Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[GregnLety]

Some fluffy butts. Our dominant rooster Red and his gals. We have 2 other flocks and will be separating the silkies into their own flock. Hence the need for another coop.

 

[Marie2020]

This one comes with windows, and looks like multi levels already started. I could see expanding those levels later

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Handy-H...pinstock-_-100350323-_-202205311-_-N&#overlay

Access denied this end

 

[featherhead007]

 

[rural mouse]

Access denied this end

Home depot was wanting location. Dunno if it's in the UK.

 

[featherhead007]

 

[MaryJanet]

I know. Very pricy, which is why I am hesitant. I think a nice wood shed could work, but we’d have to install windows and ventilation. Hubby is a contractor and has the skill to build something beautiful. But he doesn’t want to and something quick, as long as it’s big enough and nice enough, would alleviate some moving stress.

Will they need a protected run?

This one is Australian but there must be something like it on the market in the US.

 

[MaryJanet]

Do you think it’s big enough for ten chickens? They currently live in a coop that is 5x5 on one level, 3x5 on the second level, and the 3x5 area under the second level is enclosed with hardware cloth and is really part of the coop, even though it’s outside. So even when they’re locked up, which is only for sleep, they have about 55 square feet. In this new set up, they’d have about 48 square feet, all on one level. It might be nice and cozy, though. As long as the ventilation is adequate, it might work.

I think it depends on how much fighting they do. If they don't fight at all in their current coop, then perhaps they can tolerate a downsize.

 

[MaryJanet]

It crossed our mind, but it’s massive and heavy. I don’t think it could be moved without disassembly and reassembly.

Would it cost less to pay someone to disassemble, relocate and reassemble your existing coop?

 

[MaryJanet]

I’m inclined to buy a shed instead. If DH put the windows in before assembly, thst might be easiest. But I’m sort of at his mercy, since I need his expertise to do most of the work.

If he doesn't want to do it, then pay someone else to.

 

[rural mouse]

More story time

Was on the deck watching flock interactions and lobbing snowballs at the doghouse every time Storm started in. (Decided to fence off the door for the time being: she's one unhappy bird at the moment, but stubborn, so may take a while). Back to the deck for more observations. Jessica got off the nest. I headed out to get an egg count. She was back inside the coop when I got inside.

The nest:

That's Splash.

Anyway, Jess had a drink, went outside, back inside, food, drink, up to perch...

Did some grooming, hopped back to nest boxes, talked to Splash, who talked back, back down, back outside...repeat several times. While she was out, Splash moved some eggs (saw 4 white, didn't see the brown: 1 white looks like Thing's, and if we ever get a cockerel with Thing's crest and Cheetah's coloring, the name MUST be Lion). It looked like Jess was checking on nest/sitter and getting told "all fine, enjoy your break."

Eventually Jess decided she was done. This is what happened

Eggs are under Splash, not Jess (who did some nest building). Not sure if Splash decided to add an egg and took the nest for that or just wasn't going to leave the nest while I was in the coop.

Battery for pics decided to desperately need charging (after waiting a bit), so leaving them to it.

I had been thinking the eggs would get too cold during breaks, delaying hatch, but if this technique works, viable chicks are a real possibility...and sooner than I had been thinking. Splash was in that box on the Wed I had been saying Jess wasn't broody. Splash hasn't had the turtle posture, but.....i may need to have food/water ready sooner than I thought.

Edit: wrote up and posted the above then went back out to add baby ramp/shelters to coop. Splash was outside and Jess back on the eggs. They REALLY do NOT want me to see how many eggs there are.