Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[WhoDatChick]

I forgot to mention... that is a gorgeous assortment if eggs!

Thank you

 

[MaryJanet]

Personality. Personality. Personality. The more dominant personalities will rise higher. This is why Phyllis is a worry. She is probably fairly placid as well as being small & odd looking. As she's been raised with The Wyandotte & BR she will be low but not really picked on but needs watching when full integration occurs. This is why I have always given my Lottie special attention. It ensured she got enough to eat ~ more than enough! She's quite plump! Sydney should be a better layer than Sansa & that may make a difference. My BRs are feistier within the flock yet placid with me so Sydney may decide to teach Sansa some manners when she's feeling confident enough.

I'm less worried about Phyllis. If she has a few high perches in the run, I think she will fly out of reach.

My hunch is that the new pullets will mostly stick together. From time to time Lilly or Hattie will take a run at the group and they will scatter to safety. Lilly is obliged to peck each of them but it may take her a while to achieve this goal.

 

[micstrachan]

Well, since Ruby is fat (and so were Margo and Bagheera) I really need to step up my game with helping them lose fat. Feed rationing starts tomorrow. And I’m grateful my neighbor shares his yard with them, as it feels safer over on this side.

 

[WhoDatChick]

This would make a cool decorative poster. Art, and you know the artists!

Thank you

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes, laying increases status, imo.

I've noticed Peggy is not harrassed as much now she's laying.

 

[MaryJanet]

Random Photos from Today

Enjoy

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They are really beautiful chickens!

 

[MaryJanet]

Hence Sansa. That is on everybody here.

Take all of them.
Build a bigger coop.

Excellent advice. I will blame you all if Sansa goes wrong.

Except @Shadrach

I believe his position was slightly against the whole thing.

I'll gladly accept the blame for my small part because the chickens will integrate and then you'll have six (maybe seven) delightful little friends who go for rides in car, have their photos taken with Santa and who tap on the door to come inside for mealy worms and who get up to all the usual fluffy butt acres shenanigans

 

[LCG Chicken Coop]

Well, since Ruby is fat (and so were Margo and Bagheera) I really need to step up my game with helping them lose fat. Feed rationing starts tomorrow. And I’m grateful my neighbor shares his yard with them, as it feels safer over on this side.
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This is such a relaxing photo, but I have to confess when I first saw it I thought they were doing laps, cross country style on doctor’s recommendation.

 

[BY Bob]

Preparing for the Newbies

in preparation for the newbies I spent an entire day improving security in the run and the old prefab coop.

First there was run security to improve.

There was a wire seam running the length of both long sides that I had closed when I built the run with zip ties that I had always meant to fix. I have been afraid all along that this was where the weasel got in to get at Maleficent. Hence no hen has been permitted in the big run since.

I ran a 2x4 down each side of the run and screwed the wire down.

Because of the presence of the tree and its toot system, I can't really dig out around the run and put down wire. So as another temp measure I put pavers down to create a flange around the complex.

Then as I reassembled the coop inside the run I installed a plywood floor and changed out all the latches on all the doors. Making the old coop as secure as the big coop.

Of course as soon as I opened the big run, my ladies ran back in. Lilly took a huge dust bath.

Here is the old coop assembled in the big run waiting for its new occupants.

 

[MaryJanet]

I am in the UK on a quick trip and what did I see for sale at Marks & Spencer food place? BLUE EGGS!!! Very prettily displayed (though I disapprove of plastic packaging). A half dozen eggs: 2 blue, 2 dark brown and 2 lighter brown like my Princesses give me. I have never seen blue eggs for sale in a store before. Made me think of you @BY Bob!
And thank you @Shadrach and @ValerieJ - I will continue to observe and see if I can figure this pecking order thing out. When I am home I might try a few days where I remove the food and bring it back and see what happens. I am keen to understand this - not just out of general interest but because I really want more chickens and I feel I need to understand that whole dynamic.
I wonder if the space they have available impacts it at all. Do free-range chickens have as many squabbles as cooped up ones?

Wow, I'm surprised it's M&S! They must be pushing the boat out on gourmet groceries