Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

I don't have a traditional "roost" bar, I have the Omlet system, a Cube MK2, so it's a square platform with roost bars built-in, see if I can find a product picture...
View attachment 2958072
But yes, like @micstrachan (?) does with her towels, if I had a single roost bar, I would lay it lengthwise on the roost, and cover it with a towel, and wrap it around with light bungee cords.

Yep, I do that. Just ran them through the laundry on Sunday!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I think if everybody were feathered out they would be fine in the coop with nothing. It's a small coop, properly ventilated (I haven't done the math) and they were good last winter with nothing. But I first used the heating pad when I put them out as pullets in the Fall at 6 weeks and the weather was pretty chilly. It was US$19.99 then, now it's $32? Yikes. At that time I wrapped it with Press 'N Seal, it was easy to clean poop off, and they didn't have the ninja claws and strength like now. It survived well. I took it away at about 10 weeks. I since have used it for yogurt-making.

Sunbeam King-Size Moist/Dry Heating Pad with UltraHeat Technology and 3 Heat Settings (732-500)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/seort/22063035

Peanut started a hard molt in December and got pretty naked. She still can't fluff much. This time I put a small garbage bag over it and then an old T-shirt, both put on like pillowcases. I tuck the T-shirt sleeves under. When they scratch it - Peanut was doing that yesterday - the cover slides around some, but I'm thinking / hoping underneath is not getting wrecked (I'm doing roost bar work and will check it out and take pictures when I replace the T-shirt today).

Before. Note my clients in the background

After

 

[RoyalChick]

The Ever Mercurial Sydney

Apparently today the nest box will work for her egg. Go figure. Maybe it is warmer far from the door.

Hold on. Sydney is laying? I thought everyone was on a break.

 

[Ribh]

I honestly don't think those breed descriptions are reliable.

You know, I've thought about this ~ because this is Shad's thinking too~ but I can't agree. Campines are certainly loud & flighty & some other rather unsavoury things & from what I've read so are Fayoumis. The thing is these are breeds that haven't been fiddled with much. They're not popular breeds exactly because they aren't cuddly sorts of chickens, not super layers, not easily confined yadda, yadda but the popular breeds have really been experimented with & who knows what's got mixed in with them. Again, a real beef with those of us who have followed Shad's journey for a while. I've noticed my bantams are more likely to agree with breed characteristics but they haven't been bred for eggs. They've been bred for looks & people friendliness & mostly they are that way. So I think you have to take that into account.

 

[MaryJanet]

You know, I've thought about this ~ because this is Shad's thinking too~ but I can't agree. Campines are certainly loud & flighty & some other rather unsavoury things & from what I've read so are Fayoumis. The thing is these are breeds that haven't been fiddled with much. They're not popular breeds exactly because they aren't cuddly sorts of chickens, not super layers, not easily confined yadda, yadda but the popular breeds have really been experimented with & who knows what's got mixed in with them. Again, a real beef with those of us who have followed Shad's journey for a while. I've noticed my bantams are more likely to agree with breed characteristics but they haven't been bred for eggs. They've been bred for looks & people friendliness & mostly they are that way. So I think you have to take that into account.

Yeh, I wasn't being at all discerning. I think you're right. Some breed descriptions will be more reliable than others.

 

[Ribh]

Yeh, I wasn't being at all discerning. I think you're right. Some breed descriptions will be more reliable than others.

The other thing I meant to say, because Shad said it to me when my Campines went broody on me, is that given the right conditions & environment any breed will go broody & in a way it's a compliment to your keeping arrangements.

 

[BY Bob]

I honestly don't think those breed descriptions are reliable.

They are generalities.

Polish also don't go broody.

Leghorns are flighty and scared of humans.

Wyandottes are supposed to bear confinement well. Sansa did not.

Each chicken is an individual just as humans are.

Except for this one thing regarding Wyandottes. They are all mean. Just ask Phyllis and Sydney.

 

[BY Bob]

Hold on. Sydney is laying? I thought everyone was on a break.

Do you read this thread?

Just kidding.

Sydney has been laying since just after the new year started.

I did post on it including videos, right everyone? I'm not nuts am I? I could have sick brain.

 

[Ribh]

They are generalities.

Polish also don't go broody.

Leghorns are flighty and scared of humans.
View attachment 2958494

Wyandottes are supposed to bear confinement well. Sansa did not.

Each chicken is an individual just as humans are.

Except for this one thing regarding Wyandottes. They are all mean. Just ask Phyllis and Sydney.

View attachment 2958495

My Wyandottes aren't mean. That would be the Vorwerks.

 

[BY Bob]

My Wyandottes aren't mean. That would be the Vorwerks.
View attachment 2958501​

They are frizzles. No one would take them seriously if they tried to be mean.

Just saying.