Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[CrazyChookChookLady]

All I can say is that the squirrels told us this was going to happen. They don't lie.

I'll believe the squirrels over that stupid groundhog any day!!!

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I don’t know how you reference things like this so quickly, but thank you Bob. I can’t believe she’s still alive! Here I’ve been complaining about the sheep that was trapped for at least 4 days under the collapsed stairs of the vineyard that no one thought to look for. How I missed her I don’t know. 14 days without food or water, just a tiny bit of grass, no light... she looks worse than when I rescued her. I searched the whole area, and the woods up past their favorite dust bathing spot I never thought to flip the plastic feed bowl. I feel so stupid.

Chalk it up to lesson learned. She's a tough bird that's for sure!

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I have not seen a single squirrel in weeks. They are holed up riding this out.

Come to my house!! I have about 100 of them in the woods and they drive Rex nuts! When I let him out to potty, he stands on the edge on the cement over looking the backyard and scans for squirrels. Once he finds one he takes off like a shot through the yard and woods as it runs up the tree. He stands at the bottom of the tree barking and the squirrel stands in the tree laughing.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Do you want it by the foot or by the shovel-full. Will you pay for shipping? I have a seemingly unlimited supply and am very happy to share.

Rich has a dump truck, we can truck it out there!!

 

[fuentemoon]

@RoyalChick
I will take 1 foot please! That should ease things for you and grind things to a halt here

 

[fuentemoon]

Of course 2" would do that

 

[BY Bob]

Nest Box Shenanigans

Sydney and Sansa have been laying every other day, opposite each other if you can believe it, for over a week now. Yesterday while watching my trapped hens I noticed that Aurora entered the nest boxes a couple of times showing interest so I figured she would not be far behind.

Now Sydney and Sansa have built a gorgeous nest. They like a high walled nest and clearly have put a lot of work into building it. Aurora however is a terrible nest builder. She starts out by destroying whatever is there and then incompetently tries to create her own. The others cannot appreciate what she does.

When checking to assure that the door had opened all the way this morning, it did, I observed Aurora working on the primary nest box. The one all the way on the left is everyone's favorite. Of course I took video of her to share with you all. For those of you who are extra observant, there is something very interesting going on while Aurora does her nest cleaning. See if you can pick it up. I missed it until I switched to the Nest Cam from the Coop Cam.

Now I believe that Aurora does this because she is trying to create an impression in the dirt and then build her nest around that depression. What she hasn't figured out is that she cannot make a depression in plywood.

Now as someone who designed and built a coop complex just for these weather conditions, I find it deeply rewarding that the tribe has chosen to stay inside and groom in the sunlight coming through the window, I see you there Lilly! It feels good to see them make that choice.

Spoiler: Nest Cam Footage

I mentioned that there was something unusual going on in the first video. Well here is the Nest Cam video.

Obvious now, right! Poor Sydney was trying to lay her egg while Aurora destroyed her nest! I did not notice Sydney on the Coop Cam view, did you?

Eventually Sydney would lay her egg and Aurora would take over the box. When Sydney finished laying, she went right outside to the big run and chowed down on some cabbage.

That seemed to be the indication for everyone to head outside.

Aurora got total peace to lay her egg in.

In the end I got 3 eggs today. Thank you ladies!

 

[BY Bob]

I'll believe the squirrels over that stupid groundhog any day!!!

Forget the groundhog, the Ground Hen knows! Pennsylvania Phyllis can tell weather better than any old groundhog.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Ok, does anyone remember how long it’s been since I lost her? My god, I cannot feel worse right now... she has been trapped under a feed pan this entire time. If it wasn’t for all the rain I’m sure she would be dead. I flipped it over to lure a cow out of the chicken field... and found her she’s filthy and wet but alive. She’s lost a lot of weight, and muscle tone. She feels like a CX. I’ve put her into a meat tractor for now while I cook and cook her egg

I can’t believe it! Poor girl!

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

I don’t know how you reference things like this so quickly, but thank you Bob. I can’t believe she’s still alive! Here I’ve been complaining about the sheep that was trapped for at least 4 days under the collapsed stairs of the vineyard that no one thought to look for. How I missed her I don’t know. 14 days without food or water, just a tiny bit of grass, no light... she looks worse than when I rescued her. I searched the whole area, and the woods up past their favorite dust bathing spot I never thought to flip the plastic feed bowl. I feel so stupid.

What kind of shape is she in?