Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Thank you for the thoughts. The sun was out this morning after being gone for a few days.

I'm really just picking on Aurora. She was zipping around the yard all evening. I really think she was just enjoying the sun with Lilly this morning. The littles were running all over the yard today. Everyone was active and happy today.

Yay! Glad to hear that!

 

[Shadrach]

I hate to say it but it is nice to know that something is beyond you.

Oh, there is plenty beyond me, just not enough time to get there.

 

[Shadrach]

Hi folks. I’m sorry I’m not able to keep up on this thread right now. I miss you!

Work is busy. Kids are home. Ruby is having trouble again. I almost had her put down today, but decided on one more round of implant and antibiotics. Here she is after having 250cc of turbid fluid drained off.

And just for kicks, since I could watch chickens dustbathe all day, here are 3 of them in their new bath. I keep them fenced in during freerange time now. Did I tell you that? My neighbor threatened to shoot a neighborhood dog and two days later decided he hates mine, too. Can’t risk dog getting shot, and the hens only get to go where she can help protect them. They actually seem happy, exploring new parts of our yard they ignored before. And they LOVE their new bath!

I hope Ruby pulls through. Such a shame.

 

[RoyalChick]

This was 9:00 am.

Mine pretty much all nap if it is sunny. They have a morning routine:
- yell at me to let them out into the run
- rush down ladder like the coop is on fire
- drink from muddy puddle in run and complain if it is dry (because it’s not like there isn’t clean fresh water in the coop)
- do morning chores - dig a few holes, chase a few bugs, catch up on gossip, maybe lay an egg
- jump up on tree branch and preen
And then they all settle into a sunny patch and nap. It seems peaceful and normal to me. They all seem healthy and they don’t do it if there is no sun. They just seem to like the feeling of a nap in the sun. Me too!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I'm such an easy pushover.
Moon has been out with her tribe on and off for a couple of days now. She's still doing the I'm broody bit but she isn't sitting around in an empty nest which is good.
She slips into the house regularly throughout the day though and the past couple of nights has shown no interest in going back to the coop with the others.
She's taken to jumping on to the back of my chair if I'm sitting at the computer and today she made her way on to my lap.
In the evenings at roost time she sits on the edge of the nest box watching as I prepare supper and clean up. Tonight I did finally steel myself to put her in the coop but honestly, how could you throw someone out who looks like this?
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You are a harder man than I Shad. I think I'd end up tucking her into bed with me.☺

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I don’t remember this one!

Really? I remember memorizing the song and singing with my sister. ☺

That dirt-bath looks great! I could watch a chicken dirt-bath all day

That's just what I was about to say!

My neighbor threatened to shoot a neighborhood dog and two days later decided he hates mine, too. Can’t risk dog getting shot, and the hens only get to go where she can help protect them.

What a grumpy neighbour.

I'm so glad backyard fences are the norm around here so I don't have to worry about straying pets. I also give my neighbours eggs so they are well disposed towards my chickens. Amazing what a bit of bribery and corruption can do

 

[BY Bob]

A Little Help

@GrandmaDeKorte10 posted on her thread last night asking for my help and I'm a little stumped. Maybe all of you can help.

She has 2 leghorns that laid eggs yesterday while roosted on an outside roost. Each time the flock then enjoyed eating the broken eggs off of the ground. This happened around 6:00 pm, still daylight for almost 2 more hours.

Why would a chicken lay while on a roost, that is not the sleeping roost, when there is plenty of open nest boxes and even ground space? Anyone have any ideas?

 

[BY Bob]

Mine pretty much all nap if it is sunny. They have a morning routine:
- yell at me to let them out into the run
- rush down ladder like the coop is on fire
- drink from muddy puddle in run and complain if it is dry (because it’s not like there isn’t clean fresh water in the coop)
- do morning chores - dig a few holes, chase a few bugs, catch up on gossip, maybe lay an egg
- jump up on tree branch and preen
And then they all settle into a sunny patch and nap. It seems peaceful and normal to me. They all seem healthy and they don’t do it if there is no sun. They just seem to like the feeling of a nap in the sun. Me too!

Is it sad that at times I am jealous of their lives? Mine live pretty darn well.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

A Little Help

@GrandmaDeKorte10 posted on her thread last night asking for my help and I'm a little stumped. Maybe all of you can help.

She has 2 leghorns that laid eggs yesterday while roosted on an outside roost. Each time the flock then enjoyed eating the broken eggs off of the ground. This happened around 6:00 pm, still daylight for almost 2 more hours.

Why would a chicken lay while on a roost, that is not the sleeping roost, when there is plenty of open nest boxes and even ground space? Anyone have any ideas?

Well I went out this morning at 6:15, talked to each of them, opened the 2 windows I keep closed at night , fluffed the nesting boxes, gave them some frozen kale from last years garden, I will just have to keep a close eye and watch for anything out of the norm.

 

[Wezdin]

@GrandmaDeKorte10 how old are the hens? It's semi normal to have a young layer pop out eggs whenever.