Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ManueB]

Acetaminophen.

I had to look this up as it sounded like some kind of psychedelic amphetamine, but I was so disappointed - plain old paracetamol .

Congratulations to you and @TX Chick Noob for getting all that done. Now I'm feeling ashamed of being sore for what little activity I did yesterday .
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I'm very interested in reading that some of you make change to roosts location ! I've only added roosts, but never moved any, and I'm now wondering if it could help us with our rooster Theo's aggressive behaviour at bedtime. (We have found a middle term solution to relocating either Gaston and his hens, or Théo and Chipie depending on how things goes). In the actual coop the four teenagers chickens including Gaston sleep on a roost that is just 50 cm (20 inches) above Théo's roost. This means Théo tries every night to jump on Gaston to chase him off. There is a free roost available but no one wants to move there.
Theo's roost is a mobile structure : do you think it would be helpful to move it, either to widen the space between Gaston and him, or to completely change it's location to force Théo to roost elsewhere ? Or would it just make things worse ?
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@bgmathteach Thank you for the input regarding Chipie's feathers and that she may be doing a second molt. It could indeed be that as she's behaving like a molting lady !

Mugs for Monday, and wishing a nice week to all of you.

Blanche is as nutty as she looks.

Merle the two tails mythical black dragon

Léa is growing very timid these days

Piou-piou

Gaston

Théo says cocorico!

 

[rural mouse]

Moving the roost is a good idea. Every time I've shifted things around in the coop, they've shifted around. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. It's worth the try to see if peace ensues.

@ManueB


Some changes have been necessary, others, let's try ..... this thing.... Some have been a temporary change to see if the idea has merit, then change more along those lines to make it more permanent.

 

[bgmathteach]

I don’t know, those hen aprons were sure a life saver for the silkies when it was sub zero here last winter

But the hen saddles and that are 2 different 'beasts'. The saddles are fairly loose, so can flop around...and they are only used when over mated to cover bare spots. It is easy for hens to fluff their remaining feathers is cold, and they can somewhat decently dust bath with them on. The knitted/crocheted 'garment' is somewhat fixed, doesn't allow them to fluff their feathers (if cold), material (loose yarn) is much more likely to get caught on something - including a rooster's toes/claws when mating, and it is much more difficult to dust bathe given it goes completely around their body.

Saddles have a legitimate purpose, and when used for that reason, are suitable. This is just a 'fashion thing'. While it might be fun for a photo shoot (say, a red & green one to get picture with Santa - but then removed RIGHT after short shoot), it really serves no purpose but for our 'fun', and if left on can actually be harmful to hen in ways mentioned.

BTW: I've used saddles at times for my poor, over-mated hens (? 1 roo to 14 hens, half were STILL bare backed) But, all of them learned how to wiggle/pull/scratch their way out of them in short order.

 

[bgmathteach]

I am in pain.

I love doing things like this. My creative brain is challenged by it. Take the floor situation today. Frustrating but I found a solution.

Do you have a massage therapist locally? Treat yourself to a nice massage....the muscles will heal quicker from their 'abuse', and it will be a nice treat for you. DO make sure you communicate if they press too hard - everyone's pain threshold is different & they need your feedback.

Massage tax: Youngster in last or next to last moult as she transitions to tween then adult stage:

FYI: her brothers are in that enjoyable kazoo stage. Love hearing them every morning, and since there are 13-15, (they never stay still long enough for me to be sure...hmmm did I count that roo already? No, I think that is the one that was over there, hmmm. Hard when there are 28 total! ha, ha, ha) it is quite the 'band' of kazoos!

 

[Ponypoor]

Acetaminophen.

Eggcellent never suffer when you need rest (I am sure Mrs By-Bob makes sure of this ).

How did they do last night? Did they make a roost selection? Or was there any drama for wanting a prime spot?

 

[Ponypoor]

As promised, the pic of the finished Fleur sweater.View attachment 3315563The "hood" is the cowl part from around the shoulders.


Tax: we wanna play peekaboo!

View attachment 3315564BTW, the snow all melted off as the highs got into the mid 40sF.

Wow that is an awesome sweater looks be the cowl/hood I always wear scarves and hoodies to stay warm, that looks very warm

I love those rocks your chickens can play and root around on, I feel I should put a few boulders and rocks in the Rooster Run - thanks for the idea!

 

[bgmathteach]

Moving the roost is a good idea. Every time I've shifted things around in the coop, they've shifted around. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. It's worth the try to see if peace ensues.

@ManueB

I agree completely with this!

In the actual coop the four teenagers chickens including Gaston sleep on a roost that is just 50 cm (20 inches) above Théo's roost. This means Théo tries every night to jump on Gaston to chase him off.

If you are able to move Theo's roost so it is far enough away he can't reach Gaston on his roost, but not a huge amount (like if you are able to slide it, say 1 foot (~ 25-30 cm) further away from Gaston's roost. Not so far that it is like a 'completely new location', but far enough he can't reach Gaston, that will probably work best. If not, just move it, period, and see how things ;shake up' Since it is moveable, you can always move it again if it doesn't work.

BTW: I tend to have multiple, but shorter roosts. And I try to have at least one roost that is far enough away so a chicken won't get pecked by another on a separate roost. For example, in my mobile tractor (10' long, ~3m) I have 4 roosts, ~18 inches apart except the last one is just over 2 feet...so anyone on the 'closest' roost to the last one can only reach a tail feather, no real body parts. And a persecuted hen (or Roo) soon learns to face head away from other roosts, and is fine! [plus, the 'bar' that holds the roosts is slightly sloped, and this is the lowest roost, so higher-ranking hens/roos generally don't want to stay on that low roost....] That said, no one ever uses that roost. 14 chickens in that mobile coop, and they ONLY ever use 2 of the 4 roosts. I'll have 8-10 smooshed on the topish 4 ' long roost, the rest on the second (only about 2" lower than the first), and no body on the 'lowest 2' While I can see this in the winter - smoosh together for warmth - they also did this in the heat of the summer, with everyone panting up a storm...but still smooshed! Sometimes after dark I would move a couple just because I was miserable looking at them!!!

 

[bgmathteach]

Oh! I meant great job taking care of it right away when you found out it was rotted. But I guess you didn’t find out until you started pulling it out. I guess I should just say you were lucky!

I was lucky, too, this weekend. I was in a bicycle accident and managed to only get a couple sore wrists, some sore intercostal (rib) muscles smd a sore, spongy knee. No bone breaks, no concussion and only minor soft tissue issues that I can tell.

Tax
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Lovely photos of the girls, as always.
Horrible about the accident. You haven't had much luck in that department! Couple of scratched corneas, bike accident, etc. Please be careful! I'm hoping you heal quickly

 

[Ponypoor]

Apron, yes. That was a whole vest.

Though for my bald gals that would have been helpful between being broody with bald belly, and over bred the two were very much in need of something warm, it was helpful that for 6 weeks they were broody during February and March, stayed on the nest which I put the Cozy coop heat panel in front of for them. -20C when you’re bald has to be miserable!

Maybe they weren’t broody maybe they just stayed where it was warm hahaha!

 

[Ponypoor]

Grandma says "good morning" to everyone. It has been foggy this morning but it has cleared and today's highs are supposed to be 72 F. Perfect weather. A little warm and not too cold.View attachment 3315568

Good morning Grandma, enjoy your lovely weather!