Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

You know, you can put solid roofing up in small sections at a time! Your 'run' is quite long...and if I remember correctly, part of it you need to keep 'open' to be able to access your paddocks with a truck if need be. That said, you could, on an area that doesn't need the flexibility of access by truck, choose to put a few roofing panels wide across the run ( the 16' direction). A couple wooden cross-members, plus a 12' and an 8' plastic or metal corrugated roofing panel would go across the run. Start with it 3-4 panels wide (6-8') While at that small width it won't give a lot of truly protected space on a blustery day - it would be a great start. When you are able to put up the next 6-8 feet of roofing panels, it will start to have some REAL protected space. AND, you can always hang a tarp on the run wall facing the wind in the colder weather to give them semi-protected space out of the wind/weather. I think this is quite doable! Just plan big but start small!

Note: given where your run is, I think I would suggest the plastic, as there is a type that allows light through, but blocks UV rays - and thus makes it slightly cooler as well in the summer without blocking the needed sunshine in the winter. (as much as I don't like plastic, in this application it is probably better - at least for parts of the 'roof' of your run, than all metal that could make the run pretty dark.)

In the winter the angle of the sun should be such that solid panels would actually not block the sun from the run. Metal might be a good choice.

 

[bgmathteach]

How is everyone doing?
Another hawk attack.
Saw a hawk fly up and the chickens freaking out and the rooster making a odd noise. Went outside and saw a pile of feathers and all the chickens were gone. I went looking and found all but two. Quite deep in the woods, i saw Jolene with ruffled feathers. I took them all in the coop and felt bad, Gabby was the one missing and they never left each others side. Earning the nickname ”the twins”

I kept looking just to be sure but no Gabby, i was sure i heard squeaking but i figured it was just my mind hoping she was okay. Then, the one place i hadn’t looked, a leaning pallet where the rooster was in front of. She was perfectly fine, no injuries.


Which meant.. Jolene was the one injured! She had a very good size wound under her wing and no idea how she even managed to survive. A friend of mine is a vet and she offered to suture her for me. She is okay now and everything is normal but phew, that was a rollercoaster!

I am glad that you have a vet friend that could help. I will say that chickens are amazing healers, so as long as she doesn't get an infection, I believe she will be fine.

that said - do you sew at all? if you aren't squeamish about it, you can easily stitch up a hen yourself -just make SURE any wounds are very well cleaned first. I have had VERY good luck with stitching up chickens. The only one I lost (a duck, actually) was from a racoon attack and she had a deep puncture wound. She was progressing well until about day 4 then suddenly took a turn for the worse. I am positive that it was that the puncture wound was infected - they are notoriously hard to clean effectively - and I had no access to anti-biotics Otherwise, I have had very good luck stitching up my girls!
(Though I do wish I haven't had to put that to the test quite as many times as I have had to over the years!)

 

[bgmathteach]

I actually agree with you and like the social thing and learning about everyone’s different ways of chickening and living generally - and I think there are pros and cons to both ways of posting so folk should do what is comfortable for them.
I do think though, that we need to watch ourselves a little so we don't put off some of our most valued friends who cannot keep up. It is a fine line for sure and I am sure we will muddle our way to a good place.
The tax code really helps I think because it should stop us falling into completely chicken-free chit chat as happens on so many other posts.

Tax: Little baby Maggie when she first came to live with me and be my friend. Honestly it might be her twin Scary!

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@RoyalChick :

Sorry, I have somehow missed this part of your chicken life. How in the world did you end up with 'Scary' for a chicken name when all the rest were Princess names?

Regardless of which one she is, the pullet is adorable! I will, however, continue to assume it is Maggie, as I feel I know ( and loved!) Maggie, whereas I had no connection to Scary. i do hope you are okay with this.

 

[bgmathteach]

In the winter the angle of the sun should be such that solid panels would actually not block the sun from the run. Metal might be a good choice.

Hmm, yes, but at 16' deep, it could still make it a bit dreary under there late spring through early Fall. Especially if she ends up roofing a large section.

That said, the metal will be much more durable long-term. Honestly, in my opinion, it is a 50/50 dilemma!

 

[bgmathteach]

Hello FBA! We've had a beautiful sunny week and just for Fluffy Butt day we are completely trapped in a deep fog, so no sunny butt pictures today.

