Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

The littles are having a little time outside between the rain downpours

 

[GregnLety]

You know I find herding chickens ridiculously easy… it usually involves carrying a bucket, scoop, or anything really and walking within sight of them… I soon have a fairly tight formation of vicious little feathered minions at my command. (Some are even highly trained “attack chickens”like Hawk, Sammy, Dean, and my Bully girl)

I normally wait until it's dark and they walk on in but sometimes my boss wants them inside earlier.

 

[GregnLety]

More new babies this morning

 

[ChicoryBlue]

To be honest, where they are allowed to free range they really do not need other "enrichment" activities. I just thought I'd try it to see what they thought. A cabbage is nothing compared to grass, bugs, and if they find them baby snakes and minnows. They cost me a small fortune keeping them supplied in raisins and other dried fruit. I really do not need to create a love for cabbage as well.

The Buckeyes didn't really know what to do with the half-cabbage I hung for them in the afternoon, they tried it and ate some but left about half, and I took it in that first evening. They hadn't dealt with anything hanging, swinging and spinning before either. But that was only the first day. They demolished it the next day, though they weren't sure how to deal with the core part. But now, cabbage barely lasts a couple of hours and there is absolutely nothing left. They have always been that way - something new to eat takes a little digestion to get to know, and they have to figure out the mechanics of eating it, since there is nobody with experience to show them.

 

[RoyalChick]

I still haven't found a way to hang the cabbage head and apple
I only have thin string right now and cannot see @RebeccaBoyd s fb pictures

I use a meat hook. I believe @BY Bob uses a wire coat hanger.

 

[rural mouse]

More new babies this morning View attachment 3023445

Any specific breeds? Or Bitsas?

 

[GregnLety]

Any specific breeds? Or Bitsas?

Unknown, they're a mixed basket that we are hatching for my wife's friend at church. Probably bigger breeds as the family eats meat birds and saves the layers.

 

[bgmathteach]

why anyone would want to eat such a highly processed, wasteful product pretending to be something they are morally against is just boggling to me.

I love this line

Also, that means they shouldn't use leather, glue, etc made from animal parts. The trouble is, humans are OMNIVORES (as @Shadrach frequently reminds us about chickens!)

We certainly can reduce our 'footprint' per se, but it is better, imo, to eat ethically/humanely/sustainably raised animal 'products' than eating highly processed items made from unsustainable plant mono-cultures. (Basically, the plant version of factory farming) However, it is extremely difficult in this day and age to be sure everything we eat/use is ethically/humanely & sustainably raised/made/processed.

What's a person to do...there is only so much of my own needs that I can reasonably create/raise myself (partially because I still have to work full-time just to pay home taxes, insurance, health insurance, etc.

 

[bgmathteach]

you're welcome. The 2nd link had at least 1 more same shape in a later listing, smaller but otherwise same thing. I've seen more like it (different store, no website), assorted sizes. Some were marked for rabbit? feeders. 1-2 qt sizes exist....and a pic is worth a thousand words.

Oooo...that gave me another idea!!! I have rabbit feeders that I use as supplemental pellet feeders for the chickens, but with the screening, not the best for oystershell.....however, I believe they make ones without the screen/sifting bottomThank you!!!!

 

[bgmathteach]

I still haven't found a way to hang the cabbage head and apple
I only have thin string right now and cannot see @RebeccaBoyd s fb pictures

@RoyalChick mentioned some things, and I use plant hooks (hangers) like these:

• 
  
  I get a 2 pack of 8" ones from the dollar store in the U.S.