Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

I'm trying the easiest idea first, since I'm a bit construction-challenged, a lifting rack with 2x2's.
Asked Hazel and Peanut for help with the math in calculating where to put the cross-pieces, and I added I was asking them because "chicken math" is so famous. They stopped in their tracks and gave me this look:

They said they really prefer inspection, adding that it appears to be roosting bars I'm making.

They proceeded to step on and hop over with muddy feet, back and forth, and also squeeze under them. I guess it passed some sort of inspection . But later Butters (structural engineer, based on her inspection of the perch concrete blocks last year as @featherhead007 noted) said it's too early to judge the structural integrity, and she's right.
I discovered the two greenhouse frames have different section widths, so I marked the wood for the narrowest one. Hopefully.

 

[Ponypoor]

View attachment 3052041
This is Bunny. And yes Bunny is on my couch on top of 2 loads of clean laundry that I have not had time to fold this morning. I've mentioned in the past that Bunny takes advantage every time she spots a open window or door to come inside. She is determined the couch is where she needs to lay her egg. It is almost 70 today, I want my doors and windows open. After throwing her out 10 times already we gave up. Threw a hospital chuck pad down and she is happy.

No screen on the windows? We couldn't live here without screens, the blackflies and mosquitoes are so bad!

 

[bgmathteach]

Hawk!!! Hawk!!!

I am out with the tribe and this fellow showed up across the street.
View attachment 3052457

This is where the video started
View attachment 3052458

And this is where it finished its flight when it left.
View attachment 3052459

Ouch! 'Finished' it's flight? Hmmm, evidently things were looking to good for it to leave.

 

[bgmathteach]

Oh thank you for the pep talk

I was so mad at buttercup today, and felt so bad for wee Marty.

Who obviously was less affected than I was - I went looking for her and she was digging happily through the hay not a care in the world.

I have been keeping her seperate from the others when I am not around just in case.

Can you keep her 'separate' with a friend? Completely separate is so sad

 

[Ponypoor]

Also there’s the whole wild bird issues… and I don’t know how bad your Barn Swallow infestations are but they are worse than the mice here. All our barns and outbuildings have big gaps. The chicken trailer is pretty small bird resistant, I’m just hoping for the best here and dealing with the mites etc as they crop up, but the bird flu is IMO more scary than the big “C”

Oh Kris I have such a worry about the swallows, they will be back around May first. I always have about 4 pairs nesting in the barn - I am beside myself worrying if I should lock them out. Over 30 yrs they have been nesting here.

I don't want my chickies to get ill, but also want the swallows around. My next move is to call the Agriculture ministry and get some insight into which birds are the actual ones carrying the flu.

Tonight I kept everyone in.

 

[Ponypoor]

Can you keep her 'separate' with a friend? Completely separate is so sad

I was thinking of putting the other silkies in with her but they are also bossy.

If I were home I would just let her roam at will and they could all just figure it out. Which is what I do when I get home.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

@ChicoryBlue @bgmathteach I finished the post

Yes I see now.
Is it a Coopers? I can't tell. If it's the previous one, it will be eager for another strike, carefully watching for an opening. Oh, how awful, and scary for everyone.

 

[Ponypoor]

Can you keep her 'separate' with a friend? Completely separate is so sad

What really make me sad is that she seems happy to be off on her own digging in the hay and straw.

I throw down scratch grain for them and she comes around for that and gets right in the fray, maybe I should just let the figure it out.... But she is so wee.

I thought of giving her some eggs to hatch if she got broody, thinking it would help elevate her status, anyone have any thoughts on this ??

 

[RoyalChick]

Hawk!!! Hawk!!!

I am out with the tribe and this fellow showed up across the street.
View attachment 3052457

This is where the video started
View attachment 3052458

And this is where it finished its flight when it left.
View attachment 3052459

I guess at least it went away. Was there a Lynx in the vicinity?
j

 

[BY Bob]

I guess at least it went away. Was there a Lynx in the vicinity?
j

There surely was.