Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

I have spent years trying to find a situation where everyone enjoys roosting together. I don't believe it's possible. I have 4 in one coop and 2 in the other. And that only works because there is wire splitting the roost in the Cluckle Hut so Phyllis can't abuse Lady Featherington and Glynda. Hattie sleeps in a nest box. I gave up a while ago. They are doing what they feel is best. The only advice i have is to try not to anthropomorphize too much.

Does that mean we should remove the wide screen TV?

 

[featherhead007]

Sansa used to peck my thigh until I gave her a walnut. I miss her when I sit in my chair.

That’s what Sunshine would do. Always wanted a treat, or my undivided attention.
Was way too cute for words.

 

[Ponypoor]

You are ever the practical solutions person here. I love that about you.

I am picturing Marty gone broody raising 3 Brahma chicks - by the time they are 5 weeks old they’ll be bigger than she is haha!

 

[BY Bob]

I am picturing Marty gone broody raising 3 Brahma chicks - by the time they are 5 weeks old they’ll be bigger than she is haha!

Awesome picture.

 

[LhickenChicken]

How many?!

There's a minimum order of three chicks per breed, so twelve chicks.

 

[bgmathteach]

Some of it is, the tail and mane hair is dangerous to birds, so that stuff I put in the garbage, I have had the baby swallows get tangled in the horse hair the birds put in their nest. I haul I out of their nests before they sit on eggs.

The other body hair won’t break down in their gut it’s keratins and can cause blockages.

Okay, so this is probably a really stupid question then...but if hair (and, I presume, feathers) are mostly keratin, which is very difficult to digest, then why are ground up feathers part of some feeds? It may be 'protein', but if it is undigestible, then is it not usable protein....so why is that done????

 

[bgmathteach]

I have spent years trying to find a situation where everyone enjoys roosting together. I don't believe it's possible. I have 4 in one coop and 2 in the other. And that only works because there is wire splitting the roost in the Cluckle Hut so Phyllis can't abuse Lady Featherington and Glynda. Hattie sleeps in a nest box. I gave up a while ago. They are doing what they feel is best. The only advice i have is to try not to anthropomorphize too much.

my first set of 8 - who grew up together and I didn't happen to have any 'extreme' personalities (I did have 1 roo) insisted on sleeping on one roost. Since my coop proper was 4X4, it had 2 4 foot roosts - I assumed that 4 or 5 would roost on one, and 3 or 4 on the other. Nope! They would all cram onto 1 roost.

I think having different generations, and different breeds/general dispositions makes a big difference. But, I had BR, PR, & LBs then - all somewhat 'steady' breeds.
(most of my EE are much more 'mild mannered' than the Queen)

 

[BY Bob]

my first set of 8 - who grew up together and I didn't happen to have any 'extreme' personalities (I did have 1 roo) insisted on sleeping on one roost. Since my coop proper was 4X4, it had 2 4 foot roosts - I assumed that 4 or 5 would roost on one, and 3 or 4 on the other. Nope! They would all cram onto 1 roost.

I think having different generations, and different breeds/general dispositions makes a big difference. But, I had BR, PR, & LBs then - all somewhat 'steady' breeds.
(most of my EE are much more 'mild mannered' than the Queen)

Both of my EEs had/have personality for days. I love those chickens.

I do believe the scattered nature of my flock plays a factor for sure. I do have 2 Orpingtons so there is that.

 

[bgmathteach]

I checked and there is a 3 bird minimum on each of the breeds, so even if I wanted only a couple of each I can’t do that.

Sheesh! I am rethinking this whole thing. Maybe I will just have the silkies hatch eggs this year. I sooooo wanted a couple of Brahma though, and some French cuckoo Marans

Well, get 6, 3 of each. You could probably sell one of each at POL without a lot of difficulty. And a few of the silkies crosses, too.

 

[bgmathteach]

Okay, so this is probably a really stupid question then...but if hair (and, I presume, feathers) are mostly keratin, which is very difficult to digest, then why are ground up feathers part of some feeds? It may be 'protein', but if it is undigestible, then is it not usable protein....so why is that done????

Hmmm, this is what I found