Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I'm loving the trips down Memory Lane Scrambles!

Isn't it fun. It is great to have someone new join us every so often so we can reminisce.

 

[BY Bob]

I am sure that would help, but mine do manage similarly without one. They used to think I was their rooster but our relationship has changed somehow and that is no longer my position in their lives.

Are you sad about that? I'm a little sad that only Sansa still squats for me.

 

[BY Bob]

I have no idea! Something clearly did but then it went away. Maggie is fast on her feet getting to safety but I don't have a camera out on that side so I don't know if maybe a fox approached where she was hanging out.
I did think it was a good video to show the different zones of the Chicken Palace connected by the little chicken doors they jump through.

Yes I got a great appreciation for the vastness of your setup. They have a lot of room. That will hold 40 chickens easily.

 

[MaryJanet]

No, I do not!

Good decision!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

The Roosting Chronicles continue.....

I filmed about 30 minutes of roosting last night. Don't worry, I cut it up into significant events. My top observation is that Hattie is much more active on the roost. While frequently sitting and resting, she was very active patrolling it.

This first cut involves Sansa and Phyllis. Hattie has "encouraged" Sansa to leave the main roost. Hattie, Phyllis and Lilly are all settled and Peaceful while Sansa eats. Sansa then goes after Phyllis who, in trying to get away, runs into Hattie who then pecks her before she jumps down.

This second cut shows what happens to Sansa after Phyllis has gotten back on the roost and Sansa thinks she can eat in peace. Someone else has another idea. Watch how she methodically corners Sansa.

The third cut shows the results of Phyllis being knocked down. Does she get back up and onto her spot?

Nope!

For some reason Phyllis goes to the other side of the roost. Now she is the meat in a Hattie/Sansa sandwich with that dill pickle Aurora on the side. Despite the challenges facing her, it's Phyllis dismayed? No way! She rises to the challenges and runs the gauntlet finding a clever way around Hattie. (watch closely and you can see Sydney sneak onto the high roost while everyone else is occupied)

In this cut, just when you think everything is settled, Hattie and Aurora decide things are not yet settled. Sansa and Sydney are the targets. You will not see Sydney get down as Sansa is blocking the view.

This final cut shows Sansa in a nest box having given up on roosting and Sydney trying to get back on the high roost. Sydney waited over 5 minutes for Aurora to be distracted before she jumped up. It worked and after a few pecks, roosting is finished for the night.

I need to watch more but it seems that Hattie and not Aurora is responsible for Sansa in the nest box. An active Hattie is certainly a new development.

Well there's a tag team situation going on here indeed! Frankly, but I am joking too, I was reminded of that prison series called Oz! My goodness, what's a hen to do when she needs to roost in confined quarters?

So it gets my brain trying to think of more ways to provide for evasive maneuvers and especially sight blocks since roosting occurs so early with good daylight still. Chickens don't get a stink eye for someone they can't see, do they?

First thought of an additional roost, parallel to the main one but out of reach when perched on either, like the high roost bar. Right now the long main bar is so easily patrolled.

But then thought that visual blocks might be a quick thing to try? Like hang cloth or something at a couple of intervals along the long main bar, perpendicular to it, so the sight line down the length is interrupted. The bar is still easily accessed from the coop floor anywhere along the length, so a hen looking to bully could patrol from the floor if they want to. But it might cut down on the development of "stink eye" while on the bar?

 

[BY Bob]

Good decision!

I've seen them at the zoo. That's a hard pass.

 

[FransGran]

Fluffy butts for Friday
Fran and Peggy

Verna, Nancy, Maxine, and Peg again

Ethyl and Fancy confused about the day

And a bonus wheelbarrow of fun

 

[MaryJanet]

We still have one running loose in Perry County!!

They need to run free in the same way hens need friends.

 

[BY Bob]

Well there's a tag team situation going on here indeed! Frankly, but I am joking too, I was reminded of that prison series called Oz! My goodness, what's a hen to do when she needs to roost in confined quarters?

So it gets my brain trying to think of more ways to provide for evasive maneuvers and especially sight blocks since roosting occurs so early with good daylight still. Chickens don't get a stink eye for someone they can't see, do they?

First thought of an additional roost, parallel to the main one but out of reach when perched on either, like the high roost bar. Right now the long main bar is so easily patrolled.

But then thought that visual blocks might be a quick thing to try? Like hang cloth or something at a couple of intervals along the long main bar, perpendicular to it, so the sight line down the length is interrupted. The bar is still easily accessed from the coop floor anywhere along the length, so a hen looking to bully could patrol from the floor if they want to. But it might cut down on the development of "stink eye" while on the bar?

I have considered barriers many times. Then it goes to -20° and they all cuddle up. I have also considered ripping everything out and going with a ladder system but that will eat up a lot of floor space. My current idea is to take off the extension bar that Phyllis used to get around Hattie and move it to in front of the window, lower than the high roost but higher than the main roost and see if a third roost eases tensions.

 

[BY Bob]

Fluffy butts for Friday
Fran and Peggy
View attachment 2499274
Verna, Nancy, Maxine, and Peg again
View attachment 2499275
Ethyl and Fancy confused about the day
View attachment 2499276
And a bonus wheelbarrow of fun
View attachment 2499277

Just wonderful!