Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

Another Chilly Day

We had 2 deck visitors today.
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View attachment 2525140

While the others were stuck st the coop. Too scared to come all the way.
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Later everyone decided to use the same square yard for free ranging. That's 6 hens in 1 square yard of grass at the same time!
View attachment 2525142

Another Chilly Day

We had 2 deck visitors today.
View attachment 2525127
View attachment 2525140

While the others were stuck st the coop. Too scared to come all the way.
View attachment 2525143

Later everyone decided to use the same square yard for free ranging. That's 6 hens in 1 square yard of grass at the same time!
View attachment 2525142

They’re all just so cute, Bob.

 

[micstrachan]

"Corn with guns" !!!

Good one, Alex!!!

 

[micstrachan]

Caught up! Now I have to share that I am worried about Ester. She dropped one shell-less egg from the roost and has only laid a couple eggs since. I did find one broken, thin shelled egg, so I’m hoping someone is just eating them. However, I know I’m probably fooling myself. I’ve been supplementing calcium here and there. As you know, Ester is fresh out of molt. That combined with rapidly increasing daylight hours makes a cease in laying all the more worrisome.

I just snuck into the coop with a headlamp and offered baby bird formula with crushed calcium citrate. The three 1.75-year-olds were all roosting together and shared in the treat. This worked well, since Dorothy also has egg shell issues at times and Minnie, who has been laying lots without a break, may also have depleted calcium stores. They are all on half layer, half finisher with oyster shell on the side. They’ve been having fermented feed for over a month, and we’re taking a break from that effective tomorrow in case that’s causing any issues.

In happy news, Flash laid another blue egg today (in the sun room). Sunny was investigating egg boxes this morning, but still has not laid. It would be neat if her eggs turn out to be green!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I miss hearing from him and seeing his beautiful tribes

Me too.

Me three.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I have a feeling we have similar but not identical mugs.

View attachment 2524907

That's the one! Thank you MJ.

 

[MaryJanet]

I adore that mug! I may have to try for one just because it reminds me so much of Lavender! Mind you, since her demise everyone is growing rump feathers again. She was a shocker for denuding rumps!

Try this shop mate

https://www.liltreasures.com.au/royal-worcester-wrendale-curious-hen-mug.html

 

[Ribh]

Try this shop mate

https://www.liltreasures.com.au/royal-worcester-wrendale-curious-hen-mug.html

Thanks, MJ!

 

[Scrambles83]

You could do something like this!!

Anna and I are going to try this with Violet this spring.

I love this! I’m going to buy a little hoop this weekend, Belle is so food orientated that I think it will work
If not, my daughter (also a Violet like you chicken ) has a new hula hoop

 

[Scrambles83]

I know. I worry that the mere size of the thread will keep new people from ever joining us again! Fortunately there appear to be some brave souls out there!

Hahaha, yep. I’m finally up to where I joined back in early Jan
Next will be MJ’s thread where I originally was and found this thread via that!

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Roosting mystery solved
I think I have figured out why Minnie and at least once, Dotty, roosted all alone.
Apologies in advance for the long videos.
It all starts with Dotty stuck on the end and Minnie not giving up her spot. Until she realizes what being next to Maggie means in practice and she escapes. Dotty is not content just to win the spot she was looking for, but feels the need to drive Minnie away entirely.

But Minnie returns

Now roles are reversed and Minnie drives Dotty off the roost.

Rinse and repeat. This happened multiple times like shuffling cards in a deck. Either Minnie or Dotty would drive the other off based on who was on the end.

And then for no reason ... ...

Awwww.View attachment 2525531

I love a happy ending!