Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[micstrachan]

That was my fear. We do have them here and I think that is what killed Maleficent. Hence my post asking for help.

Sorry, Bob. I think I remember you thought a weasel got Mal. At least you’ve got the complex locked up like a fortress.

 

[RoyalChick]

This second photo looks like a Norman Rockwell picture! Lovely

@rural mouse it is a gorgeous picture.

 

[rural mouse]

Monday mugs (this week's focus likely to be the Three Squawkers)

Nested Nellie (after the egg ), finally quiet now that she could lay in the box she wanted, which wasnt occupied to begin with.

Cheetah with the LOUD response....after poking his head inside, he wisely stepped back out, but kept the echo going

Splash, the babysitter, nest evictor, and PITA (considering changing her name to Pita): has to put an egg in a nest with an egg in it, no one can be in the nest above either. May have to get fake eggs for all the nests just to foil her.

If eggs hatch, how is she going to deal with live baby in the nest or will Jess fight back and stay put? Stay tuned for more DAYZ OF OUR EGGZ!

 

[BY Bob]

Just be careful, very careful… and check everything is locked up to rodent proof… make
Sure it will keep out el Rat and family, and the murderous little Monsters shouldn’t be able to get in.

Thanks Kris. I've done all that I can to secure them from weasels since I lost Mal. I need to decide if I'm going to deploy the trap again after seeing the footprints. I never caught anything last time.

 

[BY Bob]

Look at that little tongue sticking out!

Yup. Super cute.

 

[BY Bob]

Monday mugs (this week's focus likely to be the Three Squawkers)View attachment 2993527
Nested Nellie (after the egg ), finally quiet now that she could lay in the box she wanted, which wasnt occupied to begin with.

View attachment 2993530Cheetah with the LOUD response....after poking his head inside, he wisely stepped back out, but kept the echo going

View attachment 2993528
Splash, the babysitter, nest evictor, and PITA (considering changing her name to Pita): has to put an egg in a nest with an egg in it, no one can be in the nest above either. May have to get fake eggs for all the nests just to foil her.

If eggs hatch, how is she going to deal with live baby in the nest or will Jess fight back and stay put? Stay tuned for more DAYZ OF OUR EGGZ!

Pita is a pretty hen and she seems to know how to pose. Not all hens will pose for you.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

They are decent protectors...generally will scare off/beat off a hawk if it attacks the hens, and will keep smaller things like foxes and raccoons away. Won't with wolves/coyotes/dogs (in general), and probably not against an ambush by a bobcat. And, have no idea about their effectiveness against killing machines like weasel family such as fisher cats - since they are so fierce, doubt it . [but, raccoons & fisher cats/weasles tend to be night or late dusk/ early dawn, so shouldn't be such an issue) Supposedly one is best, when raised with chickens, as it bonds with them and actively will protect them.

In my case, they would definitely help with my most problem day-time hunters/predators....but hubby has said 'absolutely not' - he is afraid of them

I'm hoping to dig a pond this summer and create a large 'ducks only' area...if I get it done....I thinks geese are in the future. If I get goslings, I'll make sure to have him handle them when they arrive. I'm thinking heritage pilgrim....but there area couple other breeds of interest, too. (Selecting only 1 breed is sooooo hard, though )

This is a little info (very basic) about geese as guardians:
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/raise-a-goose-to-guard-your-flock/

Tax:
View attachment 2993212View attachment 2993213

If you get geese please keep us updated. In a way I wouldn't mind having a goose, but it is not possible right now. Before I had my daughter my sister got 4 baby ducks and we kept them for about a year. The mess they made was terrible even though they were lovely pets. My uncle had a pond and we decided they would be happier there so we gave them to him, he still has some of their grandchildren on at his pond. I cannot even imagine the mess with a larger goose. Plus Rosie is terrified of them, when she was 2 I had her at the lake and she was feeding bread to the geese and ducks, 1 bit her finger instead of the bread. Her fear of them was made worse when 2 years ago she was riding Russ down at the bottom and we did not know a pair were nesting near the creek. She was chased back up to the barn by a very angry goose. That was one time I should have had my camera with me. She had Russ at a full gallop with a Canadian Goose flying behind them and she was screaming at the top of her lungs. I should not have laughed, but I could not help myself that day.

 

[Marie2020]

Happy Valentine's everyone

Monday pictures of the girls

 

[Marie2020]

I really miss Beetov-Hen tonight! I have so many pictures, mostly of her!

 

[Marie2020]

No time since this morning.

My everything provider has disconnected my call 4 times and no stop attempting to call them for 3 hours solid. I so wish I could find a functioning company