Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[TX Chick Noob]

Some important info about cedar I found while doing some google searches. Apparently the actual genus of the tree makes a difference. Which is probably why you usually see a blanket statement to avoid cedar, as it can be hard to know for sure what you are getting (but also explains why some people say they have never had any issues).

 

[BY Bob]

I will answer for myself as everyone has a different set up. I like my bedroom to be around 62-63F (16-17C). I have central heating and the thermostat is in the bedroom so I can control that reasonably well. My recent experience with the hot water bottle is not in NJ and that was down to about 40F (4.5C) and I was definitely cold without the bottle. I would still prefer cold to hot in the bedroom.
In terms of clothing - yes, I have a whole set of winter clothes including thermal underwear. Mainly though I do layers because if you go out in the cold and do chicken chores, pretty soon you are too hot! Key for me is a really warm scarf and a hat.

@ManueB We also have climate control in our house with both heating and air conditioning. We keep our bedroom slightly warmer in the winter, 64°F. I do sleep better when it is cold and would like it cooler but Mrs BY Bob does not agree.

Yes I do have cold weather gear in varying degrees of warmness. Winter days generally fall into 3 categories.

1. Mid 40s to mid 30s (7 to 1.7 C)
2. 32 to 20 (0 to -6.6 C)
3. 20 and below (-6.6C and below)

Each of these temperature ranges require their own type of winter gear. We have times when temperatures can reach -10 °F (-23C) but those are not the usual. I will lock the girls in the coop on those days and provide supplemental heating. I do not hang out with them when it's that cold.

On most days I still go out and spend time with everyone even if we are confined to sitting in the run. I have a chair out there just for such a purpose. I do not let the cold weather keep me trapped in the house.

 

[ValarieF]

Ong sooo much going on out there. Dottie cuddled up and warmed up on my lap and climbed up on my back and neck and tore my burette off. Zues may be the one trying to crow. He is out there chasing the hens. He is my ancona rooster. Isis now jumped on my lap for the first time. I had 3 chickens on my lap at one time. Freya isis and Dottie.

chloe is blonde on the head and lookin pretty.

Autumn wonders why everyone wants on my lap.

Zues after being scolded.

 

[featherhead007]

Ong sooo much going on out there. Dottie cuddled up and warmed up on my lap and climbed up on my back and neck and tore my burette off. Zues may be the one trying to crow. He is out there chasing the hens. He is my ancona rooster. Isis now jumped on my lap for the first time. I had 3 chickens on my lap at one time. Freya isis and Dottie.
View attachment 3338469View attachment 3338470chloe is blonde on the head and lookin pretty.View attachment 3338471Autumn wonders why everyone wants on my lap.View attachment 3338472Zues after being scolded.View attachment 3338473

It’s Christmas season, and they are all saying “Mommy I’ve been good this year, so more meally worms please?”

 

[featherhead007]

It’s a cause of concern because it has been known to cause respiratory problems in pets.

I was warned that, when I first started raising chickens. The feed store was telling me all about the tricks and what the chickens need.

 

[Ponypoor]

Hah! That’s how it starts….

yep…

Dear Aurora;

As a Macho Macho Man, it has come to my attention that there seem to be Enablers out there trying to entice my harem into sneaking off somewhere and magically reappearing with a line of (what I am sure will be adorable) offspring.

What Macho Macho Man wouldn't want to flex his wings and crow about his offspring! After all I am a well balanced individual…

Now while I would enjoy being a father, these thing do need planning and preparation. What are your thoughts on this?

Affectionately yours,

Mr Perfect Balanced

 

[Ponypoor]

Alex, what are you still doing up?

@featherhead007

What were you both doing up!

 

[featherhead007]

It’s not Wednesday

 

[Ponypoor]

That lady Featherington really is fabulous. And Aurora’s butt looks clean enough to stick your face in it.

go for it!

 

[Ponypoor]

I don’t think there is a real difference between -27 and -60. They are both too cold to contemplate.

Trust me - there is a difference! Your clothes will tell you that difference. Below -35C your synthetic clothes might start to tear if it isn't good quality.

Items like plastics start to break (like cheap extension cords), before -35C you will get away with regular items; it's frequently -35C back home over night but usually during the day it will get to around -25C or so on really cold days. So I can get away with a regular extension cord to plug my car and the trucks in.

But out here you can easily see -40s! Just had the Maintenance guy here lighting the pilot on my stove (scary!) and he said this morning his truck was saying -41C - brrrrr!

I can go outside at -27C and be ok - but once it gets to -30C NOPE! And don't dare blink if your eyes run with the cold weather - your eyelashes freeze together hahaha!

The guys wear cotton or denim type materials out here (you know those Carhartt stuff), stuff that won't tear.

BUT - if I had my druthers I would winter in the Turks and Caicos!