Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ribh]

Back with BY Bob before Bedtime

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I have video I will post later.

They are very cute!

 

[Shadrach]

Back with BY Bob before Bedtime

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I have video I will post later.

I think they may just like you Bob.

 

[BY Bob]

Getting used to being out of the run.
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23 chickens roost in this coop. I gave it the first proper clean out it's had for some time judging by the state it was in. It took 2 hours. It needs doing again and some repairs to the floor and new roost bars. About half the hens use what passes as a roost bar atm. I didn't take any pictures of before and after because even after it's still pretty disgusting.View attachment 2858796
There are now seven of the Ex Batts that have accepted me as a good thing and follow be about as I weed. Today I saw three of them fly after a fashion. They all looked a bit shocked that they left the ground.
This one gets on my leg if I sit on the ground.
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It is always wonderful to hear of Ex battery hens that are discovering what it means to be a real chicken. The idea of flight surprising them when it is one of the first things a mum teaches a chick. I'm glad they are getting the chance to be chickens.

 

[RoyalChick]

My friend and I worked so hard almost broke ourselves getting these pine logs.

You can still use the ash for them to bathe in. Just don't think of it like bedding. I am going to give mine some ash in one of their bathing spots.

 

[BY Bob]

These cage farmers sicken me beyond belief.
The farmer who sold these birds used too just give them up too slaughter from the cage but thankfully these incredible people intervened and managed too talk him into letting them be rescued, almost a million of these beauties have been saved.

My little chicks have gone from being terrified and pecking too following me, even mugging me for their food they are becoming so confident.

They jump up at the plate and snatch before I can even put their plate down.
Their fear has already completely gone.

Agatha even settles at my feet while I'm sat on my chair. If these babies only live a few months, it warms my heart they have had some life. They are into everything bless their hearts.

My favourite picture is Agatha looking out of the coop door realising she can now venture outside, a little nervous but ready too discover
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It is a wonderful thing you are doing.

 

[RoyalChick]

Back with BY Bob before Bedtime

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I have video I will post later.

I clicked but I could equally have gone with
They really are hilarious looking in a totally adorable way. Their chest feathers are coming in really pretty and Sylvie's lopsided top-knot is very appealing!

 

[micstrachan]

Actually, Michelle, would you please put together a celebration of Ruby one day? Not now, only when you have an hour to reflect on her photos and stories. I would love to read it.

Yes, I will at some point. Thanks, MJ.

 

[BY Bob]

Nope, it's exactly as it looks. The small coop at the back was originally I believe meant as a broody coop/nest box. Now two or three hens sleep there if it gets to stressful in the main coop. The rooster and three hens sleep on a roost bar that you can't quite see that runs accross the closest corner of the coop run you can see in the picture.

That is pretty crowded. I assume you are planning more living space.

 

[BY Bob]

Ugh these little critters are just a constant source of worry! I worry because Diana lays eggs almost every day (thank goodness she took a couple of days off).
Now I am worried because the Roadrunners are not laying eggs at all. And Minnie is sort of 'off'.
She didn't join in the fun from the bag of leaves but went to bed early instead. And when everyone came up and bothered her she just went and roosted on her own on another roost.
She did do that once before and then I was worried because it was very cold. It is chilly now but not dangerously cold so I am more worried it is a sign of something wrong. She looked fine on a cursory inspection while she was on the roost but if she isn't her usual perky self in the morning I will do a more thorough inspection and spend more time observing her.
It seems like it is always something!

I will say this as definitively as I can.

I expect that Minnie is about to start her molt.

That is what Hattie does. It worries me every year but it is just the onset of her molt.

 

[RoyalChick]

I will say this as definitively as I can.

I expect that Minnie is about to start her molt.

That is what Hattie does. It worries me every year but it is just the onset of her molt.

I hope you are right.
Maggie is in full on molt - her neck has lots of pin feathers but she is losing her chest and back feathers and looks a real mess. But apart from a notable interest in foraging for different things, she is her normal self.
I will have time tomorrow to spend with them - and am hoping to do some tinkering in the Chicken Palace so I will get to watch them closely.