Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[MaryJanet]

My silly lot were sitting on the biggest eggs they could get! Most places I've looked @ have a minimum of a dozen, which is more extra birds than I really need. I may have somewhere to send unwanted roosters... decisions, decisions...

How long do fertile eggs keep for? I have a feeling it might be long enough for a second hen to go broody. Especially in your tribe they seem to see one broody then it's stacks on!

 

[Ribh]

Research says 7 days. After that hatch rates decrease significantly. I think I'd need 2 broodies to do a dozen eggs.

 

[MaryJanet]

Research says 7 days. After that hatch rates decrease significantly. I think I'd need 2 broodies to do a dozen eggs.

Good call. Next time you have a pair trying to sit, go for it!

 

[MaryJanet]

Such a great idea. Much more friendly looking than a plastic pet carrier.

It'll degrade better too. I could probably break it up, shred the pieces and compost it

 

[Blazinga]

FBF

 

[RoyalChick]

It'll degrade better too. I could probably break it up, shred the pieces and compost it

I love wicker baskets - all my cats go to the vet in picnic hampers of various kinds and various vintages (some are quite old now).
The vet's staff always look a bit worried about them but they are in fact very sturdy and you can hose them down if they get messy - it is actually good for them to be hosed down as it tightens up the wicker.

 

[rural mouse]

I am having some trouble with the young ladies. I really want them to learn to drink out of the water bucket with the 'chicken nipples' (I giggle every time I say that). Because come winter I don't want to have open water inside the coop when it gets really cold.
I remember teaching the Princesses how to use the nipple waterer - I was delighted how smart they were - it took a couple of taps with my finger nail to show them how it worked and they never looked back.
The young ladies however seem not be the smartest knives in the drawer!
I have shown them multiple times and of course the Princesses are always stopping by for a drink and they watch that too. They spend a lot of time hanging out near the water bucket (on the fancy step I built) and I have put one of the coop cams to watch the bucket and I can tell you they peck at EVERYTHING (including the camera) but never once the chicken nipples.
I am reluctant to take away all other sources of water while it is still so hot, but today their baby waterer ran out and I did leave it empty a few hours, but they still didn't use the nipples. Then, this evening, when I came to fill the big rubber water bowl in the run they ran out and were dunking their heads right in like they were trying to drink the whole bowl at once.
Hmmm. I am not sure what to do. I have a few months before it gets really cold so maybe patience is the answer.

Put peanut butter on the nipples, then press a couple of pieces of scratch (or mealy worms or whatever their favorite snack is)

 

[rural mouse]

I always liked the horse names in "My Friend Flicka" and its sequels. "Thunderhead" is very majestic.

The in-laws had one named Ornery....and he earned it.

As a week old foal, he got out of mama's paddock and into one of the stud pens....and was all prepared to take on the big boy. Fortunately it was the pen of the most laid back stud on the place. He finally settled down and became the horse that ALL of the grandkids got their first rides upon. My youngest at age 2, (the youngest grand) was going to get his on the new horse while Ornery got his daily ration of oats followed by a wander around the yard searching out the dandelions. My middle was getting a ride on the new horse. Ornery kept moving in front of me and standing, waiting for toddler to mount. He knew that kid hadn't been on him and INSISTED upon providing the first ride. It was bare back too. Ornery died the following winter....age 30, pampered, spoiled, and awsome.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

The in-laws had one named Ornery....and he earned it.

As a week old foal, he got out of mama's paddock and into one of the stud pens....and was all prepared to take on the big boy. Fortunately it was the pen of the most laid back stud on the place. He finally settled down and became the horse that ALL of the grandkids got their first rides upon. My youngest at age 2, (the youngest grand) was going to get his on the new horse while Ornery got his daily ration of oats followed by a wander around the yard searching out the dandelions. My middle was getting a ride on the new horse. Ornery kept moving in front of me and standing, waiting for toddler to mount. He knew that kid hadn't been on him and INSISTED upon providing the first ride. It was bare back too. Ornery died the following winter....age 30, pampered, spoiled, and awsome.

That's a beautiful story. What a horse.

 

[featherhead007]

Just arrived home safely. What a beautiful day I had. Perfect flight weather, and my church friends fed and put my birds to bed. All accounted for, ps. My flying Eagle performed perfectly. (If it didn’t, I wouldn’t be typing this) checking in on Bobs/Phyllis new baby . Gonna read behind and forward. Hi again friends