Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Hattie is growling today

A while back I noticed that Hattie was growling and I was concerned. I think it was @Ribh that said it was probably just a new sound she had learned. I think she was right. Hattie has been using her gravelly growly voice all day instead of her high squeaky voice. It is cracking me up. It sounds like she is a pack a day smoker.

 

[micstrachan]

So we have a rain storm coming. I was delighted to learn this morning that the storm is delayed, and I let the chickens out. After a couple hours, I called them back in with sunflower seeds. Since I have a fat problem in my flock, this is a rare occurance these days.

So 9 of my 10 are safe back in the run. All except Ester, who is one of the pullets. She is the wildest chicken I’ve ever had by far, and the most flighty. At the slightest unfamiliarity, she FREAKS out. For example, I was worried she injured herself the other day when the plastic baggy I used to bring egg shells out blew off a shelf and she acted like it was an impending hawk strike. So Ester’s out in the unfenced, unprotected yard by herself. If I try to catch her, she retreats. It’s impossible; I cannot catch her. And I’m not letting the flock back out, as their treat quota for rounding them up has already been met. Thoughts? Advice? We’re over eight hours from dark, when she’ll naturally want to cone home and still a couple hours from rain. Maybe when it gets closer to rain time, I’ll let them all back out and hope they go in on their own when the storm arrives?

 

[Shadrach]

That is a wonderful photo. I love the fog effect. Nicely done!

Thank you. I wish I had been a little closer.

 

[Shadrach]

That is a stunning family portrait. How much did they pay you for that?

Those two hens despite their behaviour problems have both provided above average amount of eggs and endless entertainment. The problem is they and I have a rather different view of what is, and what isn't, entertaining.

 

[Shadrach]

When I heard Boris was down, I starting cheering for the flippin virus! So. Wrong. Of. Me. But also funny

I did too.

 

[Shadrach]

So we have a rain storm coming. I was delighted to learn this morning that the storm is delayed, and I let the chickens out. After a couple hours, I called them back in with sunflower seeds. Since I have a fat problem in my flock, this is a rare occurance these days.

So 9 of my 10 are safe back in the run. All except Ester, who is one of the pullets. She is the wildest chicken I’ve ever had by far, and the most flighty. At the slightest unfamiliarity, she FREAKS out. For example, I was worried she injured herself the other day when the plastic baggy I used to bring egg shells out blew off a shelf and she acted like it was an impending hawk strike. So Ester’s out in the unfenced, unprotected yard by herself. If I try to catch her, she retreats. It’s impossible; I cannot catch her. And I’m not letting the flock back out, as their treat quota for rounding them up has already been met. Thoughts? Advice? We’re over eight hours from dark, when she’ll naturally want to cone home and still a couple hours from rain. Maybe when it gets closer to rain time, I’ll let them all back out and hope they go in on their own when the storm arrives?

I would think she would come back on her won eventually if the rest of the flock has.
Otherwise it's wait until dusk to see where she perches for the night and get her then.

 

[Shadrach]

Fudge. She couldn't get into her usual nest box.

 

[micstrachan]

I would think she would come back on her won eventually if the rest of the flock has.
Otherwise it's wait until dusk to see where she perches for the night and get her then.

All good. I locked everyone in the second half of the pen and left the gate open. Hubby pretty much rolled his eyes at me and asked, “What does she look like? I’ll find her.” Sure enough, as I was up above the property looking everywhere, he found her and ushered her into the open gate. Geez, it’s embarrassing how airheaded I acted over that one.

However, lately I keep seeing small holes burrowed under the run. Mole? Gopher? The holes have been pretty small, so I wondered , “Do we have voles here?” Today I moved a low branch roost along with a stump. One of the familiar small holes was under the stump. I dug back a bit, collapsed the tunnel, and filled it in. A few minutes later, I watched Dorothy kill and devour (within under a minute) a TARANTULA! Who knew??? I hadn’t seen one of those since we moved here ten years ago.

 

[micstrachan]

Actually, I think it may have been a trapdoor spider. Regardless, it was WAY bigger tgan the biggest garden spider we get and Dorothy thought it made an excellent snack. I think there is another one living in the vicinity of the mini red coop.

 

[Shadrach]

All good. I locked everyone in the second half of the pen and left the gate open. Hubby pretty much rolled his eyes at me and asked, “What does she look like? I’ll find her.” Sure enough, as I was up above the property looking everywhere, he found her and ushered her into the open gate. Geez, it’s embarrassing how airheaded I acted over that one.

However, lately I keep seeing small holes burrowed under the run. Mole? Gopher? The holes have been pretty small, so I wondered , “Do we have voles here?” Today I moved a low branch roost along with a stump. One of the familiar small holes was under the stump. I dug back a bit, collapsed the tunnel, and filled it in. A few minutes later, I watched Dorothy kill and devour (within under a minute) a TARANTULA! Who knew??? I hadn’t seen one of those since we moved here ten years ago.

I love tarantulas.
So when your husband asked what she looked like did you say "she looks like a chicken! She'll be the only one who looks different from the other birds."