Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I assume it is a trick of the light, but is her eye OK? It looks a little 'misty'.

It's fine. Just the angle of the light, I think. She looks fine. It is only like that in the photo.

 

[BY Bob]

Mugs for Monday
Peg and Maxine
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Verna
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Phyllis
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Judy
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How is it that I am just realizing now that you also have a special Phyllis?

 

[BY Bob]

I think that might be her other eyelid.

I was thinking that as well. She is clear eyed, I promise. I ran and checked again!

 

[BY Bob]

Mel arrived on her own again this morning as I was cleaning Cillins foot. I had the pad ready made and it didn’t take long before Cillin was fit for action. Here he is guarding Mel as she decides whether or not she’s ready to lay an egg.
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For the past couple of days I’ve carried Cillin out of the house when I’ve know Treacle isn’t near the bamboo clump and set Cillin down there. The rest of the day has been up to him.

Today when Mel decided she wasn’t quite ready to lay an egg she headed out the door, but stopped outside and waited for Cillin. Cillin was a bit reluctant but Mel called him a couple of times and eventually I watched them walk down the path away from the house together.

Treacle arrived at the house shortly after, on his own. Cillin had set up near Notch again and most of Tribe 1’s hens came down from the sheep field and joined him.

A while later Treacle came out to the bamboo; I was working in the car port, but wouldn’t go near Cillin and Notch.

The whole tribe except Treacle who was keeping his distance from Notch moved into the car port led by Fudge and Fat Bird on a mission to check if Bucket Boy had any treats. Treacle attacked Cillin then and drove him away.

Then Tap started demanding that Treacle goes nest site checking with her. This means either Treacle has to go alone with her which means Cillin will rejoin the hens or he has to move all the hens somewhere where Cillin wont risk going while Treacle is within strike range. Treacle tried to move all the hens. Fat Bird and Fudge in particular went having any of it and when Treacle got a bit too bossy they went off to my house.

Before Treacle and Tap can head off nest site hunting Moon did something I’ve seen her do a few times now and that is move out of Treacle’s sight and give an escort call. She does this it seems to pull him away from the rest of the hens. Treacle is stuck now. Does he go with Tap, go and collect Moon, or try and move them all to my house. Treacle went with the Tap option. Moon came to join Fat Bird and Fudge at my house in disgust and the rest sort of half heartedly followed Treacle and Tap up the track to the sheep field. Needless to say as soon as Cillin sees Treacle move off he folllows Fat Bird, Fudge and Moon into my house. Of course there is food there and Cillin gets them to eat. Treacle still does a major “this is my food and you can have some when I say” performance which just pisses everyone off and he ends up eating while the others wander off.

Of course the hens in the house are pleased to be left alone to eat and Cillin joins in.

I go up to the sheep field to make sure the straggling hens get to safety and on their way to roost. Treacle has already gone into the coop with Tap. This is a terrible mistake. He has three hens outside close to the coop but exposed and three more unaccounted for.
Mel realises the danger up in the sheep field and makes a dash for the coop, but Hurry and Tackle don’t. I have to herd Hurry and Tackle in.

When I get back to my house Cillin, Fat Bird, Fudge and Moon are together outside under the blackthorn bush.

At late dusk Fat Bird starts to head towards the side bank that leads up to the coop and Fudge follows and much to my surprise, Cillin herds Moon out and they all go up together. Cillin took them all the way to the coop ramp, watched them go in and headed back to my house and got in the nest box.

Well done Cillin. Cillin can move all the hens from place to place and I don’t think Treacle is going to be able to do this. Moving seven hens is not a trivial matter. It’s just one of the reasons three hens per rooster is a good number; it’s manageable. If one hen wants to go to lay then getting two hens to a safe place is a lot quicker and easier than moving six.

Absolutely fascinating. I love hearing these stories. I know you are frustrated with the situation but it has to be so cool to watch them do their jobs like this. Please keep the stories coming as this all works out.

 

[Ribh]

Mugshot Monday:
Regan.

 

[Ribh]

Mugs for Monday
Peg and Maxine
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Verna
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Phyllis
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Judy
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Verna is gorgeous! I have a soft spot for splash hens & have several myself.

 

[Ribh]

I did think it might be a good idea some months ago. But, things were working and although Cillin and Treacle scraped a bit and Cillin wasn't handling Treacle very well, I prevaricated and now I'm learning the error of my ways.
Building a new coop was what I was fixated on and didn't consider other options as I should have.
There's nothing like a crisis to promote a bit of direct action. I may be too late but I'll try and see how it all pans out.

I know it's frustrating but thank you for sharing. The rest of us are getting to learn so much!

 

[BY Bob]

Mugshot Monday:
Regan.
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What a beauty!

 

[Ribh]

What a beauty!

I think she will be a fine looking bird when she grows up.

 

[BY Bob]

I think she will be a fine looking bird when she grows up.

I think she is now.