Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

The fire-escape - I promised an explanation.
The babies' brooder is at counter height inside the servant's quarters. Which is very convenient for caring for the babies and means I am more at their level vs reaching down to them from on high.
But, because of that, and the sloping floor of the Chicken Palace (some of you might remember it is built on a hill), there is quite a big drop down from the brooder to the floor of the Chicken Palace. They have a little door to get out, but it is a long way down and one long ladder wasn't working.
The fire escape has 3 ladders in a frame with wire. There are lots of small entrances so the Littles can come and go but they are safe from attack.
The reason I am so proud is that I built it all myself and it really works!

Here is the view from the coop-cam so you can see the basic lay-out. You can see Dotty outside the fire-escape exploring the Chicken Palace floor. The brooder is at the far end of the fire-escape and the splash of orange is their little door out.

And here it is from the other side with Dotty and Minnie perched on the top, and Maggie and Diana hanging out. I like this shot because it shows the step I also built the same weekend.

And I like this picture of Diana eating from the shared feeding spot while the little Princesses are up on a higher landing.

And finally, here are Dotty and Minnie hanging out observing the world from the top of the fire-escape.

Hope that explains the fire-escape!

 

[RoyalChick]

Yes but if I used the correct terms, Shad wouldn't have a reason to shake his fist at me

So true! Well played.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes but if I used the correct terms, Shad wouldn't have a reason to shake his fist at me

That's why we love you!

 

[MaryJanet]

The fire-escape - I promised an explanation.
The babies' brooder is at counter height inside the servant's quarters. Which is very convenient for caring for the babies and means I am more at their level vs reaching down to them from on high.
But, because of that, and the sloping floor of the Chicken Palace (some of you might remember it is built on a hill), there is quite a big drop down from the brooder to the floor of the Chicken Palace. They have a little door to get out, but it is a long way down and one long ladder wasn't working.
The fire escape has 3 ladders in a frame with wire. There are lots of small entrances so the Littles can come and go but they are safe from attack.
The reason I am so proud is that I built it all myself and it really works!

Here is the view from the coop-cam so you can see the basic lay-out. You can see Dotty outside the fire-escape exploring the Chicken Palace floor. The brooder is at the far end of the fire-escape and the splash of orange is their little door out.
View attachment 2251354

And here it is from the other side with Dotty and Minnie perched on the top, and Maggie and Diana hanging out. I like this shot because it shows the step I also built the same weekend.
View attachment 2251356

And I like this picture of Diana eating from the shared feeding spot while the little Princesses are up on a higher landing.
View attachment 2251357


And finally, here are Dotty and Minnie hanging out observing the world from the top of the fire-escape.
View attachment 2251358

Hope that explains the fire-escape!

Ingenious!

 

[RoyalChick]

Ingenious!

Thank you! I am just so happy they actually use it. They are in and out and up and down all day. And I am moving their food and water out onto the fire-escape landings to encourage them to move out if the brooder.
Every morning I ask them if it isn’t time they found a real job and got a place of their own!

 

[MaryJanet]

Thank you! I am just so happy they actually use it. They are in and out and up and down all day. And I am moving their food and water out onto the fire-escape landings to encourage them to move out if the brooder.
Every morning I ask them if it isn’t time they found a real job and got a place of their own!

Work or uni. They have to choose one or the other.

 

[BY Bob]

Hattie is Unwell

She was her active self at lunch time today and then she disappeared. I assumed she was hanging in the shade beating the heat. It was 96°F, 35.5°C today. We had dinner outside on the shade deck in the evening. So the crew took up coming around and begging for food. It took me quite a while before I realized Hattie was missing. The littles were especially entertaining with Lucky raiding the dinner table itself and making off with the end of a hot dog roll from my son in law's plate.

Sudney thought that if she got close to my Dad she might get something from him. She was successful!

Hattie was feeling well enough at lunchtime to pause for a quick sunbathing with Lilly.

Once I noticed she was missing I quickly located her under the magnolia tree. I called her and she took 2 steps but would not come. So I went to her with a piece of pasta in my hand. She would not eat it.

So I proceeded to check her out. Her craw was full of water. She had not laid an egg today but I could feel nothing in her abdomen. Her posterior had feces in her feathers and as I watched clear liquid was ejected and ran down her bum. When I was done she wandered back to the water dish under the tree. There she remained until nightfall. Not moving. Just standing there.

