Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

I love it! Well played!

Well... It was a bit 'christmas cracker' but I couldn't let it go by

 

[rural mouse]

I've saw pictures floating around facebook of chickens in Christmas Hats. I wanted a picture of Branch and Poppy in a Santa Hat. Next time, I think the smart thing will be to photoshop on a hat. They were great sports about the whole thing although Poppy wanted to eat the tree and both immediately tried to shake off the hat every time it was placed on their heads.
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That's a double response post ❤

 

[rural mouse]

I am at a bit of a loss on Maggie and roosting.
In spite of two days of near perfect balance she is still going to bed in a nest box. Here she is demonstrating her perfect balance by going up to the upper level boxes.
Should I let her decide on her own when she is well enough to roost again? Or should I block her access to encourage her to roost? I could of course also haul her out at night and put her up there.
I am not sure what is best really.

She's a smart lady. I'd let her decide.

 

[rural mouse]

Midnight! I wish. She was eating at 9:30 pm last night!

Here she is up eating before the sun arose on Monday morning.

I have 1 that does that: Cuckoo.
Notice the bulge?

And the empty side

Or at least mostly empty (she was eating, but hadn't STUFFED it...yet)

Hops up on the roost every evening, preens, hops back down, eats more, has some water, hops back up, preens some more, sleeps, first off the roost, eats, then has breakfast with the rest outside....

 

[LozzyR]

I cannot see fb posts

I’ll see if it’s on YouTube.

 

[BY Bob]

I think your flock is becoming increasingly settled Bob. The cluckle hut has given everyone a chance to spread out a little. The hawk has renewed their trust in each other.

How bad are the roosting shenanigans these days?

I have not seen any roosting issues. Along with position #2 in the tribe Aurora has taken over Daisy's (the greatest hen ever) prime roosting spot. This occurred prior to Hattie sleeping on the floor in order to eat at night. You can see Hattie in the middle of the roost and Aurora on the end.

 

[MaryJanet]

I have not seen any roosting issues. Along with position #2 in the tribe Aurora has taken over Daisy's (the greatest hen ever) prime roosting spot. This occurred prior to Hattie sleeping on the floor in order to eat. You can see Hattie in the middle of the roost and Aurora on the end.

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This is a huge breakthrough! These ladies have been terrors at roosting time for years!

Congratulations Bob

 

[BY Bob]

I've been told that one needs to make sure that hens that take on the role of rooster get to eat properly. Because they are on watch sometimes they miss out on the forage goodies.

Hattie was very successful at it. I think that because they are locked in 90% of the day it is likely that Aurora is eating enough. I will keep an eye on her though. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[BY Bob]

I've saw pictures floating around facebook of chickens in Christmas Hats. I wanted a picture of Branch and Poppy in a Santa Hat. Next time, I think the smart thing will be to photoshop on a hat. They were great sports about the whole thing although Poppy wanted to eat the tree and both immediately tried to shake off the hat every time it was placed on their heads.
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These photos are so much fun. That must have been fun. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BY Bob]

Good memory. I bet she was jealous of his beard!

Her's is pretty spectacular. Pretty fair contest.