Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

Do you think you could come over and show me the proper way to make my coop clean ? I’m deep litter two years of build up. I have only removed the top layer (poop and dampness)

Where you haul it matters too, needs to be someplace where the chickens can’t go. It seems the eggs hatch and then the larvae can live and feed on the litter while they wait to find a host.

 

[Sally PB]

I changed the video to a different one right after this picture.

Thank you for doing that.

 

[BY Bob]

Finches, FINCHES, we don’t need no stinking finches!…. (Movie Blazing Saddles) … oh that was “badges”. Sorry my bad

Actually, it's from The Treasure of Sierra Madre.

Classic film education tax

 

[BY Bob]

I don't know anything about these kinds of birds, but two things you need to think about before releasing any of them:
- Would they survive on their own or are you effectively setting them up to die slowly of starvation
- And conversely, might they be too successful and breed and compete with native wild birds
Both of these reasons are why in general it is a bad idea to release non native pet birds into the wild.
It sounds like you have got in a bit over your head and maybe need to take a step back and figure a plan for managing flock size. I have no idea how to do that as I have only ever had chickens.

Great post. Well said.

 

[BY Bob]

Yeah, like what happened in Phoenix Arizona with the lovebirds! They seem to be okay, but maybe I should try to find a different solution. There are already tons of feral pigeons and I don't think I'd want to add to the problem. What are some ideas? I really don't want them inbreeding as that's becoming a concern of mine!

The solution seems simple. Take the eggs from them. Don't let them hatch.

But maybe I'm missing something.

 

[notabitail]

Have they stopped throwing up and are there any more symptoms??

Don't think she's thrown up. She seems fine.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Please if anyone knows more about zebra finches it's me, the people at the pet sore said that they had only female albino zebra finches because they didn't have male coloration even though they aren't even feather sexable! They said a completely seed diet is all every type of bird needs, but in reality they need a varieted diet depending on the spieces. I've thought this out perfectly and they have all the aspects needed for survival in my area. The only predators they would face is the little owls and kestrels, but seeing as they are so fast and the budgies can't ever catch them I think they'd be fine. These guys are foragers and they eat mostly on the ground. That's why I can't grows plants in the aviary, these guys eat every seedling they see! The are also super cold hardy! I think ad long as I release them in small groups they will be fine. They also are very protective of their nests and they tend to make their nest connected together so a predator will have a harder time. Imagine a kestrel vs 3-5 pairs of super territorial parents. The kestrel would freak out and I don't think they will get kicked out of their nest. Also they are super picky when making nests so them taking another birds nest is highly unlikely.

Edit: I'm kinda stupid I read that wrong. Also I could ask, but a good pet store would never as they don't know if the birds could get their other birds sick.

I think since they are in your aviary you should collect the eggs so they can’t hatch any more, then slowly sell the birds you have so that you have a manageable flock size.

If you release them to the wild the fact they might succeed so well is reason not to. They could really change the natural balance of the other living things in your area. This is a historical and a current problem in lots of places.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I took these yesterday and fully intended to upload and post them. Yeah, I got sidetracked and forgot.

Morning snack of corn. Look how big Ravens chicks are compared to the adults at 3 months old. Owly and the jailbirds are going to be big girls, the jailbirds really big girls. I love it. Bubba is a mess as he is starting to molt and is CRANKY, even to the hens. I picked him up and helped him on the roost Wednesday evening. He rewarded me with shaking as soon as I set him on it and shaking off 3 of his longer tail feathers. I figure he will be tailless by the beginning of the week. Karen, well, she is living up to her name Karen and being a bully. I think she has a grudge against all the littles since I have not let her hatch any chicks yet and she has been broody 6 times in a year. She chooses the wrong time to go broody, either too hot, too cold or when I already have multiple broody hens setting and simply do not need another broody hen.

A day late but this was supposed to be for Thirsty Thursday. Grackle enjoying wild water.

 

[bgmathteach]

I took these yesterday and fully intended to upload and post them. Yeah, I got sidetracked and forgot.

Morning snack of corn. Look how big Ravens chicks are compared to the adults at 3 months old. Owly and the jailbirds are going to be big girls, the jailbirds really big girls. I love it. Bubba is a mess as he is starting to molt and is CRANKY, even to the hens. I picked him up and helped him on the roost Wednesday evening. He rewarded me with shaking as soon as I set him on it and shaking off 3 of his longer tail feathers. I figure he will be tailless by the beginning of the week. Karen, well, she is living up to her name Karen and being a bully. I think she has a grudge against all the littles since I have not let her hatch any chicks yet and she has been broody 6 times in a year. She chooses the wrong time to go broody, either too hot, too cold or when I already have multiple broody hens setting and simply do not need another broody hen.

A day late but this was supposed to be for Thirsty Thursday. Grackle enjoying wild water.

I love the contented/happy noises they were making before Karen started running them off. So sweet to listen to their contented/happy sounds.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

View attachment 3635487
Kasumi...I think her batch of olive eggers is a leghorn/marans cross? Otherwise that's a lot of pink for an estimated 2.5 weeks...
But I suppose one rooster wouldn't be an issue.

I hope everyone is having a peaceful day.

Definitely not a leghorn/marans cross. To achieve a olive egger you need to cross a blue egg layer normally Americaunas with a dark brown egg layer, normally Marans.. All a leghorn/marans cross will give you is light to medium tan/brown eggs. I am happy to hear you are open to a rooster, because I firmly believe you have one there. It is not the color of the comb or wattles, it is simply the fact you have wattles that young. With my marans and marans crosses that do not have silkie mixed in to throw things off males show themselves early. First sign is wattles popping around 2 weeks old.