Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

Hazel update, she has not acted "off" as she did a few days ago and I'm encouraged that maybe that was the low point. I saw her poop a normal poop yesterday, which I collected to try a fecal float, but most of her poops are still quite watery. Color looks normal but it's just very loose. I gave her a short once over and saw nothing yesterday but will look more carefully again soon, with gigs and a funeral and things this weekend has been busy. Today she was digging next to Peanut who was dirt bathing in a hole in their uncovered netted run, then next I looked she was bathing too, & thought that was another good sign.

She is bones and feathers, but not quite so picky about foods and not so standoffish when out foraging, she is getting in the middle of things and eating. Today I snuck her about a tablespoon of cooked hamburger bits which she liked, and everyone got a bit of some too, and cooked medium-grain brown rice which was a big hit. Later they cleared the bowls of brussel sprout trimmings chopped up, and some crumbled cornbread.

I must admit, I found the moulting hens lack of feed interest very worrying. Somehow they work their way through it. Pleased to read Hazel is getting back to normal even if it's a bit slow. I think Fudge took a couple of weeks to get back to eating commercial feed and sticking with her tribe.

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks. Nobody is pulling them off themselves or anyone else. There are plenty to go around on the ground!
I just noticed Diana was foraging around and came across a feather and ate it.
I gave them all sardines and shrimp today so hopefully that was a protein boost.

Bob mentioned the only real concern and that is feathers can cause crop problems.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'm getting good at this breed id stuff. She's a cream legbar right?

As you know I am an expert
But yes, that is what she is. I believe they are called created cream legbars because of their silly hair-dos.

 

[Shadrach]

They will like that. Or...you can cut strips of the shell off. (Like you were partially 'peeling' it) and hang it. They will go after it like a cabbage tetherball (once they figure it out)

I have also partially cooked them (whole, either in microwave or oven). Not so that is it soft, like we would eat, but not rock hard either - somewhere in between. Then hang that, again with strips peeled (about 1.5 - 2 inch wide strips, & depending on size of pumpkin, 3 - 6 of them spaced around the pumpkin..top to bottom)

My chooks love them! I also do the same with butternut squash...nothing left but the skin...and not even all of that (when I partially cook it) If I don't cook it, I cut it in half vertically & hang like a cabbage tetherball, too! (large pumpkins I might cut in 3rds or quarters & hang if not cooked)

Pumkin is good for them, lots of fiber and nutrients (assuming grown on nutrient rich soil) Contains: vitamins A, B1, B6, and C, copper, fiber, folate, and manganese, and Pumpkin also provides calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Supposedly, pumpkin seeds (and other members of the cucurbitacaea family) are also a dewormer. Seems they have a moderate effect on certain species of worms common to poultry. That said, it would take quite a few pumpkins to get the needed amount of seeds into your flock for efficacy...over multiple days.

https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/veterinary/abstract.htm?id=24644

However, my take is: even if you only have a slight reduction in worm load (if they have worms...which they most likely do if they free range regularly), it doesn't hurt them, especially during molt time and going into winter. I grew some pumpkins (i.e. 'free' food for chooks), and they enjoy the pumpkin tether ball, so win, win, win

Interesting study that. A man called CCUK who used to post here brought the pumpkin seed worming properties to my attention maybe a year ago.
My belief is there are probably a various plants, bugs, roots etc that chickens know about that have medicinal properties. Of course the chickens need to have access to them and for many this isn't likely.

 

[RoyalChick]

Bob mentioned the only real concern and that is feathers can cause crop problems.

Apart from giving them extra protein (which I am doing) I can’t see how to stop them eating them. They are everywhere right now!

 

[Shadrach]

Monday Mugs!
View attachment 2863135

View attachment 2863136

View attachment 2863137
View attachment 2863138

Love the first picture.

 

[Scrambles83]

Corn!!!

The Phyllistines get their first taste of corn. They surely knew what this was. Listen closely. I think someone's voice is starting to change.

They will be at the honking stage before you know it
I have been loving these videos this morning, they are growing up fast Bob!
I love when older hens give squeaks of delight when they get treats. I throw out scratch on occasion and I love listening to their joyful sounds on discovery

 

[Shadrach]

He can turn a phrase.

I'm infamous for it.

 

[LozzyR]

BREAKOUT!!!!!!

I briefly mentioned earlier that I was planning to let the Phyllistines into the big run today. They had other plans.

I had a late night last night and was sitting on the deck reading a little and drinking some coffee when I heard peeping that was much louder than it should have been. This concerned me greatly as they must have been in some distress in the coop for it to carry that well to me.

As I walked to The Hut my ears started to lead me away from the coop. Here is where I found them.

So that's a change in plans. Here the automated door, which I swear was set on manual, had opened after I had let Phyllis out and closed it. The ladies had decided to head off into the world.

The big girls had not seen them until Sylvie's spastic flight. I distracted the big girls with some walnuts but there is no distracting Sansa from fresh targets. She actually flushed them back to the complex and they roosted on the big cops steroids for a moment.

View attachment 2863319

I took advantage of that situation to close them into the full complex. I still need to shower, etc. They are now exporting the porch.

View attachment 2863320

I can't leave the complex locked up as Phyllis and Aurora are still laying and will need nest box access but since no one seems in a hurry to do so right now, I am going to leave it as is and get cleaned up.

I am of a mind to let them have the full yard and spend my day babysitting them. I don't feel like doing much else today anyway. This could be fun.

They are so gorgeous!

 

[BY Bob]

Home Base

The Phyllistines have chosen the porch as home base. The rest and recoup there before setting out on their next adventure. I placed a waterer nearby as I had not seen them drink all day. Aurora has already made use of it.