Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Thank you, and you are correct, I am so blessed with all of them - husband included!!

Actually, the most amazing part of this is...I truly thought I would hate the chickens (based on a 3+ week childhood experience)....and they absolutely just stole my heart! My Rosie (1 of the first 8) was just so endearing. Independent, good top girl...but demanding & sweet, too. As soon as she heard my car door shut when I came home from work she would - at the top of her voice - yell " BAAAWWWK, bawk, bawk, bawk." Translation: Let me OUT, out, out, out". She had a HUGE pen (raised Coop, 4X4 on a 4X8 frame/covered run...attached to a 12X24 'safe' run, attached to a 32' diameter semi-circle 'woods' run (6' high fencing, but lots of trees, so no wire top. But yet,there she would be at the pen gate...demanding I let her out to free range! She would immediately run to the garden& compost areas & scratch her heart out..then she would run over to me and give quiet little buk, buks, meaning ' love ya, will you pick me up and cuddle? She had my heart in a little puddle in no time. She was my greatest hen ever. I think she even had a name for me...there was this sound she would make only to me when she wanted my attention....like she was calling my name. And she definitely knew her name!!
Tax: Napoleon, aka Nappie
View attachment 2993077View attachment 2993143

All my husband ever said was 'I thought you told me you don't like chickens?"

I love this story. It's very similar to mine. They grab your heart if you pay attention to them. Just give them a chance.

 

[BY Bob]

The bantams are like having fairies @ the bottom of the garden, yet they are as chickeny as any other chicken.

It's so much fun just watching them move about. They are darling.

 

[featherhead007]

“Wow did I have a busy day today. I had my ladies following me around everywhere. I’m glad my human buddy brought home some meally worms, and I was able to take a break for a while! Daddy says he wants to bring me inside tonight, to clean my beak again, but I totally hate that! “ “and hello to you BYC ladies too”

 

[bgmathteach]

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.

They are decent protectors...generally will scare off/beat off a hawk if it attacks the hens, and will keep smaller things like foxes and raccoons away. Won't with wolves/coyotes/dogs (in general), and probably not against an ambush by a bobcat. And, have no idea about their effectiveness against killing machines like weasel family such as fisher cats - since they are so fierce, doubt it . [but, raccoons & fisher cats/weasles tend to be night or late dusk/ early dawn, so shouldn't be such an issue) Supposedly one is best, when raised with chickens, as it bonds with them and actively will protect them.

In my case, they would definitely help with my most problem day-time hunters/predators....but hubby has said 'absolutely not' - he is afraid of them

I'm hoping to dig a pond this summer and create a large 'ducks only' area...if I get it done....I thinks geese are in the future. If I get goslings, I'll make sure to have him handle them when they arrive. I'm thinking heritage pilgrim....but there area couple other breeds of interest, too. (Selecting only 1 breed is sooooo hard, though )

This is a little info (very basic) about geese as guardians:
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/raise-a-goose-to-guard-your-flock/

Tax:

 

[GregnLety]

View attachment 2992875This 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.

We didn't finish today but we worked until dark. Hung chicken wire on the side the butts against the duck coop so now they have better ventilation. Got the metal roofing attached. Hung the door which was a PITA on it's own accord. I didn't buy enough wire so it's back to home depot one evening this week.

 

[RoyalChick]

They are decent protectors...generally will scare off/beat off a hawk if it attacks the hens, and will keep smaller things like foxes and raccoons away. Won't with wolves/coyotes/dogs (in general), and probably not against an ambush by a bobcat. And, have no idea about their effectiveness against killing machines like weasel family such as fisher cats - since they are so fierce, doubt it . [but, raccoons & fisher cats/weasles tend to be night or late dusk/ early dawn, so shouldn't be such an issue) Supposedly one is best, when raised with chickens, as it bonds with them and actively will protect them.

In my case, they would definitely help with my most problem day-time hunters/predators....but hubby has said 'absolutely not' - he is afraid of them

I'm hoping to dig a pond this summer and create a large 'ducks only' area...if I get it done....I thinks geese are in the future. If I get goslings, I'll make sure to have him handle them when they arrive. I'm thinking heritage pilgrim....but there area couple other breeds of interest, too. (Selecting only 1 breed is sooooo hard, though )

This is a little info (very basic) about geese as guardians:
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/raise-a-goose-to-guard-your-flock/

Tax:
View attachment 2993212View attachment 2993213

Wow. You really are an enabler.

Here you have me reading up about geese. I need my head examined!

 

[bgmathteach]

View attachment 2992937

This second photo looks like a Norman Rockwell picture! Lovely

 

[featherhead007]

This second photo looks like a Normal Rockwell picture! Lovely

(Norman) Rockwell

 

[bgmathteach]

What Animal is this?

Does anyone know what animal makes this track? Chicken footprint included for size reference.
View attachment 2993016

Honestly, @BY Bob I would need to see the 'other' set of prints (i.e. both front & back) to be sure. However, I've included a link to a decent image poster of wildlife tracks. Unfortunately, it doesn't include size for reference.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/570760952780341911/

 

[bgmathteach]

@BY Bob

Any ideas on these? Taken 25 Apr 2017, middle of nowhere northern AB
View attachment 2993054

Size?