Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

We've inadvertently discovered how to keep the chickens off the deck. Actually we don't mind the chickens, but don't really like the stuff they leave behind everywhere. We have a tarp that we lay down over the deck in the winter to keep the melted snow from dripping into their run which is below the deck. The tarp is silver on one side and navy blue on the other. Last year we put it blue side up and had to clean off poop. This year we put it silver side up and they won't put a foot on it. They will jump up onto one of the bricks we use to keep it from blowing away, but they absolutely will not set foot on the silver. Maybe they think it's water?
View attachment 2880954

That feels like a useful fact to remember. Bookmarked!

 

[RoyalChick]

That seems like an odd problem considering salt is not good for you.

I get black oil sunflower seeds from the hardware store where it is sold as wild bird seed. No salt.

 

[featherhead007]

I do.
I've started making little compost heaps around the place.

Wouldn’t this be easier? I’m kidding.

 

[RoyalChick]

My girls don’t know what to do with the ones with shells. On the odd time they get scratch, they tend to ignore the sunflower seeds.

Chickens never fail to surprise me in their variability. I think mine would gladly murder for black oil sunflower seeds. It is how I persuade them to come in if I need them locked up early. All four of them go at the seeds with an energy that is a tad alarming to see!

 

[RoyalChick]

Still on my trip and checking in only now and then on the cameras.
Diana laid a thin shelled egg on Sunday before I left and I popped some calcium pills down her. The lady who comes each day says there has not been a broken egg again so fingers crossed that is OK for now.
Minnie seems to be full of beans. Of course I can’t see her poop and I have stopped short of asking the lady to follow her around to inspect! On Sunday before I left she was trying to poo without success and I pulled a long piece of grass out of her rear end. Sorry, too much information, but it stank to high heaven. I wonder if that was the source of the problem all along. As far as I can tell from the cameras she seems very energetic and has been getting a fair bit of yard time and is chowing down on cabbage. I haven’t seen her eat commercial feed but I have seen her flying up to day perches and running around. I am interested to see what she weighs when I get back. She is still roosting away from the others only tonight Dotty has joined her so the big roost only has two Princesses. You can see one of the two Roadrunners (I think Minnie) in the foreground as she roosts up close to the camera.

 

[BY Bob]

Only because I happened to be caught up and on!

That is how it happens.

 

[BY Bob]

I am so happy that your tech did not get in the way of taking delight in such a special moment

It's funny, I never once thought about it. It was quiet and so darn cute. I was just in the moment.

 

[rural mouse]

Wouldn’t this be easier? I’m kidding.View attachment 2881300

You marketing your brand now?

 

[featherhead007]

You marketing your brand now?

I should!

 

[featherhead007]

Alright, I’m officially tired of chasing chooks now. Time for a break and maybe a steak !….