Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Do they have a ramp?

No there are graduating levels of roosts to jump up on.

But I was also thinking of doing wider boards to jump up with. I have 1x6 planks I can use.

My main worry is my wee silkies getting knocked off the roost by the bigger gals.

 

[BY Bob]

They love going up so high but then look so awkward trying to get down, I am so paranoid of the wee silkies and old Penelope.

I want to keep the happy to get up higher but also keep them safe...

Those are way higher than mine. They do not need to be that high. High roosts increase the risk of leg injuries and bumblefoot.

 

[micstrachan]

Is that Towles on your roosts? How do you keep them clean?

Yes, those are towels attached with ball bungees. I run them through the washer periodically. If they get especially soiled, I put a hose on them before running them through the washer.

 

[micstrachan]

Checking my email: I was sent instructions on how to land a SkyHawk in 50 mph crosswinds. Are they crazy? Who flies a plane that small, in a crosswind that strong?
Astonishment tax:
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Astonishment! I like that word. Great tax, too.

 

[micstrachan]

Those are way higher than mine. They do not need to be that high. High roosts increase the risk of leg injuries and bumblefoot.

How high are the roosts in question? I can’t find that post. My roosts in the lower coop are chest height on me. Occasionally a girl will want to fly down from those, and it makes me very nervous, especially after poor Alex had a girl break her leg and he had to put her down. If we do move, the roosts aren’t gonna be that high in the new coop unless there’s a really good ramp or graduated roosts so they can easily jump up to. My girls really love their chest high roosts, but they usually jump down to the poop board and then either jump down 3 feet to the floor, which is cushioned by a thick layer of pine shavings, or take the ramp.

 

[BY Bob]

People. I am beyond happy that it is Friday and that the days are getting longer. The girls got a whole hour of free range time today! I know… That is really sad to be excited about a single hour, but it is still winter here and I work full-time.

Little Mill went to bed early along with Lucky. Lucky is always first to bed, and Little Mill is almost always second, so it’s not a big surprise. Those little corner roosts are the coziest spots. Little Mill is pretty much always on that one, and Cashew and/or Roxy is on the other. Little Mill used to always roost upstairs on the lower roost that’s in the upper coop (pop door visible to the right of Millie in photo), alongside Ruby. But that changed when Ruby left us.
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That was wonderful. They all look so happy. What a nice treat for all of you.

 

[MaryJanet]

How high are the roosts in question? I can’t find that post. My roosts in the lower coop are chest height on me. Occasionally a girl will want to fly down from those, and it makes me very nervous, especially after poor Alex had a girl break her leg and he had to put her down. If we do move, the roosts aren’t gonna be that high in the new coop unless there’s a really good ramp or graduated roosts so they can easily jump up to. My girls really love their chest high roosts, but they usually jump down to the poop board and then either jump down 3 feet to the floor, which is cushioned by a thick layer of pine shavings, or take the ramp.

I'll be using bales of straw and tree stumps to make a ladder up to the new roost. I think the older hens feel nervous about hopping from perch to perch to get down, so I'm going to provide very wide and stable surfaces for them to use.

 

[BY Bob]

No there are graduating levels of roosts to jump up on.

But I was also thinking of doing wider boards to jump up with. I have 1x6 planks I can use.

My main worry is my wee silkies getting knocked off the roost by the bigger gals.

The thing is they don't use them to get down though do they? They fly or jump down.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Any further updates on the chickies ? Any further hatched?

Still just have the 1 out, and I'm confident it is a partridge now. 2 hours ago I had to adjust the humidity a little. I was worried because the other egg was showing no visible progress other then the initial pip. I took that opportunity to real quick grab the egg and listen. Not only did it cheep loudly at me but I could hear it sort of grinding away at the shell. So it is trying and it has not yet been 24 hours since it pipped so no need to panic just yet. The 3rd egg, nothing yet that I can tell.

 

[micstrachan]

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

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

OK, Bob. This is one of the best posts ever. I just absolutely love how excited and active they are when they are out. Their in and out behavior emphasizes how cold it must be there. And I have to say, it just makes my heart sing that sweet Betty is fully integrated into the flock at this point, in my opinion. I am also very, very happy that Lilly did come out for a bit, even if briefly. I do wonder if Hattie heard or saw a hawk, but I’m sure you’re on the on top of that. Thank you again, Bob, for creating a forum where we genuinely love and care for each other and each other‘s birds.