Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

Tribe 2. Well most of them anyway.

And the chicks who are being a complete nightmare at bedtime. I had to get all three of them out a bush tonight.

 

[LozzyR]

Charlie may be losing some of her bowling-ball tendencies.

 

[BY Bob]

At least you know where she goes.

That was my thought. I know where to look now.

 

[BY Bob]

No-one will use the other nesting bay if she’s in there? Can you make an outdoor nest box that’s only open for business when you’re home?

Hattie was in there other when Phyllis was ready to lay so both were full. The problem is one was filled with a hen that does not lay anymore.

 

[RoyalChick]

Egg Hunt

On Saturday Phyllis laid her egg in the nesting box. That is the only one since I found her first egg.

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I knew that she had been looking for a nest spot outside the coop. Today, my wife came out and asked where Phyllis was. I thought I had just seen her but she was not immediately visible. I told her to check the nest box. Hattie and Lilly were in there.

So the search began.

I found her in the brush pile.

Nest discovered.
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I don't think there is anything I can do about Lilly hogging the nest for no reason. Any thoughts?

Those eggs are so tiny - adorable. And she has made herself a lovely cave in the brush pile. Not a stupid chicken when the biggies hog the next box.

 

[MaryJanet]

I found her in the brush pile.

Nest discovered.
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Phyllis: dis brush hole be perfecks. Me egging.

 

[MaryJanet]

Observations from Saturday

Phyllis only has the Tips Dyed on Some Feathers

I got a really close look at Phyllis' hairdo yesterday and I noticed something I did not realize. Phyllis not only has bannock and white feathers, she has black feathers with white tops. You can one in particular in the photo below.

That headdress also makes a ton of noise when she shakes her head. It's quite surprising actually the first time you hear it.
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Standing Watch
Hattie was definately on Sentinel duty yesterday.
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Stick in Your Face

The picture is not great but Sansa has started joining Aurora when she perches to groom. It is quite cute.
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Signs of Spring

My Magnolia tree is in full bloom. I'll get full pictures today. It is 3 weeks later than last year. All that dreary rain.
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Wow. Do magnolias grow in low nutrient sand?

Never mind, I'll ask the intertubes

 

[RoyalChick]

Even royalty must put in an honest day's work
So today the Princesses started their work in the vegetable garden. Those clever chickens remembered where to go from last year! I have raised beds and I pen them into one that needs to be prepared for the following year. They clear the weeds and till the soil and gobble up the pests. Today's bed was very overgrown so it was hard work - I was worried they wouldn't like it. You can see all the long straw from overgrown grass last season (I let it get away from me).

But I needn't have worried, Elizabeth is a foraging machine and Maggie with her huge feet has a structural advantage - like she is the only one with power tools! Diana did her bit too.
They put me to shame - I was working on another bed (pruning the berry canes) and I kept taking breaks to watch them - I clearly didn't pull my weight and I think Maggie will be having a word with me tomorrow!
Here is the work detail following me home at the end of the day. Everyone is now safely back and tucked into the Chicken Palace for the night.

 

[BY Bob]

Those eggs are so tiny - adorable. And she has made herself a lovely cave in the brush pile. Not a stupid chicken when the biggies hog the next box.

Not ast all. A very wise decision except for the skunks. I can't believe they did not find the eggs.

 

[BY Bob]

Wow. Do magnolias grow in low nutrient sand?

Never mind, I'll ask the intertubes

They barely grow this far north. I have nursed that tree from a small stick when we moved here. It really started thriving when I started watering it a lot in the spring.