Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

I'm not going to add anything else not chicken related right now...but I assume I can share a picture anyway...to make up for my earlier input...

Another Maximus picture...Love this handsome Roo! Even though he's not super friendly...lol
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And since I contributed so much non chicken verbiage...Marquis...my other handsome roo...same disposition as Maximus...
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Sorry. Still not enough chicken pics! (You need to add a few more)

 

[micstrachan]

I have to ask, do any of you have a rodent issue in your chicken coops?
I have become a bit obsessed with excluding rodents and I am using the coop cameras to find their entry points and seal up any tiny holes.
I say I am a bit obsessed, but I also really have an issue. I have mice, rats and last night I spotted a mole. I take up the food at night but the Princesses do not have good table-manners, so there is always some snack on the floor.

YES. I was taking the feed up every night, but now with daylight savings and the mountain lion situation, I haven’t been. I am pretty confident they are only getting into the run, and not the coop.

 

[micstrachan]

Happy Friday everyone!

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THAT is flippin adorable. What fine specimen do I have the pleasure of observing here?

 

[micstrachan]

Look Who got Outsmarted Today!

Maybe I'm not as "not in control" as I thought. I let them out to free range today and Miss Lilly thought she was free and clear. Wrong-O Missy. That old human rooster still has a few tricks up his sleeve. As she strutted by me, limping a little, I just snagged her.

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Everything looks good. She has good range of motion and no wounds on the foot or leg. Back she went to the flock with some meal worms for her trouble.

Priceless photo!

 

[micstrachan]

Did you know that boys have fluffy butts too...this is a Maximus fluffy butt...

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Lovely fluffy butt! Do you keep all roosters?

 

[drstratton]

Lovely fluffy butt! Do you keep all roosters?

He's a looker from all sides... I have 16 laying hens and 6 roosters...soon to be 4 roosters! The roo to hen ratio needs to be adjusted...my girls are tired of all of the attention!

 

[micstrachan]

What I have learned from the video cameras is that both rats and mice are formidable diggers! But it is not the digging that is the issue, it is small spaces where two pieces of hardware cloth come together that create the opportunity for entry.
I assume it is the change in season but it seems like in the last few weeks hundreds of these little critters want to

Yes, I was thinking about planting peppermint around the outside, but I haven't given up on the aspiration of complete exclusion. The cameras tell me where they are digging and that usually means there is a gap between two pieces of hardware cloth that I can patch.

I have peppermint all along one side of the run. It is pretty, smells wonderful, is evergreen and super invasive. But it does not deter rodents. In fact, they think it’s a lovely hiding place.

 

[micstrachan]

My friend who keeps chickens in the town area of the island has a problem with Rats as do many people in his area, even those without chickens. He has been baiting his trap with peanut butter and scratch, and leaving it near his feed bags. He gets at least one Rat every night, but there are more than that because the trigger is getting licked clean after the trap is sprung daily. He has gotten more than one in a day before as well. 5-7” usually in length, not including the tails.

I was setting 12 traps a night for awhile there. I’d have ten licked clean (untriggered) and catch 1-2 rats. Breaking down the brush piles has really helped. My neighbor’s outdoor cats don’t help one bit; they watch the rats like we like to watch chickens dust bathe.

 

[drstratton]

I have peppermint all along one side of the run. It is pretty, smells wonderful, is evergreen and super invasive. But it does not deter rodents. I fact, they think it’s a lovely hiding place.View attachment 2411865

I was setting 12 traps a night for awhile there. I’d have ten licked clean (untriggered) and catch 1-2 rats. Breaking down the brush piles has really helped. My neighbor’s outdoor cats don’t help one bit; they watch the rats like we like to watch chickens dust bathe.

Sorry, I couldn't help laughing...just when we think we have something figured out...not, they probably make tea! And cat's never do what we want them too...

 

[micstrachan]

Forgive me, I know the following information isn't chicken related...but it has wings...

My son designs 3D airplanes...he is very talented, everything he does is self taught! Here is the latest one he did...it's completely his own design, he's finally finalizing the design...Covid kind of messed things up! You can see the others he's done on his YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7aSxYosPz9UiaV0za61nVg
His Flapjack won a competition it's a WW2 plane! The people in the remote airplane community are patiently or impatiently waiting for him to release the build plans for his current plane - The Revenant MK IV! He wanted to keep the landing gear, but hasn't found any of good enough quality! I have expect him to set up to make and sell his own someday!

The Maiden! The picture you see here is a computer rendition...when you start the video you will see his first prototype!

Just have to show his Flying Flapjack, this was flown at Flight Fest in Ohio

VERY cool! This brings back memories. My dad was very into RC airplanes when I was a kid. And rockets. And kites. Apparently he had a thing for flight. LOL.