Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

Molting is so hard on them. I really respect hens like Sydney that just soldier on through it like it is no big deal.

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There’s no reason to get all puffy about it!

 

[fuentemoon]

Our weather has been amazingly warm and of course dry. It was over 80 this weekend, but it is all about to change. It was starting to feel like it would be summer forever. Saturday it is supposed to be raining with a high of 56. We desperately need the rain to help with the fires.

Heres to a sunny October

 

[BY Bob]

My grandpa has recently taken in a stray pup. When he was up yesterday he mentioned he and his wife had attempted to make her a insulated dog box with 2 totes and she hated it. Told me he was going to have to throw them away because they had cut out a hole in the totes. No, no, no, bring them to me. How could he toss these, they are perfect houses for my broody mommas.
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Raven and her chicks are already snuggled in their house. I already had a old orange one I had done a similar opening too that Bunny and babies are using. This last one tomorrow i will find a spot and it will be home to Blueberry and her chicks.

Very clever!

 

[BY Bob]

Chickens can lead you down a dangerous path. As I was out there smiling smugly to myself watching Raven and her chicks settle into their new box it dawned on me. Technically the 2 totes are garbage, most would throw them away and here I was saving and using them. Good lord I could turn into my grandma with her hoarding tendencies if it involves chickens.

I have all kinds of junk I have saved for coop enhancement. It does cause hoarding and Mrs BY Bob has pointed it out more than once.

 

[Marie2020]

Okay, @BY Bob , you asked for it...it will be a long post:

How I make a cardboard sleeve for my heated bricks:

Items required: Duct tape, scissors, brick, & corrugated cardboard box
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Remove packing tape & open box up:
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I like to use the small 'flap' of cardboard that held the box together as my overlap (seen above on the far left)

Lay brick against that crease, then 'roll/flip' brick to determine where to cut the cardboard. Note: make it just a hair bigger, so it isn't too tight.
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Notice above I scored the box where I need to cut (both for reference and makes cutting easier) You could also use a sharpie to draw the 'cut' line.


Now I determine the length needed, and cut the flap that I will fold in to close the sleeve when completed:View attachment 3292960
Hard to tell in the pic above, but I folded it over...note I'm using a natural crease for ease.

Next I trim the ends of the flap so it will slide into the box when the brick is inserted:View attachment 3292961View attachment 3292962

Next, trim at the bottom end so there is enough of a flap to tape up/seal/cover the bottom end of the brick: Here I scored again where I needed to cut. Notice the longer peice at the back - that will be the flap that covers the bottom of the brick.View attachment 3292994

Now that it is cut to size, fold around brick. (Again, be sure it isn't tight, or brick won't slide in/out easily)
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now that it is in place, tape up the long side:View attachment 3292995

Then tape up bottom flap:View attachment 3292997View attachment 3292998

Now fold and tuck top flap closed:View attachment 3292999

'Box' closed:
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Leave it like this once hot brick is inserted.


Then, later when brick has cooled, just open and remove brick for reheating:View attachment 3293001

The cardboard helps the brick release heat slowly, as it is a decent insulator. It also keeps the chickens from burning their feet if they step on it. Plus, protects the brick from the inevitable poop....so it can be reheated without having to wash it each time.

Excellent

Hope this is clearer than mud.

It would be clearer than mud to anyone but me. What is this brick made of? Is it just a fire brick?
I bought an old foot warmer bottle that wasn't cheap and it was cold within two hours.

 

[BY Bob]

And then he jumped in the pool and swam under the cover… really, there was nothing I could do, it all happened so fast.

Exactly!

 

[BY Bob]

It's time for a flock update! The Rhode Island Red you see is my old hen Hailey, and the other White leghorn is.... @BY Bob This is for you! Daisy! She's only about 6 or 7 months old, that comb is so large! My other leghorns are to ( chicken) to go near my phone. Daisy is so calm and does not mind posing for her photo.

Be still my heart. So gorgeous

Of course Daisy is friendly.

 

[BY Bob]

Ok no worms here so I wont deworm them.

Sound decision.

You should however source a dewormer and have it on hand for when you need it.

 

[BY Bob]

I hope your conference is productive - have a splendid day

Thank you. That is very nice to say.

 

[BY Bob]

2-4-Tuesday! Cia and Misty. Still need to name the other 3.

Misty is the light colored one and Cia is the darker one.
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Adorable.