Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Okay, all, I won't be on here for a bit. Hubby's old computer (very old) now won't open this site because it thinks it is bad security wise (really, it just can't update security because it is so old). I snuck on today through my work computer (I'm on vaca today), but will have to refrain until I break down and buy a new, personal computer. Since I like desk-tops & REAL keyboards, it will be $$$ so will have to wait a bit more - until we actually SEE our raise of July last year (only 2%, but with retro/all at once, it should be enough to help make a dent in the purchase price!)

Tech Talk Tax:
Progress on the secure base for the 'Red Coop'

Industrial grating - cleaned it up and used rustoleum deep rust paint before putting on the bottom
View attachment 3772807

Bottom 2 'rows' of the base with grating (grating will be on the underside, the framing is upside down at the moment to attach grating to it.)
View attachment 3772813

The helpful digging crew - making sure I was digging properly and they helped 're-level' the site at each stage!

View attachment 3772814

Making sure everything is square
View attachment 3772815

And level
View attachment 3772817

First 2 layers of the base set.. (Yes, it met the inspector's approval!)
View attachment 3772818
(Edited to add: Yes, I filled underneath it with sand and worked it through the grating to be sure it was full - and 'the crew' helped me 'scratch' it through the grating anyplace it wasn't QUITE filled, ha, ha, ha)

.now to attach remaining (too heavy to move if everything was 'finished' before placing!)
View attachment 3772819View attachment 3772821

Almost done!! Just need to put in the front cross-member, and create a 'door' on this backside for easy 'rake-out' when needed (and, of course, fill with dirt!.) The hard part will be lifting the red coop onto it - That will be a weekend thing with Hubby's help.

Once coop is placed, can start 'trenching' for the buried wire for the run which will be attached (well, built and attached)..to make it rat proof for the chicks.

The chicks will arrive the week of 3/25, and I plan on brooding them in the mudroom for a couple of weeks....should have the rest of the pen done by then (@rural mouse : mud room is almost fully cleaned out - now need to scrub around the louvered windows so tape will STICK and I can put up plastic sheeting to prevent breezes/drafts)

And, a couple of actual chicken photos for real tax:

View attachment 3772827View attachment 3772828View attachment 3772829

Happy Fluffy Butt Friday, all!

I use a laptop with a regular keyboard and mouse - I can’t use the keyboard on the laptop it’s too awkward.

Likely you can get an inexpensive one and use your regular keyboard and mouse - you might need an adaptor for them if the laptop doesn’t have USB ports on it.

 

[Ponypoor]

Okay, all, I won't be on here for a bit. Hubby's old computer (very old) now won't open this site because it thinks it is bad security wise (really, it just can't update security because it is so old). I snuck on today through my work computer (I'm on vaca today), but will have to refrain until I break down and buy a new, personal computer. Since I like desk-tops & REAL keyboards, it will be $$$ so will have to wait a bit more - until we actually SEE our raise of July last year (only 2%, but with retro/all at once, it should be enough to help make a dent in the purchase price!)

Tech Talk Tax:
Progress on the secure base for the 'Red Coop'

Industrial grating - cleaned it up and used rustoleum deep rust paint before putting on the bottom
View attachment 3772807

Bottom 2 'rows' of the base with grating (grating will be on the underside, the framing is upside down at the moment to attach grating to it.)
View attachment 3772813

The helpful digging crew - making sure I was digging properly and they helped 're-level' the site at each stage!

View attachment 3772814

Making sure everything is square
View attachment 3772815

And level
View attachment 3772817

First 2 layers of the base set.. (Yes, it met the inspector's approval!)
View attachment 3772818
(Edited to add: Yes, I filled underneath it with sand and worked it through the grating to be sure it was full - and 'the crew' helped me 'scratch' it through the grating anyplace it wasn't QUITE filled, ha, ha, ha)

.now to attach remaining (too heavy to move if everything was 'finished' before placing!)
View attachment 3772819View attachment 3772821

Almost done!! Just need to put in the front cross-member, and create a 'door' on this backside for easy 'rake-out' when needed (and, of course, fill with dirt!.) The hard part will be lifting the red coop onto it - That will be a weekend thing with Hubby's help.

Once coop is placed, can start 'trenching' for the buried wire for the run which will be attached (well, built and attached)..to make it rat proof for the chicks.

