH calling and encouraging her too. When she got to the barn and kitchen doors that was familiar territory, and she acted comfortable again, running to the coop when she saw the others there.
They all seem fine, so far, and are tucked in tonight.
This day was pretty stressful.

This is a long response but you have a serious decision to make and I want to be thorough and give you all I can from my experiences.

This has been my exact experience with hawks.

Spoiler: the shock of Dolly's death

Nothing prepares you to respond to some bokking to find a hawk standing on you hen eating it.

When I lost Dolly in the first attack Trisha was hidden under our deck. I could not find her. She would not respond to my calls. I thought I had lost both hens. It took hours and a whole lot of tears until she would respond and come out.

The hawks themselves have zero fear of humans. None whatsoever. They are the only wild animal I have personally encountered that does not care if we are near or not. I try to be with them when I free range them to deter hawk attacks but the hawks will attack anyway. I did thwart an attack a few months back by simply standing up but the hawk was going to attack Sansa when she was a couple of feet from me.

Despite multiple attacks since then, I have not lost another hen to hawks. The tribe has gotten much better at identifying the threat and tries to stick to cover when free ranging. The hawks have gotten hung up in trees and bushes while trying to attack. This has given me time to respond to the threat. As the leaves come out onto the trees their cover will also improve.

As to whether you should free range them or not, this is something that is tough to grapple with. In some ways I have been influenced by how @Shadrach manages his tribes. My tribe seems to enjoy being out. I have provided them with a much safety as I can. Most times I am with them as added safety. But I am again letting them be responsible for their own lives to some degree and giving them the freedom of the yard as much as I can.

Frankly I have lost my beloved Maleficent while she was "protected" in the big run. It is all about what level of risk you are willing to accept for your hens. I think having suffered so many losses over the years to things other than hawks has given me a little perspective that while a definite danger, hawks are not the only thing that would take one of my beloved pets from me.

I will also point out, that it is likely that none of your tribe knew that a hawk was a danger where you live. Outside of Queenie, I'm pretty certain that they had no mothers or fathers to teach them that danger comes from the sky. (I feel safe in guessing that Queenie also did not but it is possiblefrom her time free ranging previously that she had learned such a lesson). I would expect that their sentinel will be much more aware of the sky in the future and that they will not wander in the open but rather scamper accross it to cover like mine usually do.

Obviously only you can decide if you are going to keep them to the tractor or let them free range and I will not attempt to push you in any direction. I hope this has been helpful in some way.

 

[BY Bob]

For Shad. Here’s Minnie today:
View attachment 2603221

And just for kicks, here’s Flash, too:
View attachment 2603222

Such an appropriate name, Flash!

 

[BY Bob]

I finished my short story, more of a recount, and fitting 3 years of memories into 750 words was tough.
Don’t know if I’m happy with it, still fiddling, but a wise man told me that I have nothing to lose by entering it.

I got all of twin peaks on bluray as an early birthday present from hubby so immersing myself in that now with a glass of wine

Chicken tax
View attachment 2603388

That is a wonderful photo!

 

[BY Bob]

I had to go out and just hold Jaffar just now. He’s my hero rooster, and deserves the best. I have never had such an amazing animal as he is. He responded by laying his beak on my shoulder, to snuggle. Awesome!

He truly is special.

 

[BY Bob]

Concern

I thought that something was up yesterday. Now I find alarm bells going off in my head. I thought I would do a real Coffee Klatch photo this morning like Ned, Lucky, and I used to have. I figured Aurora might pose in the other chair for me. At least it was worth a shot.

More background..... yesterday, the tribe was thrilled to see me. I got about an hour in with them in the morning. We had a splendid time getting reacquainted. Sadly though, it seemed Hattie was laying her egg at the time. Later in the day Hattie was about but my "spidey senses" were tingling. Something seemed off. She seemed passive when I put some mealy worms out for them.

So at this mornings Coffee Klatch I brought out her favorite, purple corn. Normal behavior is such that Hattie will not stop eating corn until I stop providing it. Today she left after a little more than a handful. She also normally defends her corn hand from all comers. Today even Phyllis got some from my hand while Hattie was eating.

