Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

That is a GORGEOUS coop . No wonder why the girls are upset with the preoccupied servant; if I lived in such a palace, I would expect the servants to be top notch!

I just hope they don't place an advertisement on BeakBook to replace me!

 

[RoyalChick]

the big ones yes, the silkies no. Not pictured is below the roost is a platform type shelf my dad attached to Russ's stall. It was initially built to set cups or things on when cleaning stalls so they didn't have to be on the ground. Well, both Dirt and Russ love to knock whatever is setting on it off unless it is placed exactly in the middle. The silkies hop down to it then fly on down in the mornings. Now here is the impressive part, well, to me anyway. I'd heard the stereotype that silkies are "Dumb". They are not, at least my 3 are not. Due to their poor flying skills when they chose to use that roost I thought I'd always have to place them on the roost, and I did, for the first few days. Then they showed me one night when I was late putting them up that they did not need me when I came out to find them already on the roost, and on the top bar no less. The next night I watched and Lil Bit was the first to show how it was done. She used the stall boards like a ladder and hopped her way up to the roost. I now never have to place her up there, she's the first one to bed at night. Half the time Poppy is right behind her, but Branch is a night owl and is always one of the last to go to bed so I tend to place him up. Of course I think he is just waiting for his nighttime cuddles. He has me trained, just like Drumstick. If I'm a little late getting out both he and Bubba will be waiting on the ledge, because they know before I place them up its chest and wattle rubs and scratches and both boys love it and melt in my arms.

So interesting.
One of the things I was very worried about when designing the Chicken Palace was roost height (made more complicated by it being on a steep slope).
Too low and I worried they would go up in the rafters where I couldn't reach them; too high and I was worried they would break their legs or necks coming down.
There were lots of strongly held and opposing views here on BYC about roost height and I was quite anxious about it all. The roost is a huge 10' branch I dragged in from the woods so once in place it wasn't going to be adjustable!
Anyway it all seems fine as it is though I do sometimes worry about the way down (sometimes they use the ladder and sometimes they fly).

 

[bgmathteach]

I have the same problem. (Why do they prefer our favorite chairs?)View attachment 2854209

Same reason (to a degree) that dogs & cats do....it brings them 'close' to the bucket boy/bucket girl....what is their's is mine! (safety, familiarity, contentment, etc...plus, it is always better to get a 'bird's eye view from Bucket-boy's roost!!")

 

[bgmathteach]

I just hope they don't place an advertisement on BeakBook to replace me!

Alas, I don't think any servants will take the job. We want to get paid AT LEAST in peanuts. All they are offering is mealworms and sunflower seeds.

 

[RoyalChick]

Alas, I don't think any servants will take the job. We want to get paid AT LEAST in peanuts. All they are offering is mealworms and sunflower seeds.

Oh no - they have a lot to offer - daily eggs, unlimited manure for the garden, daily entertainment. Sounds like a good job to me! I best up my game. Heading out there to prove myself to the Princesses - I definitely don't want to risk losing my job!

 

[BY Bob]

I have the same problem. (Why do they prefer our favorite chairs?)View attachment 2854209

I wish I knew.

 

[BY Bob]

But I would trade my soul just to have torrential rain here at the moment!

That would certainly clear the air and dampen the fires.

 

[featherhead007]

That would certainly clear the air and dampen the fires.

And help me breathe easier (so people would stop accusing me of having Covid)

 

[ChicoryBlue]

For my four it was Hazel pecking away and dominating everyone else except Peanut. Peanut gets along with everybody and nobody harasses her. That makes Peanut top hen and Hazel her lieutenant/enforcer.

Several times I've seen Peanut, while foraging, give Hazel a light peck when she's persistently too close and in her face. Hazel turns away and immediately goes after whoever is closest with a fierce peck. They're just minding their own business but here she comes. She'll walk several steps over just to do it. Once when they were foraging more closely I saw Peanut peck Hazel, Hazel peck Butters, and Butters peck Popcorn. Chicken dominoes, aka the pecking order. Fascinating.

 

[featherhead007]

Several times I've seen Peanut, while foraging, give Hazel a light peck when she's persistently too close and in her face. Hazel turns away and immediately goes after whoever is closest with a fierce peck. They're just minding their own business but here she comes. She'll walk several steps over just to do it. Once when they were foraging more closely I saw Peanut peck Hazel, Hazel peck Butters, and Butters peck Popcorn. Chicken dominoes, aka the pecking order. Fascinating.

I despise the pecking order situation with my chooks! I have to be there, to be sure that everyone gets their fair share of treats.