Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Hey Bob!

If I’m not mistaken.. in that second video.. that is the little.. bek, bek, bek, sound they make to show the chicks where the food is... looks like that’s what she is doing.. maybe practicing for when she hatches all those eggs she’s collected ... she really is determined!

Ok. That would make sense. There were mealy worms on the ground there that she did not eat.

 

[LozzyR]

A Visit from my Friend

She spent a lot of time grooming and stretching. The older ladies were not around but when they showed up, Maleficent looked like her namesake. She certainly scared me. She actually seemed to imitate a turkey in her stance. Mal stared them down for quite a while before deciding to go to the lion statue and groom some more. Check it out.

In the third video, around the 51-52 second mark and again just after 1 minute, Mal is making a “Tuk tuk tuk” noise that my Charlie is making. This was a new noise for me too, and Charlie has been fluffing herself up as well. When I go to lift her off the nest, she makes a trilly/growly noise, but will then squat and let me pat her. She’ll come out in the morning with the other two but then goes and nests some time after that (they like to sleep and nest in different houses). When I boot her off the nest, she seems to stay off (but I have been shutting the nest house just in case). She laid another egg today (and was also sitting on someone else’s!)

 

[BY Bob]

Beautiful Lazy Morning

It is 71°F (22 C) with a gorgeous breeze this morning. I worked hard yesterday on my 85 Afla convertible repairing the transmission and rear differential so I'm a little slow moving today. It seems the girls have adopted my lethargy and we are all just sitting around this morning.

 

[drumstick diva]

Lethargy is my way of life

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

She REALLY needs some eggs to hatch...

Enabler!

Who??? Me???

Is that growly noise what mother hens say to their chicks? It's very stern and righteous, like a school marm.

If I’m not mistaken.. in that second video.. that is the little.. bek, bek, bek, sound they make to show the chicks where the food is... looks like that’s what she is doing.

When she was checking under herself I thought it looked like she was looking for chicks too. Maybe its a phantom pregnancy?

 

[BY Bob]

Broody Breaking Time

Today is the day. I think Maleficent has proven she will sit a nest to completion. I am going to have to crate her. I have a dog crate just for the occasion. I have been called Mr. Softie but I'm sad I need to take this away from her. However, it is for her own good. Here she us on the nest one last morning.

I can't decide whether to put her crate in the run or the house. If I do the run I am going to need to move her to the house or coop at night. If I do the house she will be separated from the flock for a couple of days. Anyone have any opinions on the matter before I set up?

 

[Kris5902]

Although it will be extra work I would lean towards putting the crate in the run, they are such social animals and your pecking order is already nicely established. If you put her in the house 1: she’s going to start wanting to roost with the “rooster” in the “really big coop” all the time, 2: it might disrupt your pecking order, 3: she would probably miss the other girls. Just my thoughts on it. Yes, packing her in and out every day will be a bit of a chore, but it’s just for a little while until she stops thinking of starting her own little family!

 

[BY Bob]

Although it will be extra work I would lean towards putting the crate in the run, they are such social animals and your pecking order is already nicely established. If you put her in the house 1: she’s going to start wanting to roost with the “rooster” in the “really big coop” all the time, 2: it might disrupt your pecking order, 3: she would probably miss the other girls. Just my thoughts on it. Yes, packing her in and out every day will be a bit of a chore, but it’s just for a little while until she stops thinking of starting her own little family!

Good thoughts Kris. Thanks.

 

[BY Bob]

And so the Fun Begins

I took Kris advice and put her in the run. Here is the setup. I have top go top the storage unit to get the chick waterer for her but this is how it will look.

I am already convinced it is the right thing to do. The others came over immediately to check on her. Then they are started yelling together for me to let her out. She is making some horrible screams. I'm trying to plug my ears and ignore her.


Here she is in the crate.

Here is everyone checking on her.

 

[Ribh]

And so the Fun Begins

I took Kris advice and put her in the run. Here is the setup. I have top go top the storage unit to get the chick waterer for her but this is how it will look.
View attachment 1921863
I am already convinced it is the right thing to do. The others came over immediately to check on her. Then they are started yelling together for me to let her out. She is making some horrible screams. I'm trying to plug my ears and ignore her.


Here she is in the crate.
View attachment 1921864
Here is everyone checking on her.
View attachment 1921865

Oh gosh! I thought Kris' advice was good but I've never crated a broody. The poor girl! And poor Bob too. I hope she isn't a stubborn one.