Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

I know she's been finicky about foods, but would some peanut butter rolled in seeds help get calories into her? Of course the other girls will want some too...

If she's eating any kind of seeds, those suet cakes are filled with seeds and can be hung so she has to work for them. Maybe you can find/make a mealworm/nut cake for extra protein for her.

This made me think that I do something like this in the winter for song birds (and, yes, my flock too, for a treat!) Take large pine cones (or use something similar), smear peanut butter on them, then roll in a mix of seeds (?& mealworms?), and put a string on them for hanging. These, too, won't last all week, but if you put up 3, so each gets a chance at some, it would give good protein and carb balance. You could also wrap some in wax paper and freeze and have your caretaker hang another set mid-week. It would be good calorie source for Minni, plus a bit of a boredom buster with limited free-run time.

 

[RoyalChick]

If she's eating any kind of seeds, those suet cakes are filled with seeds and can be hung so she has to work for them. Maybe you can find/make a mealworm/nut cake for extra protein for her.

Hang several cabbages or a pumpkin. As she's eating lots of roots, maybe hang a bundle of beets with the leaves or carrots or potatoes or other root veggies. Possible hang all over their run so they don't have access 24-7 (unless the coop is staying open to the run in which case, go hog wild). If there something hanging from the roof/the roosts every 5 feet or so, they can't eat every crumb in just a couple of days.

Excellent! I am on it.
Thank you.

 

[RoyalChick]

This made me think that I do something like this in the winter for song birds (and, yes, my flock too, for a treat!) Take large pine cones (or use something similar), smear peanut butter on them, then roll in a mix of seeds (?& mealworms?), and put a string on them for hanging. These, too, won't last all week, but if you put up 3, so each gets a chance at some, it would give good protein and carb balance. You could also wrap some in wax paper and freeze and have your caretaker hang another set mid-week. It would be good calorie source for Minni, plus a bit of a boredom buster with limited free-run time.

Another brilliant one. I have a busy rest of day ahead of me!

 

[RoyalChick]

Wow. Never seen that before. A Blue Jay just landed in the chicken yard and Maggie evicted it in no uncertain terms!

 

[LozzyR]

If we all refuse to purchase/rescue any birds from there and state why: like cutting off "your" (whatever clerk/manager speaking with) arm, word can spread. Wonder if the ASPCA would do anything?we can also put a negative review of the hatchery on here. Probably can't on the hatchery website as we're not customers. Asking questions before purchase on every bird we're looking at will raise more thought than just making statements.

If the ASPCA is like the RSPCA here, they probably couldn’t care less.

 

[drumstick diva]

I could sure use Maggie. I have Blue Jays hogging my bird feeder - I wish she could chase mine away.

BTW I'm very low tech, my feeder is a tall plastic cup with handle and I just tie it to a tree branch and fill with Black Oil sunflower seeds. It was meant expressly for the beautiful Cardinals out here. Oh well they still get to pick up the spilled seeds than land on the ground.

 

[Lady Red]

I would do it anyway, or even hang 2 of them........

All this cabbage talk made me plan out making kimchi this week (for us humans).

@RoyalChick there has been lots of great ideas! Will be interested to learn what worked upon your return. Safe travels!

 

[Lady Red]

Just got in from a cuddle fest in Pecking Garden. sat on the bench, Whip hopped up on my lap and snoozed. Naenae snuggled under my arm and napped. Piscia sat for a little bit under my other arm, but needed to escape for fear that I ruffled her feathers the wrong way. Allele took her place for a few minutes then decided to peck at my jeans dangerously close to Whip's feet, so I encouraged her to go play instead. Dr. Tacky wanted to join but on the back of the bench and then was making like she wanted to "preen" my face, which I'm not a fan of, so I excused myself.

All in all, it was very sweet with all the trust they show me.

And no, no pics...too busy petting them

 

[Scrambles83]

Just got in from a cuddle fest in Pecking Garden. sat on the bench, Whip hopped up on my lap and snoozed. Naenae snuggled under my arm and napped. Piscia sat for a little bit under my other arm, but needed to escape for fear that I ruffled her feathers the wrong way. Allele took her place for a few minutes then decided to peck at my jeans dangerously close to Whip's feet, so I encouraged her to go play instead. Dr. Tacky wanted to join but on the back of the bench and then was making like she wanted to "preen" my face, which I'm not a fan of, so I excused myself.

All in all, it was very sweet with all the trust they show me.

And no, no pics...too busy petting them

Sounds delightful

 

[RoyalChick]

I could sure use Maggie. I have Blue Jays hogging my bird feeder - I wish she could chase mine away.

BTW I'm very low tech, my feeder is a tall plastic cup with handle and I just tie it to a tree branch and fill with Black Oil sunflower seeds. It was meant expressly for the beautiful Cardinals out here. Oh well they still get to pick up the spilled seeds than land on the ground.

I will ask Maggie is she is willing to be gainfully employed. I suspect she will explain to me in loud BOKs that I am out of my mind and she is very happy being a lady of leisure, and that she only chases the Blue Jays because she can't abide their table manners!