Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

My Heart Stopped Tonight

I was out of town and Mrs BY Bob was in charge of roosting tonight. When I got home this is what I saw on the coop camera.

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That is Lady Featherington roosted in the main coop. There is no sign of Betty or Glynda. The Cluckle Hut was empty.

After what happened with Legertha when I left her alone with the chickens, well let's say I was really scared. Add to that the fact that Mrs BY Bob was not home when I got home and I had no one to ask. I was worried.

So I suited up and went out. Here is what I found.

Spoiler: What did BY Bob find?

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Betty was in the nest box behind Hattie.

Lady Featherington seemed quite comfortable in the main coop.

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Everyone is ok and I moved Lady Featherington and Glynda back into the Cluckle Hut together.

I have no idea what happened other than possibly they stayed out to late and the door to the Cluckle Hut closed before they went to bed. Lady Featherington chose or was allowed to roost in the main coop and Glynda choose the chair.

Nerve wracking for certain.

I need a drink.

Isn’t it odd that this stuff happens when you’re gone! What’s Lady F doing there after consistently roosting in the Cluckle Hut?

 

[featherhead007]

I spend a lot of time thinking on why they act the way they do. What is a chicken's motivation? Part of what has drawn me to these fascinating animals is how they organize their societies. I have cameras so I can see them without my presence interfering. It is never dull observing them (Aurora assures that all on her own).

I am firmly convinced that I rarely solve things for them. Of course sometimes I just can't restrain myself like when I moved Betty the other night.

I mostly try to adapt the environment as best I can to help them but mostly it is up to them.

I promise I would never let anyone be physically hurt and would definitely intervene to stop that from occurring.

It’s a study in quantum physics. Results of an observation or experiment, are always affected by the observations themselves.

 

[bgmathteach]

The panel is a great idea, but I have roosts going everywhere and a single planel won't cover it.

Can you use one of those oil filled radiator heaters. Very safe, and provides a fair amount of heat (more than a radiant panel). I'm not sure of the dimensions of your coop, but one placed somewhat centrally should at least raise the temps for all but those on the ends of roosts close to exterior walls.

Are your coop walls insulated? I have done that with my original coop, and it was pretty inexpensive. Used the 1.5" solid foam sheets (I built mine with the 2X4 sideways, so ~ 1.5 inched between exterior and interior walls). I opened up old grain bags & used as 'house wrap' before putting on exterior plywood, and used the really thin plywood for the interior. Used the thicker solid foam sheets under roof, as those 2X4 were on edge for stronger roof.

I do still have lots of ventilation, but my coops are small compared to yours, so if I had electricity out there, a panel heater for each coup would be sufficient.

If you could at least insulate 2 adjacent sides, and put the heater towards that corner. I'm guessing they would choose to roost closer to the heat on really cold nights. It would ultimately be safer and, probably, cost same or less to run the heater.

I got one of those oil filled heaters at a yard sale for $5 a few years back - and it was practically brand new! Love it when I need it in the house (when in-laws come it goes into their bedroom for extra heat.)

 

[featherhead007]

Big fat breakfast for my chooks today. Scrambled eggs and ham, bread, corn and meal worms. Everyone ate their fill. Sometimes I just want to treat them like royalty. They are all good chickens .

 

[BY Bob]

Isn’t it odd that this stuff happens when you’re gone! What’s Lady F doing there after consistently roosting in the Cluckle Hut?

Odd indeed. To be clear I do not interfere at roosting time. I am only occasionally outside at roosting time right now as it occurs during work hours. Yet somehow things get out of wack when I'm not home.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Migraine - and it's all some idiots fault... Safety Chat tomorrow will be:

Running one's diesel truck OUTSIDE SOMEONES WELL-SITE.

My whole wellsite stinks to high heaven of diesel fumes, and my clothes reek, my head is reeling, I can't open any windows because there is a cloud of diesel hanging in the air (no wind of course) from buddy running his truck for 30 minutes.

A hex be upon you Human, I put a pox on you ! In the Chicken World I peck your Eye out!

Chicken World Tax:
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And to top it all off I went to go into the main camp and as I was walking outside I initially thought ‘oh there’s a skunk’ - followed by idiot there are no skunks up here!

Seems someone is playing with fire smoking pot outside my well site!

Chicken Pox Tax
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Maybe a monoxide / fumes monitor would help you with your case too. Looks like your camp is in one of those “weather inversion” or something places? Just the exhaust from the well-site heating systems could be dangerous.
Love the picture - Mr and Mrs P surveying the king-(chicken)-dom!

 

[bgmathteach]

Woohoo! Congratulations! Your photo was really cool. Such a regal kitty.

Here is the winning photo!

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This photo makes me think of the Cheshire cat in ALice in Wonderland...except Eowyen isn't smiling. (disembodied head!)

 

[Marie2020]

I really wish I lived nearby and could help.

So many people I could help in person. It's frustrating sometimes.

It would be a dream come true to have you as a neighbour

 

[Marie2020]

Here she is

You made so many people laugh over here with this clip

 

[Marie2020]

You too! If I don't hear from you later on have a good evening

How are you today?
I'm sad reading about that diesel situation. When will people ever learn