Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

Does anyone on here, speak Cochin rooster?
Because I think I was cussed out by him.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

I generally try to not interfere with the choices the hens make, within reason!

If she has flung herself into the abyss numerous times already with no harm done, it's probably fine and will be less stressful for you both if you just let her do what she needs to do.

Some of my hens recently started to sleep on the poop boards and they were very miffed with me for trying to encourage them to sleep on the roosts, so I took the advice that they yelled at me and I just leave them even if they are sleeping in poop range of a bird above them. Three of the Orpingtons actually get up onto the roost later in the night in the pitch dark!

Butters, third hen I think, likes to sleep in the nest box. Popcorn, fourth and bottom hen, usually joins her lately, but only for the beginning of the night, a few hours. Then she moves over to the roosting platform. I think she waits for Peanut (top hen) and Hazel (second) to really settle and get sleepy.

 

[Perris]

But bringing in a strange cockerel can work out?

they came in as eggs I don't think it would work otherwise. The youngsters assume one of the older roos is their sire, as the older roos assume the young roos are their offspring. The grand-daddy of the flock has been pushed to the margins, and the dom will be challenged sooner or later, but for most of the time it's fine, and they do work together. Personalities have a lot to do with it, as you suggest, and the freedom to run away.

 

[rural mouse]

Betty wants to roost and wants to roost high.

Its strange but no one will share a roost here. When Aurora was on Daisy's roost that left the high roost for Sydney and the Maleficent's roost over the window free for Betty.

Here is what is going on. Let's start with how the roosts are set up.
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With the recent remodel I broke up the one continuous roost and added Mal's roost over the window.

What has been happening was this arrangement.

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And Hattie slept on the floor. I've given up on Hattie. She just gets down to eat every night. Why bother trying to get her to roost?

I was thrilled by this arrangement as Betty was finally able to roost in peace. This is because Mal's roost it too high for Aurora to reach. To understand the significance of that you need to know what happens every night.

Aurora is the last to roost. Prior to her roosting she terrorizes everyone who is trying to roost. So Betty being able to get up high and away from Aurora was essential to her ability to roost. When Betty tries to roost on Daisy's roost it is low enough for Aurora to grab her and pull her off while standing on the coop floor. No one will roost on the door roost because that is Aurora's step up to the high roost and therefore the last thing she does is pass through that roost. If anyone is there, like Phyllis who tries sometimes, she throws them off before going on to the high roost.

This is what we are now back to.

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Why is this happening?

Betty and Sydney are roosting like before but Aurora is now going back to the high roost. This moves Sydney to Mal's roost and she knocks Betty to the floor. By the time this happens it is too dark for Betty to get on Daisy's roost and so she goes to a nest box.

So I have 4 roosts and only 2 chickens can use them. This frustrates me to no end but I am giving up again. I have to leave them to it.

While I love integration, I hate roosting. I causes me no end of angst. I have to accept that I can't solve it. Meanwhile three hens share 1 roost in the Cluckle Hut. The roost is split by wire but the three of them do share to a point.

Could the door roost be moved closer to the wall? Farther from the high roost? Take it down, move the food to that spot and put another roost up in the corner the food was at?

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

How is Momma Hen doing - didn't see any news yesterday.

Has your weather been warmer? Back home it has been very mild - thank goodness - I don't want mum to have to worry about the chickies, or drive around in snowy roads her truck doesn't have 4x4.

I have been checking out the hatcherly I found and they have this breed called a Sultan which really interests me - they have feathered feet and a crest - lovely!

Here is what I found out about them:
https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/sultan-chicken/

Sultans look like a pretty breed. Another breed that may interest you is the D'uccles. I would not mind have a few of those little ones around.

 

[GregnLety]

You have a rooster called Stupid?
That's a bit harsh! I wonder what he calls you!!

Probably calls me something that I can't say in polite company. He earned the name as a juvenile wanting to fight roosters twice his size. He's a good rooster now and the leader of his tribe but the name has stuck.

 

[GregnLety]

Does anyone on here, speak Cochin rooster?
Because I think I was cussed out by him.

If I did I would know what Stupid calls me,

 

[RoyalChick]

Brownie hops up on my lap for a rare close up inspection of the chicken tender. Hopefully I passed her inspection.
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Love Brownie’s face!

 

[ValarieF]

Treat time and I believe Freya laid a blue egg. This week its been extra electrolytes and vitamins in the water

 

[ValarieF]