Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I have been discouraging the cockatoos because they are being destructive (as @Ribh predicted) and tearing fly screens and wood trim off the house.
When I went out to shoo them away I noticed that we had another visitor.

I didn't want to feed the cockies but I'd like to encourage the Rainbow Lorikeet (They don't eat houses do they Ribh?) So I held my hand up and..

He is much smaller than a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and will eat from my hand.

 

[MaryJanet]

Here's an FBF shot of Janet as she leaves the house

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

@RoyalChick , Alice is regrowing feathers on the back of her neck and on top of her head.
She is sporting a rather different look at the moment and you can actually see her eyes!

 

[MaryJanet]

I have been discouraging the cockatoos because they are being destructive (as @Ribh predicted) and tearing fly screens and wood trim off the house.
When I went out to shoo them away I noticed that we had another visitor.
View attachment 2990311

I didn't want to feed the cockies but I'd like to encourage the Rainbow Lorikeet (They don't eat houses do they Ribh?) So I held my hand up and..
View attachment 2990312

He is much smaller than a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and will eat from my hand.

Oh so lucky!!!

How wonderful.

 

[Kris5902]

Now I will have spider nightmares tonight.

OMGosh… did I just feel what I thought I felt? Carefully and quickly exit sleeping bag grabbing my glasses, then headlamp to find the lanterns… goats very confused as to why their human is so upset… this pic is post swat, and about when I decided that Arduinna was probably “ok” in the barn with just Jimmy, and that December Barn Camping wasn’t really for me. Granted, it was nice sleeping with Arduinna curled up next to me on the hay bale bed, and Jimmy on the other side, right against the bales on the floor of the barn. A little chilly being early December, but goats make good Bed warmers! This guest was not invited however…

 

[Ribh]

I have been discouraging the cockatoos because they are being destructive (as @Ribh predicted) and tearing fly screens and wood trim off the house.
When I went out to shoo them away I noticed that we had another visitor.
View attachment 2990311

I didn't want to feed the cockies but I'd like to encourage the Rainbow Lorikeet (They don't eat houses do they Ribh?) So I held my hand up and..
View attachment 2990312

He is much smaller than a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and will eat from my hand.

They are pretty but very noisy. But @ least they won't eat your house.

 

[GregnLety]

How'd you do it?

Our little dogs were the toughest because they're 3 uncut males so they're feisty but after a few stripes with a switch from our oak tree and they fell in line. The husky has taken the longest and she isn't allowed to free range with the chickens. We have a long rope that we tie her to around our big oak. We sit close when the chickens are free ranging. This has been a project going for several months. This weekend while monitoring Maya she passed a test as Cholo and his girls strolled within reach. We calmly told her no and after a few moments we praised her and gave her treats. Positive reinforcement mostly but a spanking once when she got ahold of our Silky rooster. I was right there so he only lost a few feathers. Maya is making good progress but we will continue her controlled exposure to our birds.

 

[Ponypoor]

Yesterday I took a little house building break, just did a little cleanup and prep for a big window and door day with help tomorow. I had my mom up and her attitude towards the space is much improved. I’m also at 90% precipitation exclusion, so horizontal house wrap is better than nothing for temporary roofing. I then took the goats for a good foraging walk as we are out of hay until I “borrow” some from the farm tonight… and Jimmy was absolutely gorging on cedar branches (it turns out the store that sells hay isn’t open on Mondays when DH did our supply run). I also attempted to climb a tree to get some rose hips for them, that didn’t work out well, but no serious injuries, and Arduinna took a shortcut home straight up the gully bank about 70 feet, dragging Jimmy and I along with her. I also did some trailer coop maintenance and hung out with the birds. It was a restful day.
View attachment 2989874View attachment 2989875View attachment 2989882
Last night and this morning were mostly email writing, and I unloaded a trailer of nasty lumber onto our burn pile… it’s going to be a fun one when next we light that! DH and I are breaking for lunch and then off to finish up the vertical housewrap and do a little more window/door prep for tomorrow’s big day.View attachment 2989881View attachment 2989877

Hanging out with our feathered/ fur babies is good for the soul! Glad you were able to spend some quality time!

 

[Ponypoor]

I have been discouraging the cockatoos because they are being destructive (as @Ribh predicted) and tearing fly screens and wood trim off the house.
When I went out to shoo them away I noticed that we had another visitor.
View attachment 2990311

I didn't want to feed the cockies but I'd like to encourage the Rainbow Lorikeet (They don't eat houses do they Ribh?) So I held my hand up and..
View attachment 2990312

He is much smaller than a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and will eat from my hand.

OMG that is just splendid!!!! How beautiful just amazing those colours

 

[GregnLety]

How did you break them? Do you trust them completely?

A few stripes from an oak switch stopped our smaller uncut males. Our older dogs didn't pay them no mind. Maya our Husky is still a work in progress. Slow integration with positive reinforcement. She is always on a rope when our chickens are free ranging. She allowed Cholo and his gals within reach Sunday and remained calm so we praised and gave her treats. She is less than 1 year of age so she is eager to please. She is making good progress.