Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

I had to hire a local neighbor, to mow the lawns, and clean the coops today. (Until my hand heals up)

Good for you! Thank you, knowing that eases our minds too.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

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.

I'll keep that in mind. Not hard to create one, and last year they made their own under a lilac bush. They do have that now under the rhododendron bush too since they scratched it clean but I haven't seen them bathe on it. But only now do they have it in their little run, when I pulled the litter away from the ground and made a big pile elsewhere in the big run.

 

[BY Bob]

I use a Behrens can for soldier larvae and other treats, the top wedges on in a sort of lock, by the handle:

View attachment 2617594

They make different sizes. I'll probably get another for my feed, because mouse-proof here means it's got to be metal, and this is in the barn which is more vulnerable than the house. I've been getting away with the feed stored inside large pretzel plastic jars, then those stored inside a large plastic bin , but I can't see how mice, squirrels or chipmunks won't eventually figure that out, just a matter of time lol.

I use large pretzel containers myself but they are either in my shed or the house. I actually primarily use old popcorn metal containers for bird seed which is stored in an old deck box.

 

[BY Bob]

I'll keep that in mind. Not hard to create one, and last year they made their own under a lilac bush. They do have that now under the rhododendron bush too since they scratched it clean but I haven't seen them bathe on it. But only now do they have it in their little run, when I pulled the litter away from the ground and made a big pile elsewhere in the big run.

If they have choice, they will pick the best spot. Mine use everywhere. Mostly though it takes place under the coop. I don't know why other than great protection from aerial predators. They can truly relax there.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I think the knocking the corn out of your hand has more to do with her showing she is the provider rather than not being good enough to eat from your hand. The roosters here do something similar. While the food is in my hand the roosters will take their bit and the hens will wait their trun with a bit of pushing and shoving.
If I put the food on the ground in front of the roosters then they do the I've found food actions and calls. Interesting that they distinguish between the two. On the ground is found food; out of my hand is given food. They don't try to take credit for given food. They will bring their hens to me and ask me to give them food and then they stand back when I do.

I wondered in reading the post if Aurora could actually be increasing the corn supply for everyone by what she is doing, and second, whether it was on purpose. Every time she knocked out corn from your hand, along came more, and she observed that. Rinse and repeat, until there's plenty for everyone. Animals sometimes do things altruistically that help their community even when not closely related to one another, an interesting train of thinking maybe called Community Theory? Certainly we know a tribe's well-being benefits each individual member in multiple ways. So maybe within Fluffy Butt Acres she's doing the tribe a good thing and getting credit for doing it - Phyllis certainly has her vote!

 

[BY Bob]

Mirror Images

I have a non-fluffy butt issue that will have to be addressed this weekend. Lilly looks like she has a huge knot of stuff in there. Aurora is just nasty. I'm going to use her poo for my example fecal float video.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I use large pretzel containers myself but they are either in my shed or the house. I actually primarily use old popcorn metal containers for bird seed which is stored in an old deck box.

I noted that in your Coop Build article you used the tops to trace the nice edging for the roof overhang! My DH gets them, and we both use the containers for all kinds of things, in and out of the house. I have chicken supplies like zip ties, bungee cords, snap locks & whatnot in them too.

 

[BY Bob]

I wondered in reading the post if Aurora could actually be increasing the corn supply for everyone by what she is doing, and second, whether it was on purpose. Every time she knocked out corn from your hand, along came more, and she observed that. Rinse and repeat, until there's plenty for everyone. Animals sometimes do things altruistically that help their community even when not closely related to one another, an interesting train of thinking maybe called Community Theory? Certainly we know a tribe's well-being benefits each individual member in multiple ways. So maybe within Fluffy Butt Acres she's doing the tribe a good thing and getting credit for doing it - Phyllis certainly has her vote!

The two theories may indeed be related. Very interesting. Thanks for adding your thoughts @ChicoryBlue

 

[BY Bob]

I noted that in your Coop Build article you used the tops to trace the nice edging for the roof overhang! My DH gets them, and we both use the containers for all kinds of things, in and out of the house. I have chicken supplies like zip ties, bungee cords, snap locks & whatnot in them too.

They are the perfect size for many chicken related things.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

I use vittles vaults for chicken feed. They hold a ton of feed and are very durable.