Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

“I didn’t call him a racist, I said that I would like some raisins!, stupid humans” View attachment 3299837

Alex give her some raisins, silly human!

 

[Ponypoor]

I was out, but I have a large flock, kind of broken up into 3 groups, and I can't be everywhere at once.....they cover about 2 1/2 acres. The fox came at the back/side most group while I was locking up the front most group (the very littles) (They sort of form a triangle - the coops of the 3 groups.) The littles are in a mobile tractor & run in the front yard, the main group in the back/side yard (to the side of but behind the house), then this group in the way side yard...again, they cover anywhere between 2 & 3 acres when they are out. The Geese and their 4 duck mates are in a mobile tractor & run between the back/side yard main coop& run, and the Way side yard mobile coop that has kind of become a permanent one with a temporary become permanent attached run. Honestly, I hadn't planned on me being so weak in late August and getting 30 littles (I have 28 as 2 were doa)...I personally think the mobile tractor & run is getting a bit small for them at this point....so I feel like I should let them free range a bit. And the others are used to free ranging and get upset when I don't let them. I didn't let anyone out today, and they yelled at me whenever they saw me. I feel like such a bad chicken mommy right now.

I have another permanent coop in process, but it isn't done yet. It is 10X4, and will be a double decker, ducks & geese on the bottom & chickens up top. This will be enough room, I think, for everyone for the winter, since the boys of the 'littles' won't be kept, but they are still way too small to go to freezer camp yet. I had planned on my main run being expanded by now, but I physically can't attach the auger to the tractor by myself, and my husband's parents have had numerous health issues, so he has spent a lot of weekends down there...so...no drilled post holes, so no expanded run. And this coop was going to be built in part of the expanded run, that will have a roof over it so there will be a little more run space that I won't have to shovel in the winter....so I didn't start building this coop until recently when I just got so frustrated at no movement on the run. It will be a pain to later build the roofed part of the run over the coop but I am just at my witts end at the moment....but I also can't be upset with hubby, either, as we really do need to take care of his parents...but them being 3.5 hours away means there is no splitting time on weekends between them and us....he is usually gone the whole weekend lately.

Sorry, I didn't mean to dump all this on you guys. I almost deleted everything...but sometimes I just want to cry. Then I think of people like @RoyalChick and @ValerieJ and @Kris5902 and I feel selfish thinking/feeling this way.

Selfish, feeling sorry for myself tax:

Some of my 'littles' enjoying the sun:View attachment 3299745View attachment 3299747

Oh how tragic you were so close by, darn fox are so bold

While I wouldn’t want to hurt the one that killed my 2 (because I totally blame myself for that), I also don’t forgive it , don’t blame yourself - fox are very smart and Wiley.

You will get your runs done in time, just take one step at a time - and before you know it will be ready.

Meanwhile those little a aren’t so little! They grow so fast don’t they?

 

[Ponypoor]

That looks like a great start. However, if you have goshawks or coopers hawks in your area...I suspect they will need to be a LOT closer to completely keep them out. This might act as a deterrence for a bit, though, and might be enough to keep red tailed hawks out.

Ya I know, my hope is to get them through the next little bit, once the snow arrives they don’t go outside in the evil white stuff.

Seems snow is a monster to them!

My plan is to roof the run with some PVC panels and hopefully some wire mesh. But that costs big money so unless I get on a project soon it’s not happening.

 

[Ponypoor]

“I didn’t call him a racist, I said that I would like some raisins!, stupid humans” View attachment 3299837

Your a good girl sweetie

 

[knoturavggrl]

I was out, but I have a large flock, kind of broken up into 3 groups, and I can't be everywhere at once.....they cover about 2 1/2 acres. The fox came at the back/side most group while I was locking up the front most group (the very littles) (They sort of form a triangle - the coops of the 3 groups.) The littles are in a mobile tractor & run in the front yard, the main group in the back/side yard (to the side of but behind the house), then this group in the way side yard...again, they cover anywhere between 2 & 3 acres when they are out. The Geese and their 4 duck mates are in a mobile tractor & run between the back/side yard main coop& run, and the Way side yard mobile coop that has kind of become a permanent one with a temporary become permanent attached run. Honestly, I hadn't planned on me being so weak in late August and getting 30 littles (I have 28 as 2 were doa)...I personally think the mobile tractor & run is getting a bit small for them at this point....so I feel like I should let them free range a bit. And the others are used to free ranging and get upset when I don't let them. I didn't let anyone out today, and they yelled at me whenever they saw me. I feel like such a bad chicken mommy right now.

