Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Bluey?

Don't laugh, that is quality entertainment. I watched an episode based just on taking the bins out to the curb. Quality stuff.

 

[BY Bob]

She's very healthy now and once the probiotics are finished (two more doses), I'll keep an eye on her poops. If her poops go watery again, they'll prepare another course of probiotics for her.

So that's it for vet appointments until Peggy's next checkup in 10 weeks. Ivy will be tagging along.

Excellent. Give her a treat on me for an excellent appointment.

 

[BY Bob]

Ooops, did I have a bit of a rant...
Yep, I feel a bit better thanks. I made the mistake of reading the general forums prior to posting. I've also had the misfortune of being shown some of the chicken posts/advice on Facebook by my daughter.
Not having chicken pictures to post means I'm liable to think about what others have written instead of just blasting through the posts pressing the like button. Bound to end in trouble.
I'm going to be sticking to building my Etsy shop for a few days so rant fodder should be minimal for a while. Don't worry though, I'll still find plenty of rant fodder later.

We withstood it just fine. It is always nice to hear from you and you do make some good points. I for one am extremely thankful that you are sticking with us.

 

[BY Bob]

I've never watched it. I only know about it from this thread.

You are missing out.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Maybe it is the heat. It really is awful.

Yes, I thought that too for a moment. But Ribh and MJ have noticed bullying in recent days too and it's freeeezing here.

 

[Ribh]

Yes, I thought that too for a moment. But Ribh and MJ have noticed bullying in recent days too and it's freeeezing here.

Extreme weather...????

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Well it's only my ideas but salt prevents pests and vinegar also, I didn't bath them just washed them with a flannel in the areas I mentioned. The sun was hot yesterday so the vinegar would soothe their cute wattle and ears then the coconut oil is very soothing plus discourages pests.

On today's menu we have beetroot leaves, hung up in the coop and beet cuttings and shard with what ever else I find in my kitchen for their main meal . They love their main meal a few hours before bed and while we are having our tea. Basically we all eat at the same time.

Yes, I'm a weird one but very happy with my family

Thanks for replying Marie. That all sounds so cosy and peaceful.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I've written about this so much now....
There are some basic problems to do with observation and other problems due to perception.
Observation
Most people do not spend enough time with their chickens to make valid observations on their behaviour. This is a simple fact. It seems from the various polls and posts that the average may be as little as half an hour a day and this seems to usually be when feeding and cleaning. A great deal of normal behaviour just isn't shown when feeding and cleaning; the important stuff goes on when either your not looking or when you are looking so much that the chickens no longer associate you with a limited range of activities and pretty much go about their business as if you were not there.
Coop cams have helped change the keepers ability to watch normal behaviour and people get to see stuff they otherwise would not. This is what has happened with Royal Chick and By Bob just on this thread; maybe others as well.
So, it is reasonably safe to assume that these behaviours have gone on and go on day to day. The problems Phyllis has at roosting and in the coop would probably not be known about without the aid of a coop cam.
I believe it's safe to assume that such behaviours have not suddenly developed; the suddenness is in the keepers ability to observe and recognise.
For those who go to work, be that at home or away from home, their working day does not allow for lengthy observation; an hour or two free range time at the weekend is not going to show much of the chickens natural behaviour.
It drives me to distraction when people post stating their chickens don't behave in a certain way or contradict species specific behaviours when it is apparent that the time they spend watching their chickens is minimal and their interpretation of what is going on is biased. See perception section below.
Yes, chickens are individuals, but they do have species specific behaviour and have more in common between breeds and keeping circumstances than some people want to acknowledge.
Perception
If we could address the following we would all have a better understanding of the species and consequently be able to provide better care.
1) Chickens are not cute and cuddly. From what I've seen they're pretty savage, don't like people much, don't like being picked up, will rip a mouse, or other creature to shreds with any sign or remorse and bully outsiders to death. That cute exception you've got on your lap that you're about to post about to prove me wrong will behave just like the rest given the right circumstances.
2) Chickens do not make good pets and they don't make you breakfast either. They don't lay their eggs for you and no matter how much you may thank them and make silly noises at them the simple fact is you are stealing their potential offspring. Chickens lay eggs to further their genes. You are not even in the equation.
3) Chickens are stupid. Not from what I've seen and not according to the studies I've read either. We haven't quite managed to reduce out ego far enough to recognise they are as smart as we are but with a different skill set yet...
Treat them with some respect for what they are and you'll get a better response from them. If some are more reluctant to engage with humans then let them be.
4) Chickens are not suitable creatures for close confinement. No, they don't like their coops and runs. They know they are imprisoned and as many of you have seen, are just dying to get out at every opportunity. They are not standing at the gate because they are waiting with baited breath for a word or treat from their magnanimous keeper; they want out!
5) Chickens are tribal creatures and not flock creatures. They don't like other chickens that look different to the majority, or are not related.
Chicken don't like strangers. All new comers will be treated with suspicion and often violence. Now comers have to earn their place in the group and no amount of careful integration is going to make the slightest difference in the long run.

My belief is Ribh and some others have fewer social problems because the range of breeds and looks kept is so great that tribal pairing, or grouping is difficult to sustain. If there is a fairly regular influx of new inmates then social bonds are constantly being readjusted. Short term prison management works on a similar principle, no one group gets the time to establish control.
For many chicken keepers this isn't the case and the group is relatively stable over longer periods of time and relationships are formed and held over time.

The solution to most of the behaviour problems is essentially simple. Keep one breed, preferably related and let the chickens choose when to add to the tribe and who hangs with who. Even then, should a stray gene pop up in offspring you can expect that chicken to be picked on. Time and stability and in tribe breeding will often raise the oddball in the hierarchy, but importing company is not a certain route to peace.
The ideal chicken relationship is much like humans. One rooster to one hen with offspring attached until a certain age. Some roosters will mate and breed and move on to another hen, others it seems will stay with one hen for life. Children are tolerated until they become competition.

All good points Shad. I think your set up in Spain is pretty ideal for a domesticated animal but we all do our best with what we have.

I'm just glad my chooks and dogs cohabitate well enough that my hens get to free range in the backyard almost everyday. Not ideal perhaps, and a far cry from what their ancestors evolved with but far better than a cage. Which was my original reason for getting backyard chickens in the first place. No more caged eggs.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

You Aussies make great ground troops, and made ww2 much easier to win, but the USA has always ruled the skies, and always will! IMHO.

HI Alex.

Glad to see you are safely home with your loving chooks.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Where do you get lavender and rosemary from? I will try that... thank you

Grow your own!
In the mean time you can always get dried rosemary from the herb section at the supermarket.