After corn time was over, the tribe went about ranging in the side yard. Here they are. Can you find Hattie?

Spoiler: Here's Hattie

She has been sitting there for almost 40 min now while the rest of the tribe ranges. The tribe did stop by for 5 min of grooming with her but they then moved on without her.

Aurora is serving as sentinel right now. I do think that there may have been some hawks around either while I was gone or this morning because Aurora has them a little jumpy. Lilly in particular is sprinting accross the open stretches of yard.

When Mrs BY Bob gets home from work, Hattie is going to get a once over. I do wish I could tell her eggs from the others. They are all so close in shape and color right now I have no idea if she is actually laying or not.

I am more than a little concerned.

 

[Marie2020]

I know the feeling

It sure increases quickly in here. It's a very popular thread.

 

[Scrambles83]

Concern

I thought that something was up yesterday. Now I find alarm bells going off in my head. I thought I would do a real Coffee Klatch photo this morning like Ned, Lucky, and I used to have. I figured Aurora might pose in the other chair for me. At least it was worth a shot.

More background..... yesterday, the tribe was thrilled to see me. I got about an hour in with them in the morning. We had a splendid time getting reacquainted. Sadly though, it seemed Hattie was laying her egg at the time. Later in the day Hattie was about but my "spidey senses" were tingling. Something seemed off. She seemed passive when I put some mealy worms out for them.

So at this mornings Coffee Klatch I brought out her favorite, purple corn. Normal behavior is such that Hattie will not stop eating corn until I stop providing it. Today she left after a little more than a handful. She also normally defends her corn hand from all comers. Today even Phyllis got some from my hand while Hattie was eating.

After corn time was over, the tribe went about ranging in the side yard. Here they are. Can you find Hattie?
View attachment 2603426

Spoiler: Here's Hattie

View attachment 2603427

She has been sitting there for almost 40 min now while the rest of the tribe ranges. The tribe did stop by for 5 min of grooming with her but they then moved on without her.
View attachment 2603429

Aurora is serving as sentinel right now. I do think that there may have been some hawks around either while I was gone or this morning because Aurora has them a little jumpy. Lilly in particular is sprinting accross the open stretches of yard.

When Mrs BY Bob gets home from work, Hattie is going to get a once over. I do wish I could tell her eggs from the others. They are all so close in shape and color right now I have no idea if she is actually laying or not.

I am more than a little concerned.

Keep us updated, Bob.
I’m hoping that Hattie is a-ok

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Hugs for you.

I had a snake get 1 of my birds [I managed to rescue her] last week:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ribhs-dcoopage.1295189/page-2327#post-24205522

But what I learnt was chooks seem to go into some sort of shock so the trauma is lessened if they die. This snaked was wrapped @ least twice round my GLW & by the time I got it uncoiled from my girl I thought she was a goner. She lay all limp & twisted up as dead chooks do but she was simply in shock & stunned. It took us about 1/2 an hour to wrangle the snake into a bag for rehoming & it was about then my girl came to & hopped up as if nothing @ all had happened.

They'll recover much faster than you would believe. All my girls acted like nothing had ever happened the next morning.

The snake.
View attachment 2603138

The chook in question.​

View attachment 2603150

Thank you for the hugs. I HAVE seen that shock or safety reaction in chickadees, standing on a branch stock still, head tilted slightly up and non-reactive, when there's a near miss by a hawk, but didn't make the connection that chickens may do it too. Queenie was so vocal and sounded so desperate it was heart-wrenching, but she herself was actually not in direct danger.

Wow, what a story about your Wyandotte and that snake!

 

[featherhead007]

I think BLU might be sick. He didn’t start crowing the same time Jaffar has. It’s just getting light here, and I will be checking him out thoroughly in a few minutes. I hope he’s okay.

 

[Marie2020]

So this is how my morning went
I went out into my backyard to feed Sunny and her little chicks, when I noticed there was a hen with 11 chicks in my backyard! She's visited a few times before, but she's not one of the residents of my backyard.

I think Chickadee's been busy spreading the word that all chickens are welcome in my backyard -the more, the better
View attachment 2602535

That's just beautiful. Are you going to find a little cover for them? As they seem to have found a peaceful home with you and your tribe