I am operating as if she has overheated. Right now she is in the spare bedroom in the broody crate with a water dispenser. I am leaving her inside all night. I will check her again in the morning, clean up her bum and see how she is feeling. I am hoping a night in cool air-conditioned environment will bring her back around.

 

[BY Bob]

The fire-escape - I promised an explanation.
The babies' brooder is at counter height inside the servant's quarters. Which is very convenient for caring for the babies and means I am more at their level vs reaching down to them from on high.
But, because of that, and the sloping floor of the Chicken Palace (some of you might remember it is built on a hill), there is quite a big drop down from the brooder to the floor of the Chicken Palace. They have a little door to get out, but it is a long way down and one long ladder wasn't working.
The fire escape has 3 ladders in a frame with wire. There are lots of small entrances so the Littles can come and go but they are safe from attack.
The reason I am so proud is that I built it all myself and it really works!

Here is the view from the coop-cam so you can see the basic lay-out. You can see Dotty outside the fire-escape exploring the Chicken Palace floor. The brooder is at the far end of the fire-escape and the splash of orange is their little door out.
View attachment 2251354

And here it is from the other side with Dotty and Minnie perched on the top, and Maggie and Diana hanging out. I like this shot because it shows the step I also built the same weekend.
View attachment 2251356

And I like this picture of Diana eating from the shared feeding spot while the little Princesses are up on a higher landing.
View attachment 2251357


And finally, here are Dotty and Minnie hanging out observing the world from the top of the fire-escape.
View attachment 2251358

Hope that explains the fire-escape!

That is so cool. Very clever. You should be very proud. I would never have thought of that solution.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

The fire-escape - I promised an explanation.
The babies' brooder is at counter height inside the servant's quarters. Which is very convenient for caring for the babies and means I am more at their level vs reaching down to them from on high.
But, because of that, and the sloping floor of the Chicken Palace (some of you might remember it is built on a hill), there is quite a big drop down from the brooder to the floor of the Chicken Palace. They have a little door to get out, but it is a long way down and one long ladder wasn't working.
The fire escape has 3 ladders in a frame with wire. There are lots of small entrances so the Littles can come and go but they are safe from attack.
The reason I am so proud is that I built it all myself and it really works!

Here is the view from the coop-cam so you can see the basic lay-out. You can see Dotty outside the fire-escape exploring the Chicken Palace floor. The brooder is at the far end of the fire-escape and the splash of orange is their little door out.
View attachment 2251354

And here it is from the other side with Dotty and Minnie perched on the top, and Maggie and Diana hanging out. I like this shot because it shows the step I also built the same weekend.
View attachment 2251356

And I like this picture of Diana eating from the shared feeding spot while the little Princesses are up on a higher landing.
View attachment 2251357


And finally, here are Dotty and Minnie hanging out observing the world from the top of the fire-escape.
View attachment 2251358

Hope that explains the fire-escape!

Thank you RC, I can picture how it works now. Those photos are brilliant. That looks like a really clever design. Lots of nooks and crannies for the babies.

 

[MaryJanet]

Hattie is Unwell

She was her active self at lunch time today and then she disappeared. I assumed she was hanging in the shade beating the heat. It was 96°F, 35.5°C today. We had dinner outside on the shade deck in the evening. So the crew took up coming around and begging for food. It took me quite a while before I realized Hattie was missing. The littles were especially entertaining with Lucky raiding the dinner table itself and making off with the end of a hot dog roll from my son in law's plate.

Sudney thought that if she got close to my Dad she might get something from him. She was successful!
View attachment 2251438

Hattie was feeling well enough at lunchtime to pause for a quick sunbathing with Lilly.
View attachment 2251439

Once I noticed she was missing I quickly located her under the magnolia tree. I called her and she took 2 steps but would not come. So I went to her with a piece of pasta in my hand. She would not eat it.

So I proceeded to check her out. Her craw was full of water. She had not laid an egg today but I could feel nothing in her abdomen. Her posterior had feces in her feathers and as I watched clear liquid was ejected and ran down her bum. When I was done she wandered back to the water dish under the tree. There she remained until nightfall. Not moving. Just standing there.

I am operating as if she has overheated. Right now she is in the spare bedroom in the broody crate with a water dispenser. I am leaving her inside all night. I will check her again in the morning, clean up her bum and see how she is feeling. I am hoping a night in cool air-conditioned environment will bring her back around.

Such a worry. I hope an opportunity to cool off will help her.