Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

The problem you've got is trying to work out if what you are seeing is fence fighting or not. The good news is, or may be, is that in my experience as soon as the fence isn't there, the behaviour of all parties changes. Until you have the time to supervise them without them being in a cage you're not going to know.

Hmmm, I'd find that a little risky judging from the last reaction

 

[featherhead007]

BoPeeps in the chicken room watching tv. She was getting bullied because she has poor eyesight, and can’t snatch up the treats as fast as the others. “No hen left behind “ on my farm!!!

 

[MaryJanet]

Playing on the Roost

Here are the littles enjoying the space of the outdoor run.

Your videos of Silvie and Legertha really brighten my day! They are so sweet

 

[Shadrach]

I don't know for sure how things are going to work out with amber. Looking on the bleak side she may well have to go.

I have been talking too a lady about changing the situation if it is the case for amber...

About two years ago a guy who is a neighbour of hers lost a lot of chickens too foxes and has managed too rebuild a few flocks of chickens, through breeding.

This lady has asked me to write a note for him, about getting a few eggs too hatch.

This could possibly heal princess. She's always trying to hatch eggs. I do not have an incubator but will be looking back to find this amazing lady that used her slow cooker. I've lost track of her for now but I will get onto this in a few day when the work due in my home is completed

I will need a accurate temperature monitor, any thoughts on this I would really appreciate. This is scary but a very exciting idea , I really feel I can attempt this now.

I just thought i would share with you all what I am seriously considering.

If there is any way at all to avoid using an incubator do it.

 

[RoyalChick]

I will be really interested to see how you do this. I have heard of a system of integrating whereby you create some small holes that the chicks can fit through, but not the hens (a bolt hole of sorts). Apparently they can be integrated quite young, by 4-5 weeks old) using this system.
Then again, I totally understand why Phyllis wants to protect her spot in the pecking order, but seeing her reaction made me wonder if that system of early integration would work as well as advertised.
I am just thinking ahead to my first integration which is likely years away. I have a stable flock of ten 15 month olds currently, but I do like to have a plan in mind!

Yes - that is the Aart and Blooie and some others approach and I read a lot about that and did a variant of it when I introduced the Roadrunners. You give them safety areas with openings too small for the big hens so they can bolt into their safety zone (bolt hole exactly!). You need to give them some time without the big ladies around so they learn the lay of the land and then you let them up and at it.
Mine had a bolt hole that went to their ramps and up to their brooder box - so they could come and go in safety. Next time I will create more bolt-holes around and about - even just a pallet propped up on a couple of bricks works - anything they can fit in that the bigger ladies can't get into.
The Roadrunners got quite adept at dodging everyone and bolting into their safety zone and then sitting inside the wire and eating!
This is Aart's article on it which got me thinking - his little doors are way more elaborate than mine - I just had gaps in the wire or propped things up on bricks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes - that is the Aart and Blooie and some others approach and I read a lot about that and did a variant of it when I introduced the Roadrunners. You give them safety areas with openings too small for the big hens so they can bolt into their safety zone (bolt hole exactly!). You need to give them some time without the big ladies around so they learn the lay of the land and then you let them up and at it.
Mine had a bolt hole that went to their ramps and up to their brooder box - so they could come and go in safety. Next time I will create more bolt-holes around and about - even just a pallet propped up on a couple of bricks works - anything they can fit in that the bigger ladies can't get into.
The Roadrunners got quite adept at dodging everyone and bolting into their safety zone and then sitting inside the wire and eating!
This is Aart's article on it which got me thinking - his little doors are way more elaborate than mine - I just had gaps in the wire or propped things up on bricks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

I'll be placing a sheet of ply on bricks next time I'm integrating little ones with old girls. Propped a little higher at one end and adjusted as the littles grow.

Also, more space is better so the little ones can run away without getting cornered.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Well If it could go wrong with Holly setting this time around it did. I gave her 8 eggs when she went broody. She did everything right but a week in had terrible rains and flash flooding, her nest got wet. She refused to move so I rebuilt the nest for her. 2 1/2 weeks in had a egg explode under her. My god the stench was terrible and it got all over her and the remaining eggs. Cleaned the eggs as best I could, stripped and rebuilt the nest again and this time had to clean Holly. She did NOT appreciate it at all but after 30 minutes got all the goo and stink off of her. She had 2 chicks start hatching but die under her before they finished. Upon examination they never absorbed the yolk sacks and it looked like blood vessels got hit and they bled out. She had 2 chicks successfully hatch and she came off the nest with them yesterday. Did eggtopsies on the 3 that were left. 1 never started to develop but the other 2 I think the chicks died around the time the egg exploded under her. The 2 that made it are very strong and healthy. Again these 2 were Clover eggs that hatched and 1 has clean legs and 1 with feathered legs.
Introducing Frick and Frack.
View attachment 2833034View attachment 2833035View attachment 2833036View attachment 2833037

Congratulations on the birth of Frick and Frack.

 

[Marie2020]

Yes, chickens fart and belch and even snore!

Disgusting. I'm pleased to say my girls would never do such a thing, they follow their mothers perfect example

 

[Marie2020]

BoPeeps in the chicken room watching tv. She was getting bullied because she has poor eyesight, and can’t snatch up the treats as fast as the others. “No hen left behind “ on my farm!!!View attachment 2833489

Bopeep, what a sweet name.

Are there any sheep living locally? Maybe she could strike up a few friends with them. This could possibly sort the bullying out if she has bigger friends.

Just a thought

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

I’m repairing a broken sewer line under the mobile home in front. And Jaffar came by to see what I was working on. View attachment 2833192

The Inspector, obviously. Keeping his eye on your work!