Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Goats are quite lovable - they are my next additions (well, maybe geese?, not sure on that). Just remember if you do go that route: They are FRIENDLY, SMART, CURIOUS, and decent climbers/jumpers! (i.e. strong, tall fencing, you CAN'T just get one!, and always want to check out what is 'over there', and 'taste test' most things...especially when they get out!) I agree, I think you will love them......(Just like you might your teenage sons...love them but shake you head at their antics)

I have a friend who has two goats and he is besotted with them. He keeps sending me cute pictures in the spirit of 'how could you not have some of these?'.
The geese idea comes from friends who are worried about predator attacks on the chickens. Apparently geese can scare almost anything. No idea if that is true.

 

[BY Bob]

I have a friend who has two goats and he is besotted with them. He keeps sending me cute pictures in the spirit of 'how could you not have some of these?'.
The geese idea comes from friends who are worried about predator attacks on the chickens. Apparently geese can scare almost anything. No idea if that is true.

Geese are great protectors. I believe they will keep hawks at bay as well as ground predators. They are big and mean. Be careful because they could see you as a predator as well........

 

[RoyalChick]

I learned it as sailor's warning. I think this is very interesting because I have never heard of shepard's warning before.

Interesting. It goes way back as a saying.
A quick consultation with the oracle at Google reveals that Shakespeare, hedged his bets on the topic in Venus & Adonis, 1593:

"Like a red morn, that ever yet betoken'd wreck to the seaman - sorrow to shepherds."

I don't have time to look for it now but I remember reading something in Nature or somewhere like that which said it is actually a good predictor because of something to do with atmospheric pressure.

 

[GregnLety]

This is before we started. We have removed the garden beds and the blue and white metal from this side of the duck coop. We also have the metal roofing attached. Next steps are to put poultry mesh up to divide the ducks and silkies and then frame up for the door. More pictures to follow.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Oh he is just lovely

My Arab mare is 20, and still a doorknob.... Too smart for her own good, she can open doors, untie knots, let's the other loose also! Last night I neglected to put her blankie on and this morning she pitched a fit because she was 'cold'... I asked her what are u a poodle?

How is your guy with the chickens? My crew really enjoys them!

All 3 boys love the chickens. Russ and Louis would love it if they would sleep on their backs. Dirt has guarded 2 momma's while they brooded just outside his stall. During fly season the chickens earn their keep. The boys stand still and let everyone eat the flies that land on their legs. Every morning Louis throws out a mouthful of his breakfast to the chickens. If a hen wants to take a nap on their flakes of hay they are given, the boys will eat around them or simply wait until she gets up before eating.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Cheeky Chiquita is at it again! When it comes to dust bathing and making holes my smallest hen makes the biggest holes. I think she wants to visit our fluffy butt friends in Australia. That or cause me to break a leg. I forgot to fill yesterdays hole and stepped in it last night doing the final check to make sure everyone was up where they were supposed to be. Not the best pictures but I didn't want to open the window and disturb her.

 

[rural mouse]

Oh dear - I may end up the same way - I have friends pushing me hard to get goats, donkeys and geese! Not friends who would help me care for them, friends who believe that these creatures would make me happy.

Peafowl. Palaces need peafowl.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I think this picture right here taken 2 minutes ago perfectly illustrates how Dirt gets along with the chickens.

 

[RoyalChick]

All 3 boys love the chickens. Russ and Louis would love it if they would sleep on their backs. Dirt has guarded 2 momma's while they brooded just outside his stall. During fly season the chickens earn their keep. The boys stand still and let everyone eat the flies that land on their legs. Every morning Louis throws out a mouthful of his breakfast to the chickens. If a hen wants to take a nap on their flakes of hay they are given, the boys will eat around them or simply wait until she gets up before eating.

I find that to be unbelievably adorable. I had no ideas horses would interact with chickens that way. Made my day!

 

[rural mouse]

I got another look at the nest today. 9 eggs. Splash insisted Jess vacate, and laid another egg, bringing it up to 10. This was AFTER the nest drama. Thing laid an egg in the smallest nest box (bottom left) this morning. Splash was in there, but not entirely pleased about it. Nellie came in wanting to lay and set to bokking. Tried the nest above Splash, who was having none of that....repeatedly....Nellie protested some more, then checked out the other end....no, wanted the one above Splash. I finally went back (45min+ of this) to the garage and got another mini bale to add more straw to the unacceptable boxes. Splash freaked out before I got started, tried to fly through the window, then pushed out through the people door (after running into it). Added the last of the straw to the box Nellie wanted and left the lower one alone (but stole the egg). Nellie settled in, started nest building, laid her egg (in something like 5 min), then continued nest building. Meanwhile Splash comes back in, checks things out a bit (avoiding the box she'd been in prior), then starts working on evicting Jessica, complete with climbing in on top of her. That's when I got the egg count. In both nests, Splash was tucking egg(s) under herself. An hour later, I see Splash AND Jess out with the rest of the flock. Go check nest. 10 eggs, warmer than air temp, but not what I would call warm. Nellie's nest is vacant, but the egg is hidden under some of the straw. 2 more hours, Jess is back on the nest (Don't know when she went back)

Options:
1. Remove all eggs from nest, messing it up, maybe breaking one in the process, discouraging all of them from laying there.

2. let it go another week to when I KNOW she was broody, see if anything hatches in spite of the additions and let her vacate in her own time.

3. let it go to that week mark and swap live chicks in for some of the eggs (removing all the eggs at same time): caveat of how well can she protect chicks when she gets pushed off the eggs so another can get added?

4. Something I haven't thought of?


Squawking hens

Egged on from outside, by....