I don't want to play the devil's advocate but I actually like the social aspect of the thread. The volume could be reduced quite a bit I suppose, but I like having an idea of who is the person behind the pseudo. There are people with very different lifestyles here and it makes it interesting. I've learned quite a few things when some of you have talked about things that have nothing to do with chickens like Kelly about her life on site in the deep north, or some of your health issues and the US and Canadian Health system. The issue I have is with language, I can skim through superficial stuff, but it takes me a lot longer to post than it would in french, and also I find it impossible to be succinct. I'm only giving up on daily updates but I will definitely still follow.

I will add my thoughts to the things that have already been well said. I have struggled with the idea of failing to correct Théo's behaviour. Having Gaston made me grasp how important role models are for chickens and in particular roosters, and no human can play that part. The first possible role model is the broody, in many ways the rooster's role for the hens is similar to what the broody does for the chicks. The second possible role models are having other senior roosters in the flock that will show the rooster what his role is and put him in place. The last indirect role model comes from having older hens who know exactly what to expect of a rooster and will teach that to the growing hormonal rooster. I think when none of these elements are fulfilled, it makes it more difficult for a growing cockerel to find his place, and understand that the human is not a threat or a competitor. Of course, individual personality also plays a role and some roosters will still turn out great with none of these elements, but I really believe it makes an important difference.

The other thing I wanted to comment on is the fact that you were successful in rehoming in. I mentioned before that I stopped reading BYC threads about agressive roos because too many posters were insistent on culling them. But, I did see once a post that had a different perspective just like yours, and when I read it it made me feel so much better : a person was successful in rehoming a human agressive rooster in exchange for a hen, to someone who had a free range flock and wanted a rooster to watch for predators, but not to interact with as a pet. Too many will only be saying that it's out of question to re-home agressive roos and that they don't deserve a chance because there are nicer ones around, but your example show that it's possible to rehome even being completely honest about it. I'm very grateful that you took the trouble to think this through for Oreo.
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@BY Bob : please tell Aurora that I read her letter to Théo. I'm afraid however that the only thing that got to his brain is his Gimli picture. Yesterday he shouted "Durin's beard! Cocorico!" and crossed the chicken netting to attack Gaston, which he hadn't done for at least ten days .


Thank you very much, that's very kind. I haven't caught up completely yet so not sure if you are home now ? Anyway, I'll take the spirit of your kind comment, hoping @BY Bob will not be upset at this twist of the rules :

A mug for past Monday from BruneView attachment 3407736
A two fer from Brune and Nougat
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A thirsty picture from Merle
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And a butt from Piou-piou Shakira.
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Wishing a very nice fluffy day to each of you!

Unfortunately, I completely agree with you!

I say unfortunate because I hate having to figure out where that 'fine line' is. I went into math because it is, for the most part, black and white. Shades of grey I find quite difficult - what shade is the best?

I just love Brune's mug!!!

 

[ValarieF]

Unfortunately, I completely agree with you!

I say unfortunate because I hate having to figure out where that 'fine line' is. I went into math because it is, for the most part, black and white. Shades of grey I find quite difficult - what shade is the best?

I just love Brune's mug!!!

All your math gives me a headache

 

[bgmathteach]

I think nutmeg is a cinnamon queen. I don't think cinnamon is. I think she's a barnevelder cross (from a sneaky roo)

While you may be correct, given keeping practices at large hatcheries like Hoover, I don't really see that there is the opportunity to be sneaky! Poor roos!

 

[ValarieF]

I cant stand itAll the crowing in the morning from 2 Roo's makes me all giddy inside, I love it!

 

[bgmathteach]

True, but one of the most common (not exhaustive) characteristics of the americaunas are beard/muffs. Her egg color will help. I still think she's a barnevelder cross. If she lays dark brown or dark green eggs, that makes it a higher possibility.

I will say, beards/muffs aren't guaranteed with Ameraucauna/EE crosses. Case in point:

Both @RoyalChick 's Babs & Eli are 1/2 DC(mom) and 1/2 Americauna/EE (dad). Babs looks much more like her DC mom, with no beard/muffs and build. Eli looks much more like dad with Beard/muffs and build. That said, Eli is closer to Mom's coloring, while Babs has general feather patterning like mom, but has the coloring that definitely came from dad.

And, yes, I am SURE of parentage...as the only other possibility is DC mom, BR dad - and there is absolutely no hint of barring on either... and, for whatever reason, y poor BR boy in that groups is so low ranking....he doesn't get to share Roo duties at all

When I extend my run and build an additional coop, I will move him and give him some young pullets of his own. He is a good boy (he sounded the alarm regarding the hawk a couple of months ago when I was in the other side of our 'yard'). I feel bad for him, he looks quite dejected at times

 

[bgmathteach]

Mystery solved, now…what to do about it?

