Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

I am trying not to think about all the "extras" in that puddle!

 

[RoyalChick]

I try to lock the adults out (or only allow 1 in) while letting the babes enjoy the whole of the coop so it's familiar to them before they have to play dodge with the big birds. then there's the exposure with a few more birds, followed by running with the adults. tame frame depends upon time of year (temps vs plant cover) and interactions with adults. if they're wanting to go exploring, or adults are showing protective/guardian tendencies, they go sooner than if not. I do keep heat source available just because they may need to warm up for a bit or use it to find a safe spot again. Timing depends upon observation.

Yup. That is how I am thinking. They are so tiny compared to the big Princesses!

 

[RoyalChick]

I agree. This is not her fault.

@micstrachan please take this to heart. You are doing the best possible for your tribe. Please don't overreact with what you are feeding them. There are things at play here where you don't really have control. I truly beleive that.

Having now read lots of academic papers on the topic it is clear that in part this has been bred into them.

 

[LozzyR]

Have heard of your cassowary! They can be dangerous! I love their feet, awesome legs and feet!

Yes, we tend to give our Cassowaries a wide berth, rather than having a couple free-range in the back yard amongst the chooks.

 

[rural mouse]

So play by ear and see how it goes

And LOTS of mindful observation, for at least an hour at a time, preferably longer, covering assorted times of day

 

[RoyalChick]

Too cute!
The babies are roosting. Do you think they copied Diana and Maggie who you can see on the far right looking over and presumably hoping the Hooligans shut up soon so they can get some sleep. The Roadrunners always go to bed a little later.
I am guessing the babies will go back under the heat plate before it gets too dark but I love how grown-up they look preening on the branch.

 

[MaryJanet]

It’s not a clue after all. I just suck at taking care of chickens. I just saw the prelim report snd Sunshine died of a fatty liver hemorrhage. I’m so sad about that and don’t understand how a young, low ranked hen could be fat in my flock. This is an ongoing problem in my flock, despite trying to slim them down. I need to ration feed again.

Hmmm maybe they're getting the wrong sort of food? You could call your chicken vet and check. Certainly something is not right for so many of your hens to have passed from fatty liver. Are the neighbours giving them bits of bread maybe?

 

[MaryJanet]

Don’t be too hard on yourself… it’s incredibly common in laying hens. I really think that our perfectly balanced nutrition rations are a little too much for many hens to live long and healthy lives. When you think about a more natural environment, their forage would be far less rich and nutrient dense.

Good point! I hadn't thought of that

 

[Ribh]

We’ll send some Cassowary eggs over.

Now that's just pissen mean, even to Kris! Those things are literal dinosaurs & definitely not user friendly.

 

[MaryJanet]

I am simply stunned. I don't get it. You are so mindful of what you feed them. How can this be? Is this something of which certain hens may just be genetically predisposed somehow?

Raising chickens can be so heartbreaking sometimes.

That's why I thought perhaps the neighbours were throwing bread scraps to Michelle's hens. There's just no way the hens are unwell from what she feeds them.