Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Okay then this is the plan. In a couple days I'll slip her marked eggs. We'll see what happens.

It is odd she seems to be living in there, but she came zipping out a second ago when I took in some cauliflower, nabbing it right out of my hand. My husband was giving it to the others in the run. As soon as Manny came in though, she let out a cackle and rushed back into the box. Is that normal? Could it be she's just tired of his attention and hiding? Her back is pretty ragged.

Oh if they sound like an extra from The Exorcist then yep she is broody.

But if he is causing their feathers to be torn out maybe time for a hen apron to protect them from his climbing on them.

 

[Ponypoor]

The littles moved out to their part of the coop today. Monday Mug of Pip.
View attachment 3548758
They were 5 weeks old yesterday.

Awwww so adorable more like little chickens than chicks now. Is that a little Roo do you think?

 

[Ponypoor]

Is there a fire ban? Can you call the authorities?

Not worth the bother - there isn’t a ban but it’s extremely dry, and his fire pit is right at the fence line / tree line of my property - also I am here alone with mum so not worth the risk of it, he would know it was I - you just can’t see back here.

I will check with the township tomorrow to make sure he has a permit, and talk with the fire chief, I know her as she and I frequent the same safety meetings for the Safety Society we belong to.

it’s also irritating because of the smell of the burning hanging in the air, I can’t open my window and it’s roasting in here, I should put the AC on I guess. It’s just got dark now so I am about to head out and make sure he isn’t burning after dusk - that is illegal here permit or not.

 

[Ponypoor]

I'm so glad you made it. I hope your hip does not hurt too much tonight.

Those little monkeys are so silly ! They think they can fly, which is both terrifying and hilarious!

 

[Ponypoor]

@Ponypoor

You're gonna freak!

Spoiler: Kelly is gonna freak out!

View attachment 3548863Found this when going to close the coop (about 6 FEET up)

View attachment 3548864Right between Whiskey and Twirp.

View attachment 3548865Look, Ma! We're all grow'd up!

Hahahaha too funny! But they can fly! Silkies fly worth crap

My school chicks fly everywhere now - brats! They don’t even bother to walk around the fencing to the opening, they just fly up on the fencing and hop off it! Lazy brats!

So did you leave them up there? It’s so wonderful seeing them integrated into the flock so well

 

[Ponypoor]

The one they've been on is about 4.5 feet up. They have a ladder (the pallet), so only needed another 18 inches or so up....and 2-3 feet out....but they've been flying from my shoulder to the ground so...
The "Grups" are definitely keeping an eye on (and teaching) them. Whiskey was watching me closely when I was taking pics.

The littles like to follow Twirp (as long as she stays fairly close to the coop). I caught Tuff walking along beside her yesterday looking at what she was pecking at, then up at her face. There is also no fear. The littles go scampering around under the adults' feet.

Yes that has been my experience with the chicks I hand raised also, they just run with the group eating and sunbathing. It’s just been the past week that the silkies have ranged out away from the mamas but they still don’t range like the other chicks do.

Guess I should be thankful as they are so tiny and can’t fly worth crap

 

[Ponypoor]

I bet it’s quite painful now.

Not to bad really as long as I am not walking up steps or up a hill. I can’t walk up a step with that leg, I have to use the other leg to step up, and tonight when I was hauling Misty off the door using the step ladder I aboit fell off it when I stepped down the steps with the wrong leg. My bad leg gave out! Misty had a wild ride down hahaha.

I have to keep the bad side straight and not try to step up with my knee bent and straighten the leg, my hip just gives way. Which is what happen stepping down the ladder, my bad leg knee bent and the hip gave out! Poor Misty!

And the brat flew back up on the door while I was chasing the little monkeys around and I had to crawl back up to get her!

Chiiickeeens !

 

[Lilion]

This is not the way my broodies behave. They go into a sort of trance on the nest and if I pick them up and set them on the ground, they stay there like a statue for a minute or two.

They will not get up off the nest for treats or food, no matter how delicious it is. They're in another total zone when broody.

They may get up on their own to eat, but it doesn't seem to be triggered by seeing or hearing me bring treats. Normally these same hens will rush off the nest for "special breakfast," if they are just hanging out waiting for their egg, but as broodies, no.

I don't have a rooster, so can't comment on the rooster avoidance.

Oh if they sound like an extra from The Exorcist then yep she is broody.

But if he is causing their feathers to be torn out maybe time for a hen apron to protect them from his climbing on them.

Well shucks. It's just so weird. She stays on the nest all the time; she's in there now. But she popped up when I have her the tomato and the cauliflower and left the nest entirely; going several feet away from the nest box. She went right back though.

I've never heard of a hen acting this way.

 

[RoyalChick]

Not to bad really as long as I am not walking up steps or up a hill. I can’t walk up a step with that leg, I have to use the other leg to step up, and tonight when I was hauling Misty off the door using the step ladder I aboit fell off it when I stepped down the steps with the wrong leg. My bad leg gave out! Misty had a wild ride down hahaha.

I have to keep the bad side straight and not try to step up with my knee bent and straighten the leg, my hip just gives way. Which is what happen stepping down the ladder, my bad leg knee bent and the hip gave out! Poor Misty!

And the brat flew back up on the door while I was chasing the little monkeys around and I had to crawl back up to get her!

Chiiickeeens !

Take care of yourself Pony. Don’t be silly.

 

[Lilion]

Not to bad really as long as I am not walking up steps or up a hill. I can’t walk up a step with that leg, I have to use the other leg to step up, and tonight when I was hauling Misty off the door using the step ladder I aboit fell off it when I stepped down the steps with the wrong leg. My bad leg gave out! Misty had a wild ride down hahaha.

I have to keep the bad side straight and not try to step up with my knee bent and straighten the leg, my hip just gives way. Which is what happen stepping down the ladder, my bad leg knee bent and the hip gave out! Poor Misty!

And the brat flew back up on the door while I was chasing the little monkeys around and I had to crawl back up to get her!

Chiiickeeens !

Hips are the worst! I hope you feel better.