Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[notabitail]

No UFO. All clouds. I have 2 speckled sussex. Nox and Mera.
View attachment 3478842

No UFO? You must live in a boring area .
I love Speckled Sussex. I have one named Abigail. She is a very picky but beautiful and friendly chicken.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Just taken for Pony Sunday. She started out letting him graze. Next thing I know she is inside and grabs her reins and helmet. I would say poor Russ as he has been ridden for 9 days straight during spring break. I will not though, Russ is loving it.

 

[RoyalChick]

Much like a cats collar.

And we know how well that worked for my angry little kitty cat!

 

[RoyalChick]

The best solution is really more chickens. That way Bernie can share the love and not wear out one lady. Just like a rooster would. 4 more hens would be just right.

I am sensing a conspiracy here.

 

[notabitail]

I am sensing a conspiracy here.

Everyone should get four more chickens, by command of Empress Josephine, Ruler of All Chickens and Measuring Tapes.

 

[RoyalChick]

I feel for poor Babs. I do not think Bernie is doing this maliciously. She is put in a tough situation playing 2 roles. Not only is she your alpha hen, she is taking on additional roles that a rooster would. Eli sounds most likely her 2nd in command so that is why being only 3 Babs is getting the brunt of the attention. Both to dominate her and the breeding type behavior. Bernie probably also mounts Eli, just not as frequently and you are just not catching it.

That may be right. My observation though is that Eli dodges out of Bernie’s way. Interactions with Babs seem entirely consensual.
Bonnet. Roo. Hens.
Hmmm.
I do think the safety in numbers or share the love argument is compelling.
There is also size. Bernie is such a big chicken. When I say she mounts Babs she really just straddles her.

 

[RoyalChick]

Yesterday morning
View attachment 3478605
Sandhills out and calling again


View attachment 3478607Breakfasting birds...who inhaled and ran back inside.

View attachment 3478606Blanche, demonstrating her camouflage...
View attachment 3478608And heading to stage a raid on Castor's dish.

Foiled, girl, it's inside.

Castor, you can come back in when 1, you've done your business and 2, someone's home to let you back out for the next one.


View attachment 3478609Too pretty not to catch the pic

Today:
Have buds starting
View attachment 3478808The currant/gooseberry next to the coop is sprouting leaves (never had berries on it)
View attachment 3478809The aspens have catkins coming

View attachment 3478811The flowering bush at the bottom of the big steps up to the deck is budding too

View attachment 3478816The pea tree branches have turned green and buds are swelling.

View attachment 3478814Bath time at the end of the hedge
View attachment 3478815The curious "what are you doing?"

View attachment 3478812The snoozing

View attachment 3478805Brought Thing out to the garden where I'd been working on digging it out so I can refill with the coop muck out. She went through the fence...twice. 3rd time I brought her out, I also brought some scratch. She needs to do some digging to file down her nails. Company joined me and her.View attachment 3478803View attachment 3478804View attachment 3478802View attachment 3478800Hector spent the most time in here of the roos.

View attachment 3478820Silver, Pear, and Jessica spent the most time in here. Silver even found a couple of worms. I left the gate open for them.

There was also a spot of excitement. View attachment 3478806Whiskey and Kren got into it...


View attachment 3478807And the divide and conquer happened with Horus teaming up with Kren. Whiskey retreated to rejoin Cheetah and ladies. No one was hurt.

Lovely. Glad spring is finally reaching you!

 

[Ponypoor]

Chicken Defense System Erected

View attachment 3478517

That's great! is that 1" chicken wire? that should keep the bushes safe!

I fear my beans are doomed

Need to engineer something that beans can't twine through and chickens can't access.

 

[notabitail]

That's great! is that 1" chicken wire? that should keep the bushes safe!

I fear my beans are doomed

Need to engineer something that beans can't twine through and chickens can't access.

Hardware cloth? Fabric? Big hole for chickens to trash your beans? Oh, wait, that last option won't work.

 

[Ponypoor]

That may be right. My observation though is that Eli dodges out of Bernie’s way. Interactions with Babs seem entirely consensual.
Bonnet. Roo. Hens.
Hmmm.
I do think the safety in numbers or share the love argument is compelling.
There is also size. Bernie is such a big chicken. When I say she mounts Babs she really just straddles her.

Hmmm - sounds like a Roo and a few more hens needed in that case. How far is Texas from you???