Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[mixedUPturk]

I don’t know about yall but that is way too cute! Now I want one

Remind me of my ferrets

 

[BY Bob]

That's a good decision. Three pullets will give the hens lots to think about.

Once the run is hardened, Aurora will be safer, and the other hens too. If I recall correctly, you've always been present when they range in the garden, so predator risk is reduced even though Aurora wanders about on her own.

That is correct. I have been working from the dining room table to watch them and have the yard wide camera to assist in covering any blind spots. No unmonitored free ranging.

 

[BY Bob]

This is Tap, daughter of Mel, granddaughter of Ruffles. She's been surveying nest sites so I think she'll be laying soon.
View attachment 2019240

I loved the black tip on her tail. Very cute.

 

[ValerieJ]

I have considered that.

What if you put the electric wire along the outside of the bottom of the fence line? They would run into it while trying to dig. Then you wouldn't have to do the rocks.

 

[BY Bob]

What if you put the electric wire along the outside of the bottom of the fence line? They would run into it while trying to dig. Then you wouldn't have to do the rocks.

I considered that. I'm not sure about electric fence in a suburban neighborhood. I think I'm going to try the rocks first.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I really appreciate the thought. I have considered 1 hen. It just doesn't feel wise to me.

I actually think I may have to double the flock and get 3 to be safe. I think adding a pair would not be good as I would still have the odd number. @Shadrach suggested matching the hens if I can. I think another EE might work. I'm not sure about the makeup of other 2. Maybe just 3 EEs. I don't know.

Availability plays into it as well, as you certainly know.

I'm not in a hurry. Everyone is fine and I have to eliminate the threat before I risk new ones.

I fired up the incubator at Anna's school today and there are 10 eggs in there, 5 green, 4 brown, and 1 white. I specifically put the white egg in for you, just in case you might want a leghorn cross. I plan to raise the chicks to about 14 weeks or so before I re-home them, hopefully I'll be more sure of their sex by then.

Please do not feel pressured, I'm just keeping you informed, and there is no rush at all.

 

[BY Bob]

I fired up the incubator at Anna's school today and there are 10 eggs in there, 5 green, 4 brown, and 1 white. I specifically put the white egg in for you, just in case you might want a leghorn cross. I plan to raise the chicks to about 14 weeks or so before I re-home them, hopefully I'll be more sure of their sex by then.

Please do not feel pressured, I'm just keeping you informed, and there is no rush at all.

You are very sweet. I will not be doing anything for weeks and I will certainly keep it in mind. I do not feel any pressure, don't worry.

 

[RoyalChick]

I have considered that.

I have been doing research on that too and was a bit intimidated at first but the more I look the easier I think it may be to do. Good luck if you decide to go that way!

 

[RoyalChick]

I really appreciate the thought. I have considered 1 hen. It just doesn't feel wise to me.

I actually think I may have to double the flock and get 3 to be safe. I think adding a pair would not be good as I would still have the odd number. @Shadrach suggested matching the hens if I can. I think another EE might work. I'm not sure about the makeup of other 2. Maybe just 3 EEs. I don't know.

Availability plays into it as well, as you certainly know.

I'm not in a hurry. Everyone is fine and I have to eliminate the threat before I risk new ones.

I have definitely decided to expand beyond three. The hens seem unsettled by 3 and it just doesn't feel like a flock. I am thinking of getting either two more or three more to get to 5 or 6. Still deciding. And of course I need the chicken palace to be complete before I even think about adding.

 

[micstrachan]

Concerned

After a couple of days of flock observation, something i feared may be coming true. I had hoped that by "cooping" them up theymight better bond as a flock. I will say there was very little pecking and enforcement of the pecking order while I watched them in their small quarters.

Unfortunately what i have seen over the last few days as they have free ranged is the following.
View attachment 2019016

Aurora is spending most of the day on her own. I am not pleased. I wish she would stay with the others, safety in numbers and all. I just watched Hattie sentinal from the deck and alarm for a large bird flying over. Aurora ran all the way accross the yard to catch up with them and hide under the deck table. This is not a great way to stay safe.

Maybe this will improve but I am very concerned and free range will continue to be limited to when I can directly observe and protect.

I don't sense that she is lonely. She seems to be heppily off on her own. I just wish Mal was here to help keep her safe.

Awww... poor Aurora. For what it’s worth, Bridge, who is the only one left from my original four, seemed a little lost for a bit after both her original flockmates died. (Sadly, they both died last year not too far apart for unrelated reasons.) Bridge did assume the position of flock leader and eventually started hanging out with the others. Hopefully Aurora will start feeling social again at some point.