Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

Now, all I need (yeah, right, really just means 'add another thing to the list') is more safe broody/incubating huts for the girls.

1) I have my White Rock with 5 chicks ~4 weeks old) She is in the broody tractor
2) I have a BR with 4 chicks ~ 1 week old She is in the dog crate with extra fencing in the run.
3) I have a DC that has been sitting on eggs since 6/11
4 ) Another DC that went broody and is sitting on eggs since 6/20
5) One of my mixes (that thought about being broody last year, but then decided 'no) that has been sitting for 3 days now...Eggs put under her on 6/25
6) Marylin, my very large BO appears to be broody - nest box at night on Wednesday, but off the nest during the day Thursday. Back into the nest box Thursday night - off (according to hubby) for a couple of hours Friday, then back on - on all day yesterday _ I had to kick her off to drink & eat both yesterday am 7 today. No eggs yet - but probably will tomorrow ( a friend came over with her son to see the chicks - and he loved gathering eggs, so don't have a lot to select from to put under her tonight.)

Now, all this, plus the DC that hatched Eli & Babs hasn't gone broody yet. She usually does in July ( but it was August last year when she went!)

All but Marylin are lower in the pecking order and get thrown off the nest. I'm running out of nest boxes that the chooks actively use that doesn't have a broody in it!

And, whoops, I went to TSC to get chick food - and they had straight run marans, and BR pullets (and two BO pullets) So, I have 10 chicks being brooded in the house (hence the previous post about needing to set up brooder space in the primary run!) But they are so darn cute!

No offense but:::

 

[rural mouse]

What did you use to cut that hole - a 2" hole saw? or do you have a larger one?? I think I really like this idea until I get an integrated brooder built like @RoyalChick has.

Step 1: light the candle.
Step 2: trace the lid where you want the hole.
Step 3: put nail in vise grips, head against the pincers.
Step 4: heat the nail. This takes a while.
Step 5: push the nail throughthe plastic.
Step 6: repeat steps 4 & 5 until hole is perforated (like stamps used to be), as nail heats, can punch more holes before reheating.
Step 7: use heated nail to angle back and forth connecting holes. (If working on square shape, can do this around the corners, then use hack saw blade (handle won't fit) to cut between holes).
Step 8: use heated nail to smooth the edges.
Step 9: repeat for all access hatches and windows and holes for attaching hardware cloth with zip ties.
Step 10: cut hardware cloth a bit bigger than window and bigger than lower hatch (if babies can get out upper (also used for cord to heat), then they're ready to have lower one opened).
Step 11: bend all points of hardware cloth around frame and crimp securely with vise grips.
Step 12: secure cloth to tote with zipties (start with them loose and tighten down each side starting in middle and working way to corners)

Note: this is the LOW tech method. Feel free to use a propane torch or other power tools to achieve similar ends. Knowing plastic totes can SHATTER, I opted for slower methods of hole creation so I didn't have to start over with a fresh tote, patch any cracks or otherwise attempt to fix the structural integrity of the tote.

Note 2: set up whole project outside where the feathered adults can wander by and crane their necks at you.

They only used the tote for about 10 days. They're still sort of using the heating pad. Once they're done with the pad too, I'll pack up the whole kit and stash it in the garage for the next time. This has been the most seemless integration of ANY birds, except those raised by broodies. I will 100% use this in future! I'm also going to repeat the place it in coop a week before occupants join it.

 

[featherhead007]

I will visit and bring a couple dozen eggs for you

Those I can get across the border! If I could get live kiddies across the border I would send you the school chick pullets

Go in a mini van, and tell the border guards that you’re going on a school project with your feathered kids. Only the Canadian side might question you. The United States side is too busy looking for terrorists and drugs!

 

[Ponypoor]

View attachment 3555686Step 1: light the candle.
Step 2: trace the lid where you want the hole.
Step 3: put nail in vise grips, head against the pincers.
Step 4: heat the nail. This takes a while.
Step 5: push the nail throughthe plastic.
Step 6: repeat steps 4 & 5 until hole is perforated (like stamps used to be), as nail heats, can punch more holes before reheating.
Step 7: use heated nail to angle back and forth connecting holes. (If working on square shape, can do this around the corners, then use hack saw blade (handle won't fit) to cut between holes).
Step 8: use heated nail to smooth the edges.
Step 9: repeat for all access hatches and windows and holes for attaching hardware cloth with zip ties.
Step 10: cut hardware cloth a bit bigger than window and bigger than lower hatch (if babies can get out upper (also used for cord to heat), then they're ready to have lower one opened).
Step 11: bend all points of hardware cloth around frame and crimp securely with vise grips.
Step 12: secure cloth to tote with zipties (start with them loose and tighten down each side starting in middle and working way to corners)

Note: this is the LOW tech method. Feel free to use a propane torch or other power tools to achieve similar ends. Knowing plastic totes can SHATTER, I opted for slower methods of hole creation so I didn't have to start over with a fresh tote, patch any cracks or otherwise attempt to fix the structural integrity of the tote.

Note 2: set up whole project outside where the feathered adults can wander by and crane their necks at you.

They only used the tote for about 10 days. They're still sort of using the heating pad. Once they're done with the pad too, I'll pack up the whole kit and stash it in the garage for the next time. This has been the most seemless integration of ANY birds, except those raised by broodies. I will 100% use this in future! I'm also going to repeat the place it in coop a week before occupants join it.

That’s a perfect solution; and worked wonderfully’

 

[Sally PB]

They are all grown up it looks!

6 weeks old today.

I built a bench to sit in the coop or out in the run with them. I have it turned upside down so they can't poop on my seat.

The dividing fence is made out of pieces of janky, left over used fence. The next project I need fence for, I'm buying a new roll. No more fighting with that crap!

I'm also going to build a set of fence sections I can put up, take down, and store for reuse. Ditto with the fence walls to divide the coop.

 

[featherhead007]

Why does Dakota act like a little baby all the time? She’s always whining and crying, asking me for something. Sticks like superglue to my side when I out in the yard. She’s the only real pest that I have. The rest wait their turn for treats and cuddles.

 

[Ponypoor]

I was sharing some meally worms with BoPeep. She’s on the porch with me

Looks like she is interested in those youngsters, how is Jaffar with them?

 

[Ponypoor]

6 weeks old today.

I built a bench to sit in the coop or out in the run with them. I have it turned upside down so they can't poop on my seat.

The dividing fence is made out of pieces of janky, left over used fence. The next project I need fence for, I'm buying a new roll. No more fighting with that crap!

I'm also going to build a set of fence sections I can put up, take down, and store for reuse. Ditto with the fence walls to divide the coop.

It sure doesn’t take them long to grow up!

I am in the process of finishing up the removable sections of fencing for my run, I'll post when done.

 

[Ponypoor]

Why does Dakota act like a little baby all the time? She’s always whining and crying, asking me for something. Sticks like superglue to my side when I out in the yard. She’s the only real pest that I have. The rest wait their turn for treats and cuddles.

She likes you that’s for sure! Your the big Hooman who protects and feeds

 

[featherhead007]

Looks like she is interested in those youngsters, how is Jaffar with them?

Jaffar just looks at them. He does nothing