I have another permanent coop in process, but it isn't done yet. It is 10X4, and will be a double decker, ducks & geese on the bottom & chickens up top. This will be enough room, I think, for everyone for the winter, since the boys of the 'littles' won't be kept, but they are still way too small to go to freezer camp yet. I had planned on my main run being expanded by now, but I physically can't attach the auger to the tractor by myself, and my husband's parents have had numerous health issues, so he has spent a lot of weekends down there...so...no drilled post holes, so no expanded run. And this coop was going to be built in part of the expanded run, that will have a roof over it so there will be a little more run space that I won't have to shovel in the winter....so I didn't start building this coop until recently when I just got so frustrated at no movement on the run. It will be a pain to later build the roofed part of the run over the coop but I am just at my witts end at the moment....but I also can't be upset with hubby, either, as we really do need to take care of his parents...but them being 3.5 hours away means there is no splitting time on weekends between them and us....he is usually gone the whole weekend lately.

Sorry, I didn't mean to dump all this on you guys. I almost deleted everything...but sometimes I just want to cry. Then I think of people like @RoyalChick and @ValerieJ and @Kris5902 and I feel selfish thinking/feeling this way.

Selfish, feeling sorry for myself tax:

Some of my 'littles' enjoying the sun:View attachment 3299745View attachment 3299747

I think this group can handle just about anything and venting is good for the soul. I am sorry your going through this.

As the building woes … Winter came on fast here I can relate to feeling like I will not get everything I feel needs to be done done before there is snow on the ground. I got the coop rebuilt and habitable just in the nick of time then I the run took longer then I wanted it to and then it got cold and I was like oh just great now I must winterize. I only have 11 and one coop/run to deal so I can only imagine what your going through with your much larger crew and your doing it mostly alone at the moment but it sounds overwhelming. I cant help per say but I can commiserate!

 

[lightm]

@knoturavggrl Maybe a contest for you?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ultry-pecking-pumpkins-photo-contest.1550929/

 

[rural mouse]

I was out, but I have a large flock, kind of broken up into 3 groups, and I can't be everywhere at once.....they cover about 2 1/2 acres. The fox came at the back/side most group while I was locking up the front most group (the very littles) (They sort of form a triangle - the coops of the 3 groups.) The littles are in a mobile tractor & run in the front yard, the main group in the back/side yard (to the side of but behind the house), then this group in the way side yard...again, they cover anywhere between 2 & 3 acres when they are out. The Geese and their 4 duck mates are in a mobile tractor & run between the back/side yard main coop& run, and the Way side yard mobile coop that has kind of become a permanent one with a temporary become permanent attached run. Honestly, I hadn't planned on me being so weak in late August and getting 30 littles (I have 28 as 2 were doa)...I personally think the mobile tractor & run is getting a bit small for them at this point....so I feel like I should let them free range a bit. And the others are used to free ranging and get upset when I don't let them. I didn't let anyone out today, and they yelled at me whenever they saw me. I feel like such a bad chicken mommy right now.

I have another permanent coop in process, but it isn't done yet. It is 10X4, and will be a double decker, ducks & geese on the bottom & chickens up top. This will be enough room, I think, for everyone for the winter, since the boys of the 'littles' won't be kept, but they are still way too small to go to freezer camp yet. I had planned on my main run being expanded by now, but I physically can't attach the auger to the tractor by myself, and my husband's parents have had numerous health issues, so he has spent a lot of weekends down there...so...no drilled post holes, so no expanded run. And this coop was going to be built in part of the expanded run, that will have a roof over it so there will be a little more run space that I won't have to shovel in the winter....so I didn't start building this coop until recently when I just got so frustrated at no movement on the run. It will be a pain to later build the roofed part of the run over the coop but I am just at my witts end at the moment....but I also can't be upset with hubby, either, as we really do need to take care of his parents...but them being 3.5 hours away means there is no splitting time on weekends between them and us....he is usually gone the whole weekend lately.

