Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Well, Aurora is saying: Look here Rooster Man, you let that floosy, Sydney sit & raise chicks & she's only been here for a lick & a spit. I'm twice the woman she is so where's my eggs? Huh? Huh? How do you feel about raising more chicks, Bob?

Seriously ~ I have no idea....

Well done!

 

[BY Bob]

I think Aurora is definitely attention-seeking. But what she wants I have no idea!
I wonder if Phyllis is trying to make out she is able to operate at a higher level in the pecking order than she currently is by demonstrating her inner-roo?
I am so glad you got to spend the day with them.
I too have taken a lot of today off work and delivered a massive leaf pile to the Princesses. They clearly have no interest in my company because Christmas has come for them in the form of lots of wiggly gifts.
I brought 3 whole sacks of leaves and they have been at it for 3 hours making happy chirpy sounds as they comb through the pile.

I would also lose to leave. In fact I lost to dustbathing in the sun for quite a while today.

 

[BY Bob]

View attachment 2399102

What a beautiful couple.

 

[BY Bob]

I hope I have a broody soon.

I hope so too.

 

[BY Bob]

Very strange.

Does Aurora think you're the rooster?

I have a memory of someone saying roosters go to bed last. Is that true? If so maybe Aurora is trying to teach Phyllis to be a better rooster?

Anyway, overall I'd say Aurora is thinking the roosters in her flock need training.

I don't think Aurora has ever viewed me as her rooster. She has never squatted for me.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

So sweet the three of them together there! Now I feel somewhat bad about my thoughts of a potential under-deck coop. I’ve been trying to think of things to do on the south side of the house, right now my dining room doors open to a 5-6’ drop. I know I am going to have to put a deck off the back of the house and was toying with the thought of walling in the space underneath for some chickens. I may brick it up as a root cellar too.

I think an under deck coop is not a bad idea provided the chooks also have access to air and sunshine. Like having a run extend out from under the deck where they can dust and sun bathe.

But how would one go about cleaning the under deck coop?

Please don’t invite the venomous snake in... please! It’s very pretty, and I’m sure it was just looking for an escape... it might not be terribly deadly but still, I wouldn’t want you to get bit by it trying to help it escape your vicious attack chickens! Now if only we could train them to go after zucchini like that!

Do you get Eastern Browns where you are? Or Taipans? Most of Australia gets King Browns, or Mulgas, which are interestingly enough actually a close relative of the red bellied blacks, and not an actual brown snake.

One of my ex co-workers father was bitten by a red bellied black, he was a cattleman and out working his herd alone when it happened, and had to drive himself to hospital. It wasn’t a dry bite, but he may not have taken a full envenomation. He survived it, but really, the casual attitude to all those venomous reptiles still boggles me!

I resisted the impulse to "save" the snake. ☺ My self preservation instincts may need some work, but my protective instincts for my family and animals is well developed!
Thanks for your concern Kris. ❤

Actually, I haven't done much research on what my local reptiles are. I have only seen a couple of red bellies in the 30 years I've lived here in the mountains. The dogs killed a 6 footer a few years ago.

I mainly see birds, possums (brush tail and ring tail) and lizards.

Oh, and spiders. Lots of spiders

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Well said Kris. I deeply respect how you care for your animals. I am proud to know you.

Ditto!

 

[featherhead007]

What a beautiful couple.

I asked them to "Get a room" (They settled for a bush)

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

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.

I've never heard the word "silvopasture ". Love the concept!

Your management ethics make me want to travel up there to help you and learn from you Kris. Then come back here and buy some acreage!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

In my case I cared for my chick babies so carefully and painstakingly nurtured them, and went away for a weekend, and four were killed, and I still don’t know by what.
I feel like if I had stayed home it wouldn’t have happened.
I can’t stop feeling sad over those chicks.