Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[WhoDatChick]

I don’t know if you know this but if you click on one of the pics.. they blow up and you can scroll through all the pics.. then you can see the roof very well..

 

[LozzyR]

I mentioned seemingly a bit unkindly that Hurry wasn't as good looking as her mum.
I have over 3200 pictures spread over various hard drives and couldn't find the one I would like to rest my case on. I've found it now.
This is Ruffles and Fat Bird. They were best mates until Ruffles got killed by a Husky recently.
Ruffles hatched in 2012. Ruffles is on the left.
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I love this photo. You can tell they're besties.

 

[LozzyR]

It doesn't really matter in terms of safety, but I like to do a head count several times a day for my own peace of mind.

I do that too. Some foxes will hunt during the day (which I guess @RoyalChick can attest to) and I've been advised that making your presence felt throughout the day can greatly reduce day-time attacks.

 

[MaryJanet]

Once the new henhouse is done, I won't be as worried. Hopefully I'll be so sure of their safety, I'll be able give up the headcount.

 

[BY Bob]

The fancy cameras arrived (thank you @BY Bob for the information that helped me find them) and last night I set one up. It definitely works, but I haven't learned how to use it properly. It recorded 'no activity' overnight. But this morning from the footprints in the mud I can see that there is a Raccoon super-highway running all the way around the coop! I still have one Raccoon vulnerability in the Chicken Palace that needs to be closed up so I am definitely locking them up tight each night.

You need to "arm" the cameras to turn the motion sensor on. Go to mode, select armed, and then decide how much video you wish the to record. I have mine set for 10 seconds.

 

[BY Bob]

The fancy cameras arrived (thank you @BY Bob for the information that helped me find them) and last night I set one up. It definitely works, but I haven't learned how to use it properly. It recorded 'no activity' overnight. But this morning from the footprints in the mud I can see that there is a Raccoon super-highway running all the way around the coop! I still have one Raccoon vulnerability in the Chicken Palace that needs to be closed up so I am definitely locking them up tight each night.

You need to "arm" the cameras to turn the motion sensor on. Go to mode, select armed, and then decide how much video you wish the to record. I have mine set for 10 seconds.

 

[BY Bob]

Awww that's a nice surprise! I remember when Mr Bunny has hanging out with the hens in autumn that was very special.

I was surprised I had not seen him before this. Glad he's still around.

 

[BY Bob]

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.

Those are a lot of the reasons that my coop is elevated as well. That's why it was so easy to armor the coop when the predator showed up. It was designed that way. Doubling the eave wire was a precaution. Fixing the door was a result of laziness. I knew it needed done I just never did it. Elevating your coop is an excellent predator deterrent.

 

[BY Bob]

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.

That should work. Having a floor in the coop is a great idea. My old coop had a floor in it. I elevated my second one. The area under the coop is always dry and provides a constant source of dirt for dust bathing. They hung out there all day today in the rain.

 

[BY Bob]

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 is an excellent set up you have there. Very nice coop.