Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

If she tells you what they are, I would love to know. I would love something 4-6 ft. tall and about 4' wide (ideally!) A bit wider is okay. Taller is fine, but it means I probably woulddn't be able to put a shade-cloth over the top in warmer season if toomuch taller (use shade cloth both for 'shade', but also to keep hawks out of extended run in the 'warmer'7 ish. mos. of the year. (i.e. now snow part of the year)

When I extend my 'safe run', I will be replacing the current chain-link fence (5' tall) with 8' fencing. With teh compost pile and grapevines INSIDE the run, it will allow me to string electric fencing around the run- 1 strand a couple inches off the ground and 1 strand at the top. I plan on putting chicken wire mesh on the pergola. All of this will mean (with the current pines) nearly all of the 'extended run' will have some sort of 'upper structure'. I realize it won't be 100% hawk-proof, but about 80% will, and all of it will greatly reduce a hawk's ability to see the chickens, and therefore prevent an attack.

I've attached a rough sketch of current + intended run. I have not put in placement of my multiple coops, but the 'secure run' has solid wood & metal roof presently on 10' of the 18' depth, and will have solid roof (hopefully!) with corrugated smokey plastic roofing by next winter. (it filters out some of UV, decreasing temps, but still letting light through. Is/will be, high enough to allow full winter sun in) The entire run to the left of secure run is covered by canopy of the two pines except for bottom left corner...which has a dog pen (with coop in it), including top (6'X12'), so is protected from arial predators. The entire run length along side the secure run has sun shade tarps the length of it starting in April - usually late October. Will still be able to do this with extending the run by 6" by rotating the shade cloths the long way top to bottom on pic instead of side-side (just would need 1 additional shade cloth...no problem!)View attachment 3031228

I'll definitely post here what she says! I like the how big your area is and the extension sounds good. Grapes can be finicky but give it a shot!

I know you're aware of the threat - once a hawk sees chickens they know they are there. They will hang out and study the layout. So I'm afraid that the tall pines might work the other 'way round too, for certain species of hawks - might be how they hide themselves from the chickens before attacking.

 

[bgmathteach]

It's not like I caused this to happen!

Actually, @BY Bob in a way, you did....but that is a good thing!

You caused it because:
You are welcoming
You are empathetic
You are courteous
You expect others to be courteous
You encourage all to be engaged & share

Hence, your very wordy, talkative, positive group that most want to be a part of!!




So, it's ALL your 'fault'

 

[Ponypoor]

@Ponypoor.
After reading this article, it looks like I made a wrong discussion. I didn't know that these weeds contained sugar.

I'll be sharing this article with friends that have pony's and horses
Thanks @bgmathteach

Yes I didn't know weeds contained sugars too! And I have read hundreds of articles, trying to get a handle on Lulu's founder and prevent it....

Awesome article.

 

[BY Bob]

The Brahma now have names. In order of darkest to lightest: Belladonna, Asphodel, and Primula. (Upper left, directly below, and far left against the feed tray)
View attachment 3030884

Names for the Sussex and little man still under discussion. (Right side)

Those are very cool names!

 

[BY Bob]

I know it isn’t Friday but I had to share because I think Maggie’s color is very pretty in the sun.
Unfortunately the temperatures are heading down below freezing again and no more sun for a few days.
It was nice while it lasted!

View attachment 3031030

Such a gorgeous coloring. Truly beautiful.

 

[Ponypoor]

That my friend is a very, very good question!

I have such a mouse rat problem in my barn.... But I put out Ratak yesterday and have high hopes to be rid of the beasties by next week.

Got the poison locked in my office/feedroom so chickies can't get at it. Also in the loft.... Where I saw a rat last weekend when I was throwing down hay. Nasty critters.

 

[BY Bob]

Ok Pony Sunday photos
I was busy earlier, making bread, mucking stalls, and filling in ruts in the turf...

Truly snacking on pine trees, gives her that Pine Sol clean breath haha bad Truly!
View attachment 3031096

Lulu seriously chowing down on whatever she can find in the slushy snow and dead grass:
View attachment 3031097

Sally just being Sally....
View attachment 3031098

And Reenie - had a hard time getting her to just stand still to get a photo!
View attachment 3031099

And those dreaded ruts that I am trying to stomp down, and fill in...
View attachment 3031100

Love the ponies!

 

[BY Bob]

View attachment 3031184

Hola Chaco.

 

[Ponypoor]

Way Behind

I am officially 24 pages behind on my own thread. Please bear with me everyone as I endeavor to catch back up.

Oh never admit that

I am always behind, now I start at the end and work my way backwards, and hope I don't miss a msg from anyone (sorry people if I haven't answered you back ).

If I happen upon a msg to me I answer, when I see something awesome (which is almost everything), I back track (like I did with this msg!) and see whats up

 

[ChicoryBlue]

With a many cats as you have how can you ever have a mouse problem in the house?????

I bet they were eating @RoyalChick 's cat food! We found that was the case here, then found how they were getting in....now we hear them working on an alternate route around the old hole (stuffed with steel wool and blocked off on the house side by wood). But we are wiser and on to them