Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Scrambles83]

Fermented breakfast seems to be a hit. Once they have finished it off they can free range for the day then another helping at bedtime.
I’m hoping it might cut down on the amount of feed the wild birds are getting also

 

[MaryJanet]

I keep expecting Hattie to grow broody but she has never shown the least indication of doing so. She will be 3 in July.

She looks like a mama hen.

 

[MaryJanet]

Phyllis the Broody

Last night I promised the story of Phyllis the broody.

This week I actually took a trip for business. It was a one night trip but I would be gone almost 2 full days. Mrs BY Bob decide that since I would be gone, she would go see Eve. This meant the ladies would be locked in the complex for 2 days. I can watch them via the cameras and have people that can help if I see anything that needs addressing.

The two days I was gone the temperature spiked. I think this has something to do with triggering her maternal impulses, combined with an accumulation of eggs because no one was collecting them, well how could she resist.

Here is what she had under her. I have since lowered the number of eggs to 3.
View attachment 2644574

It took me all day on Thursday to realize something was up. I was a little distracted of course. Late in the day I noticed that she was not at the backdoor with the rest of tribe and started wondering where she might be. I called her and she did not come.

That scared me.

So out I went. I went straight to the coop to see if she had already roosted for the night. Instead I found her in the nest box. Now normally if she is laying an egg and I peek in, she talks to me and moves around irritated. I had opened the coop side door when saw her in the nest. I spoke to her and got no reaction.

So went and opened the nest box. She did not flinch.

Now I swear I never saw Sydney in the broody trance but Phyllis certainly was.
I petted her. I mussed her hair (I had to. I could not help myself).

No reaction.

So I closed the roof and let her be.

Yesterday morning when Phyllis got off the nest, I removed the majority of the eggs and marked the remainder as Hattie then went into the box to lay her egg.

I have decided that I need her to prove to me that she will do this for a couple of days but if she stays the course we will get her eggs. We are debating right now whether I try to source Polish eggs or take advantage of @CrazyChookChookLady generous offer of more fertilized eggs. We want to see Miss Phyllis as a mother. It is all up to her now.

Yes! I'm so glad there's a possibility of Phyllis hatching chicks!

 

[MaryJanet]

Fermented breakfast seems to be a hit. Once they have finished it off they can free range for the day then another helping at bedtime.
I’m hoping it might cut down on the amount of feed the wild birds are getting also

The endless struggle against wildbirds, gah! If the funrun is ever finished, I may make friends with the wildbirds again.

 

[RoyalChick]

The endless struggle against wildbirds, gah! If the funrun is ever finished, I may make friends with the wildbirds again.

What is still left to do on the funrun MJ?

 

[MaryJanet]

What is still left to do on the funrun MJ?

Three sections need wire. One strip across the top, one upper half of a wall, and the top half of the stable door. It's quite close to the end.

The tradies reached out a couple of weeks ago, but then didn't show up.

 

[RoyalChick]

Three sections need wire. One strip across the top, one upper half of a wall, and the top half of the stable door. It's quite close to the end.

The tradies reached out a couple of weeks ago, but then didn't show up.

I empathize.
My tradies are still finishing the Chicken Palace and I think it is going on 18 months.
We are at finishing stages (painting the doors) but as they are salvaged that is a lot of work and can only be done on a day without rain and nobody is on holiday or sick etc etc.
I am at peace with the pace but a bit of tidy-up is needed.
Good luck on getting finished. It will feel great to be done!

 

[BY Bob]

@RoyalChick there are baby bluebirds in my box. Here is their Dad. I got some photos of him today.

 

[Lady Red]

They both do.

Agreed

 

[Lady Red]

Phyllis the Broody

Last night I promised the story of Phyllis the broody.

This week I actually took a trip for business. It was a one night trip but I would be gone almost 2 full days. Mrs BY Bob decide that since I would be gone, she would go see Eve. This meant the ladies would be locked in the complex for 2 days. I can watch them via the cameras and have people that can help if I see anything that needs addressing.

The two days I was gone the temperature spiked. I think this has something to do with triggering her maternal impulses, combined with an accumulation of eggs because no one was collecting them, well how could she resist.

Here is what she had under her. I have since lowered the number of eggs to 3.
View attachment 2644574

It took me all day on Thursday to realize something was up. I was a little distracted of course. Late in the day I noticed that she was not at the backdoor with the rest of tribe and started wondering where she might be. I called her and she did not come.

That scared me.

So out I went. I went straight to the coop to see if she had already roosted for the night. Instead I found her in the nest box. Now normally if she is laying an egg and I peek in, she talks to me and moves around irritated. I had opened the coop side door when saw her in the nest. I spoke to her and got no reaction.

So went and opened the nest box. She did not flinch.

Now I swear I never saw Sydney in the broody trance but Phyllis certainly was.
I petted her. I mussed her hair (I had to. I could not help myself).

No reaction.

So I closed the roof and let her be.

Yesterday morning when Phyllis got off the nest, I removed the majority of the eggs and marked the remainder as Hattie then went into the box to lay her egg.

I have decided that I need her to prove to me that she will do this for a couple of days but if she stays the course we will get her eggs. We are debating right now whether I try to source Polish eggs or take advantage of @CrazyChookChookLady generous offer of more fertilized eggs. We want to see Miss Phyllis as a mother. It is all up to her now.

Wow! I'm anxious to read how this plays out