Sorry, I didn't mean to dump all this on you guys. I almost deleted everything...but sometimes I just want to cry. Then I think of people like @RoyalChick and @ValerieJ and @Kris5902 and I feel selfish thinking/feeling this way.

Selfish, feeling sorry for myself tax:

Some of my 'littles' enjoying the sun:View attachment 3299745View attachment 3299747

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

“I didn’t call him a racist, I said that I would like some raisins!, stupid humans” View attachment 3299837

How dare you make your special red-headed house pet wait for raisins. She should never have to ask, you should be 2 steps ahead of her and have them ready at all times. Bad chicken daddy.

 

[knoturavggrl]

@knoturavggrl Maybe a contest for you?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/bycs-2022-spooktacular-halloween-hatch-along—poultry-pecking-pumpkins-photo-contest.1550929/

I just entered but my photos of this were not stellar. Never hurts to try though thank you

 

[micstrachan]

Yesterday was a insanely stressful day with the chicks, and I think I got a few grey hairs in the process. Of course for the first time in a couple years we have a cold snap and snow flurries in the middle of October, normally it is in November before it gets this cold. So what do my chicks try to do? 5 tried to kill themselves, 3 succeeded for a few minutes. It stayed in the low 30s all morning yesterday and early afternoon, so Blueberry was in no rush to get her chicks off the nest. I had brought them food and water so there was no need. I come out about 2 to check on them and find a crisis. 3 had gotten out of the nest and must not have been able to get back in and were lifeless. I quickly grabbed them and saw they were not breathing, heard no heartbeat, but they were not stiff yet so I ran inside. I did not have time to track down the hair dryer instead I stole grandma's space heater. Cranked it up to 80 and turned the blower on high and sat in front of it with them and started rubbing them. I was about ready to give up when one of them twitched. It took a few minutes but I got all 3 breathing so I knew hope was not lost. I sat in front of that heater rubbing the chicks with what felt like my hands burning for a hour. About 30 minutes in they finally started cheeping. Once they were able to stand and walk if I set them down I gave them to grandma and she tucked them in her bra and sat in front of the heater. I went outside, weather she was ready or not Blueberry had to get off the porch with the babies. I took the tote, bedded it with sawdust and fresh hay and placed it in the coop. It is on the opposite side of Bunny's nest. The coop is insulated so it is warmer in it. I then moved Blueberry and the 4 chicks she had with her. Once they were settled in her new box I came in for the other 3. I found them still inside grandma's shirt, but 2 had their heads poked out of her collar happily cheeping away. I took them out to Blueberry and for the next hour came out every few minutes to check. All are fine, happy and eating and drinking and staying under momma. That was enough stress for one day, but when I went to tuck everyone in at dark I found my day was not over. Bunny decided for once the stall was not the place to sleep and took them to her nest in the coop on her own. But I hear loud distressed cheeping and realize she only has 2 chicks. Instead of following their mom into the coop 2 of them squeezed into the gap between the coop and the house and were too far in for me to reach. I had to find a fishing pole and gently prod them out the other side. That took a while as they did not want to move. When I finally got them out they were very cold as well but were happy to be reunited with their mom. It was dark by then, but before I came in I had made sure to stuff the opening on both sides of the coop about a foot high so they should not be able to get trapped again. Another check on Blueberry and her chicks which are all under momma asleep and then I go look for Raven. The night before I had to move them to their box from underneath the 4-wheeler but thankfully last night she behaved and had taken them to her box on her own. It's days like yesterday that I question having chickens, and my thinking that letting the momma's do the brooding is easier.

Oh my gosh! That is a lot if stress!!! Kudos to you reviving the chicks. How did you know they were still alive?