Well it looks like the cause of my “naked butt” girls is from one of them “feather plucking/pecking”, and pretty sure the culprit is Scarlett.


I observed it happen several times this morning. It shouldn’t be dirt related, since they are on a food that is 18% protein. And it doesn’t appear overtly aggressive (although there is definitely some mild aggression to it). It is more like she sees a fluffy butt on a girl with her head down and can’t resist going over and grabbing a few of those fluffy little feathers. So now, what I do to stop it? Especially with my limited mobility right now?!

I am not an expert by any means, so if someone else chimes in with something that sounds better - go for it.

This, however, is my thoughts based on my experience and a bit of judgement (? correct? incorrect?) on my part.

1) If you can place 'baffles' in the coop/run so not all hens pecking the ground with butts in the air will be visible to Scarlett may help. ( something like physical visual barriers like large stumps, hanging cloths randomly within the coop (and/or run), etc. Any physical/visual things to break up lines of sight.

2) Whenever possible, hang some food item for them to peck at (multiple ones at a time) Such as: apples, cabbages ( decent sized ones can be halved or quartered), creating multiple different things to be pecked at, so all aren't at the same one jockeying for access This will keep them occupied with something other than each other's butts!

3) If possible, have hubby move things around in the coop/run once a week. Keep them off balance and ';re-exploring' their area to investigate changes.

4) If you can find any, see if hubby can on the weekend, rake up a bunch of leaves (damp ones are super) and throw them into the run/coop floor. Give them something new to scratch/hunt in/through.

5) Give them a new 'toy' that has treats they have to work for. I don't have a picture of one I have used...but I will try to explain it. Take a ROUND/Cylindrical plastic seasoning container (such as an empty oregano or italian seasoning container) Drill a half dozen small holes in it at various spots around the container. Fill with scratch grain, toss into run. The chickens will have to move/roll the container to get it to 'spill' its contents. Makes them work for the scratch and keeps them occupied. Just make sure the drilled holes are only slightly bigger than the diameter of the scratch grains, so just a little falls out with each movement of the container, and note that you may need to lightly sand around the drill holes to remove the sharp burrs caused by drilling.

Obviously - with #5, don't overdo the amount of scratch they get daily - but a couple of these 'toys/treat dispensers' can give them quite a bit of entertainment with not a whole lot of scratch. It keeps them physically 'busy', mentally occupied, and most definitely focused on something else than their companions fluffy derrière!

6) are you able to easily get a bag of rice hulls? @micstrachan buys them sometimes - her girls love scratching through - I suspect they find pieces of rice mixed in with the hulls. The hulls make a good additive to their bedding, and rice fragments give them incentive to be digging, scratching and pecking through the hulls.

Lastly, if you can purchase a different bedding than usual, just once...and top-off or clean out the coop/run and use the different bedding, it will - for a short time - create interest.

(If the girls bottoms are pretty exposed, then dabbing some anti-peck on them to darken the bright pink of flesh may also help to keep it from escalating. Sorry, I don't remember the name of the product, but there is an anti-peck spray/daub on treatment just for this purpose. - maybe someone else can chime in with the name of the product? )

So, no one of these alone will fix the issue, I suspect, but more space and a couple of these suggestions might make a noticeable difference.

And, while I hate to suggest this, it could be a 'last resort' kind of thing - especially if it is pretty much JUST Scarlett who is the culprit. You might be able to put her in a 'see but not touch' cage/pen within the coop/run so she can't peck the other's bottoms/feathers - at least during the day, for a short period of time to see if it helps. if you do this, please do give her something to occupy her time, so she doesn't develop other bad coping behaviors.

Sorry for the long windedness of this...and know that I am quite sure you have thought of at least some of these things already - but it is all I've got. I do so hope that you are able to help her find other, more 'constructive' things to occupy her time!



Edited to add: @BY Bob has an excellent point that I completely overlooked: level of protein in their diet. Maybe try a feather fixer feed in a separate feeder for a bit to see if that makes a difference? (or just use it in their regular feeder in place of what you are using)feather fixer is usually slightly higher in protein (or, alternatively, pick up a bag of grower feed in your usual brand - that is also usually higher in protein than the standard layer feed.) They can then choose the higher protein if they so want.