Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Lexicon]

After three days of torrential rain the weather is turning a bit. It is still cold and very windy but mostly not bucketing down.
The big Princesses are very happy to be allowed out so they can drink from the muddy puddles and not be forced to drink the rainwater out of a container like their cruel human makes them do.


Here are Maggie and Diana making full use of the ever expanding chicken yard. View attachment 3098125View attachment 3098129

@RoyalChick is that fence electrified? If so, do the hens get shocked from the inside? I have a six strand permanent electric fence around my runs for deterring bears, but it is attached to the outside of the fence so shocks to the hens haven't been a problem.

I want to expand their space in the summer and last year used puppy play panels attached together, but wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them in that alone. A fox or my own dogs could easily jump it or knock it over.

 

[GregnLety]

flipping hot but I got the projects done

 

[RoyalChick]

@RoyalChick is that fence electrified? If so, do the hens get shocked from the inside? I have a six strand permanent electric fence around my runs for deterring bears, but it is attached to the outside of the fence so shocks to the hens haven't been a problem.

I want to expand their space in the summer and last year used puppy play panels attached together, but wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them in that alone. A fox or my own dogs could easily jump it or knock it over.

Yes it is electric. It is called poultry netting which is sold by Premier One and Kencove. Mine is Kencove but I think they are basically the same thing.
The theory of the case is that just like the foxes, the chickens learn to avoid the fence by getting shocked which is not harmful but a 'never again' sort of experience.
This set up is quite new for me (I had single strand electric wire before) so I am not sure that they have tested the fence yet. I want to be around when that happens so mainly I am only letting them out when I am around outside - not necessarily sitting right with them but close enough to sprint over if I hear trouble.
I am equally not sure the foxes have learned the fence yet either. You are supposed to bait it so they come and sniff and learn to avoid it. That worked well for my single strand wire so I will do that again but the weather needs to calm down. It was so windy last night that half the fence blew over and the other half had fallen branches shorting it out.

 

[RoyalChick]

Nap time

 

[Ponypoor]

I had a hardware cloth screen over the bug screen, also to help keep the cats in during summer, a certain goat may have started trying to open the door with her head, and the HC was deformed and scratchy so I pulled it off for the winter… as we are getting into “leave the door open for ventilation” weather… ish if
I want to have any hope at maintaining the ‘outside chickens’ rules here this is going to need replaced! Exhibit A:View attachment 3098074
We had a morning goat chip spill, and she didn’t poop, so it was sort of like a pre vacuum cleanup.

Yee gads I have to say I am having so much fun with these chickens!

Other than chasing Blanche, Buttercup, and Misty around the property...

Goats... Well give me time hahahaha enough trouble with the horses!

 

[featherhead007]

I just had my church pastor and family over for BBQ ribs. I had to explain to them, that they had to eat beef, because I can’t eat chicken . I’m not sure if they understood completely. (But my cooking was satisfying for all)

 

[featherhead007]

View attachment 3098197flipping hot but I got the projects done

That’s very hot

 

[Ponypoor]

@RoyalChick is that fence electrified? If so, do the hens get shocked from the inside? I have a six strand permanent electric fence around my runs for deterring bears, but it is attached to the outside of the fence so shocks to the hens haven't been a problem.

I want to expand their space in the summer and last year used puppy play panels attached together, but wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them in that alone. A fox or my own dogs could easily jump it or knock it over.

@Lexicon I have the kencove fencing (as royalchick was saying), but I found that the rabbits and hares chewed the plastic vertical lines last Fall, they didn't chew the electric lines only the plastic ones. Makes me wonder if the plastic is made from organic materials, like those problems some vehicles wiring had and squirrels chewing it....

One other thing, I went and bought additional insulation posts to help with the sag between the posts.

I love the netting, but as of yet haven't 'plugged' it in . But if that Blanche doesn't stop scooting through the hole the rabbits made I am gonna plug the sucker in!!!! Hahaha. I can move it around and give be them fresh grass - once I get my new email finished I will put the netting up for some added excitement for them.

 

[Ponypoor]

I just had my church pastor and family over for BBQ ribs. I had to explain to them, that they had to eat beef, because I can’t eat chicken . I’m not sure if they understood completely. (But my cooking was satisfying for all)

I now feel guilty for having chicken for lunch

I had moose for supper last night and ham tonight though - hope that makes up for it

 

[Ponypoor]

View attachment 3098197flipping hot but I got the projects done

Wow that's warm! Stay hydrated