Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Little naked Dotty is holed up in a dog crate in the garage. It is 35 degrees in there. I made her a little roost out of some scrap 2x4 and the crate is half covered by a blanket so I think she is warm enough.
Predictably she did peck me when I picked her up but she was half asleep so it wasn't too bad.
I noticed she is very skinny as well as naked. She has been eating but maybe not as much as usual.
I feel so bad for her.
I am hoping the others will be OK out in the Chicken Palace as they do have all their feathers. It is forecast to go down to 8 degrees F.

Our forecast low tonight is 5°F. I am getting the crate ready now to bring Phyllis and Betty in. They too will be in my garage until it warms up tomorrow. I have not yet checked the garage temperature.

Right now it is 28°F in the Cluckle Hut and 24°F outside.

I hate moving them after they have successfully roosted together but that is dangerously cold for a frizzle and even a Polish.

Hey @RoyalChick did you notice it is going to be colder here than at your house.

 

[Ribh]

Roosting Time

Well it is one thing to roost together and preen. It is another thing completely to sleep together. The following video is 7 minutes long and it shows Betty roosting tonight. The end result is good but the process to get there is definitely the Fluffy Butt Acres way.

I'm sure you noted after watching the video that Phyllis acted the first time Betty roosted when Betty started edging down the roost towards her. Well Betty is certainly determined to roost close to Phyllis. Here is the final position after another 20 minutes went by. Betty just kept slowly edging down the roost towards Phyllis until she was about half way down. This is very encouraging.

View attachment 2973653

@Ribh @micstrachan @MaryJanet @Aussie-Chookmum @ChicoryBlue @LozzyR @Chicken poppy

Yep. This is looking very successful.

 

[Scrambles83]

Roosting Time

Well it is one thing to roost together and preen. It is another thing completely to sleep together. The following video is 7 minutes long and it shows Betty roosting tonight. The end result is good but the process to get there is definitely the Fluffy Butt Acres way.

I'm sure you noted after watching the video that Phyllis acted the first time Betty roosted when Betty started edging down the roost towards her. Well Betty is certainly determined to roost close to Phyllis. Here is the final position after another 20 minutes went by. Betty just kept slowly edging down the roost towards Phyllis until she was about half way down. This is very encouraging.

View attachment 2973653

@Ribh @micstrachan @MaryJanet @Aussie-Chookmum @ChicoryBlue @LozzyR @Chicken poppy

She’s a hugger

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Nope, me neither.

River is sick again. I’m still trying to clear the gunk in her throat, but the last two days she has been very subdued, napping standing up and not interested in any food that wasn’t oats. I’m going to get some baby bird food into her tonight for some nutrients, but maybe she’s got another infection. That’s the reason we’re getting frizzle bantams; if she dies and I lose another in quick succession, I’ll have one left on her own and I’ve had a lonely hen before.

I'm sorry River isn't feeling well, and she's been struggling for awhile now. It must be very hard for everyone.

 

[RoyalChick]

Our forecast low tonight is 5°F. I am getting the crate ready now to bring Phyllis and Betty in. They too will be in my garage until it warms up tomorrow. I have not yet checked the garage temperature.

Right now it is 28°F in the Cluckle Hut and 24°F outside.

I hate moving them after they have successfully roosted together but that is dangerously cold for a frizzle and even a Polish.

Hey @RoyalChick did you notice it is going to be colder here than at your house.

Ha ha! Yes I did notice you win the cold and miserable competition. You are most welcome!
I just got another bag of chick starter/grower and I am giving protein snacks. Any other ideas on how to fatten up Dotty? I think all my chickens tend to 'skinny' (remember the vet thought that about Minnie), but she has definitely lost body bulk not just feathers.

 

[RoyalChick]

Here is Dotty in her cave and a daytime picture of the little mini-roost I made for her yesterday. Not beautiful but functional.

I really hope she isn’t too stressed being on her own. She wasn’t roosting anywhere near anybody else but of course she could see and hear them.

 

[BY Bob]

She’s a hugger

I hope so. I feel that Phyllis could really use a hug.

 

[MaryJanet]

In Memorium

2 years ago today I buried one of my best friends. I will never forget her. I have have been lucky enough to have some very special chickens over the years and Maleficent was one of the best. Her death to an unknown predator while I was sick will forever rest on my conscience. Rest in peace my friend.

View attachment 2973123View attachment 2973124View attachment 2973125View attachment 2973126View attachment 2973127View attachment 2973128View attachment 2973129View attachment 2973130View attachment 2973131View attachment 2973132View attachment 2973133View attachment 2973134View attachment 2973135View attachment 2973136View attachment 2973137

@Ribh, @micstrachan, @MaryJanet, @Aussie-Chookmum, @ChicoryBlue, @LozzyR, @Chicken poppy

She was such a great friend.

 

[MaryJanet]

Hattie and Betty Meet

Hattie and Betty just had a "get to know each other" moment at the door a few minutes ago. It seemed to go very well.

They seemed to have a lot to discuss!

 

[BY Bob]

Ha ha! Yes I did notice you win the cold and miserable competition. You are most welcome!
I just got another bag of chick starter/grower and I am giving protein snacks. Any other ideas on how to fatten up Dotty? I think all my chickens tend to 'skinny' (remember the vet thought that about Minnie), but she has definitely lost body bulk not just feathers.

Chick starter, fish, liver, find something she loves that's protein and give her a much as she will eat.