Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

That is really some clever ways to help them in the winter.

I did not run electricity to the coop. I think now that was a mistake. I have an extension cord running from the pool pump. I am bumping up against its limitations right now but I will get through the winter ok.

That's what my niece does (with my borrowed cable haha).

Next year I am bringing her 7 hens to my place, some of hers have frost bite on their combs I noticed today...

 

[BY Bob]

You are made of sterner stuff than me. After one winter of lugging warm water out every few hours I realized I needed a heated waterer.
I built electric into the Chicken Palace because of wanting to be able to brood babies out in the coop. But turn out that heat for water is as important!
I am stressed about Dotty tonight.
My plan was to keep her out in the Chicken Palace with the oil-filled heater on and her roosted next to Minnie. This evening - right up to 10 minutes before sunset - she was just sitting on the ground not moving. She honestly looked unbelievably miserable like she didn't have the energy to even lift her head.
I imagined her just freezing on the spot. So I thought maybe I would put her in a nest box opposite Maggie (yes Maggie is back in a nest box but as it is so cold I am turning a blind eye) which would be close to the heater.
Then the more I watched her on camera the more convinced I became she was about to die so I decided to bring her in to the garage after all. I prepared her cozy cave (which needed some adjustment as I also had to fit the car in the garage) and went to get all geared up with boots and head lamp etc. only to find that she had got up and flown across the Palace to roost next to Minnie.
I wish she were the other side of Minnie as that is a bit closer to the heat, but it is what I had planned for so I have decided to leave her.
But I am stressed about it.
I can always check on the camera in the middle of the night and get up and bring her in.
Oh these ladies really do create worries!
I hope she is OK.

They sure do make it hard for us sometimes. I went through a situation with mine tonight too. I'll explain in a post later. Don't be too ashamed to get up and check on her. And don't be afraid to bring her inside if you are concerned at all. Better she is alive than anything else.

 

[Ponypoor]

Well it warmed up to -12C from this morning's -27C...

Should have plugged my truck in though, guess with me working from home and not driving it much, I should have plugged it in... I had to boost it then take it for a good run. Tonight Old Blue is plugged in

I also put the chickies to bed early so their Hen House would warm up for the night, if it's still chilly when I do night chores I might plug my cozy heater in for the night. I am happy if it stays around +2C in there esp for my silkies.

 

[Ponypoor]

That's what my niece does (with my borrowed cable haha).

Next year I am bringing her 7 hens to my place, some of hers have frost bite on their combs I noticed today...

I am trying to talk her into getting rid of the two ducks. They are messy and also very cold in this weather. I don't mind bringing her hens to my place for the winter but not the messy ducks!

 

[Ponypoor]

Truly has her headlights on haha, there are no lights on in the barn just the infrared light from the camera, but it looks so bright!

 

[LozzyR]

Same here, without Queenie four seemed one short for a long time. She had a wonderful fluffy butt, so here she is for Friday. Miss her so!
View attachment 2952820

Beautiful Queenie, she gave us all joy.

 

[BY Bob]

Tonight Phyllis! REALLY!!!

So tonight is going to be very cold. Not 5°F cold but 13°F cold with wind!

After what a set back bringing them in the garage the other night was, I had decided to try and get Betty and Phyllis through the night in the coop by repositioning the heater to be closer and point right at the roost and keep them warm. The Cluckle Hut is holding temperature very well and I think I can get them through the extreme cold this way.

So what happens tonight? Phyllis gets a bee in her bonnet.

They have been roosting together well enough the last few nights. Tonight Phyllis is so mean that Betty decides to spend the night on Maleficent's roost outside. Where she not survive the night.

Fortunately, as was observing. So I intervened. I hate doing that and almost never do but tonight I did. I removed Phyllis from the roost and we had a very serious discussion about being kind. She can be in charge. In fact she is in charge but now she needs to be reasonable. They need to live together. Hopefully she got the message.

She did for at least tonight. When I placed her on the roost she left Betty alone. Betty settled in right in front of the heater. I am very hopeful that it will keep the temp high enough but I will be monitoring through the night. I will bring her in if I see something I don't like. It is more important that she live than the integration not be set back..

Here they are roosted.

Meanwhile in the main coop, Lilly is Roosted by Hattie again. This pleases me greatly. I imagine they will be snuggled together by morning.

@Ribh @MaryJanet @Aussie-Chookmum @micstrachan @ChicoryBlue @LozzyR @Aussie-Chookmum

 

[BY Bob]

I am trying to talk her into getting rid of the two ducks. They are messy and also very cold in this weather. I don't mind bringing her hens to my place for the winter but not the messy ducks!

I agree. Ducks are very messy.

 

[BY Bob]

Same here, without Queenie four seemed one short for a long time. She had a wonderful fluffy butt, so here she is for Friday. Miss her so!
View attachment 2952820

She was such an amazing hen. You were blessed to have her and her to have you. We always wish we had more time with them no matter how long we do. Thanks for sharing this photo. It is great to see her again. I know how hard it is to pull these pictures up and share them.

 

[Ponypoor]

Tonight Phyllis! REALLY!!!

So tonight is going to be very cold. Not 5°F cold but 13°F cold with wind!

View attachment 2977202

After what a set back bringing them in the garage the other night was, I had decided to try and get Betty and Phyllis through the night in the coop by repositioning the heater to be closer and point right at the roost and keep them warm. The Cluckle Hut is holding temperature very well and I think I can get them through the extreme cold this way.

So what happens tonight? Phyllis gets a bee in her bonnet.

They have been roosting together well enough the last few nights. Tonight Phyllis is so mean that Betty decides to spend the night on Maleficent's roost outside. Where she not survive the night.

Fortunately, as was observing. So I intervened. I hate doing that and almost never do but tonight I did. I removed Phyllis from the roost and we had a very serious discussion about being kind. She can be in charge. In fact she is in charge but now she needs to be reasonable. They need to live together. Hopefully she got the message.

She did for at least tonight. When I placed her on the roost she left Betty alone. Betty settled in right in front of the heater. I am very hopeful that it will keep the temp high enough but I will be monitoring through the night. I will bring her in if I see something I don't like. It is more important that she live than the integration not be set back..

Here they are roosted.
View attachment 2977235

Meanwhile in the main coop, Lilly is Roosted by Hattie again. This pleases me greatly. I imagine they will be snuggled together by morning.

View attachment 2977236

@Ribh @MaryJanet @Aussie-Chookmum @micstrachan @ChicoryBlue @LozzyR @Aussie-Chookmum

Sure hope they get on ok, and you are correct, better they stay warm and healthy, they can work at integration in warmer weather if need be.

Aren't the cameras great?! Sure help keep an eye on things.