Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Someone needs their pilots license revoked.

Now I stand back when I open the door, then I grab her and lift her down, I also lift down old Penelope, Blanche and Henny Penny as they seem to have some problem getting down - even though they have no issues getting up there! I was thinking of lowering the roost to around 3'. How high are yours?

 

[MaryJanet]

They may have and likely did but the vet is closed Fri, Sat, and Sun. It will likely be Monday until I hear anything.

Lilly is essentially the same. It is usually day 3 when the effects of antibiotics can be seen.

Thanks for the update!

 

[Ponypoor]

Ban

Frigid Ranging

The wind is still howling so despite temperatures in the high 30s it was brutally cold outside. However, because of Lilly and my job, it has been 3 days since the tribe got free range so I bundled up and let them out for 2 hours.

Interesting item number 1: One tough frizzle. Only Betty the frizzle, stayed out the entire time.

Interesting item number 2: Lilly comes out. Lilly jogged out and stayed out for 5 minutes before packing it in.

Interesting item number 3: Betty split her time in thirds. One third with Phyllis, one third with the big girls, Hattie and Aurora, and one third alone (mostly because everyone else went in). She assiduously avoided Sydney at all times.

Here she is with Phyllis.

And working the wood pile with Aurora
View attachment 2998124

Interesting item number 4: Hattie's behavior. Hattie did not come out at first. She watched everyone from the porch.

View attachment 2998120

Hattie did come out once Lilly went in. She wanted a couple of walnuts. Lilly must have said something to her.
View attachment 2998122

Surprisingly, at one point, Hattie sprinted over to Sydney and forced her to bow down and submit. I don't know if Sydney was eyeballing her or what. I missed the reason for the behavior and my hands were too numb to work the camera on the phone to catch a picture.

After maybe 10 minutes out, Hattie went back in and sat in the doorway to watch everyone else.
View attachment 2998123

Interesting item number 5: In and out. Sydney and Aurora did not stay out the entire time, rather they would be out for a while and then run back in the coop to warm up. After a bit, back out they would come. They did this at least 4 times.

Interesting item number 6: Tortured Aurora. Betty did not want to go back in. So after everyone else went in her and I walked around the yard. This drove poor Aurora crazy. She was certain that at some point I would sneak special food to Betty and she would get none. So Aurora paced the porch. Not wanting to come out but watching just in case I had some secret treat for Betty. She even came part way out once when I removed my hand from my pocket and she was certain the moment for secret treats was at hand.

@Ribh @MaryJanet @Aussie-Chookmum @LozzyR @ChicoryBlue @micstrachan[/USER
[/QUOTE]
Blanche is like that, isn't it hilarious how they have us so well trained?!

 

[BY Bob]

Now I stand back when I open the door, then I grab her and lift her down, I also lift down old Penelope, Blanche and Henny Penny as they seem to have some problem getting down - even though they have no issues getting up there! I was thinking of lowering the roost to around 3'. How high are yours?

Let me measure them tomorrow. I have lowered them twice now and I don't remember how low they are now.

 

[BY Bob]

Thanks for the update!

Sorry work and free range is preventing me from posting when you Aussies first check in. I know I'm a little late for you all at this point.

 

[MaryJanet]

Frigid Ranging

The wind is still howling so despite temperatures in the high 30s it was brutally cold outside. However, because of Lilly and my job, it has been 3 days since the tribe got free range so I bundled up and let them out for 2 hours.

Interesting item number 1: One tough frizzle. Only Betty the frizzle, stayed out the entire time.

Interesting item number 2: Lilly comes out. Lilly jogged out and stayed out for 5 minutes before packing it in.

Interesting item number 3: Betty split her time in thirds. One third with Phyllis, one third with the big girls, Hattie and Aurora, and one third alone (mostly because everyone else went in). She assiduously avoided Sydney at all times.

Here she is with Phyllis.

And working the wood pile with Aurora
View attachment 2998124

Interesting item number 4: Hattie's behavior. Hattie did not come out at first. She watched everyone from the porch.

View attachment 2998120

Hattie did come out once Lilly went in. She wanted a couple of walnuts. Lilly must have said something to her.
View attachment 2998122

Surprisingly, at one point, Hattie sprinted over to Sydney and forced her to bow down and submit. I don't know if Sydney was eyeballing her or what. I missed the reason for the behavior and my hands were too numb to work the camera on the phone to catch a picture.

After maybe 10 minutes out, Hattie went back in and sat in the doorway to watch everyone else.
View attachment 2998123

Interesting item number 5: In and out. Sydney and Aurora did not stay out the entire time, rather they would be out for a while and then run back in the coop to warm up. After a bit, back out they would come. They did this at least 4 times.

Interesting item number 6: Tortured Aurora. Betty did not want to go back in. So after everyone else went in her and I walked around the yard. This drove poor Aurora crazy. She was certain that at some point I would sneak special food to Betty and she would get none. So Aurora paced the porch. Not wanting to come out but watching just in case I had some secret treat for Betty. She even came part way out once when I removed my hand from my pocket and she was certain the moment for secret treats was at hand.

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

Wow! Such a lot going on there.

I had an idea Betty and Sydney would be friends because they had so many chats the first couple of days.

I'm so pleased Lilly felt good enough to come outside for a while!

I find it very interesting that Betty (who wasn't living at your house when the hawk struck) is comfy staying outside while all the others go inside sooner. I know there are other factors at play, but it feels like a thing to comment on.

 

[MaryJanet]

Sorry work and free range is preventing me from posting when you Aussies first check in. I know I'm a little late for you all at this point.

No worries at all Bob! Don't give it a second thought.

 

[rural mouse]

Now I stand back when I open the door, then I grab her and lift her down, I also lift down old Penelope, Blanche and Henny Penny as they seem to have some problem getting down - even though they have no issues getting up there! I was thinking of lowering the roost to around 3'. How high are yours?

Mine are around 4 feet.

 

[rural mouse]

Egg update.

Half the eggs all over the floor of the coop. Other half still in nest, covered in yolk. Jess snuggled in on a fake egg and a real one (got the fakes to try to get PITA to lay elsewhere). Nest eggs cold. Disposed of eggs: partial development in 3. At a guess, quit a week ago. Now to test her and see how much she wants to sit on empty nest.

 

[Ponypoor]

Mine are around 4 feet.

Yes mine are at 48" also, I just worry about the old gal and my 3 silkies.