Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

The heated dog bowl I've been using is not hard to handle and has a 5-6 foot cord the end of which is up on a wire. I tip the bowl out into an old plastic deep tray, rub it around, rinse with the refilling bottle, and fill, then dump the tray outside the run. It works well for four chickens.
View attachment 3040722

Thanks so much for the idea. It's one of those things where I have spent so much on these other ones, I'm committed until they fail. I believe this will be the last time I use them this year so I will stop whining.

 

[BY Bob]

The heated base I put under the 5 gallon bucket with the nipples works well too and isn't that hard to set up. I suppose I could have hauled that out of storage. I need to look at how many days we are having this cold - maybe I just have to admit to myself that winter isn't over yet.

Just 2 more nights I believe.

 

[RoyalChick]

Thanks so much for the idea. It's one of those things where I have spent so much on these other ones, I'm committed until they fail. I believe this will be the last time I use them this year so I will stop whining.

Yes! I think I am in the same place.

 

[BY Bob]

I'll just say it - the guy is being a jerk. You hired these people and want to see them succeed. They signed on partly because of their experience with YOU. Of course this is upsetting! I'm mad just hearing about it.

In social encounters people use these tactics as ice breakers to cover their insecurity. One goes away with, "Yup, that guy's a jerk." But this is abusive in an employment situation. He is using his status as a superior to get over on others. This is not helpful to the company or the employees. Hopefully this is not the culture there? Are you the exception? The trainees may be now forewarned and should get out while they can, or hope to be in a different department. Maybe you have an employment handbook that covers this? Some guys never get over grammar school. You know the saying people get promoted to their level of incompetence? Proven here.

I think this is Hazel at two weeks, her wings were much less spotty and barred and she had a deep brown blush in her chick down. I almost named her Caramel, but her full name is actually Hazelnut.View attachment 3040742

As I said, I am making changes. This will not happen again to my people. I have spoken with all of them about it and I did not lose anyone over it so I have limited the damage. They do not report up through his portion of the organization and he and I are peers.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes! I think your DH is right. It is the swings that has made it hard.

Let's go with that.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes! I think I am in the same place.

They are very expensive!

 

[RoyalChick]

I love the name and I have to say I have NEVER heard of a lavender legbar. Do you have any pictures of an adult hen?

And I am not on the attack. Geeze.

Just teasing!
I think she may look something like this when she is grown, But they can be darker, and sometimes their chest becomes buff (think a washed-out version of Dotty's red chest).
They are not very common and they are variously called Opal Legbars, Isabel Legbars, or violet Legbars.
Not all Legbars are 'Crested Cream Legbars' like the Roadrunners (there are gold, cream and something else), so I think the color depends on which kind of Legbar has the lavendar gene. So the different names may be based on which underlying type of Legbar it is, but we have now gone way, way, past my understanding of the genetics.
I figure she might fit in with the Roadrunner gang, or with her brooder mates.
I assume she will be small and fast and wlll fly like the other Legbars

 

[RoyalChick]

They are very expensive!

Yes. My heated base for the bucket wasn't expensive at all and is the only thing that isn't a major pain. We will see how long it lasts, but it made it through the whole season which is better than one of the fancy waterers.

 

[featherhead007]

Yay, it’s raining, but the chickens are not happy. They stay in the coop until further notice.

 

[Ponypoor]

The ❤ is for Blanche. I'm ready for the cold to be done too, but there's something pretty about when it's snowing.....from inside next to a warm fire with a cup of cocoa or cider in hand...

Yep sure whatever u say

It's sunny here at work, but I checked my barn cams and it's a snowing like crazy.... Have half a mind to get mum to bring the horses in. But then she would need to corral chickens first.... They will survive I am sure.