Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Shadrach]

Shad has already made me laugh several times this morning... are you moonlighting as a stand up comedian??

I did do a few short pieces many years ago for friends. I was best man at a friends wedding and as tradition has it the best man gives a speech after everyone has eaten. I didn't do the usual "they're all lovely chaps and chappeses." It seems it went down well and I got asked by some other love struck lunatics to do a turn at their weddings. I'm a bit wicked and dark but it suits the Scottish sense of humour I'm told.

 

[Shadrach]

I already pointed out that while you would live a super chickeny life, as I think with all chickens, it may not be that long. I too have predators and loss.

I think most do Bob. Often it's just a matter of time.

 

[Shadrach]

My girls had a wash today but you wouldn't know it, they are even muckier now

View attachment 2624624

Strictly speaking one shouldn't wash chickens. It says on the label, dry clean only.

 

[BY Bob]

That's a cute model!
There weren't a lot of options nearby for me to look at in person.
This is what we ended up with (sight unseen, but heavy review of specs).

The chicken yard extends to the edge of the timber half wall, so they have a good amount of yard sectioned off for their private use. They have a couple of trees, a row of hedges and some good hiding places under some benches and a table/chairs set. (Do NOT recommend sitting on any of them! ) Not as great as free range, but not bad for in-town birds!

That looks pretty well built. That might last quite a while.

 

[BY Bob]

Thanks Bob.
The suggestions here played a big part in it.
I am just so relieved

I'm glad everyone could help.

 

[BY Bob]

I had a dog named Alex as a kid

Was it a male?

 

[MaryJanet]

Mugshot Monday for Emma. I miss you my lovely hen. View attachment 2624421

She was so young! I'm sorry she's gone.

 

[Shadrach]

I've been busier than normal the past few days and consequently haven't got more than a couple of hours chicken time in each day. They've been round but when they see I'm doing stuff they tend to wander back out again, manly because the chances of getting treats is low I imagine.
I noticed that Knock was missing or late for lunch which of course means she's egg laying somewhere. I checked all the usual places and she was nowhere to be seen.
A couple of days ago she was showing signs of getting ready to go broody. I still had no idea where her nest was.Yesterday evening she did apperar for supper but it was obvious that she was thinking of heading back to her nest. I managed to hustle her into the coop with some relief. That left me this morning to follow her and locate the nest. That can be quite a challenge here.
I let Tribe 3, her tribe out later than usual so I had clear time to try to follow her.
They ate breakfast by the bamboo clump, I see Knock go into the bamboo clump and she's gone! I'm prettu sure she hasn't dropped out of sight on the track and head right and I couldn't see her making her way to anywhere that looked likely going left.
I had a good search in the bamboo as much as one can in such clumps; not a sign.
I walked all the way around the back and climbed the bank which is very overgrown hoping I might see her. I was really lucky and did spot her under some overgrowing grass. I took pictures. I even went back mid afternoon just to confirm I had the right spot in my mind.
You can just make her out under the dry grass clump.

Step back a bit and she gone.

After I had put everyone to bed I went to get her. It wasn't even dark yet and spent 15 minutes search the two square metre patch I knew she was in. I couldn't find her. I had a cup of tea ans went and had another go. I did get her this time but I must have touched her at least once in the first search and she hadn't moved or nade a sound
She's in the coop with the others now and I'll collect the eggs in the morning.

 

[MaryJanet]

@featherhead007 I'm so sad about Emma and really upset and angry if your suspicion about the nbor is anywhere near accurate. Good idea to keep the babies in lockdown for a bit.

@LozzyR eeeek! how did he get in there??!?

@micstrachan that mode of dispensing is prize worthy! Hope your girls perk up

@Ribh give that Dorothy love from me. I hope she does well.

@Scrambles83 that Mugshot is cracking me up

And I guess this question can be asked of the group at large about the prefab coops...has anyone had luck with one lasting a couple of years? We bought ours from the Chicken Coop Company bc it was made in US, wood and wire with extra support under nest boxes. I'm sure hoping it doesn't turn into a pile of kindling prematurely!

Here is Allele for Mugshot Monday!

The prefab at my house is 4 years old. I've had to brace the nest box but otherwise it's ok. I live in a rather hot and dry climate with no snow.

 

[goldenfingers]

That's a cute model!
There weren't a lot of options nearby for me to look at in person.
This is what we ended up with (sight unseen, but heavy review of specs).

The chicken yard extends to the edge of the timber half wall, so they have a good amount of yard sectioned off for their private use. They have a couple of trees, a row of hedges and some good hiding places under some benches and a table/chairs set. (Do NOT recommend sitting on any of them! ) Not as great as free range, but not bad for in-town birds!

That looks pretty nice and it appears sturdier than ours. We didn't need need a run because we rigged it to connect to the area under our deck that we enclosed.