Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

I've been crazy busy with gigs in May and probably now over a hundred pages behind. Here on the current page - oh no - Rocks-Anne has passed away? I'm so sorry to learn this, so sorry @featherhead007

I saw a notification that Betty went for a pool swim again, but she survived that, and she's still okay? I hope to soon catch up on everyone's Littles too.

Here's a promised update on the greenhouse frame mover I made.

It works pretty well and saves time, but is slightly uncomfortable to use - lifting is just a little too high or too low for underhand carry. A shoulder lift works but offers less control. Anyway I'm moving the whole complex for the summer, into the shade and away from the hot driveway shale. I hope to find a spot there that will work for the winter too. It is a huge complicated deal to move everything, a lot of work, and temporarily confusing to the gang, who have been going back and forth between the coop and the big run as I disassemble it.
Peanut (front) and Butters in the new digs. A greenhouse frame is standing in for the big wired run for now. The coop & little run never changes and that's good for them. Popcorn has gone up into the coop to lay. She let loose a few banshee squeals just now. Hazel is behind me talking, and pecking/grooming my pants.

 

[featherhead007]

I've been crazy busy with gigs in May and probably now over a hundred pages behind. Here on the current page - oh no - Rocks-Anne has passed away? I'm so sorry to learn this, so sorry @featherhead007

I saw a notification that Betty went for a pool swim again, but she survived that, and she's still okay? I hope to soon catch up on everyone's Littles too.

Here's a promised update on the greenhouse frame mover I made.
View attachment 3131041
It works pretty well and saves time, but is slightly uncomfortable to use - lifting is just a little too high or too low for underhand carry. A shoulder lift works but offers less control. Anyway I'm moving the whole complex for the summer, into the shade and away from the hot driveway shale. I hope to find a spot there that will work for the winter too. It is a huge complicated deal to move everything, a lot of work, and temporarily confusing to the gang, who have been going back and forth between the coop and the big run as I disassemble it.
Peanut (front) and Butters in the new digs. A greenhouse frame is standing in for the big wired run for now. The coop & little run never changes and that's good for them. Popcorn has gone up into the coop to lay. She let loose a few banshee squeals just now. Hazel is behind me talking, and pecking/grooming my pants.
View attachment 3131131

Looks great CB!

 

[featherhead007]

yep, Rocks-Anne passed away. I miss her dearly.

 

[RoyalChick]

I've been crazy busy with gigs in May and probably now over a hundred pages behind. Here on the current page - oh no - Rocks-Anne has passed away? I'm so sorry to learn this, so sorry @featherhead007

I saw a notification that Betty went for a pool swim again, but she survived that, and she's still okay? I hope to soon catch up on everyone's Littles too.

Here's a promised update on the greenhouse frame mover I made.
View attachment 3131041
It works pretty well and saves time, but is slightly uncomfortable to use - lifting is just a little too high or too low for underhand carry. A shoulder lift works but offers less control. Anyway I'm moving the whole complex for the summer, into the shade and away from the hot driveway shale. I hope to find a spot there that will work for the winter too. It is a huge complicated deal to move everything, a lot of work, and temporarily confusing to the gang, who have been going back and forth between the coop and the big run as I disassemble it.
Peanut (front) and Butters in the new digs. A greenhouse frame is standing in for the big wired run for now. The coop & little run never changes and that's good for them. Popcorn has gone up into the coop to lay. She let loose a few banshee squeals just now. Hazel is behind me talking, and pecking/grooming my pants.
View attachment 3131131

That looks pretty nifty well done!

 

[lightm]

Well, like @bgmathteach said, it releases the air and then the shell doesn't crack.

So you have to prick it carefully, you want to make a hole in the shell but not in the membrane. Then you can have the water boiling like crazy as you gently place the egg in, I like to go point first, but I've been told it doesn't matter. Set the timer to 3.5 minutes (if you're me). Watch the bubbles of air escaping from the shell. Think of Dad. Time's up! Remove the egg and serve it (Eg with Vegemite soldiers).

You'll still get one crack every now and then, but not as often.

While I am at it, I'd like to add that steaming eggs (same outcome as boiling eggs) is a great way to cook eggs. Without pricking, my eggs always come out nice and un-cracked. Highly recommend!

 

[Desertvalleychickens]

View attachment 1633786

I have been wanting to do this for some time now. I knew once I started doing this there would be no going back. So I am now diving in and I hope you all enjoy coming along for the ride.

First of all let me tell you how we view our flock as that will help you to understand why we treat them like we do.

Our birds are our pets and we treat them as such. We do not care if someone is not laying eggs. They are welcome to stay at Fluffy Butt Acres until they pass naturally. (Now don't go telling them that! I would hate for word to get out) We do thoroughly enjoy the fresh eggs.

I plan to tell stories from the past as well as from today. I hope you all enjoy and will share stories of your flocks as well.

Your coop looks so nice!

 

[lightm]

I put them in an egg cup and chop the tops off with a knife. But you could take the peel off bit by bit under running water. Just crack it all over gently by rolling it under your palm before you get stuck in.

Go very, very gently.

That's sounding more and more problematic..... o bridge at a time: prick eggs before boiling and start with hot water: see how long takes for soft->hard boiled .

I am sorry that I have to reply again...

When I steam eggs, I control whether it is hard steamed or soft steamed by time. I peel either version the same way, and both are easy to peel!! I do let my eggs sit for a while (maybe 7 days or longer) before cooking. As somebody pointed out, fresh eggs tend to be hard to peel.

I also love eggs in any cooked method... yum yum yum

I will try to provide some tax later today...

 

[featherhead007]

 

[goldenfingers]

Progress report: The newbies spent some time out on the grass and ate freshly dug earthworms from our hands today. Not bad.

 

[BY Bob]

Rocks-Anne’s funeral wasn’t fancy, like the one I had to attend last month:
View attachment 3131014