Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

I'm not sure it's a win but I thought maybe it's interesting for you and Lozzy? It's hard to imagine living without modern appliances.

Love your point about archeology. Every now and then the chickens dig up an old medicine bottle, you know those tiny ones. From the days before garbage collection I guess.

 

[MaryJanet]

My laundry room is also kind of outdoors. It is still part of the house but without central AC or Heat and no door from inside goes to it. You have to walk across the back porch. No sink or niceties just a washer and dryer and 2 shelves.

I really like the fact theyre not adding heat to the house as well as the other things everyone pointed out.

No idea how old this place is but it is old. It was a very simple one bedroom shotgun house and it recieved an addition. The bathroom is original so its not outhouse old. This is a old ex-slave plantation area where they still grow and refine Tons of sugar cane.

I'm a big fan of small houses. So much easier to keep clean and you don't need as much stuff.

 

[LozzyR]

Some of the most painful pecks I've had have been from broody hens.
I learn't after a while, and a few more bloody indentations in my hand, that if you keep your hand low, lower then the broodies head, and take it slow you can slide your hand underneath her reasonably easily.

Thanks @Shadrach , I’ll remember that.

 

[LozzyR]

Agree about the perches. I replaced flimsy roosting perches with sturdy ones just last weekend. The flimsy ones came with the coop. You'd think people who specialise in producing coops would do better on the perches. But i guess expertise gets lost once folks organise into companies and start cutting costs.

That sounds about right, re cutting costs. I’ve put a new perch in, although it’s quite close to the floor as I screwed the original perch to the plank of wood and slotted it in. I also took @Aussie-Chookmum ’s advice and put a big bit of cardboard in over the nest.

 

[LozzyR]

If you watch this video of Maleficent on the nest again, she wacks the nest divider while trying to get me. That would have drawn blood I bet. I know it would have been painful if she had connected.

It sure would have!

 

[LozzyR]

I don't think that professor knows much about roosters though - he says rooster attacks are rare. I would say rooster attacks are common. But attacks causing death are rare.

There are some lovely roosters on the internet, though I’m guessing they’re the exception, not the rule. Anyone seen Frog the Rooster’s YouTube channel? And I found a video of a big manly rooster called Grace who loves kisses and cuddles with his Australian chook mama!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

View attachment 1941673

That sounds about right, re cutting costs. I’ve put a new perch in, although it’s quite close to the floor as I screwed the original perch to the plank of wood and slotted it in. I also took @Aussie-Chookmum ’s advice and put a big bit of cardboard in over the nest.

I hope it works out for you. I had to leave the cardboard blocking the nest boxes at night for several weeks before my young 'uns took to roosting reliably

 

[LozzyR]

I hope it works out for you. I had to leave the cardboard blocking the nest boxes at night for several weeks before my young 'uns took to roosting reliably

I’ll let you know how it goes! We had to go out tonight before it was dark and got back after dark. I thought I’d give Charlie a chance, seeing as she hasn’t been diving for the nest (although she was still making her “tuk tuk tuk” noises). Sure enough, they’re all cuddled up together in the nesting box in the old henhouse. I lifted Charlie out and put her on the perch in the new house, with the nest still blocked off. Fingers crossed she’s out and about in the morning!

 

[BY Bob]

I’ll let you know how it goes! We had to go out tonight before it was dark and got back after dark. I thought I’d give Charlie a chance, seeing as she hasn’t been diving for the nest (although she was still making her “tuk tuk tuk” noises). Sure enough, they’re all cuddled up together in the nesting box in the old henhouse. I lifted Charlie out and put her on the perch in the new house, with the nest still blocked off. Fingers crossed she’s out and about in the morning!

Do let us know what happens. I am hopeful for you and Charlie.

 

[LozzyR]

Thanks for the background on your girls Loz. It's always very informative and interesting hearing others experiences. It's rough losing 3 in under 2 years .

I never would have guessed that chooks were so fragile either until I lived it.
At the moment I'm on tenterhooks wondering if Deana is well or not. Tsuki, who is the same age (4), is still happily running around bossing the younger hens and getting more than her fair share of meal worms though.

Sounds like a good animal husbandry practice. Wish we did it here

I hope your Deana is ok, keep us posted.