Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

I was waiting for Diana to step over Maggie!

Well she clearly had that in mind! But then Maggie calmly reminds her how big she is!
I am intrigued to see if the favorite spot moves to the window end in July/August when it gets really hot.

 

[Cheryl W]

I’m a bit worried that my Lucy is “well-insulated, like a seal”. She’s pretty solid. Quarantine isn’t helping; she’s confined to the run and although it’s pretty big, it’s not like free-ranging. I’ve also got a theory that Chickie just isn’t eating the commercial feed anymore and that’s one of the reasons why she is so thin. She’s hungry again through; all human food I put down today she got stuck into. The problem is, Lucy got stuck into it too. I need to find a way to feed Chickie separately.

Maybe you should try giving her crumbles instead of pellets.

 

[BY Bob]

I’d like to provide an update on my flock.

I think they are slimming down. Lucky distinctly felt lighter when I picked her up to clean her bum today. Yay! Unfortunateky, the Modesto Milling organic, non-GMO feed has sesame meal, which results in poopy bums for several of my birds. Therefore; I still haven’t sorted the feed out.

Dorothy (pullet who laid a couple soft eggs)has laid a shelled egg almost every day. I dropped one, and the shell was pretty thin, so I’m checking daily. She’s due to lay first thing tomorrow, since she did not lay today.

Ruby (hen who likely has oviduct problems and is on hormones) is doing great. Her molt seems to have stopped, she eats, preens, and I saw her RUN today! I’m pretty sure she has slimmed down, and would love to know what the avian vet thinks (who said she was “well insulated, like a seal.”)

Someone else has started laying tiny eggs. I think it’s Millie (aka Little Mill) coming back into lay. So today I got six eggs from ten birds. Bridge hasn’t laid in a long time (though occasionally I wonder if one is hers), Ruby is on hormones, and Dorothy didn’t lay today. Cashew was last to finish molt and hasn’t quite reddened up in the face yet, so I’m pretty certain she isn’t laying yet and still lean toward Little Mill.

Not much else to report. However, toward the end of the day, Bridge spilled feed (gave them a little more before bed.) Lexi, the dog, decided to lick up the mess. Minnie (Buckeye pullet) went after Lexi and Lexi nipped in her direction! I grabbed Lexi’s face, gave her a firm growl, reminded her to be “gentle” and made her sit and wait for me to lock up the girls. I was shocked! Both my Buckeyes like to boss Lexi around. That isn’t usually a problem, but apparently it can be if feed is involved.

Such a great update. You gave so many things to comment on.

I'm so glad to hear that they are losing weight. I did not know that sesame could cause poopy butt issues.

Fingers crossed that Dorothy's shell if harder this morning.

So exciting that Ruby was running!
More eggs, even tiny ones, are great cause for celebration! Congrats!

Dogs always react differently when food is involved. As long as they don't see your Buckeyes as food!

Great update. Thanks.

 

[goldenfingers]

Thank you @MaryJanet. I think I have said before I am absurdly excited about it. Tomorrow I have lots of chores including bringing in mountains more leaves for the Princesses. So part two of the tour may need to wait a few days.

I'm absurdly excited about it and it's not even mine!!

 

[BY Bob]

Just wondering from a woman's point of view - does "seriously beautiful," mean NO MAKEUP INVOLVED!!

I know I could look a lot better with makeup but, even the hypo-allergenic stuff bothers my eyes and skin . It happened in high school and I seriously thought I would die without using any.

But decades pass and I'm still here and still without makeup -

Mrs BY Bob is Seriously Beautiful without makeup. I bet you are too.

 

[BY Bob]

Looks like you had better get cracking making a chicken step or two before that cover comes off Bob!

For years I have tried to think of something I could rig up to save small animals that fall in the pool. It hasn't come to me yet.

 

[RoyalChick]

For years I have tried to think of something I could rig up to save small animals that fall in the pool. It hasn't come to me yet.

Oh I have spent years on that one too! I do have a set up that seems to work which is a low lying floating platform - my most enduring has been a bunch of wine corks stuffed into one foot (and part way up the leg) of a pair of panty-hose/tights (but there are many variants). Then have one end in the pool and drape it up and over the edge and anchor it on the side with a rock or a landscape staple. It looks weird but it seems to provide enough traction for at least some critters to climb out.
Last year I noticed that there is now a commercial product available for this. I haven't tried it, but it is really just a more elegant solution than my corks - maybe I should have filed for a patent!
https://www.amazon.com/Qrose-Critte...al+to+climb+out+of+pool&qid=1583673847&sr=8-1

 

[BY Bob]

She's preparing for grass seed for you Bob



Love it! Any chance of a floor plan? ( I know, I'm demanding )

You could have your own Palace Tour thread!




It is hard Bob.

Tsuki tends to roost first and pecks at anyone who comes through the door. There ends up being a traffic jam of the younger ones on the ramp too afraid to go in ☹

I am hopeful they will learn to follow Hattie in. Frankly it's all up to them. We shall see over the next week.

The best roost spot is furthest from the door so that keeps Lilly from blocking the entrance. At least Daisy, the greatest hen ever, set that tradition correctly for me. There is plenty of roost to get on far from the meanies.

 

[BY Bob]

I have definitely been watching roosting on the camera. Maggie always gets the favorite spot up against the wall. And she gets it every night - but not by asserting authority, simply by going to bed earlier than everyone else. She goes quiet early and sits and watches the view through the window.
Here is what happens when Diana clearly wants the end spot. She doesn't have a chance!

And here is how they end up.
View attachment 2045537

That is a pretty peaceful roosting. What a fabulous roost with a view. You have done amazing with that.

Here the alpha hen tends to roost first. Essentially indicating to everyone that it is time for bed.

 

[BY Bob]

We’ve got one more week of quarantine, then I will start the integration. There will be supervised free-ranging and the newbies will still sleep in the tractor for another week. Then they can go in the new hen-house and the big girls will go in the old one.

I will, of course, provide photos and video. And I won’t be traumatised like I was last time.

I hope so. Be strong.