Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

If she's eaten & drunk she'll just head straight back. Mine tend to run round in circles bokking once they come out of their trance, then do what they need to do. They tend to be quick & not off the nest long. I don't have Polish though. My Wyandotte bantams are nut jobs. The Japs are more sensible & my BRs are teachable.

Perhaps I will then just to be certain.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

More Challenges Brewing

I spent some time watching Sydney very closely this morning. I am getting concerned.

No Laughing @Ribh !

I think Sydney is about to go broody. she is pancaking on the ground and starting to tut tut around a bit. It is very similar to what happened last year right before she decided to set. Hopefully Phyllis' experience will be a deterrent to her. I don't know that I can lose another nest box........

Here is Sydney not looking pre-broody.
View attachment 2757015

I swear broodiness is contagious. So far this year I have had Momma go broody twice, and if you count Henrietta before she got broke up 5 more broody hens. Bunny is starting to act suspicious again, wanting to spend longer in the box to lay that egg. If so that would be her 2nd attempt this year, but nope, I'm collecting eggs as soon as they are laid to hopefully prevent another girl from catching the bug.

 

[drstratton]

I had arrange to get 2 Gold Laced Frizzled Polish to come live with Phyllis. I was making arrangements to get them in the next week or so when a dog got into the run and killed 12 of the 18 she had been raising. She is keeping the remaining 6 for herself. I was waiting for her to be able to accurately sex them as I did not want straight run.

That's very sad! I'm glad you have some more coming! Phyllis needs some babies!

 

[BY Bob]

I swear broodiness is contagious. So far this year I have had Momma go broody twice, and if you count Henrietta before she got broke up 5 more broody hens. Bunny is starting to act suspicious again, wanting to spend longer in the box to lay that egg. If so that would be her 2nd attempt this year, but nope, I'm collecting eggs as soon as they are laid to hopefully prevent another girl from catching the bug.

I just did the same. No eggs left anywhere. Phyllis has all the ceramic ones.

 

[drstratton]

More Challenges Brewing

I spent some time watching Sydney very closely this morning. I am getting concerned.

No Laughing @Ribh !

I think Sydney is about to go broody. she is pancaking on the ground and starting to tut tut around a bit. It is very similar to what happened last year right before she decided to set. Hopefully Phyllis' experience will be a deterrent to her. I don't know that I can lose another nest box........

Here is Sydney not looking pre-broody.
View attachment 2757015

You didn't tell me not to laugh...

Spazzy decided to go broody AGAIN yesterday! I'm going to take her off of the nest and place her on the roosting bars tonight. Hopefully that will break her...it's just too hot right now!

 

[RoyalChick]

If anyone is interested: Google Poplar Tulare County California Fire Friday July 9. (It’s aTragic story)

I did look. That is very sad. Do they know how it started?

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

When (or if) to Toss Her off the Nest

I have tried to watch Phyllis all day today to make certain that she is leaving the nest to eat, drink, etc. I have not seen her leave the nest. Now there is over an hour where I could not watch her today so she may have done so then.

I really need advise as to whether I should go remove her from the nest or if I can wait until tomorrow morning to do so? It is ~6:00 pm here so i have a god 2.5 hours of daylight left.

What does those of you with broody experience think?

It honestly depends on the hen for me, but in my experience most of my girls come off every other day. Momma is different, if I know where her nest is I have to remove her or else she'll stay on 3 days or more. This last time I do not know how many times she came off as I never saw her at all and we all were starting to think something had gotten her. She had to be coming off super early in the morning after we fed the horses. I wouldn't worry to much if she does not come off today as long as she has food and water close by. If she is still on by noon tomorrow, then I would remove her so she can relieve herself.

 

[LozzyR]

Does this work @LozzyR ?

Yep, thanks!

 

[MaryJanet]

I’m thinking of buying one of these with the little tax money I’m getting, opinions? My feeder is outside the coop most times, thought it would help when it rains (so I don’t have to shift it into the cubby where they kick shavings into it, because the feed wouldn’t get damp) and maybe the wild birds may take 2 days to work it out (but will the girls work it out?) It is clear on that side in the pic to show how it works I believe, and yes, it is a proper seller this time an Aussie company so trying to support ‘local’
View attachment 2756544
it seems a long way to have to stick their head in? My only apprehension...
Tell me your thoughts, chook brain trust

I love it!

My only worry is the sparrows. If they start using it, they might poop in the food, which may increas exposure to parasites.

However, I doubt a sparrow could get in and out of there easily, so I'd go for it! I may even get one and try it out.

 

[MaryJanet]

They will go as far as they can. Just like a dog that gets out. Especially if there is something they wish to eat.

Remember that time I lost the hens and it turned out they'd gone on an excursion to the garden two houses up the street! Cheeky little sods. Still, my neighbour had a huge laugh at Peggy running along in her slippers as we herded them back home, so it wasn't a total loss