Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

About the egg/escort song... Our chickens have never made a peep when laying eggs, and we'd never even heard the egg song until a week or so ago. It first occurred as two of the chickens were interacting with us right outside of their front door, while the other one was inside the run, literally within arm's reach away from us but on the other side of some opaque plastic sheeting that we tacked up months ago to keep the snow out. It really sounded like a distress call to us, very loud and frantic, from the one separated from the others. Was it because she couldn't see us?

We heard it again just a couple of days ago when they were out in the backyard. I had previously carried them out to the small strip of grass that has formed along the fence so they could get a bit of sunshine and exercise. Meanwhile, I dug out a path through the snow so they could get back to the coop if they wanted to. After some time, Ginger and Lovey had enough and walked back to the coop. Maryanne, never the brightest of the bunch, did not follow suit. Within mere moments, Maryanne was pacing back and forth, appearing totally lost, confused, and stressed. We watched from the window, wondering if she would ever figure it out. I was totally surprised when I then heard that same distress call coming from one of the girls already safely back "home". It's was as if one of her buddies was calling out for someone to go rescue her friend.

Does this sort of thing happen all the time? The calling stopped when my wife went out and herded Maryanne back to the others.

If you check my signature line I wrote an article on the egg song. You can find out more there. It is an escort call for a hen that is separated from ther flock. She is calling to the roster ro come get her. Here is the link.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...r-people-the-egg-song-why-do-hens-sing.75323/

 

[BY Bob]

Do I need to send you some instructions on tilling floors?

I'm afraid I might need your help soon.

 

[BY Bob]

In the picture above is an example of just one of the reasons Fat Bird got to be ten years old.
(she the black hen at the back)
Even with the relative safety of the tribe around her and my proximity and my house a short dash from where she is sitting, she still chooses to lie under the bottom rail of the fence and close to one of the uprights.

Definately a smart lady.

 

[BY Bob]

Tackle.
View attachment 2047222

She's very pretty. I love that tail.

 

[LozzyR]

In the picture above is an example of just one of the reasons Fat Bird got to be ten years old.
(she the black hen at the back)
Even with the relative safety of the tribe around her and my proximity and my house a short dash from where she is sitting, she still chooses to lie under the bottom rail of the fence and close to one of the uprights.

She’s a clever girl. Does anyone follow her lead?

 

[LozzyR]

I'm afraid I might need your help soon.

I can lay pavers but I’ve not done any tiling.

 

[goldenfingers]

If you check my signature line I wrote an article on the egg song. You can find out more there. It is an escort call for a hen that is separated from ther flock. She is calling to the roster ro come get her. Here is the link.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...r-people-the-egg-song-why-do-hens-sing.75323/

I remember reading your article a while ago. I will definitely re-read it

If you check my signature line I wrote an article on the egg song. You can find out more there. It is an escort call for a hen that is separated from ther flock. She is calling to the roster ro come get her. Here is the link.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...r-people-the-egg-song-why-do-hens-sing.75323/

Great article, thanks!

 

[LozzyR]

It’s spa day!

@Shadrach got me thinking about daily bathing, and I felt so sorry for the girls cooped up in quarantine. So I filled a box with dirt I had recently dug up. It took them a bit of investigating (River even found a worm!) but they got there. I say ‘they’; Nyssa hasn’t been allowed to have a turn yet.

 

[MaryJanet]

In the picture above is an example of just one of the reasons Fat Bird got to be ten years old.
(she the black hen at the back)
Even with the relative safety of the tribe around her and my proximity and my house a short dash from where she is sitting, she still chooses to lie under the bottom rail of the fence and close to one of the uprights.

Smart!

 

[MaryJanet]

It’s spa day!

@Shadrach got me thinking about daily bathing, and I felt so sorry for the girls cooped up in quarantine. So I filled a box with dirt I had recently dug up. It took them a bit of investigating (River even found a worm!) but they got there. I say ‘they’; Nyssa hasn’t been allowed to have a turn yet.

They're so happy!!