Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

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Everyone ignores the cat except Agatha she makes him move


Amber's resting place
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Beautiful spot for Amber.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Bone chilling. I can't even imagine! It is down to 7F here later this week and I am dreading it. My mud room is down to 37F, and that is indoors!
Remind me what your heat pad set-up is. I have never provided heat but am wondering if I should have something available.

I think if everybody were feathered out they would be fine in the coop with nothing. It's a small coop, properly ventilated (I haven't done the math) and they were good last winter with nothing. But I first used the heating pad when I put them out as pullets in the Fall at 6 weeks and the weather was pretty chilly. It was US$19.99 then, now it's $32? Yikes. At that time I wrapped it with Press 'N Seal, it was easy to clean poop off, and they didn't have the ninja claws and strength like now. It survived well. I took it away at about 10 weeks. I since have used it for yogurt-making.

Sunbeam King-Size Moist/Dry Heating Pad with UltraHeat Technology and 3 Heat Settings (732-500)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/22063035

Peanut started a hard molt in December and got pretty naked. She still can't fluff much. This time I put a small garbage bag over it and then an old T-shirt, both put on like pillowcases. I tuck the T-shirt sleeves under. When they scratch it - Peanut was doing that yesterday - the cover slides around some, but I'm thinking / hoping underneath is not getting wrecked (I'm doing roost bar work and will check it out and take pictures when I replace the T-shirt today).

 

[BY Bob]

Hi, I just joined and saw the the name of your place. My place is called Fluffy Butt Farm. I named it that because i call my dog Fluffy Butt. She is the heart of my place.

Great minds think alike. Welcome to BYC. I'm sure you'll love it.

 

[RoyalChick]

I think if everybody were feathered out they would be fine in the coop with nothing. It's a small coop, properly ventilated (I haven't done the math) and they were good last winter with nothing. But I first used the heating pad when I put them out as pullets in the Fall at 6 weeks and the weather was pretty chilly. It was US$19.99 then, now it's $32? Yikes. At that time I wrapped it with Press 'N Seal, it was easy to clean poop off, and they didn't have the ninja claws and strength like now. It survived well. I took it away at about 10 weeks. I since have used it for yogurt-making.

Sunbeam King-Size Moist/Dry Heating Pad with UltraHeat Technology and 3 Heat Settings (732-500)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/22063035

Peanut started a hard molt in December and got pretty naked. She still can't fluff much. This time I put a small garbage bag over it and then an old T-shirt, both put on like pillowcases. I tuck the T-shirt sleeves under. When they scratch it - Peanut was doing that yesterday - the cover slides around some, but I'm thinking / hoping underneath is not getting wrecked (I'm doing roost bar work and will check it out and take pictures when I replace the T-shirt today).

Do you wrap it around the roost?

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Do you wrap it around the roost?

I don't have a traditional "roost" bar, I have the Omlet system, a Cube MK2, so it's a square platform with roost bars built-in, see if I can find a product picture...

But yes, like @micstrachan (?) does with her towels, if I had a single roost bar, I would lay it lengthwise on the roost, and cover it with a towel, and wrap it around with light bungee cords.

 

[RoyalChick]

I don't have a traditional "roost" bar, I have the Omlet system, a Cube MK2, so it's a square platform with roost bars built-in, see if I can find a product picture...
View attachment 2958072
But yes, like @micstrachan (?) does with her towels, if I had a single roost bar, I would lay it lengthwise on the roost, and cover it with a towel, and wrap it around with light bungee cords.

Got it. Thanks!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Adorable! And I actually love the name Wasabi!

I don't mind the name Wasabi, I just do not picture it as a silke's name. I am leaning more toward Hoppy or Puff. According to Rosie this morning I cannot use Hoppy for her, she's saving that name for a Poppy baby. I can use the name Puff if we compromise, "Puffy Wasabi". She went out the door to catch the school bus this morning with a "my Christmas present, I'll name her" tossed at her. She also could very well come with a name we'll see this evening.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Have you tried putting fake eggs in the less desirable nests Rebecca? That worked for my girls.

I have done that in the past, and it worked. It works too well though and triggers both Momma Hen and Holly to go broody. I've already had to break a Cochin girl in the past month and Raven will sit on any eggs she finds after she lays so I'm constantly out gathering eggs during the day.

 

[BY Bob]

The Ever Mercurial Sydney

Apparently today the nest box will work for her egg. Go figure. Maybe it is warmer far from the door.

 

[RoyalChick]

I don't mind the name Wasabi, I just do not picture it as a silke's name. I am leaning more toward Hoppy or Puff. According to Rosie this morning I cannot use Hoppy for her, she's saving that name for a Poppy baby. I can use the name Puff if we compromise, "Puffy Wasabi". She went out the door to catch the school bus this morning with a "my Christmas present, I'll name her" tossed at her. She also could very well come with a name we'll see this evening.

I like Wasabi as a name. Its cute and original.