Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Yes I would say she is a tough bird

Just like my gramma, a tough ol' bird!

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Well my worry is it wears her out. No sign of that so far, but the laying machines tend to have short lives and I love my little Babs so I worry that she isn't taking a break.

You can trade for my 5 hens that haven't laid since maybe Sept or so Last year they started back up in January I assume after winter solstice Enjoy your chickens

 

[RoyalChick]

You can trade for my 5 hens that haven't laid since maybe Sept or so Last year they started back up in January I assume after winter solstice Enjoy your chickens

Oh I have plenty of freeloaders of my own!

 

[BeastBaby]

This afternoon I will get time to start the black-out process on the Chicken Palace. I am going to use a combination of carboard, black landscape fabric and fix it all with painter's tape. All stuff I have kicking around.
I realize it is a big job: 5 windows and 3 glass doors - all human size.
As if to warn me that my efforts will be wasted Babs got up at 3am last night and went to lay an egg. There was no moon so it was really dark.
I plan to also turn off the cameras at night - in theory their detectors are of a wavelength that she cannot see - but just in case!
Wish me luck!

Oh my, what a big undertaking. I hope there are no unintended consequences, particularly to the other chickens who will want to roost when it’s dark… and will suddenly get even more hours of roost time. Will you be supplementing the coop with automatic lights for allowed awake times?

 

[featherhead007]

Sir Jaffar is late today for his Cocorico!
8:28 pacific time is too late for a California roo to crow. Wake up rooster!

 

[rural mouse]

Got another TINY egg this morning. Still no certainty as to who laid it. Shape wise, it makes me think of Lark and Indigo, but it's brown instead of white.

Noticed a NAKED tail last night when closing the coop. It was mostly dark so couldn't tell who owned said tail. This morning I found out.

Guess before you look

Spoiler: naked tail owner

Cheetah. He's moulting slowly as he's been looking good the whole time. Pics later.

 

[RoyalChick]

Oh my, what a big undertaking. I hope there are no unintended consequences, particularly to the other chickens who will want to roost when it’s dark… and will suddenly get even more hours of roost time. Will you be supplementing the coop with automatic lights for allowed awake times?

No lighting in the coop and I will let them out to forage once I wake up. If they all experience long dark nights I think that is OK. I also cannot cover over the ventilation in the roof ridge and soffits so I suspect the Princesses will all just laugh at my notion that they are fooled into thinking it is night!

 

[featherhead007]

Sir Jaffar is late today for his Cocorico!
8:28 pacific time is too late for a California roo to crow. Wake up rooster! View attachment 3704365

He’s being such a good rooster being inside the house. He’s having his breakfast of warm oatmeal with raisins and some blueberries.
Sir knight isn’t spoiled at all is he?

 

[Marie2020]

I suspect this is very true for any conscientious chicken keeper - even for those whose chickens are not pets. It certainly is a true sentiment for me as well. While it is hard to follow my own words, remember this:

All you can ever do is your best based on your situation, knowledge, and ability at any one given time.

Be kind to yourself, know that your knowledge is improving al the time, and hence your ability to help them - both in general keeping and in times of illness or injury. Know also that, regardless of what you can or can't do in terms of medical assistance and treatment - you can and do give them love, comfort, and freedom (in the sense that they are relatively safe, but can roam and forage and, in general, be a chicken) You are a wonderful chicken tender (no, Alex, not the food, the occupation!!!)

Chickens are not unlike people in many ways: my father used to frequently say "You can bring a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" That is true of any sentient being. Give them the best you can, and let them choose where/how they are happy within certain bounds. That truly is the best you can do for them - and whether they actively show it or not - they are comfortable with you and love you.

That's a true and perfect answer

 

[Marie2020]

He’s being such a good rooster being inside the house. He’s having his breakfast of warm oatmeal with raisins and some blueberries.
Sir knight isn’t spoiled at all is he?

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