Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing. The hens seem to be saying (with their beaks stuffed full fo corn) 'yeah, thanks buddy we got this already!'

Its not like he found a buried treasure but he tried.

 

[RoyalChick]

A Peaceful Bath

It was clear that Sydney wanted to take a bath but Sansa and Lilly were not interested in letting her do so. Remembering how much Mrs BY Bob used to enjoy a uninterrupted bath when the girls were little I thought i would help Sydney out. So I arranged for the other hens to disappear so Sydney could have some alone time.

I broke out the meal worms and spread them on the deck for everyone. This cleared some special time for Sydney. Here she is enjoying her soak.

So happy!

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Most likely you are correct but I really don't have a choice on that which is going to help.

I'll take the girls!! Rich won't care by that point!!

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I have to comment on your Umbrella plant. They are considered a weed here & a real pest ~ invasive in tropical & subtropical areas. The parrots feed on them & spread the seed. They get drunk on the nectar when they flower; nothing funnier than a horde of drunk parrots. On the plus side they are practically unkillable & do well indoors ~ & they do look nice. I used to like them but I'm having real trouble getting rid of them here. I love the little pineapples. It all looks very lovely.

I want a horde of drunk parrots!!!

 

[RoyalChick]

I want a horde of drunk parrots!!!

Not as funny as drunken parrots but you just triggered a memory. We had a tree in the house where I grew up that made the bees drunk. They would lie on their backs in the grass kicking their legs and buzzing feebly. If you gently moved them out from under the tree they would slowly come to and stagger about and eventually fly off just fine. I remember it being a lime tree but that can't be right because I don't remember any limes!

 

[RoyalChick]

Looks like 3 will be the Right Number

I have begun trying to source fertile eggs for Sydney and I have requested three. It just so happens to match what she is sitting on right now. So I got that correct.

How do I go about moving her when the time comes? Do I pick her off of the nest and put her on the different eggs, do I move the current eggs as well? Does anyone have any advice?

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@BY Bob I was just looking at your nest boxes and I realize they are a lot bigger than the ones in the Palace - though mine don't have walls dividing them from each other so maybe it feels more spacious.
Mine have dish-washing bowls in the cabinets and are no more than about 11" wide. Maggie certainly fills the space when she is there for a couple of hours contemplating the world. Yours do look more comfy, although my hens seem to be fine using the dish-bowls in the cabinet so maybe I shouldn't worry.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Looks like 3 will be the Right Number

I have begun trying to source fertile eggs for Sydney and I have requested three. It just so happens to match what she is sitting on right now. So I got that correct.

How do I go about moving her when the time comes? Do I pick her off of the nest and put her on the different eggs, do I move the current eggs as well? Does anyone have any advice?

View attachment 2160565

I like to keep my broody separate, but close to the flock. Since I picked up the mini-coop, I have Mama and my babies in there. She can still see and hear her flock and the layer flock can see the babies as well, because that is where they are headed in time.

My Silkies are very passive while setting, but once the babies hatch watch out!! That mother hen instinct comes on strong.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

@BY Bob I was just looking at your nest boxes and I realize they are a lot bigger than the ones in the Palace - though mine don't have walls dividing them from each other so maybe it feels more spacious.
Mine have dish-washing bowls in the cabinets and are no more than about 11" wide. Maggie certainly fills the space when she is there for a couple of hours contemplating the world. Yours do look more comfy, although my hens seem to be fine using the dish-bowls in the cabinet so maybe I shouldn't worry.

I use cat litter tubs and they do just fine. I had large bowls before, but they preferred the boxes. I like how easy it is for me to pull them out and hose them down.

I was out of the area this weekend and didn't collect eggs for a few days. Well Livi, my 3 y/o RIR, decided she wanted to try and sit. Of course she picked the favorite nest box and the others piled in on top of her. They eggs broke all over her and the box. It was easier to clean the boxes out then it was to clean the chicken!

 

[RoyalChick]

I use cat litter tubs and they do just fine. I had large bowls before, but they preferred the boxes. I like how easy it is for me to pull them out and hose them down.

I was out of the area this weekend and didn't collect eggs for a few days. Well Livi, my 3 y/o RIR, decided she wanted to try and sit. Of course she picked the favorite nest box and the others piled in on top of her. They eggs broke all over her and the box. It was easier to clean the boxes out then it was to clean the chicken!

That is exactly why I went with the dish bowls (though I haven't had a broken egg in there yet). I will stop worrying as they seem fine with it - I was just struck by @BY Bob's picture where the hens have so much space around them while they are on the nest.

 

[BY Bob]

I'll take the girls!! Rich won't care by that point!!

That only seems fair.