Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

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[BY Bob]

Finished making Sherlock's collarView attachment 3596951

Looks like a good fit.View attachment 3596953
Good thing the buckles are interchangeable. Extensions as he grows will be possible.

And...he broke it on first walk with it.

Of course he did. So ungrateful.

 

[BY Bob]

Preparations, sooner than I thought due to hatch dates & availability!
Cleared out a tote and began assembly
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Looked slightly too small a playground even for three Buff Orpington chicks for a couple weeks & probably more, & would be switching to bigger anyway, so hauled out the 4' x 28" bicycle box. Previous walls were strapping and screening and a million tiny PITA nuts & bolts, here took the front wall framing and leaned it against the house wall and taped the bottom on. Made some quick walls with plastic 3/4" x 3/4" netting and clothespins, zip ties later, & will need top part soon -
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Because they're going to grow fast - and they're here!
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They took to the waterer, at first I thought they weren't getting it and I got a tray with pebbles cleaned and warmed up, then tried the waterer again, and two got it, so everyone's bellied up to the bar!
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That's right, they sent FIVE Buff Orpingtons. Somehow the best chicken math is impossible to plan with. I hope they didn't knowingly throw in a boy or two. Good thing they're in the big box now! See the tiny thread out of the butt of the front left little one? That's yolk sac / umbilical related, correct? If I can track that one it's name will be Thread.

This number might move up the coop plans? I'm not sure how to go about integration and sleeping, thought they'd be out in a see/no touch situation after a couple weeks, with heat available, and sleeping back here on roosts in the box? Depends on temps I know...Need to read up on various approaches, and tips are welcome!

If it's warm enough and they are integrated eventually, mixing well with the Bigs, will they like their own coop or will they want to be sleeping with the Bigs, I assume the latter but maybe the Bigs are too intimidating? Depends on their reception too.

I think it's possible three Bigs and five Littles will fit okay for the winter. Some folks do manage it year-round. I would be concerned for ventilation. The Orpingtons have single combs, so am strongly considering the new coop much sooner.

This little one wants warmth with a view
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Taking to the feeder and pecking crumbles sprinkled on the ground in front
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Three have found sunlight, preening and sleeping now
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Meanwhile two are zonked out here
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Babies!!!

I'll be going to check again on Butters shortly. She lingered in the nest box but was out by 7am, improvement over yesterday morning and she's foraging out with the others. I will check to see how much she's eating on her own and tube feed more or less, or not (miracle) depending. Life is persistent, young and old!

How wonderful! Congratulations! More Orpingtons! Woo hoo!


Hattie says, I Approve!

 

[BY Bob]

Chickens are such amazing creatures. I am so happy that I have had the chance to get to know them.

They really are special. I wish more people knew that.

 

[GregnLety]

Even the chickens learn that our dogs are no threat. Yesterday around sunset I was setting in the swing with 6 or 7 dogs around me. I heard the male guineas making a commotion and here comes Cholo Jr with the guineas in pursuit. Jr makes his way to behind the swing where he is completely surrounded by dogs. The guineas give up and leave him alone. A few minutes later Jr calm walks away and goes about his business.

I must admit that when Lety said she could train the dogs to behave around the chickens I was skeptical. I am so happy that she proved me wrong.

 

[Ponypoor]

Another go at tweaking the electric fence.
The inspectors have arrived.
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Uncanny how they go immediately to a failure point. Yup. That is Sylvie walking under the fence.
They have told me to do better tomorrow.
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Is your fence powered? If so you should mow down the grass where the fence runs as those plants will short out the fence - or do what I do and use roundup to just kill the plants along the fence line.

I am still fixing the spots with the holes in it, when I get one spot done I just watch to see where they escape again and then fix that location

 

[Ponypoor]

Good move on the crate. He'll possibly get the message if that happens every time he's naughty.

Do you have a cage for a dirty old man that keeps talking too my boobs every time we speak.
I'm trying to help him with his beautiful labrador dog as he says he is ill but is wandering eye's is just fine (pervert comes to mind).

In out And BREATHE

Well naughty old men get the evil eye and then told ‘eyes up here troll’ - nothing like getting caught being a pervert to make a guy behave

Naughty babies think my chair is very comfy

 

[Ponypoor]

Oh dear. I just burst into tears - my phone sent me a memories picture and I just miss him badly. Fortunately I also have pictures of him being very annoying.
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Awwww but I would say good memories

Such a handsome moggy he was