Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Well, I’ve been following along ok, mostly keeping up here so far, but haven’t been chatting too much as not much has been happening here on North Beach Farms. Unfortunately that has recently changed. Last weekend a Raccon incursion happened in the pre-existing coop and one of the three hens that was here before we move in was taken off the roost. I’ve started closing the surviving two hens in and letting them out in the mornings as well. I also found out their names “Margaret” and “Maple” from their first owner, who has two kids that are absolutely in love with Mr. Jimmy (my largest goat). I thought I had it handled, but then Wednesday, we had a heavy rain while I was doing a 9 hr with no breaks day working at the abattoir with DH. My now top Rooster got soaked through as usual, and I didn’t think anything of it, he will dry off in the cooler overnight no problems. He was however too wet to fly up to the door, and coloured to blend in when I was closing them in for the night. I believe it was early morning when the raccoon returned. I feel awful for failing him, but Pretty Boy is no longer with us. View attachment 3755587View attachment 3755592View attachment 3755594
These are our most recent pictures of him. I have also now had three separate dog incursions into the field from our neighbours Shepard/husky type dog, and today Arduinna almost got him. He’s a good digger, but not particularly smart. This time at least DH was home so I had help herding my goats into the garden before attempting to catch the dog, and I was also armed with the neighbours cell number and she came and helped collect him. Everyone was a little traumatized, but no one was injured, he’s good with their chickens and goats… it’s just mine are a little more “assertive” to put it mildly. We also have the obligatory not fluffy butt spring moulting happening here, and I’ve updated my egg labels.View attachment 3755607View attachment 3755611

Oh no! I am so sorry about Pretty Boy, and the old hen. Darn Raccoons- I could just throttle them all - fur caps

I am visualizing Arduinna making a go at the dog - go Arduinna!! Darn dogs also. You are much more obliging to the dogs owner - I personally would be furious. But I sure am glad it was just some frayed nerves that happened.

I have a bunch moulting also - I feel it is because it has been so mild here this winter.

I love your egg labels! Those are lovely! Were did you get them done? I was checking out stamps on Amazon….

 

[Ponypoor]

My birds are starting to show signs of laying. Several Rocks are not in on this, but there is proof that some are giving me eggs! View attachment 3755635

I am so glad they are starting up again

 

[Ponypoor]

My birds are starting to show signs of laying. Several Rocks are not in on this, but there is proof that some are giving me eggs! View attachment 3755635

Those are some real nice looking eggs

 

[RoyalChick]

Well, I’ve been following along ok, mostly keeping up here so far, but haven’t been chatting too much as not much has been happening here on North Beach Farms. Unfortunately that has recently changed. Last weekend a Raccon incursion happened in the pre-existing coop and one of the three hens that was here before we move in was taken off the roost. I’ve started closing the surviving two hens in and letting them out in the mornings as well. I also found out their names “Margaret” and “Maple” from their first owner, who has two kids that are absolutely in love with Mr. Jimmy (my largest goat). I thought I had it handled, but then Wednesday, we had a heavy rain while I was doing a 9 hr with no breaks day working at the abattoir with DH. My now top Rooster got soaked through as usual, and I didn’t think anything of it, he will dry off in the cooler overnight no problems. He was however too wet to fly up to the door, and coloured to blend in when I was closing them in for the night. I believe it was early morning when the raccoon returned. I feel awful for failing him, but Pretty Boy is no longer with us. View attachment 3755587View attachment 3755592View attachment 3755594
These are our most recent pictures of him. I have also now had three separate dog incursions into the field from our neighbours Shepard/husky type dog, and today Arduinna almost got him. He’s a good digger, but not particularly smart. This time at least DH was home so I had help herding my goats into the garden before attempting to catch the dog, and I was also armed with the neighbours cell number and she came and helped collect him. Everyone was a little traumatized, but no one was injured, he’s good with their chickens and goats… it’s just mine are a little more “assertive” to put it mildly. We also have the obligatory not fluffy butt spring moulting happening here, and I’ve updated my egg labels.View attachment 3755607View attachment 3755611

Good to hear from you, but sad about the raccoon - they really are a very challenging predator to deal with.
Love the labels!

 

[BY Bob]

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Fluffy bums of the past.....

 

[RoyalChick]

Oh no! I am so sorry about Pretty Boy, and the old hen. Darn Raccoons- I could just throttle them all - fur caps

I am visualizing Arduinna making a go at the dog - go Arduinna!! Darn dogs also. You are much more obliging to the dogs owner - I personally would be furious. But I sure am glad it was just some frayed nerves that happened.

I have a bunch moulting also - I feel it is because it has been so mild here this winter.

I love your egg labels! Those are lovely! Were did you get them done? I was checking out stamps on Amazon….

Look on Etsy - there are a couple of folk who make lovely labels for egg boxes - both sticky labels and stamps.

 

[Ponypoor]

Look on Etsy - there are a couple of folk who make lovely labels for egg boxes - both sticky labels and stamps.

I will! Thanks for the suggestion

 

[RoyalChick]

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Fluffy bums of the past.....

View attachment 3755641View attachment 3755642View attachment 3755643View attachment 3755646View attachment 3755648

Lovely, but also sad.

 

[BY Bob]

Two ideas leap to mind.

1. They are puppy training chickens so they could be called by puppy commands: Stay, Sit, Down, Drop, and Leave-it. I am already chuckling at the confusion this will create once Sherlock is fully trained and you are calling for the chickens to come for breakfast.
It is almost irresistible!


2. They are specifically Sherlock training chickens so they could be named after other fictional detectives. If you want all girl names you could have: (Miss) Marple, Nancy (Drew), Precious (Ramotswe), Jessica (Fletcher), and Jane (Rizzoli). Or if you aren't fussed about gender appropriateness you could mix in Monk, Columbo, Hercule or Poirot.

These are great!

 

[BY Bob]

Hard to decide on heart or laugh!

Photography terms,

Focus
Blurr
F-stop
Exposure
Shutter
Aperture
Focal
ISO
SLR
Flash
Lense
Zoom
Aspect