Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

All is Good

Phyllis was fine.

She is now back in the big coop. Her craw was empty, not necessarily surprising, she had been roosted for over 3 hours. But I felt bad and so I brought her in the big house for a quick snack.

 

[BY Bob]

Surely a quick dash home would be ok with everyone.

I can never leave. I am legally responsible for the polling location as Judge of Elections. Trust me it simply was not possible for anyone to leave. Luckily nothing bad happened.

 

[BY Bob]

It's now 2 hours later and I hope your home now and Phyllis is safe!

You can always call me, I might not be able to help, but I can always send Rich!

You are so sweet. I appreciate the offer. That is a lot to ask on a work night.

 

[featherhead007]

All is Good

Phyllis was fine.
View attachment 2398383
She is now back in the big coop. Her craw was empty, not necessarily surprising, she had been roosted for over 3 hours. But I felt bad and so I brought her in the big house for a quick snack.
View attachment 2398386View attachment 2398387View attachment 2398385View attachment 2398384

YAY!

 

[RoyalChick]

All is Good

Phyllis was fine.
View attachment 2398383
She is now back in the big coop. Her craw was empty, not necessarily surprising, she had been roosted for over 3 hours. But I felt bad and so I brought her in the big house for a quick snack.
View attachment 2398386View attachment 2398387View attachment 2398385View attachment 2398384

I am much relieved! And glad to see she is still sporting her shorter hair do and can see properly.

 

[BY Bob]

I am much relieved! And glad to see she is still sporting her shorter hair do and can see properly.

Lots of pin feathers. She will fluff out again.

 

[LozzyR]

And I am so thankful to know you and all our other wonderful chicken friends here. It helps me keep my perspective on this huge change I’ve made to my life. I really just wanted a backyard flock in my yard in the city. Much like what you have. Maybe 5-6 hens... but it was not allowed under my city bylaws, then I looked into bees... which were allowed, but so highly restricted in placement that it was essentially impossible. That’s why when the opportunity arose to move to the farm I was so ready to make the switch.

It would be so much “easier”, “more profitable”, “normal” to fall into conventional poultry industry thinking. But would it be better? Ethical? I admit I’m at the verge of chicken numbers where it wouldn’t be too hard to fall into that trap of thinking. But seeing the close relationship you and others have with your birds. Seeing all those distinct personalities, makes me more aware of it in my own flocks (even when I don’t have quite so personal a relationship with all the hens in a flock... a lot of that falls to my boys!)

My flocks are my primary source of income on the farm, and until we have a more active role or financial compensation from all the other farming here, will likely remain that way. But I love them dearly too, and hope to never lose that aspect of chicken keeping.

We will help you to keep loving your flock!

 

[LozzyR]

I am a “farmer”, I guess... when not being labeled a Citiot for my outlandish ideas about silvopasture, permaculture, and sustainable (ethical) agriculture. I am wanting a sustainable and ethical poultry business, and though not wildly profitable (I certainly haven’t re-coupled my infrastructure costs or initial Egg/chick purchases, and am a long way from it!) I am managing to stay in the black for the most part.

Brief intro is we moved to DH’s family farm in fall 2017. I began by managing the cattle here. Started getting into chickens in fall 2018. I have fallen in love with chickens. I have several separate laying flocks both in chicken tractors and free ranging. I’m moving towards much more free Ranging, but with (now) 7 roosters and one cockerel, plus some of the personalities of the boys involved, I don’t think I fully able to turn everyone loose. 2019 was my first year raising meat birds, and I’m wanting to do a breeding program for them so I can be sustainable in that as well. Also in summer of 2019, due to family drama, I stopped managing the cattle. 2020 saw me tripling the number of meat birds I produced, and I still can’t keep up with local demand.

If you are processing meat birds, do you pluck them and make doonas from their feathers?

 

[LozzyR]

mine knock at the door
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Lucy does too, and at the bedroom window.

 

[LozzyR]

mine knock at the door
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Where is Phyllis in that photo? Is she already inside?