Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

I've double hit hawk strikes in the past. The hawk had struck the first hen and squashed her resulting in internal injuries and then left that hen and killed another.

The large hawk hit Butters who I think squirmed away (leaving a bunch of Buckeye feathers) and then went for Queenie. But I think Hattie appeared untouched.

 

[featherhead007]

The tribe: "Just don't understand why Daddy's locked us in, and he's in here with us too. It's de-lovely out there in the rain! Stuck inside here is worse, rather be in Daddy's coop. No TV, no soft mattress in this coop, plus no Beakbook when he's hogging the phone like that. Didn't we see a movie in Daddy's coop called Singing In The Rain? There was a human dancing and having fun in it. Very sure he would like it!....Oh well, let's preen."

Not a fair interjection! I’m out with them, and we have been discussing the future of this coop, and the changes in the run I want to make. All they said was “Daddy, shut up, and serve more of those meally worms!”

 

[ChicoryBlue]

It's worth pointing out that lack of calcium is not the only reason hens lay soft shelled eggs.
For others reading, do not assume lack of calcium is the cause and shovel loads of calcium down them.
Ageing hens lay soft shelled eggs.
Sick hens will lay soft shelled eggs.
Sometimes a hen just has a missfire.
Sometimes a hen will send two embryos in a short period of time and only one will get shelled.
Thin shells can be a sign of the end of laying as can elogated eggs.

I agree with you, and want to note that Peanut, about a year old, was laying consistently soft-shelled and very long eggs, and extra calcium seemed to help that. So either it was a period of some problem, or the calcium solved it. When she starts laying again I will watch and see how it goes before adding it, in case it was a transitory thing. They were on 16-18% All-Flock with oyster shell on the side until this Fall when I put them on 18% Feather Fixer, higher in protein and calcium than the All-Flock.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

It feels to me like there has been a row. Harsh words have been said and everyone is sulking.
Nobody is roosting close to anyone else.
Maggie took herself off to a nest box without even trying the roost. Diana got ‘her’ spot by the wall. Minnie is on the other roost by the camera and Dotty is technically sharing a roost with Diana but making it very clear there will be no snuggling.
I am not used to this. Normally they all snuggle together in a very strictly managed order on the big roost.
It all looks a bit sad and lonely to me.

View attachment 2929349

Maybe so. Sad but interesting too, & probably temporary, as you said, a spat. Wait until it gets colder, they might be fast friends again.!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Not a fair interjection! I’m out with them, and we have been discussing the future of this coop, and the changes in the run I want to make. All they said was “Daddy, shut up, and serve more of those meally worms!”

Maybe they said that because you interrupted their union meeting, where they were going to discuss the changes THEY wanted in the coop before presenting them to you?

 

[BY Bob]

hey guys! could I join this thread?

Of course. All are welcome. Tell us about your chickens. Pictures preferred.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Sure! Are you sure you want to see them all? There are a bunch of pics.

Well a bit at a time maybe? If you can manage captions and tell us a little about the pictures, who it is, etc.,. that helps!

 

[The-White-Elephant]

Of course. All are welcome. Tell us about your chickens. Pictures preferred.

I will try today, but if I don't, I will 1st thing in the morning! Promise!

 

[BY Bob]

It's worth pointing out that lack of calcium is not the only reason hens lay soft shelled eggs.
For others reading, do not assume lack of calcium is the cause and shovel loads of calcium down them.
Ageing hens lay soft shelled eggs.
Sick hens will lay soft shelled eggs.
Sometimes a hen just has a missfire.
Sometimes a hen will send two embryos in a short period of time and only one will get shelled.
Thin shells can be a sign of the end of laying as can elogated eggs.

Shadrach is correct of course.

Everytime I have had a softshelled egg it has been a one time thing. I have not changed anything about their diet.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

It is one of the disadvantages of a large coop.

Maybe, like a big tree, it offers some peck-free space and that's a good thing though? In terms of a chicken's needs?