Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

I've found them to be very intelligent creatures. I've posted this before. It's a good overview of more recent research.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10071-016-1064-4

The article is quite long but FASCINATING! I really loved reading it. Thank you for posting. Lots in there to take on board. The different maternal styles particularly struck me. I am sure all of you who have roosters and hens that raise chicks must have seen that.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

While I was being lazy in the blue chair, gloating over my flock, a hawk visited. Threw the ball for the dog (to make her visible to the hawk), quickly got my a$$ out of the chair, blew my whistle and they all came running. Hawk took off shortly after it could see me pacing around and the dog zooming around. I need to be more careful than that.

I'm very impressed that they respond to your whistle @micstrachan .

Beautiful girls by the way. I love all the different plumage

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

“We’re not ducks!!”

Oooh! Rain! It looks like you are getting a good soak Lozzy.

The girls don't seem very enthusiastic though...

 

[LozzyR]

Oooh! Rain! It looks like you are getting a good soak Lozzy.

The girls don't seem very enthusiastic though...

Yes, though naturally it came whilst I was in the middle of reinforcing the wire on the run.

 

[BY Bob]

I was looking at the 4 camera system because I have a lot of territory to cover out there. I'll take a look at the extender, tomorrow when I'm not so tired. Thanks for the information!!!

I bought the 2 camera and then added a 3rd later. Additonal cameras do seem cheaper to buy up front.

 

[BY Bob]

It really doesn't take much to train them on the piano, just their favorite treats. My avatar is miss b.b queen, my music loving chicken. All my girls would play, peck on the keys, but this one would string together notes for her treats. I miss her terribly. Took the piano out after she passed, but one of my older girls found it in my storage area months later and started playing/pecking at it . Think she remembers! Of course she got treats!

That is very cool. The hen on America's got talent was very famous for a week or so. Very cool.

 

[BY Bob]

“We’re not ducks!!”

I love it. Hiding out keeping dry. Among my flock some seem more water repellent than others. Do you see that?

 

[BY Bob]

Finally, meet Minnie, my Buckeye pullet. It’s fun seeing the personality similarities within one breed. She is super talkative, friendly, curious (and muscular) and is the only other bird that chases the dog. Coincidence? Also, she survived a predator attack. We think it was a fox, but she managed to survive seemingly unharmed. She has the glossiest feathers I’ve ever seen. For awhile there, I thought she might be a cockerel she was so pretty!
View attachment 2016307

You have a beautiful assortment of lovely ladies. I am so happy to have met them. Thank you for taking the time to introduce us all.

 

[BY Bob]

We interrupt this program to share that
1. Bridge is visiting.
View attachment 2016383

And
2. Right before that, Little Mill came by, which is rare!
View attachment 2016387
View attachment 2016386

Ok; carry on.

What a marvelous way to spend you day. I think Bridge may be my favorite but it hard to choose.

 

[BY Bob]

Everyone is locked in the coop. No safety enhancements this weekend. We went to see my granddaughter. I'll start work on hardening the section of the run under the coop so they have some non coop space to roam.

I have the camera set up outside the coop and run on motion sensing tonight to try and catch the predator to prove what I am dealing with. I can't trap if I'm not home in case I would trap something.

I tried to do a custom mode with the camera and messed it up. No motion sense last night. I have identified my error and will try again tonight.