Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

Does anyone’s chooks get particularly vocal when it’s really windy? Mine seem to, although it’s anecdotal.

I haven't noticed that they're more vocal. They're pretty vocal all the time, always softly talking to eachother. They do get more edgy, more on alert, readier than ever to run, and they stay closer to the bolt holes to their runs when out. They hear a big windy breeze coming before I do, stop what they're doing make for safety.

I think they can't hear the usual warning cues from the variety of forest & old orchard birds and animals, which at least here is the early warning system for anything untoward. A couple of days ago I heard one of the signals, it made the Buckeyes stop, freeze for a millisecond and quickly get back to the closest run. It was a single, lone, very high and very soft whistle, lasted about one and a half seconds, and they had started to move before it was over. I don't know what bird made it. Sounded a bit like a chickadee's voice. A chipmunk had been barking which they didn't change behaviour for, but this thin little whistle in there did it.

 

[featherhead007]

Beethov-Hen is asking “why haven’t you left to town yet, I want my meally worms?”!
I told her “don’t get your feathers in a bunch, I’m going soon”!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Hugs CB, you’ve got a lot on.

Thanks, Lozzy!

 

[BY Bob]

I don't know why everyone is laughing - I really didn't look it up.
I think it must have been something I read years ago and it hung around in the dusty corners of my brain. I wish I could recall things like where I put the car keys as easily!

I believe that you did not look it up. Really I do.

 

[RoyalChick]

I haven't noticed that they're more vocal. They're pretty vocal all the time, always softly talking to eachother. They do get more edgy, more on alert, readier than ever to run, and they stay closer to the bolt holes to their runs when out. They hear a big windy breeze coming before I do, stop what they're doing make for safety.

I think they can't hear the usual warning cues from the variety of forest & old orchard birds and animals, which at least here is the early warning system for anything untoward. A couple of days ago I heard one of the signals, it made the Buckeyes stop, freeze for a millisecond and quickly get back to the closest run. It was a single, lone, very high and very soft whistle, lasted about one and a half seconds, and they had started to move before it was over. I don't know what bird made it. Sounded a bit like a chickadee's voice. A chipmunk had been barking which they didn't change behaviour for, but this thin little whistle in there did it.

Yes, mine definitely respond to wildlife calls. The crows are back so everyone is more relaxed because they see off the hawks.

 

[RoyalChick]

No they DID NOT! I fried up some chopped hotdogs and canned corn for them this morning (I like it like that)

Mine got some dry cat food because the beef liver is not yet cooked.
Dotty overcame her dislike of me to eat some from my hand. For a while my heart melted. Then she decided eating from my hand wasn't as good as actually eating my hand. OUCH! Nobody else does that. Nobody.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I must admit, I found the moulting hens lack of feed interest very worrying. Somehow they work their way through it. Pleased to read Hazel is getting back to normal even if it's a bit slow. I think Fudge took a couple of weeks to get back to eating commercial feed and sticking with her tribe.

Yes I am pleased too, she is hanging with the tribe now but not eating feed yet, but today she did eat a few yogurt mash balls, which is stunning news, and there's been no more trembling with eyes closing and head nodding, so I am confident she is on the back end of this molt. I am concerned to see whether the watery poops continue.

 

[BY Bob]

Porch Pullets

Despite having access to the big run, the Phyllistines have chosen to not go further than the porch today.

 

[BY Bob]

I haven't noticed that they're more vocal. They're pretty vocal all the time, always softly talking to eachother. They do get more edgy, more on alert, readier than ever to run, and they stay closer to the bolt holes to their runs when out. They hear a big windy breeze coming before I do, stop what they're doing make for safety.

I think they can't hear the usual warning cues from the variety of forest & old orchard birds and animals, which at least here is the early warning system for anything untoward. A couple of days ago I heard one of the signals, it made the Buckeyes stop, freeze for a millisecond and quickly get back to the closest run. It was a single, lone, very high and very soft whistle, lasted about one and a half seconds, and they had started to move before it was over. I don't know what bird made it. Sounded a bit like a chickadee's voice. A chipmunk had been barking which they didn't change behaviour for, but this thin little whistle in there did it.

That is very interesting. Mine react to the song birds as well. I never thought about losing that warning system due to the wind.

 

[BY Bob]

Mine got some dry cat food because the beef liver is not yet cooked.
Dotty overcame her dislike of me to eat some from my hand. For a while my heart melted. Then she decided eating from my hand wasn't as good as actually eating my hand. OUCH! Nobody else does that. Nobody.

Biting the hand that feeds you. Oh Dotty.