The chicks will arrive the week of 3/25, and I plan on brooding them in the mudroom for a couple of weeks....should have the rest of the pen done by then (@rural mouse : mud room is almost fully cleaned out - now need to scrub around the louvered windows so tape will STICK and I can put up plastic sheeting to prevent breezes/drafts)

And, a couple of actual chicken photos for real tax:

View attachment 3772827View attachment 3772828View attachment 3772829

Happy Fluffy Butt Friday, all!

Good job! That’s well done! You’re hired

 

[janiedoe]

Is Aghathae near the bottom of the pecking order? I've heard that can be a problem, they don't have enough "rank" to be deemed worthy of raising chicks, Josephine could be telling her to stop.

The other element to consider is that any chicks she raises will inherit her rank.

What I understand, is if she goes broody you need to take her off the nest twice a day to eat, drink and bathe, & give her time in each session to safely get out of the trance and do those things. (Protected from others if she needs protection.) Some people also tempt them with some food and water near them on the nest.

I don't have personal experience with any of this. Not happened here yet.

I've had broodies that moved up in the pecking order because they were such fierce protectors. I have some that are low in rank, but no one bothers them when they have chicks, because their personality changes.
Most hens will come off the nest for 15 to 30 minutes a day, sometimes twice a day, without prompting. I have had a couple that have had to be lifted out and "dropped off" near food and water.

 

[Ponypoor]

Oh dear. Not all is harmony at the Chicken Palace.
Calypso and Tassels have developed a thing against Piglet. Here is one of them with a bit of Piglet’s crest she pulled out.
This is making Piglet even more of a loner - she already roosts on her own but now she forages away from the rest of the flock.
I worry this makes her even more vulnerable - as well as being tiny and white, she is now solo.


View attachment 3772845

She will need a friend in that case - a lovely white Azur pullet like this one. If she weight 3lbs that’s as much as she does.

Flopsy and her fluffy butt - her sister Topsy to the left. That might be a joker to the right (or Blanche) - poor Flopsy stuck in the middle again!

 

[Ponypoor]

View attachment 3772826

Aw they are lovely! Are these the polish bantams ?

 

[Ponypoor]

It is BSO- blue orange splash

Gorgeous! Splendid colouring.

 

[BY Bob]

Beaks and toenails - advice needed.

Ever since I read here that beaks and toenails may sometimes need trimming I have been trying to see if my lot are OK.
I think they are, but any input or advice is most welcome.

Babs seems to have quite short nails - consistent with her status as master-digger. I missed out on her beak so will look at that later.
View attachment 3772746

Piglet posed for her toenail and beak shot. WDYT? Tienails a bit long?
View attachment 3772747

Bernie seems to have one toenail out at an angle. Is it getting too long? Trimming Bernie’s toenails might require professional assistance so I am hoping they are OK.
View attachment 3772748

View attachment 3772750

Tassels also posed. Look OK?
View attachment 3772752

Thanks for your help everyone.

I have never done any beak or toenail trimming. I have never seen the need. It just does not seem to be something I need to worry about. You are not making a problem for yourself are you?

 

[Ponypoor]

Is Aghathae near the bottom of the pecking order? I've heard that can be a problem, they don't have enough "rank" to be deemed worthy of raising chicks, Josephine could be telling her to stop.

The other element to consider is that any chicks she raises will inherit her rank.

What I understand, is if she goes broody you need to take her off the nest twice a day to eat, drink and bathe, & give her time in each session to safely get out of the trance and do those things. (Protected from others if she needs protection.) Some people also tempt them with some food and water near them on the nest.

I don't have personal experience with any of this. Not happened here yet.

Ooops did you just jinx yourself?!

Sophia is fairly lower ranked but her chicks she raised are sure way up the ladder - and Ruth is the worst one - she has designs on Penelope’s spot I am sure!

It makes me mad to see Ruth picking on her mum, but tis the way of the chicken I guess.

What a little pecker Ruth is!!

 

[BY Bob]

Lady Featherington looks really, really HUGE here. Is this her size, or did she just fluff and feathers are still spread a little?

She is large and fluffy. She looks bigger than Hattie when they are side by side.

 

[Ponypoor]

I've had broodies that moved up in the pecking order because they were such fierce protectors. I have some that are low in rank, but no one bothers them when they have chicks, because their personality changes.
Most hens will come off the nest for 15 to 30 minutes a day, sometimes twice a day, without prompting. I have had a couple that have had to be lifted out and "dropped off" near food and water.

That was Sophia - I had to remove her - even with that she became so depressed and despondent- the minute I gave her those chicks she perked right up! Next morning she was a proud mama - I told her she could raise kids again this year if she likes

For never being broody before she was an amazing mama