Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

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.

I'm giving them time. I hope they can hang together more over time. We shall see.

 

[micstrachan]

Just wanted to share, I got home in time for a very quick (15 minutes tops) run around in the yard! YAY to days getting longer!!!! The girls were very happy!

 

[BY Bob]

Just wanted to share, I got home in time for a very quick (15 minutes tops) run around in the yard! YAY to days getting longer!!!! The girls were very happy!

Lucky ladies.

 

[BY Bob]

Really Sharp Pointy Teeth

I caught this fellow on camera last night. Despite the protestations of some British comedians that they have very sharp pointy teeth, I dont think he is my villian.

The little Skunk did come back at 2:00 am again. Nothing else showed up.

I am going to redirect the cameras to aim at the coop tonight. I want to see what the skunks may be doing when they come around. I still see no signs of any digging going on.

 

[JillD413]

Oh I see. That explains the dilemma. But, I do think the rock idea might work.

We use medium to large river rock at the base of our coop/run combo. It doesn’t keep the little bitty field mice out but works well for any true predators. The mice are drawn by the little bit of feed spilled by the girls during the day. We do not leave any feed in the run at night and have never put feed in the coop. The picture is of the coop when the girls were about 8 weeks old. They are now 23 weeks old. Once the hardware cloth was removed from the egg door the hinges were switched to the bottom. Live and learn. . The rocks also help to deflect rain runoff. Also - I have added another couple layers of rock. I should take a new picture but you get the idea.

 

[BY Bob]

We use medium to large river rock at the base of our coop/run combo. It doesn’t keep the little bitty field mice out but works well for any true predators. The mice are drawn by the little bit of feed spilled by the girls during the day. We do not leave any feed in the run at night and have never put feed in the coop. The picture is of the coop when the girls were about 8 weeks old. They are now 23 weeks old. Once the hardware cloth was removed from the egg door the hinges were switched to the bottom. Live and learn. . The rocks also help to deflect rain runoff. Also - I have added another couple layers of rock. I should take a new picture but you get the idea.

I love your coop. I think rocks around the perimeter fence will help.

I will be burying wire and adding something like these around the perimeter of the runs as well. I hope this will allow me to relax a little once it is done.

 

[JillD413]

Thanks! It is a humble coop and run with only 5 girls.
We buried hardware cloth below the 4”x4” interior base boards. So for the only intruders we have are the itty bitty field mice. I do wish we had a deeper overhang on the coop and run. It would make it easier to get eggs without having water run down my back when it rains. I suppose a coop is like anything else, you can always think of changes that could help with the design. I hope you have an awesome day!

 

[Shadrach]

I hope no one will mind if I mention this.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/getting-chickens-out-of-trees-and-into-their-coops.75511/

 

[ValerieJ]

Shadrach! I'm glad you're here! Good morning. I have a question for you.

I have a cockerel who, for the last week, has been sounding the alarm just before dusk. When he does I always go running out to see what the problem is, and there is never anything going on. He gets quiet the minute he sees me. What I have noticed is that the girls are all going into their coops at that same time. The cockerels are still separated from the hens and pullets, but I'm wondering if he is telling them to go inside. Would this make sense to you?

If that's what he is doing, I think I have a very protective and good cockerel on my hands.

 

[RoyalChick]

Really Sharp Pointy Teeth

I caught this fellow on camera last night. Despite the protestations of some British comedians that they have very sharp pointy teeth, I dont think he is my villian.

View attachment 2019531View attachment 2019532

The little Skunk did come back at 2:00 am again. Nothing else showed up.

I am going to redirect the cameras to aim at the coop tonight. I want to see what the skunks may be doing when they come around. I still see no signs of any digging going on.

He is cute!