Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[notabitail]

Um, move the bowl of food?

But if I move the food they spill it on the floor. It is up there so they can't eat it. I suppose that does not work.

 

[RoyalChick]

1) They need to be raised specifically for release. Very large pens with growth to mimic natural cover, little to no actual human contact.
2)Yes, you will lose some - even a lot - but the ones that survive will be much more savvy, and should be enough to establish a small population.
3) She could create some ground nest boxes with small openings if she wanted, and leave them for the quail to find...not too far from release. They would have a small enough opening that really only mink (or rat) would get in, maybe place a circumference of rock so other things don't dig in - or make it enclosed except for the entrance hole.

Quail Habitat Management
Quail you-tube video The 'houses' he has in here are kind of what I meant she might be able to build

These are very big nest boxes - don't need ones this big

I can't find the youtube video I had watched about a year ago, but I was thinking something like this, but out of wood, rounded entrance hole like in the above 'these are very big nest boxes' video' If you have scrap wood, there wouldn't be too hard to make, quail need only about 20sq inches for a nest...and I would put them on 'runners' (1x bys or 2x bys under the box to raise it slightly off the ground. There does need to be some other ventilation, but if you make the top just a bit wider than the box itself, you can drill a series of small holes along the tops of both sides (maybe somewhere between 1/6 & 3/8" bit. I wouldn't go any larger because of rats.

If you make a few of these, they suggest putting them at least 10' apart from each other.

Bookmarked.
Turns out I need a license to own quail. Not sure how onerous that process is.

 

[Ponypoor]

I was only away from Tuesday late at night to Thursday morning but in that time Eli did not leave the nest.
She did eat the little bowl of chick starter crumbles I left her.
I just hauled her out. She was very grumpy with me but consumed almost an entire bowl of cat food and Rice Krispies. Babs got some of it.
In that one day away I swear the little chicks doubled in size! They have also honed their skill at getting lost in inappropriate places and shrieking loudly for help.

Tax

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I think she is singing 'I'm a Chicken, I'm a Chicken, I'm a Chicken learning to fly....'

 

[Ponypoor]

A woman in one of my facebook groups posted yesterday her trick for dealing with mamas. She ties a piece of wide lace around her head to cover her eyes. Says since she started they are totally calm around her.

I am crazy behind. Supposed to hit 90°+ by Sunday! So much yard/garden work to do.

Well breakfast has been eaten so off to swap my alternator. It just never stops around here.

Crazy sky last night
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If I tied anything around my eyes I would be fair game for galloping horses! hahaha!

I am wearing glasses now when I handle the chickens!

 

[RoyalChick]

Hmmm - you know all you need is birds for the good weather months - borrowing someone elses is a golden idea!

How would I ever give them back?!

 

[RoyalChick]

All you experts on broody hens - this is typical right?

Also, just now Eli really chased poor little Babs away even though they were nowhere near Eli’s precious eggs (golf ball).
Is she just weirdly hormonal?

Tomorrow I need to try to get video or a picture of how I take Eli off her nest. She perches on my closed fist gripping tight on my thumb. In my other hand I hold a bowl of food which she attacks with vigor.
Right now she is loving Rice Krispies. I understand that isn’t a complete feed for her but I am happy when she eats anything - and they are packed with vitamin B!

Here is my sweet girl after I transferred her from my fist to the day perch.

 

[notabitail]

I hereby grant thee a data limit picture tax exemption.

Its purpose was not to discourage thought sharing. Participation is voluntary. I set it up for myself as I was way off the chicken discussion yesterday.

If I'm reading this right, you only set up tax for yourself?

 

[BY Bob]

Bookmarked.
Turns out I need a license to own quail. Not sure how onerous that process is.

They are missing from the environment and you need a license to repopulate them? Can't get out of our way sometimes.

Tax

 

[BY Bob]

All you experts on broody hens - this is typical right?

Also, just now Eli really chased poor little Babs away even though they were nowhere near Eli’s precious eggs (golf ball).
Is she just weirdly hormonal?

Tomorrow I need to try to get video or a picture of how I take Eli off her nest. She perches on my closed fist gripping tight on my thumb. In my other hand I hold a bowl of food which she attacks with vigor.
Right now she is loving Rice Krispies. I understand that isn’t a complete feed for her but I am happy when she eats anything - and they are packed with vitamin B!

Here is my sweet girl after I transferred her from my fist to the day perch.

View attachment 3501773

Looks like a typical broody to me. I love that cluck in particular.

 

[BY Bob]

If I'm reading this right, you only set up tax for yourself?

That is correct but it is now universal policy.