Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Desertvalleychickens]

Are the pullets laying yet? If not, he will go for the ones laying. Maybe you can try to entice him to focus on one of the younger pullets? Is there a way to put a sheet or something (visual barrier) at one end of the run? If so, you could pick him up and take him behind teh sheet, and offer him treats from your hand. After a few times and he is more comfortable, drop the treats on the ground - and get one of the younger pullets/hens - one that Ijak is less bonded with - and bring her behind the sheet, too...and drop some more treats in front of Stormfeather, then set her down. Do this daily for a couple of weeks and see what happens.

Note: it will take careful observation of Ijak and 'his girls' to see which one(s) he is really close to, and which one(s) he is less bonded with, and pick a hen/pullet that doesn't seem to have a tight bond with Ijak - otherwise it will not work.

It isn't a guarantee that the hen/pullet will then choose Stormfeather - but it definitely tips the scales in his favor.

Thanks, I should try this.

 

[bgmathteach]

2 Days Indoors
Yesterday I saw three crows drive off a juvenile hawk from my yard. When I went out to check on the chickens, I could find them until I checked in the coop.

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A couple of them did come back out late in the day but they spent most of the day safely indoors.

This morning we woke up to this stuff.

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So no one has ventured outside again. I expect no one except Glynda will come out today.

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Is the little 'addition' that connects the run/second coop covered so no snow gets in? cI.E. can they get from one coop to the other without stepping in the white stuff? Just wondering if they are 'staying indoors' if they might decide to 'mix it up' and hang out in the Cluckle hut for a change of pace??...or if that will be too much like 'going outside' to get there??

 

[RoyalChick]

Before I had chickens I used to get aggravated with the crows. They were notorious for tearing up garbage. Now, I love them and encourage them to hang around. I do not know who has trained who. If I spot a few of them hanging out in the mimosa tree that is my cue. Coffee can full of whole corn tossed onto the hillside for them to eat. They also help themselves to any scraps the chickens do not like and they leave them alone. The only time the flock raises a fuss is when they try to help themselves to the chicken feeder. I think the flock knows the crows help deter hawks, they are really the only birds they do not gang up on and try to run off. Sorry about the white stuff. We had our first flurries this morning. Ick is all I have to say about it.

That is a good suggestion on keeping the crows around.

 

[BY Bob]

Y'ALL!!!! My little special needs duck, who was rejected by another mama, Miracle, grew up to have part of her issue heal, and get big and stron like the others so she could be outside with them, is now a really big girl! She just watched, copied and helped her mama build a nest in their pen and then she laid an egg! She had been laying for a few days but just randomly in the yard, sometimes nowhere near where the other one laid. And she laid one and then her mama laid and then another one laid!
For the longest time we were scared she wasn't going to make it, or be able to live without help. I'm so proud of her! Sorry I had to share! Pics of her cute self and then her egg next to mamas egg.

What a wonderful story.

Congratulations! Great job helping her along.

 

[BY Bob]

Before I had chickens I used to get aggravated with the crows. They were notorious for tearing up garbage. Now, I love them and encourage them to hang around. I do not know who has trained who. If I spot a few of them hanging out in the mimosa tree that is my cue. Coffee can full of whole corn tossed onto the hillside for them to eat. They also help themselves to any scraps the chickens do not like and they leave them alone. The only time the flock raises a fuss is when they try to help themselves to the chicken feeder. I think the flock knows the crows help deter hawks, they are really the only birds they do not gang up on and try to run off. Sorry about the white stuff. We had our first flurries this morning. Ick is all I have to say about it.

It has been quite an adjustment becoming a crow fan. It does not come naturally to someone who grew up chasing them away from the fields. But I am a big fan of them now.

 

[BY Bob]

Is the little 'addition' that connects the run/second coop covered so no snow gets in? cI.E. can they get from one coop to the other without stepping in the white stuff? Just wondering if they are 'staying indoors' if they might decide to 'mix it up' and hang out in the Cluckle hut for a change of pace??...or if that will be too much like 'going outside' to get there??

Yes the complex is all connected and covered. They could go to the big run and/or the Cluckle Hut. I even put the shower curtains up on Sunday to block the wind and snow.

 

[Aliceismad106]

What a wonderful story.

Congratulations! Great job helping her along.

Thank you! She is so strong and amazing!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

It has been quite an adjustment becoming a crow fan. It does not come naturally to someone who grew up chasing them away from the fields. But I am a big fan of them now.

I understand the difficulty in becoming a fan of them. It is also a adjustment in my dislike of hawks. Before chickens, I loved hawks. Actually, I still do, as long as they stay away from my chickens. I find Hawks and Owls beautiful. I love watching nest camera's of them raising their young, far away. When I took these pictures I was torn. Very proud and rooting for the crows, but at the same time I felt bad for the hawk who had been chased for over a hour and was exhausted.

 

[Sally PB]

Today might be the day!

Robin was making lots of noise while I was out doing scoopy duty. She had messed up the nest (I'm pretty sure she did it); I make it look nice and neat with the fake egg in the middle when I open the coop. She was wandering around in the coop while I scooped. Up on the roost, down on the floor, over by me, near the nest, back on the floor. Making her usual noise, but also a new one.



She has fooled me before...

 

[featherhead007]

Today might be the day!

Robin was making lots of noise while I was out doing scoopy duty. She had messed up the nest (I'm pretty sure she did it); I make it look nice and neat with the fake egg in the middle when I open the coop. She was wandering around in the coop while I scooped. Up on the roost, down on the floor, over by me, near the nest, back on the floor. Making her usual noise, but also a new one.



She has fooled me before...

What is she doing? What do you want her to do?