Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

Bracket, her 4 four chicks and what seems to have become aunt Lock.
Lock is the only other blond hen in the tribe and is currently the most junior hen.
I handled Bracket a lot when she was ill and although I'm sure if I went to pick her up it would annoy her now, but she hasn't let her chicks develop any sense of fear of me as far as I can tell. Lock seems to have picked up on this feeling and seems completely unbothered by my presence. Not all the chickens here are quite like this.
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Awww such lovely hens and chicks.

 

[MaryJanet]

We are building a walk in coop next month, but it will have a solid floor. The attached run will be set up with either an anti digging apron or hardware cloth buried a foot underground. That seems safe to me.

My plan is pave an apron around the perimeter. About a metre wide.

I only have three predators to worry about: hawks, foxes, and the neighbours' pet dogs.

 

[MaryJanet]

Just as a general comment on coops.
I'm so pleased I went for small coops high off the ground. I would still do the same should I have to have chickens in a run. I understand why some people like their walk in coops but all have a problem with security where the coop meets the ground. Most predators from what I've read have dug their way in. A few rip chicken wire away but the mistake was using chicken wire in the first place.
I can check under all the full time coops here. I've watched a pole cat try to break into Tribe 2's coop and with half it's pulling power reduced by only having two legs on the ground. Most ground predators have problems gaining access while at full stretch.
Raised coops also give a degree of protection particularly when going to roost when the light may be failing. They are also great for when it rains.

I like a raised coop too, mainly because it provides deep shade underneath but also because it makes nocturnal chicken handling much easier and it's harder for rodents to get to.

 

[MaryJanet]

While we're on the topic of coops, here's my list of features. What have I missed?

 

[WhoDatChick]

Here are some pics of my coop and run.. I have posted these before but thought to share again.. it has been wonderful and very safe.. nothing can or has gotten in... its extremely easy to clean the poop out from under roosts.. I have sand in there and just scoop the poop out every morning... some pics are of the first coop/run.. 12x12... then the add on.. another 12x12.. the apron is around the entire coop/run.. also, the roosting area is open to the run so they put themselves to bed and are free to come out in the morning on their own.. I also have a yard attached that I do let them in and out of... but their run is large enough if they have to stay in... food and water are always out in the run... this set up is extremely easy for me which is why I built it this way..

 

[LozzyR]

I hope no one will mind if I mention this.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/getting-chickens-out-of-trees-and-into-their-coops.75511/

Not at all, that was great!

 

[ValerieJ]

Here are some pics of my coop and run.. I have posted these before but thought to share again.. it has been wonderful and very safe.. nothing can or has gotten in... its extremely easy to clean the poop out from under roosts.. I have sand in there and just scoop the poop out every morning... some pics are of the first coop/run.. 12x12... then the add on.. another 12x12.. the apron is around the entire coop/run.. also, the roosting area is open to the run so they put themselves to bed and are free to come out in the morning on their own.. I also have a yard attached that I do let them in and out of... but their run is large enough if they have to stay in... food and water are always out in the run... this set up is extremely easy for me which is why I built it this way.. View attachment 2020008View attachment 2020009View attachment 2020010View attachment 2020011View attachment 2020012View attachment 2020013View attachment 2020014View attachment 2020015View attachment 2020016View attachment 2020017View attachment 2020018View attachment 2020019View attachment 2020020View attachment 2020021View attachment 2020022View attachment 2020023View attachment 2020024View attachment 2020025View attachment 2020026

That's a great coop and run! You must have a pretty dry climate in New Orleans. The nest boxes look like they are separate from the roosting coop and open to the run. That would be wet all the time here. But, I sure like it. it provides some variety for them.

 

[ValerieJ]

I hope no one will mind if I mention this.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/getting-chickens-out-of-trees-and-into-their-coops.75511/

We come here for stories of your chickens, as well as @BY Bob's, so of course we don't mind. It was an interesting article! I have had a couple tree dwellers before, but none now.

 

[WhoDatChick]

That's a great coop and run! You must have a pretty dry climate in New Orleans. The nest boxes look like they are separate from the roosting coop and open to the run. That would be wet all the time here. But, I sure like it. it provides some variety for them.

No, we are very tropical.. I say we live in a rain forest... my entire run is covered.. it shows in some of the pics..
Thank you!!

 

[WhoDatChick]

Here is their yard right now.. no more lovely green grass... the yard is not covered.. only with netting...