Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ValerieJ]

That is a project I will not be undertaking. I am considering large gravel to discourage incursions but that project is too large. I had to jackhammer over 30 of those post holes. I live on a giant limestone rock. I'm not interested in tackling a project like that again.

How about a ditch witch?

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I am going out now to check for digging. Its the only way it could try to get in.

If you sprinkled flour or powder all around the inside edge of the run after the girls have roosted, would that show you where something got in? You'd have to put some bait in the middle of the run, maybe in the trap.

 

[MaryJanet]

If you sprinkled flour or powder all around the inside edge of the run after the girls have roosted, would that show you where something got in? You'd have to put some bait in the middle of the run, maybe in the trap.

That's a good idea.

 

[Shadrach]

Me too. I have all sorts of chicken-envy every time @Shadrach posts - his hens are so beautiful and varied - but also the whole set up with the tribes and the freedom they have. I don't think I can achieve anything like that here.

Don't be envious; the price of this kind of life is high for the chickens and me.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

That is a project I will not be undertaking. I am considering large gravel to discourage incursions but that project is too large. I had to jackhammer over 30 of those post holes. I live on a giant limestone rock. I'm not interested in tackling a project like that again.

Perhaps you could screw some hardware cloth to the bottom of the fence and lay it out in a skirt around the perimeter, then hold it down with large rocks and gravel or sleepers as a border all around? No digging required for that.

This is the inside of my run. I have nailed the wire to the bottom of the fence and laid it along the ground it's full width (all one piece). There is dirt and logs on top of it.
It is mainly to stop my girls from digging out. It's worked so far...

 

[Shadrach]

Wouldn't the rooster overmate when there is just the two of them?

I'm never quite sure what people mean by overmating. As long as there is minimal feather damage to the hen and the rooster doesn't die of exhaustion they can do it as often as they like.
Part of the problem with high production hens is they lay lots of eggs that all need fertilizing in both the hens and roosters eyes. Given jungle fowl may only lay 30 eggs in a season and want to sit on most of them so called overmating isn't a problem.
If we humans stopped trying to squeeze too many eggs out of the poor hens this is one problem that would diminish. When the hens here are not in lay, they don't get bothered by the roosters. Nobody on the mountain where I live complains about over mating. Part of this is the chickens are free range and the hen can escape if necessary and they tend not to keep the high production breeds.
So, no, properly kept chickens of the 'right' breeds with a rooster of that breed so the sizes are right seems to stop the problem.
Most feral chickens and jungle fowl can manage 1:1 and say 1:3or 4 ratios very well.

 

[Shadrach]

Have you ever swapped a pair to introduce diversity?

Sorry for being curious. It's very interesting for me.

I'm all in favour of curiosity.
No, I've never swapped a pair. I've had pairs (rescue) here but they didn't socialise or breed with the existing tribes. Eventually one must assume that it would happen. It's how I got the mixed breeds here but essentially chickens prefer their own breed.

 

[Shadrach]

That's part of the upgrades to come. I have an apron around parts of the run but I will be burying hardware cloth as soon as weather permits.

I'm also in favour of a maximum security outer fence. It helps keep out other creatures such as dogs and cats.

 

[RoyalChick]

Don't be envious; the price of this kind of life is high for the chickens and me.

I know. I will keep that in mind. But I do so love the pictures of your hens so keep ‘em coming!

 

[BY Bob]

A Baby?

Last nights camera spotted this