Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Lilion]

Sorry I likely missed that message.

If you have a crate you can transfer her into, I would do it either really early in the morning when it’s dark, or at night - again dark.

So tomorrow I will move Sophia to the crate with her new chicks. And hope she is good with the move, I will put a blanket over the crate to make it darker. That’s not really an option with you due to the heat.

Also regarding the mist on the roost, do you have a mist cooler? Or is it just one of those most machines and not an evap cooler.

Try the ice jugs and place in front of the fans, what sort of fans do you have btw? I use box fans similar to this - you can get cheaper at walmart

https://www.amazon.ca/PELONIS-PFB50A2ABB-V-Full-Force-Circulation-Conditioner/dp/B087C2LJ25/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=29V34ZGR0YSI5&keywords=box+fans+24x24+quiet&qid=1688015402&sprefix=bax+fans,aps,256&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.b06bdbbe-20fd-4ebc-88cf-fa04f1ca0da8

But I also have a vey high volume fan for the barn alleyway

My misting fan is just that. A fan that sucks water from a bucket and blows it into the air.

I have a box fan (we can run an extension cord) the misting fan (which can be used without water, and a small camping fan.

With respect to moving Eenie, I meant when during the hatch. This weekend is 10 days. Is it best to move her now, wait until the chicks hatch, or what?

 

[Lilion]

Everyone lived thru the night...I can't say I slept much. As soon as I get some coffee in me we'll get started getting the water/electrolytes out, shoveling out some of the litter, watering the run, getting fans set up...well, some of those right away. I have a meeting with my boss at an unknown time this morning. I'll be working from home. Blowing off my "required" office day. I'm too close to retirement for them to fire me for that. I'll stay and worry about the hens instead. Have to find the extra dog crate for Sheba and lots of ice jugs and bottles. I'll do my job at some point in there.

 

[BY Bob]

@Ponypoor

My girls in their box (along with my five ISA Browns).
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Ruby
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Dottie
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Jasmine
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Scarlett
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Coco
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She usually holds her tail straight up, but didn’t know what to think of this “first egg picture” business.
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That is very helpful. What a nice set of photos for each.

 

[BY Bob]

….and chick update.

I put water and some of the morning mash I feed everyone in with Sophia. It took her a bit to get going but she finally started drinking thank goodness! And eating a bit yay! she was calling the chicks but they were not coming out, so I went and finished up morning chores.

When I came back three of the chicks were out eating with mama I dug the fourth out and all of them were eating, Sophia chuckling and talking to them. They were so funny nipping at her wattles and comb. She was soooo very quiet with them, then when they had enough they all snuggled under her, she wiggled to get them all tucked in

I am going to go ahead and move her and her little family to the crate seeing as how those babies are so active!

That is wonderful news! I'm so glad she adopted them for you.

 

[BY Bob]

My misting fan is just that. A fan that sucks water from a bucket and blows it into the air.

I have a box fan (we can run an extension cord) the misting fan (which can be used without water, and a small camping fan.

With respect to moving Eenie, I meant when during the hatch. This weekend is 10 days. Is it best to move her now, wait until the chicks hatch, or what?

I would not move her at this point. I would just make her as cool as I could.

 

[Ponypoor]

That is wonderful news! I'm so glad she adopted them for you.

I am just glad she is interested in eating and drinking again! At her age I really worry about her, esp as this is her first time being broody. She certainly is behaving like a good mama, and the babies are listening to her.

It's not just the mamas that need to attach to the babies - the babies need to also attach to the mama.

 

[Ponypoor]

My misting fan is just that. A fan that sucks water from a bucket and blows it into the air.

I have a box fan (we can run an extension cord) the misting fan (which can be used without water, and a small camping fan.

With respect to moving Eenie, I meant when during the hatch. This weekend is 10 days. Is it best to move her now, wait until the chicks hatch, or what?

Do you have a safe secure place where she can settle right back in? And can you place a fan there also?

I would try to move her tonight when it starts to get dark; I moved my Henny Penny when she first sat on her eggs, I took the eggs and placed them into the new nest I made for her - I created a nice bowl, packed the sides as firm as I could and placed the eggs there, then I picked up Henny Penny and placed her in front of the eggs, she walked over onto them. I would think you could also place your girl on the nest if you don't think she will walk over and settle onto them, and then put the eggs under her.

By creating a bowl you lessen the chance of an egg rolling away.

@RebeccaBoyd may have another suggestion.

 

[Ponypoor]

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Thirsty Thursday.

They're growing so quickly, I've already removed the top brick, and will take out another soon.

Awwww they are practically all grown up How cute is that!

 

[Ponypoor]

Everyone lived thru the night...I can't say I slept much. As soon as I get some coffee in me we'll get started getting the water/electrolytes out, shoveling out some of the litter, watering the run, getting fans set up...well, some of those right away. I have a meeting with my boss at an unknown time this morning. I'll be working from home. Blowing off my "required" office day. I'm too close to retirement for them to fire me for that. I'll stay and worry about the hens instead. Have to find the extra dog crate for Sheba and lots of ice jugs and bottles. I'll do my job at some point in there.

You know I am sure your Boss will be understanding - most people are really good, especially if you have been there a long time and your a good employee

You can always bring him in some eggs too OK stay safe in this heat, I will check in later to see how everything is going.

 

[Lilion]

Do you have a safe secure place where she can settle right back in? And can you place a fan there also?

I would try to move her tonight when it starts to get dark; I moved my Henny Penny when she first sat on her eggs, I took the eggs and placed them into the new nest I made for her - I created a nice bowl, packed the sides as firm as I could and placed the eggs there, then I picked up Henny Penny and placed her in front of the eggs, she walked over onto them. I would think you could also place your girl on the nest if you don't think she will walk over and settle onto them, and then put the eggs under her.

By creating a bowl you lessen the chance of an egg rolling away.

@RebeccaBoyd may have another suggestion.

We had decided to fence her off and leave her there. The others will just have to lay elsewhere. It's not like there aren't 2 perfectly good, untouched, boxes! Then we considered moving her to the small coop, but it's too hot for that now. The heat has complicated everything.

You know I am sure your Boss will be understanding - most people are really good, especially if you have been there a long time and your a good employee

You can always bring him in some eggs too OK stay safe in this heat, I will check in later to see how everything is going.

Really, I work in an office completely unattached to my boss and coworkers. It's a LONG story that started with covid. But I've been there since God was a child and I'm retiring nest year, no later than July, and they need my brain.

So coop mostly scooped out. Left litter under the roosts and in Eenies nest. OMG the MICE! So far the trap has caught 2 adults and 4 littles and the area around the nest box had bunches of half grown mice under the litter! We'll have to deal with that later.

Meeting in 3. Then back to it.

Eenie is NOT inclined to get off the nest. Except for water and food right in front of her face, she's just there. Should I physically evict her for a few minutes to get her moving a bit?