Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

Talking of broody (not a chicken)
The garage door has been left open a lot recently because it is a convenient place to store tools to build the Chicken Palace. As a result I acquired a broody visitor - and now I have babies!
I think this is Papa bird checking in on the nest and I see two babies and the mother in the nest at the back. She leaves the nest periodically during the day and both parents are back and forth a lot. He seems to sleep elsewhere and she sleeps in the nest.
I am not sure what they are - my current best bet is a Carolina wren. They are quite bold and are around me while I am working around the garage.

Could it have been a piece of shell? We kept canaries when I was a kid and they always removed the shells after the chicks had hatched.

 

[ValerieJ]

BRAT! I'm kidding

Very funny. I was a Navy wife. I kind of like staying in one spot now.

 

[BY Bob]

That's pretty serious Bob.

This will be a cause of great concern that I have never had before. Even the leghorns never flew the fence. I need to catch her in the act. There are too many dogs being walked around this neighborhood right now. Not to mention cars zipping up and down the street.

 

[BY Bob]

That was scary! I would hate to hear that anything bad ever happens to your Phyllis. she's a great bird.

It would be devastating. She is practically a house chicken.

 

[ValerieJ]

This will be a cause of great concern that I have never had before. Even the leghorns never flew the fence. I need to catch her in the act. There are too many dogs being walked around this neighborhood right now. Not to mention cars zipping up and down the street.

Have you considered clipping her wings?

 

[BY Bob]

She might enjoy The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas. As well as providing a window into social hierarachy, it also depicts contemporary Melbourne which she may find interesting. It's one of those novels that has rather deep philosophical and sociological roots in addition to characters and plot.

That does sound right up her alley. When she is done with this I will have to get that for her.

 

[BY Bob]

What a good neighbour!

They just moved in last fall and gutted the house to the studs. He is a good guy. His wife is different. She is much less friendly.

 

[BY Bob]

She must have flown over. She's a nimble bird, your Phyllis.

Also, I adore her wattles because she looks like she's wearing a red bow tie

I never thought of that but you are right. They still seem to be growing. I wonder how big they will wind up?

 

[MaryJanet]

I never thought of that but you are right. They still seem to be growing. I wonder how big they will wind up?

Big or small, she'll always be ready for the "Lord Mayor's Ball" as my nana used to say.

 

[BY Bob]

Have you considered clipping her wings?

It will be discussed. I don't like to do that. Flight is her best way to escape trouble. I'd hate to take that away.

I did it with the leghorns before I knew how many predators were actually around here. It never really stopped them from flying anyway as they adjusted the way they flew.

I need to know how before I do anything.