Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Kris5902]

Please post a photo of Roostie's foot. I'd like to see how bad it is.

Will do tomorrow... it varies from day to day, but is definitely getting worse.

 

[Kris5902]

Yup, if @Kris5902 could come here like a ninja and nab it that would be perfect. I unfortunately can't - this fellow's neighbor is my friend and bandmate....I don't want to get in the way of them staying on good terms....the guy actually cares about the cat, though he is incompetent / inconsistent about caring for it ().

I really feel for those people. I often try to help by offering canned feed that my cats “refuse to eat” being old and picky and all...

 

[MaryJanet]

It could be air in the line and it just needs bled properly. I have no experience with those cars unfortunately. I will be interested to learn what the problem is though. Please share.

Will do. It's not going in until Tuesday so it might be christmas eve before I report back.

 

[BY Bob]

My Buckeye Hazel sort of does the Buckeye Roar I saw one video of. The others have made short versions of this sound, but she does a very long one. She does it as an excited sound, like when I approach the run, looking forward to whatever it is that's going to happen? Or it's a greeting? Or wanting the mealworms I often have, or even while they are getting mealworms, she stops and does this call, sort of walking around a bit, like "Isn't this great!". Or just too excited and has to let some steam off? At least that's what it seems like. It's not a clear low moaning call like I've heard other chickens do and these do also. Maybe it's a Buckeye thing, it's quite raspy and hoarse sounding, starting soft and ending very strongly. I will try to video it. It is very cool.

I can't wait to see it.

 

[BY Bob]

I’m going to say something very awful but realistic here... one day I will have them all.

Spoiler: Little family rant

.In the next 10-20 years I will be running this farm, with DH. My niece adores me, I am the awesome auntie that helped raise her from 2-10, we will be fine... unless cousin in law gets into a marriage with an actual farmer (highly unlikely) and a butcher (even less likely) and leaves her government tax job loses 70lbs and can physically bring hay in for more than 2-3 hrs in the evening without breaking down in years because its “so hard”. I just need to bide my time and stay healthy long enough to enjoy it. (And adopt some kids to do the heavy lifting as I will be 50-65 by the time I have complete freedom in management

Most of you will know how much typing this will pain me but... “my Father in Law was right...” DH and I are this farms best hope for surviving as a farm. (I have been saying the FIL thing a little too often for my liking) honestly if we leave the farm is probably done.

I pray that your wish comes true and hope to follow along on your journey.

 

[BY Bob]

Nice! What's that on the bottom of the passenger door?

That is a red flag sticking in the ground designating my parking space.

 

[BY Bob]

Will do. It's not going in until Tuesday so it might be christmas eve before I report back.

That's fine. I'm just curious.

 

[RoyalChick]

Thanks, I hope I can do it. I found another "no kill" keeper, this time west of me about 2 1/2 hours. I could get them there tomorrow but would have trouble getting back with this storm. I'm not set up to keep 9 chickens overnight and into the next day, unless they stay in the crates. Isn't that bad for them? And the storm may last all of Thursday.

I think they will be fine in the crates - they may not love it but I think they will be safe. Keep it nice and dark and they may sleep for a lot of the time.

 

[RoyalChick]

I think they will be fine in the crates - they may not love it but I think they will be safe. Keep it nice and dark and they may sleep for a lot of the time.

Sorry - just read @Kris5902's answer about not being good to keep them in the crates. I think I missed a post somewhere along the line - I assumed they were dog crates which I think would be OK. But if they are small crates that is not such a great idea.
And following Kris's advice is WAY better than following mine!

 

[Kris5902]

Sorry - just read @Kris5902's answer about not being good to keep them in the crates. I think I missed a post somewhere along the line - I assumed they were dog crates which I think would be OK. But if they are small crates that is not such a great idea.
And following Kris's advice is WAY better than following mine!

If they are dog crates, yes no problem... but I think I remember @ChicoryBlue mentioning that she was maybe going to use one of the low transport crates and that was worried about the headroom. (I could also be wrong!) Those are fine for transporting, especially skittish, high strung, or multiple birds but only for 4-6 hours tops in my opinion. The benefit is there’s not enough space for anyone to really injure themselves by moving around or pecking, but there is also literally not enough space for a bird to stand up. I think they are about ten inches or so tall. Mine look like this and hold 8-10 birds (like prefab coops, they “say” they hold more, but that’s all DH and I can lift easily together, and all I feel comfortable putting in them)

Dog crates overnight are perfect, especially the ones in the capture attempt #1 pictures. I wish I had crates like those! (I needed to quickly improvise one out of scrap wood and hardware cloth, it’s not perfect but it works, and I’m thinking I might make a slightly larger, better, and shorter one for my specific needs)