Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

The new coop will be so much better for my chickens! Its shaded virtually all day. But it isn't even started yet.

One step at a time

Planning should be 90% of all projects

EDIT - I cannot wait to see the finished result - I am just so excited for you always fun seeing what others build!

 

[BY Bob]

I HAVE A LEGHORN!!!!
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@BY Bob ..........
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Someone thought I could use another chicken:





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I now have a Foghorn Leghorn
That I can snuggle while recuperating

How wonderful! He looks like my Bob!!

 

[Ponypoor]

Chinaberry trees might not be the best option - do you have another berry or fruit bearing tree that wouldn't be toxic to the dogs but would still provide both shade/shelter AND food for the chooks?
What is your growing zone? These might be a good alternative Chokecherry

They grow super fast here, but they don't live long has been my experience - maybe 15 yrs? Don't use Weeping Willows - while absolutely wonderful and grow fast, they are messy trees prone to dropping branches (teeheehee poor Sally got bopped one day when a branch fell down she was ok but startled her!).

@GregnLety Can Maples grow there? they are fast growing and have a large canopy.

 

[Ponypoor]

How wonderful! He looks like my Bob!!

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We will need to start a trend with Leghorns now

 

[Lilion]

I snake that tried to swallow but couldn't may do this, I would think something like a rat would actually eat/remove parts of the bird - I don't see where there are bite marks or blood.

But regardless, getting them up higher will help as BG suggested.

Re: your roosts - can you rejig them to be more straight across the wall rather than across the corner?

Like this? I used a 1x6 plank for the roost (I have since replaced this with my single horse me level ledge). And I used steps so the smaller silkies could hop up and down.
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Not really. I see your point, but these roosts have worked fine. All 4 adults fit on top and they've been fine. I don't have the materials to do this right now and really, this coop is only being used a couple more months anyway.

I can pull the little "table" out to make a "step" to the lower roost. Plus the babies easily fly up up the bottom roost. I've seen them go onto the platform between roosts and nest boxes. They can get up easy if they want to.

What do I do, just go in at night and put them up? What about the 3 in the puppy pile? Should I leave them alone? They go up eventually during the night.

 

[BY Bob]

It has now been 48 hours since a hen fight and my flock has a new queen. I thought yesterday the matter was settled and today when I threw out some scraps to the chickens I realized it finally was. Raven has firmly established herself as head of my flock. I tossed out cornbread, pineapple chunks and half a pork chop tore up from them. She firmly planted herself right in the middle of the prize food pile and ate her fill. No one was allowed to snatch a bite until she had finished half of it herself then she allowed the others to come share. Holly was there, and she did not even try to bully her way in until Raven allowed the others to start eating. Most importantly Raven held all the hens at bay without a single peck. She simply ran up to the pile and all the hens backed away. Finally after almost 3 weeks of uproar and chaos peace has returned to my flock. Now that the new queen has been crowned I am curious. Will my faithful trusted broody hang up her hat for rearing chicks.

Long live Queen Raven!
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Happy fluffy butt friday from Raven and one of her laidies in waiting.
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Long live queen Raven!

Greetings from a fellow monarch. It was most impressive to hear how you won your throne.

 

[Ponypoor]

Okay...read up and maybe it was a snake! The head and neck seemed to be chewed on and wet, the body dry and unharmed. Maybe a large snake killed and tried to swallow, but couldn't get it down and regurgitated it? No blood, so something that constructs or poisons makes sense.

I cropped the prior pics. But her head seemed most "plucked".

Spoiler: Poor Dos

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awwww poor baby, such a shame, who knew keeping chickens was so stressful.

I don't know what you can do about snakes, maybe small hole wire? Did you see the photos that @GregnLety posted a while back with the snake in his pen wound through the wire fencing?

 

[Ponypoor]

Not really. I see your point, but these roosts have worked fine. All 4 adults fit on top and they've been fine. I don't have the materials to do this right now and really, this coop is only being used a couple more months anyway.

I can pull the little "table" out to make a "step" to the lower roost. Plus the babies easily fly up up the bottom roost. I've seen them go onto the platform between roosts and nest boxes. They can get up easy if they want to.

What do I do, just go in at night and put them up? What about the 3 in the puppy pile? Should I leave them alone? They go up eventually during the night.

Yes that is what I do/did - I went in at dusk and picked them up and plopped them onto the roost. Momma fist though! I love BG's suggestion of one on each side to tuck under a wing if they need comfort.

I think Rebecca does that now with her wee ones - puts them up on the roost.

I love your idea of a step up with that little table - and it will fast become a play area I bet - if they are like my crazy nut-bar wild things hopping and flapping everywhere they will be using that no problem, and you say they are flying up there anyways to they should be up there in that case (don't forget a cute photo of them snuggling).

 

[bgmathteach]

I would have thought a rat would have attacked sooner. But regardless, it's so sad. I don't want to lose another chick.

We've left the egg door open behind the nest for air in the heat, with a grate in front, but it's got gaps. I'm closing it today and looking for any more large gaps.

Not sure how to get them to roost. I've never done that with any of my chickens. Would it be okay to start with them up on the platform between the roost and nest boxes? I'll remove the curtain around the box, making it less private and attractive.

Yes, that should help - being up off the ground. To get them to roost after dark, slide your hand under mom from the back until you hit her feet/lower legs push gently, she will step up onto your hand...then lift her up and set her on the roost or platform, then do the same for each of the chicks and set them right next to mom. If she (mom) is squatted down low, you will need to work your hand under the bottom half of her legs (which will be flush with the ground). Once you get your hand under that part of her legs, you will be able to lift her up - she will step up onto your hand when you start to lift.

It feels really natural once you have done it once or twice.

 

[Ponypoor]

Yes, that should help - being up off the ground. To get them to roost after dark, slide your hand under mom from the back until you hit her feet/lower legs push gently, she will step up onto your hand...then lift her up and set her on the roost or platform, then do the same for each of the chicks and set them right next to mom. If she (mom) is squatted down low, you will need to work your hand under the bottom half of her legs (which will be flush with the ground). Once you get your hand under that part of her legs, you will be able to lift her up - she will step up onto your hand when you start to lift.

It feels really natural once you have done it once or twice.

I found that handling them at night like this has the added benefit of desensitizing them to being handled - I have noted the Mr P isn't quite so crazy when I get near him and I regularly give him a good grope at night (hahaha).