Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I'm very careful about how I see myself in relation to the chickens and particularly the roosters. The roosters are always the boss but even bosses have to abide by the law.
I'm the law, the social services, bucket boy, housing department, medical center, but the rooster can and does do things day in day out that I couldn't manage even if I had the inclination.

That is very wise.

 

[BY Bob]

Happy Anniversary

One year ago today I started this thread. I need to thank all of you who have taken the time to read and post here. This has more than exceeded my expectations. What started as a way to record the stories of my flock has become a community. A community where we welcomed a few more members even in the last few days.

I treasure all of you and look forward to another year of stories and fun.

 

[BY Bob]

Recalibrated

I got the automated door recalibrated today. I took a photo of it installed and a video of it operating for those that are curious.

The early results are very positive. It stayed open at least 20 minutes longer tonight. It should also open earlier in the morning for them.

 

[Kris5902]

You have an extra pic in there..

Those were the summer goats... didn’t mean to attach that and couldn’t see it until I got better internet service, I now have a different herd gracing my front lawn... even more stinky than those ones as this group is ALL boys.

Kris, If Chickie Hawk is that unsociable and you need him out of the way for a bit, you can drop a large and thick towel over him and bundle him up long enough to tip him into a pet carrier for a bit. He can take the towel in with him if he likes.
I've had to do this with a couple over the years. If you're quick and have everything to hand it generally works well.
A rooster with it's blood up knows no reason. In the short term it doesn't matter why, there's stuff you have to do.
You have a bit of an advantage in that you know he is likely to act up. Often the 'rooster' problems are the surprise when people find out Mr Cuddles isn't so cuddly any more. I don't think given what I've read you're that sort.
I've assumed you are reasonably fit and mobile given you farm, coping with house build etc so the towel drop should be easy enough for you.
I sweep them out of the way these days. I get one or two that have another go but if you've taken them off their feet and swept them backwards a few feet, here at least most lose interest in the fight.
These days things don't get that far thankfully. All the new arrivals have a dad, and the dads and I have had time to come to a working arrangement. This gets taught to the newcomers and the dads enforce cockerel good behavior towards me.
However, I still use the sweep occasionally when I need to break up a fight.

I was Exactly that “it won’t happen to my sweet little boy” naieve person at first... but we now have a fairly good working arrangement. He is a flogger, and a biter. Some days I will even let him “kill” my boot to show off for his ladies. (And it is all show!) It depends on his attitude in the morning, some days he is peaceful, some days he comes out hot, most days he is somewhere in between. He is actually fairly easy for me to handle and I’ll Probably just pick him up. I expect he will bite me once or twice, but I can live with that.

I’m thinking I will put him in my “bad rooster box” and his ladies in my large dog crate with him at the entrance to it while I work on repairing the base. So he can keep protecting them and won’t get too upset. I’ve noticed all my Roosters are not fans of most power tools. This way they can be far enough from the scary noises that he won’t totally freak out. No way would I crawl face first under the roosting box with a drill sticking my rear in the run with him in there... just no. And I don’t think leaving him in the roosting box and working around them would be fair to them.

Sammy is still a little sweetheart though. The only Rooster I will let near my face. He likes to have his wattles stroked.

 

[Kris5902]

Happy Anniversary

One year ago today I started this thread. I need to thank all of you who have taken the time to read and post here. This has more than exceeded my expectations. What started as a way to record the stories of my flock has become a community. A community where we welcomed a few more members even in the last few days.

I treasure all of you and look forward to another year of stories and fun.

Yay!!! Happy one year anniversary to “Fluffy Butt Acres”. And Bob, Thank you for having us all here!

 

[RoyalChick]

Recalibrated

I got the automated door recalibrated today. I took a photo of it installed and a video of it operating for those that are curious.
View attachment 1995173

The early results are very positive. It stayed open at least 20 minutes longer tonight. It should also open earlier in the morning for them.
View attachment 1995174

Impressive piece of kit! I am trying to decide whether to have an automated door for the Chicken Palace. My initial thought is not to go automated particularly because the whole point of the 'palace' is that it has (will have) a predator secure run. I am thinking of making their door slide sideways rather than up and down and close it manually - probably only in really extreme cold. Welcome any suggestions!

 

[Kris5902]

Impressive piece of kit! I am trying to decide whether to have an automated door for the Chicken Palace. My initial thought is not to go automated particularly because the whole point of the 'palace' is that it has (will have) a predator secure run. I am thinking of making their door slide sideways rather than up and down and close it manually - probably only in really extreme cold. Welcome any suggestions!

I both love and hate the manual doors. I hate the getting up so early in the summer to open, and the fretting about that they are closed at dark. But I also love the security of knowing everyone is locked in and safe from harm. Every night. I suppose it depends on your lifestyle and run, but I do like the solid, safe door to be closed at night.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Happy Anniversary

One year ago today I started this thread. I need to thank all of you who have taken the time to read and post here. This has more than exceeded my expectations. What started as a way to record the stories of my flock has become a community. A community where we welcomed a few more members even in the last few days.

I treasure all of you and look forward to another year of stories and fun.

.... it’s the place to be!

 

[LozzyR]

Happy Anniversary

One year ago today I started this thread. I need to thank all of you who have taken the time to read and post here. This has more than exceeded my expectations. What started as a way to record the stories of my flock has become a community. A community where we welcomed a few more members even in the last few days.

I treasure all of you and look forward to another year of stories and fun.

Wow, a year! I only came in around 4-5 months ago but I started from the beginning of the thread. I feel I have made some friends on this thread, even though we haven't met IRL. I think this is such a supportive, thoughtful, compassionate community and I'm addicted to checking the regular threads I read, just to see what has been going on! Thank you Bob for starting this thread and allowing me to make your acquaintance.

 

[LozzyR]

I both love and hate the manual doors. I hate the getting up so early in the summer to open, and the fretting about that they are closed at dark. But I also love the security of knowing everyone is locked in and safe from harm. Every night. I suppose it depends on your lifestyle and run, but I do like the solid, safe door to be closed at night.

My auto doors have little sticky-out bits that poke into holes in the runners, so it won't lift up unless you pull on the string. I feel mine are pretty secure. They are ChickenGuard ones.