Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

Bach Bach Bach

Is chicken talk

For the life of me I don’t know what they are asking for - likely mealworms…

Buk buk buk

Buk buk

Baaaaaewwwwwk!

View attachment 3742104

They are demanding higher rates of meal worms

 

[Marie2020]

I wish I could take them. My dad would never allow it, and I doubt the people would sell them to me. Anyways, I don’t have money, and there’s no way my parents would pay for hens that are in awful condition and would (I’m sure) need veterinary assistance.

That's sad. They may have gotten better with better conditions food and attention

 

[Marie2020]

Grandma looks like a judge from England!

She is a judge

 

[RoyalChick]

Hawks.

As mentioned I spent some time turning my sketch for netting on flagpoles idea into reality.

From this:

To this:

And then I watched the video on the thread attached, and have got a bit despondent. Why even bother to try?

The video isn’t gory, but it is alarming if you have hawks.

Thread 'Video: Cooper's Hawk get my white bantam; not graphic, but not for the faint-of-heart'
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...aphic-but-not-for-the-faint-of-heart.1611073/

 

[RoyalChick]

Thirsty Thursday
Piglet and Babs enjoying the wild water in the sunshine.

 

[BeastBaby]

Hawks.

As mentioned I spent some time turning my sketch for netting on flagpoles idea into reality.

From this:
View attachment 3743307

To this:
View attachment 3743308

And then I watched the video on the thread attached, and have got a bit despondent. Why even bother to try?

The video isn’t gory, but it is alarming if you have hawks.

That looks amazing!
The flag poles are so long they’re clearly going to give your birds lots of protected space. What did you end up doing with the netting? (I can’t quite see it, it’s pretty unobtrusive!) Does is cascade down to the ground?

I just watched that video. Truly, chickens aren’t meant to “run” from predators, rather hide immobile in the underbrush: that person’s space was entirely bare! Not a bush or tussock in sight. It was a clear flight path for the hawk and the chooks were set up for failure. I’ll bet even before the attacks they must have felt nervous.

 

[LhickenChicken]

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!
Today is her 5th Hatchday! All the tribe wanted to celebrate with her! It is no surprise that while Hattie's 5th party was very proper, Aurora's was a free for all. Sydney refused to wait for Aurora to even get there and just dived in.

More photos to come as the celebration goes on!

Happy Hatchday Aurora! (the cat in the background was also very cute)

 

[LhickenChicken]

The next Aurora for certain. How perfect that she lays pink eggs! Congratulations you have a great one there.


And hearty congratulations from the Queen herself! She is most pleased with Owly.

View attachment 3743068

Bessie lays purplish pink eggs, however, she is not an EE, nor is she queen of the flock, or even close...

 

[RoyalChick]

That looks amazing!
The flag poles are so long they’re clearly going to give your birds lots of protected space. What did you end up doing with the netting? (I can’t quite see it, it’s pretty unobtrusive!) Does is cascade down to the ground?

I just watched that video. Truly, chickens aren’t meant to “run” from predators, rather hide immobile in the underbrush: that person’s space was entirely bare! Not a bush or tussock in sight. It was a clear flight path for the hawk and the chooks were set up for failure. I’ll bet even before the attacks they must have felt nervous.

Yes. I noticed how bare it was too. And mine really isn’t anything like that bare even in winter.
One thing I could do though is put a gate hook on the outside of the people door so it doesn’t have to stay fully open for the Princesses to come and go. I am sure a hawk would fit through the gap - but it would be one more obstacle.

On the netting I didn’t have any wide enough to go all the way to the ground. And if it goes to the ground I think chickens will get tangled in it.
But I can see a relatively easy way to extend it right up to the tree on the left (which is their preferred location).

I am also going to hang some of that tape that twists and reflects the light in distracting ways. Or maybe just a bunch of old CDs.

I don’t see a way to be completely risk free while giving them the joy of being out and about, so I guess I am just trying to improve their chances.

I have some additional shrub planting ideas and I am dreaming about building a little chicken gazebo from the scrap left over from building the Chicken Palace.
I have a gazebo and love it. Practically live in it during the summer. It would be cute if they had one too and in my design it would give them a nice place to hang out that is out in their yard, but definitely under a roof.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

Since when did grandma chicken become a judge
You never told us she's gone into law. What a supprise

She's supposed to look like George Washington but after you said that, I think it sounds much better. Turns out, Grandma wants to learn law like I do.