Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[lightm]

A happy pig mama

Lovely gourds

All from NC state fair.

 

[BY Bob]

First night on the coop for the Spuds. I am lonely already.

I was thinking they'd need another week since integration was put on hold due to the suspected Coccidiosis (I removed them from the run; I didn't want to put everyone on the treated water, and I was cleaning out run litter to lower the load when they got back). But they've just picked up again where they left off, no setback it seems.

Saw this, below, this morning, this is new. That and how relaxed everybody has seemed the last few days made me think I could try them in the coop. That and the cecal poops. One Spud had cecal poopy feet today for the usual group transport out of the house to the run on my arms and shoulders. I wear an old hooded sweatjacket for it, but still, it was soooo fragrant! That jacket went right in the laundry.

Here Hazel was on a low level still alert because of a momentary warning Popcorn made. But still, the Spuds were not worried about her at all. They had just previously gone for the sardine bits in that left in that bowl and Hazel didn't care. When she does push them around, they usually just move without panic. Popcorn strikes more fear, but it's not too bad.
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So here they are. That's Popcorn on the roost with them, and Hazel's in the nestbox.
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The Spuds were waiting at the run door to go with me to the house to sleep on the brooder top perches but instead I called them over to the coop front, and crouched next to the veranda. I put my red headband light on low. They came over, got up on me and on to the porch and pecked around. They've been up there a lot this week, it's not unfamiliar, and eventually they climbed on my shoulders and arms to roost and we stayed like that for 20 mins or so. Heard some great very low purring as one was against my head. Sometimes it went up into a lispy blowing-bubbles sound I've heard in the mornings in the house. We heard Popcorn and Hazel move around in the coop too and settle in, a little "buk-bukking" by Hazel. Nobody seemed upset at those sounds.

I stayed there while the auto-door closed, and stayed for yet another 20 mins at least with a few shifts in position so they'd not get alarmed when I moved. Now they all were on my right hand, arm and shoulder. I slowly got up and went out and around to the coop back, and laid my arm on top of the coop for another 20 mins or so, cradling my other arm around them, softly talking every once in a while. Popcorn and Hazel acknowledged me but made no other sounds. Then I opened the coop back and put my arms on the edge for another spell, then moving inside more, little by little. I put the red light on once in a while to check on Hazel and Popcorn, who talked some and got up and looked, then moved further away from the open back and tucked their heads down for good.

I realized it was going to be a big disturbance to get the Spuds off my arm and on to the roost. Also that the roost bars were cold and they probably liked the lumpy warm softness of my sweatjacket. So I decided I can wash it tomorrow and leave it for them to sleep on tonight. I unzipped it and slipped off the left arm, and started getting my right arm out, and bunched up more material under Anna, who was on my hand and didn't have much under her. Slight disturbance but not bad. So there they are.

It's the morning I'm worried about. I've set the auto door for ten minutes earlier, set 50 minutes before sunrise now, and no light going on first, and I'll get up early too.

Wish us all luck!

Here's Popcorn (right) and and Hazel (left) taking a preening break and tossing feathers today. I was thinking how Popcorn is now second in command. The last place she probably expected to be not long ago. RIP Peanut and Butters.

Popcorn is vigilant in watching the skies. @BY Bob she has given serious warnings twice this week, the second one, at 6pm today, she was looking up at the sky over the fields, must have been a hawk sighting. She kept warning, the Spuds stood stock still and one returned the call. Hazel took cover in the coop. It was close to roost time for her anyway. I couldn't see what Popcorn saw. We've been lucky with no Red-Tails bothering much this summer, and the Coopers were hunting mostly elsewhere though they nest nearby. But I'm thinking the hawks are migrating now!

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It is great that she is so vigilant and that the Spuds understood. I hope to read further on that there were no issues in the morning. I expect there were none. How wonderful that they roosted on you. Such trust they have in you.

 

[SimpleJenn]

I opened the coop door and they were all excited to go out to the run! I gave them the last of the watermelon, it's cold and wet but they are happy.

 

[bgmathteach]

Maybe an older quiet Roo like Mr P who is past the dumb a$$ stage - maybe a nice silkie Roo or a pretty Polish - or a lovely Cochin, oh right sorry forgot no feathered legs. How about a banty Sebright?

I take it that is a long winded 'Aye"!

 

[bgmathteach]

@ChicoryBlue How was the first morning for the Spuds in the coop? I'm anxiously awaiting the - hopefully good - results!

 

[rural mouse]

Ok, y'all, I need help deciding.

Looking at another pic for the fall pic contest. Which one?


1. First pic taken, then went for different angles

2. Different angle

3. Zoomed in a bit

I did submit that chickadee under the tree branch pic. The contest allows up to 4 entries, and I'm wanting to be choosy, so only 1 of the above pics.

Spoiler: my inclination

I'm thinking NOT 1, but between 2 or 3

 

[RoyalChick]

Ok, y'all, I need help deciding.

Looking at another pic for the fall pic contest. Which one?


1. First pic taken, then went for different angles
View attachment 3660135

2. Different angleView attachment 3660134

3. Zoomed in a bitView attachment 3660133

I did submit that chickadee under the tree branch pic. The contest allows up to 4 entries, and I'm wanting to be choosy, so only 1 of the above pics.

Spoiler: my inclination

I'm thinking NOT 1, but between 2 or 3

#3
Stunning!

 

[rural mouse]

Attempting to get a good shot of Nellie

She's gone active again, so feeling pretty good

Tail has a ways to go, but she's got the weather vane shape back.


@RoyalChick I remembered for you

Spoiler: Maizie

Maizie, on the other hand is miserable and both Belladonna and Primula aren’t much better (they're staing in the coop, but got some of today's sardines)

 

[featherhead007]

Ok, y'all, I need help deciding.

Looking at another pic for the fall pic contest. Which one?


1. First pic taken, then went for different angles
View attachment 3660135

2. Different angleView attachment 3660134

3. Zoomed in a bitView attachment 3660133

I did submit that chickadee under the tree branch pic. The contest allows up to 4 entries, and I'm wanting to be choosy, so only 1 of the above pics.

Spoiler: my inclination

I'm thinking NOT 1, but between 2 or 3

I’m thinking number 3

 

[featherhead007]

I’m thinking number 3

Number 2 has the power poll in it. Everyone knows what a power poll looks like. And distracts from the scenery. In my opinion.