Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Maybe. My first impression is actually a sapsucker. Yellow-belly sapsuckers are what we have around here. Here's a link, check out the call (not the tapping recording). They mention how it sounds like a small red-shouldered hawk https://abcbirds.org/bird/yellow-bellied-sapsucker/

I always thought they had a call sort of like a cat meowing, in fact one day I went hunting for what I thought was a lost kitten! Only to realize it was a YBSapsucker

Silly tax
Misty

 

[Ponypoor]

More Two for Tuesday

Two silkies digging through horse poop - ewww!

And two more hogging that small animal crate to lay an egg

 

[RoyalChick]

I always thought they had a call sort of like a cat meowing, in fact one day I went hunting for what I thought was a lost kitten! Only to realize it was a YBSapsucker

Silly tax
Misty
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I must say the call of the YBSapsucker does sound very like what was on my video. But I am reassured about the mice problem. Maybe the hawk could move into the garage to help me out. A spell in the attic would be welcome too!

 

[Ponypoor]

I must say the call of the YBSapsucker does sound very like what was on my video. But I am reassured about the mice problem. Maybe the hawk could move into the garage to help me out. A spell in the attic would be welcome too!

Ya my barn could use one!

The sapsuckers here are all gone now, so if I hear that sound I expect it to be a cat or hawk hahahaha

 

[RoyalChick]

Twofer Tuesday. My only two.
And another one with Maggie for hawk-tax.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

Awesome build! I am sure they will love having the extra sunny space this winter! Do you use chopped straw or regular straw from bales? I have been wanting to add some layers for the winter to help insulate but I see many differences of opinions on whats safe or not. Chopped straw here is to pricey for my largish coop size but I could grab some bales I just cant work out if its fine or actually dangerous and they will consume it and possibly get crop blockages.

I watched Jurassic Park last night and the whole time I was like yep I see the similarities! They sure can be brutal sometimes.

I forsee you getting some kittens and a mini horse delivered sometime this yr

So far so good. I have stopped shooing the cats away when I let the chickens do supervised free range time. The only time I almost launched out of my chair to grab the cat was when they got spooked by something my son did and flew towards where the cat was. I could see the temptation on my cats face he was clearly thinking chase and attack as I saw the butt wiggle a little. However they settled quickly and he decided better of it. That is the sole incident though so I think it will be fine. We are getting the rest of the run wired in this week. Also, zero unsupervised free ranging will occur until next spring when they are full grown, if ever I am still not 100% decided on that yet but I think all will be well as far as the cats are concerned.

Mugs!
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Late replying on this. I did have one pullet with a crop issue that was from eating the “straw” I had in the nest boxes. It was actually old coastal hay that had dried out/sunburnt from the llamas being such messy eaters and leaving it all over their stall. She is the only one who ate it, and she may have been eating a few “fresher” strands that were mixed in. She is recovered and doing well after crop surgery. But no more straw in my nest boxes.

Look what I found in my chickens clean coop this morning
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You have received excellent advice. Sending good thoughts your way that it is just a one-time issue.

Now bear in mind both of those girls were near deaths door when they didn’t mind/tolerated it… however, I also used the same sling towel to stick the legs through and burrito the heck out of one grumpy barred rock so I could soak her feet. So the towel with leg holes is a very handy tool! I’m considering getting a dedicated one and binding the edges of the holes now that we have rescued a sewing machine from storage… the towel eventually fell apart with washing because I just hacked little leg holes in it and never fixed up the edges. But the thrift stores nearby do have a good towel supply/selection.

Oooooo, I like that idea. Think I need to get some “thrift store” towels, both to have on hand for general chicken use and also to make a “legs free” chicken restraint device.

Awaiting bloodwork , but other than that, Jaffar didn’t cough at any time during the trip. Veterinarian can’t find any obstruction in his breathing .
He started coughing a little, when we got back home.

Not sure if it would help in this case, but I have seen posts in the medical section about taking a chicken with respiratory issues into a steamy bathroom. Maybe a nice hot relaxing shower for you while Jaffar hangs out in the bathroom?

Edit due to stupid autocorrect.

 

[Ponypoor]

Twofer Tuesday. My only two.
And another one with Maggie for hawk-tax.
View attachment 3308526View attachment 3308527

Beautiful tax

 

[Ponypoor]

Awaiting bloodwork , but other than that, Jaffar didn’t cough at any time during the trip. Veterinarian can’t find any obstruction in his breathing .
He started coughing a little, when we got back home.

How is Jaffar today? Any news from the Vet?

 

[Ponypoor]

Late replying on this. I did have one pullet with a crop issue that was from eating the “straw” I had in the nest boxes. It was actually old coastal hay that had dried out/sunburnt from the llamas being such messy eaters and leaving it all over their stall. She is the only one who ate it, and she may have been eating a few “freaks her” strands that were mixed in. She is recovered and doing well after crop surgery. But no more straw in my nest boxes.


You have received excellent advice. Sending good thoughts your way that it is just a one-time issue.


Oooooo, I like that idea. Think I need to get some “thrift store” towels, both to have on hand for general chicken use and also to make a “legs free” chicken restraint device.


Not sure if it would help in this case, but I have seen posts in the medical section about taking a chicken with respiratory issues into a steamy bathroom. Maybe a nice hot relaxing shower for you while Jaffa hangs out in the bathroom?

What are ‘freaks her’ strands?

 

[BY Bob]

Hawk?

This is a not very interesting video from the coop cam of Bernie having breakfast. Is the sound you can hear on the video a hawk calling?
The Princesses are safely in the Chicken Palace but if that is a hawk it is very nearby!
Maybe it isn’t a hawk - not raspy and drawn out enough?

Yup. Cooper's Hawk makes that sound. At least I have heard Satan make a sound very similar.