Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

It does occur to me that our hands are kind of scary, like a giant octopus, a lot of appendages for little chicks to see and track and figure out what's happening. So maybe also keep fingers together at first?

Always form a cup with your hands. No fingers flailing about

 

[BY Bob]

Our rain has passed, flood rain.. now we are on alert from 2:00 to 8:00 for high winds. Up to 50 miles per hour! When we get these alerts, we know we're in for microbursts. If I can, I'll snap a photo when the trees, are bent. We usually have trees down here and there throughout town. We're grateful for rain in our state. We've been in drought for a couple if years. But lately, we're getting answered prayers, by the torrents! Now the wind.

Wow! That will be something to see! Stay safe.

 

[BY Bob]

I liked this post with a "love," meaning sending you love and strength, not that I loved what angst you're going through! Also Love for the update on your flock, and that you reached out.

I wonder if because chickens are so good at hiding their problems, they appear "easy" to take care of to many people. Then they inexplicably die. I think this is distance flock-raising. Those people throw out some feed and water, collect eggs, and walk away.
But the more one learns, and learns what to look for, or even notices because one is paying attention and spending time with them, the more complex the picture becomes. They are each our children to a lot of us here. This isn't an original thought of course.
My farmer friends - she is really attached to her goats, knows them all as individuals, and thinks the chickens are easy, comparatively. But the chickens are not her thing, nor are they under her care primarily, so she doesn't engage with them at the level her partner does.

This is such an insightful post. You have absolutely nailed it!

 

[Cynthia12]

It's starting. Not sure you can tell.. neighbors tree, left side at this angle is being blown over quite a bit. We call those trees umbrella trees. They don't always fare well in high winds. Already has some broken..or maybe dead branches. Haven't had a real hard wind yet. Only about 30 to 35.

 

[BY Bob]

It's starting. Not sure you can tell.. neighbors tree, left side at this angle is being blown over quite a bit. We call those trees umbrella trees. They don't always fare well in high winds. Already has some broken..or maybe dead branches. Haven't had a real hard wind yet. Only about 30 to 35.View attachment 2838733

Wow that is blowing!

 

[Marie2020]

What a day

I just went outside and the ladies have all put theirselves too bed.

Princess is a worry she looks very sad.

She's getting pecked by amber and flex . She hasent laid a egg in weeks and today they kept going for her bottom

This one new chicken is lethal. I hope I have done the right thing.

 

[rural mouse]

It might be helpful to others to post your problem and solution though!

Once solution has been found successful, I will (and credit Shad with the info)

 

[MaryJanet]

Camera Upgrades

I wish I could remember when I bought my Arlo system. Sadly though I started losing cameras a while. That's why I had my first camera with sound. Well this week the entire system under went an upgrade. The new cameras won't work with my original base system so that had to be upgraded first. Then the new cameras added.

What a jump in capabilities. The new cameras have spotlights I can turn on and two way sound. I can talk to the chickens from 100s of miles away. I believe the spotlight on the new coop cam might get a workout at roosting time. I now have 5 cameras deployed instead of 4 with one of the originals still hanging on. Expect lots of camera footage as I play with my new toys.

In this video you can see the chicks scratch away, then Legertha decided to explore the new camera. They switch the camera to night vision so I switch it back by turning on the spotlight (I have it set very low). What freaks them out most is when I talk to them through the camera. They stop and look up for me to see where I am.

I'm so glad the spotlight isn't too bright!

They're growing so fast Bob. Their little tails are really coming along

 

[MaryJanet]

Today Ari broke her leg as u already know.but I’m not sure if she did u know she’s not drinking and eating properly. She’s behind growth and is a lot more smaller Theban the others I put her in a sock she seems weak.I’m really worried.Any suggestions?

I'm sorry I don't know anything about quail. Can you take her to the vet?

 

[MaryJanet]

The new girls are basking in the sun
They've eaten blackberries and varieties of garden greens. Still afraid of noises around.

View attachment 2838411

View attachment 2838405

They may be frightened and aggressive for a good long while. Couple of months perhaps?