Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[WhoDatChick]

Outstanding!

Thought you’d like that!

Go check out my pics when you get a chance

 

[featherhead007]

Fluffy Butt? I think that Bob deserves some royalties out of this one!!

 

[Shadrach]

I learn so much from reading here. Giving Cillin his own coop wouldn't have been on my radar.
So glad you've found a solution

To be fair to those who may have similar problems, I was fortunately in a) having the room to do it, and b) having a reasonably easy structure to adapt.
It's a solution that has worked for me in the past. I'm still hoping that one day Cillin will go back to the main tribe coop. There are eight coops here of various sizes and for one purpose or another. Not all are suitable, or intended for permanent habitation.

 

[featherhead007]

To be fair to those who may have similar problems, I was fortunately in a) having the room to do it, and b) having a reasonably easy structure to adapt.
It's a solution that has worked for me in the past. I'm still hoping that one day Cillin will go back to the main tribe coop. There are eight coops here of various sizes and for one purpose or another. Not all are suitable, or intend for permanent habitation.

Shad, I would love to give Cillin a great big hug, he's such a good rooster!

 

[Shadrach]

My goodness, so funny! How is she doing Shad?

She's coping better than I am!
She still likes her carry in the morning. I haven't had to put her on a roost bar in the evening for some time now. She's eating well. Gets around with the rest when she wants to. She does still need a bit of help with keeping her bum cleanish. She certainly doesn't look like she has any intention of dying at the moment. Even her poop is more than adequate and normal looking.

 

[Shadrach]

Happy birds! Who is that with the big ‘ol crop? Is that Mel?

You probably mean Fudge. She has had in the past crop problems. We got them sorted but I think she's prone to them. Most of the hens seem to have prominent crops when full compared to many I see on BYC. I think some of this is due to them being slimmer in general. I think free range chickens tend not to carry so much weight.

 

[Shadrach]

Hey all.
Bob said I could share this on here. Thanks again for that @BY Bob
Although my short story didn’t win, it sounds like it was well received which is nice.

View attachment 2615523

So here it is, be kind
The topic was ‘the gift’.
Sorry it makes for a VERY long post!


FAR FROM PALTRY; THE POULTRY GIFT.

A new adventure for us. A new life for sisters that knew nothing but cramped conditions and sadness.
The gift of my feathered ladies.

When we first brought you two girls home we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, of how you would become part of our inner circle. Our toddler gave you the names Henny Penny and Bok Bok; Penny and Bok for short.
The gift of family.

You were hesitant at first when you were let out of your coop and into our yard to free range. Soon enough you were Queens of the lands you surveyed, never worrying if it was a plant, weed or a new garden bed you happened to be scratching up.
The gift of freedom.

I loved to sit in the sun and watch the two of you dust bath. I would read my book and listen to your bawks, clucks and trills as you relished in the chicken-y things that made your life joyful. The squeaks when you found a particularly tasty bug and wanted the other one to know about it, or when you would get corn and you couldn’t contain your passion for the golden kernels you were swiftly devouring.
The gift of pure happiness.

Of course then there were the beautiful big, brown eggs, so delicious that eating store bought ones now makes me melancholy. They will never be as lovely as what you gave us, my sweet girls.
The gift of perfect sustenance.

When you first free ranged with our terrier you were so unsure, but he was gentle and eventually you found peace with him. You did challenge him on more than one occasion where food was concerned. It was lucky he’s a goof and just barked in response.
The gift of diversity.

I remember it hailing really hard one day in July of ‘19. Our very young daughter and I went out to see you girls exploring in the little ice spheres, deep against the fence of your run. She starting saying ‘Happy Christmas, chickens!’ to you and it made my heart warm even though we were quite chilled.
The gift of nature.

When you tried awkwardly to sit on my lap while I was reading on the outside couch on a warm summer evening;clambering along the edge of the patio furniture, swaying this way and that with your destination always at the forefront of your minds.
The gift of adventure.

I clearly recall when you fell ill, Penny. I did what I could, as much as my narrow knowledge allowed. I soaked you in warm baths, I felt for eggs that may have been stuck, I trimmed your messy feathers so you would still have your fluffy butt hence your dignity. I sobbed when I knew there was no saving you. This impending loss of a companion I never expected to love so much weighed heavily on my heart. You spent your last night back out in the coop with Bok, together until the end.
The gift of sisterly bonds.

Bok became lonely without you. My heart broke when she would call out for you, thinking you had just been separated by backyard obstacles. After a time or two, when you never answered, she stopped trying. She lost her zest for life and began to give a growly crow when coming out to greet each day. I knew I had to do something, Bok.
The gift of compassion.

I was unsure I was taking the right path when I brought home two pullets. You then proceeded to boss them around; letting them know who the top bird was. I saw your enthusiasm return and my heart grew lighter.
The gift of friendship anew.

Now, old friend, your time is fast running out. Each day that passes I see it looming to greet us. I thought I would be more prepared when your chapter closed. I was fooling myself. You sit on my knee, letting me stroke your soft feathers in the sunshine, falling asleep like the old lady that you are. Your body is giving up, maybe I should not be so selfish and hear what you are trying to tell me. Truth be told, I’m just not ready yet.
The gift of contrition.

You began as providers of eggs but became so much more.
At the end of the day, the gift of love is one we gave each other in spades.

Lovely story.

 

[Shadrach]

Out roaming this afternoon and "back at the ranch" so to speak, in the old unattached and still- covered run. Hazel and Queenie started dustbathing in the sunny warmth. Then the three others found them and quickly joined in. This is the second time they've come back to it to bathe, and it's sheltered and they rest and preen in there too.
I've tried to upload it to my youtube channel but not sure if it's there yet:

Maybe I won't clear out all that litter as I was planning, only some, as they like to dustbathe in it? Or should I change it out for health reasons? Or It's about six months old but mostly been dry (though on the bare ground) in the covered run, since the coop was attached for the winter. So its aged ramial chips, some hemp, pdz, wood stove ashes, lots of poo, some feed dust, grit & oyster shell bits. I periodically hoed it around to bury poo and keep it interesting. Part of it has become quite fine and dirt-like. Maybe it's called Deep Bedding since it's dry? I've read a bit but don't recall how often people change it out. I'd replace it with a big pile of new but aged ramial chips & everything else (but minus the poo til they visit again )

I would consider making a patch of bare earth for them. The litter isn't ideal for soaking up the old oils or for the slightly damp long baths the chickens here seem to enjoy.

 

[featherhead007]

Little Xzit is doing much better. She’s in with the tribe now (doing chicken stuff, or nap time.(I can’t be sure)

 

[Shadrach]

I think you marked the video private in YouTube - you need to mark it 'unlisted' (I think that is what it is called) and that means anyone with the link can view it but not anyone just roaming around YouTube.
On your clean-out question I have similar but mine is based on leaves - I don't really clean it out but add stuff on top - though this year I will steal a load for fertilizer as it is mainly over a year aged.
Mine have a favorite dust bathing spot and I rake it out now and then but mainly because they dig down and find big rocks and that looks uncomfortable to me!

As above. I think they are trying to dig through the bedding to proper soil.