Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[WhoDatChick]

 

[MaryJanet]

Up and at You

I caught some video of Phyllis being clever again. It is also a pretty good example of contrafreeloading behavior. In this instance Phyllis figured out there was some feed spilled on top of a bucket in the run. So up she went to get away from the other 2 and eat.

If you watch, she will scratch at the bucket while eating. That is contrafreeloading behavior. Chickens prefer to work for their food. That is why you will see them scratch while standing at a feeder. Phyllis clearly does not need to scratch in order to find the food. It is sitting right there.

Just for kicks I caught this video of Hattie coming right at a camera this morning. Look Out! She is coming for you.

That's really interesting Bob! Ivy also scratches at a pile of food, but the other four just stand and eat it, freeloaders!!

Also, am I seeing a purple iridescence in Phyllis's feathers?

 

[RoyalChick]

I have never met a chicken that didn't scratch. Scratch grains give them something for which to scratch. Essentially a reward for their normal behaviour.

Forget scratching, mine dig holes! They must be looking for worms. Or as we say here, trying to get to China!

Yes! The guys helping build the chicken palace got all confused when I explained about the hardware skirt because they thought I was trying to prevent the chickens from tunneling out and I can see their point!
It is going down to single digit Fahrenheit here tonight and Maggie already has a touch of frostbite from the last plunge. I feel terrible about it though it isn't bothering her - but the school project coop is just not up to standard. So, I have bedded them all down in a dog crate in the garage for the night. With a small 2x4 roost. So far they seem to have appreciated the cuddle on the way to the garage and the novelty of the garage. I have surrounded the crate with bags of bedding and cardboard to make sure there are no drafts. Fingers crossed. Mind you, if it goes below freezing in there I have a different issue aka burst pipes - so maybe cross toes as well!

 

[RoyalChick]

Sorry I am taking over the thread, but i am anxious about the cold tonight and you fine people are the only folk who understand! So far I seem to be literally the only soul worried - the Princesses have settled down for the night without any fuss at all!

 

[LozzyR]

It can push them over the edge. I think you could rinse her back end. I’ve had luck using a squeeze bottle with warm water and just a drop of dish soap ti clean a poopy bum without fully wetting the bird. How is the weather? Another thing I’ve done with a poopy bum is just (carefully) cut most of the poop out with scissors.

The weather’s ok, quite warm. I could try the spray bottle thing, plus I’ve got some puppy and kitten shampoo I use on them. I’ll just need some help.

 

[MaryJanet]

Sorry I am taking over the thread, but i am anxious about the cold tonight and you fine people are the only folk who understand! So far I seem to be literally the only soul worried - the Princesses have settled down for the night without any fuss at all!
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Sweet sleepy heads

 

[LozzyR]

Sorry I am taking over the thread, but i am anxious about the cold tonight and you fine people are the only folk who understand! So far I seem to be literally the only soul worried - the Princesses have settled down for the night without any fuss at all!
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We’re here for you. I wouldn’t know about extreme cold or frostbite; someone else might be able to help there.

 

[BY Bob]

That's really interesting Bob! Ivy also scratches at a pile of food, but the other four just stand and eat it, freeloaders!!

Also, am I seeing a purple iridescence in Phyllis's feathers?

Her feathers are deeply black and have that purple, green, blue iridescence when the light hits them right. Very pretty.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes! The guys helping build the chicken palace got all confused when I explained about the hardware skirt because they thought I was trying to prevent the chickens from tunneling out and I can see their point!
It is going down to single digit Fahrenheit here tonight and Maggie already has a touch of frostbite from the last plunge. I feel terrible about it though it isn't bothering her - but the school project coop is just not up to standard. So, I have bedded them all down in a dog crate in the garage for the night. With a small 2x4 roost. So far they seem to have appreciated the cuddle on the way to the garage and the novelty of the garage. I have surrounded the crate with bags of bedding and cardboard to make sure there are no drafts. Fingers crossed. Mind you, if it goes below freezing in there I have a different issue aka burst pipes - so maybe cross toes as well!

The newbies are in my garage tonight as well. Just too cold for them to stay outside tonight.

 

[BY Bob]

Tonight's Roosting SAGA

Their actually was no trouble at all tonight. Everyone roosted inside the little coop. Sadly I did not leave them there. It is going to be extremely cold tonight so I moved them to a dog crate in the garage

First Lasagna

The newbies got their first taste of lasagna today. The first one to dive in was Phyllis followed by Sydney. Sydney actually seems willing to eat everything.