Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

I have so much to do today, but I don’t feel like doing anything productive except getting well.

You do that my friend. But moving around and getting some good gut bacteria into you would heal you a lot quicker. It does me

 

[Marie2020]

And then there were 9.

Yesterday Betsy darted out of the coop at closing time. Waaayyyy out. Couldn't find her. Left it open for a while longer. 2 of the ladies went back out and loitered some more. Went back out an hour later. Saw her, she split again. This time I was able to follow...sort of. She went to ground, I found her, she split again. I couldn't find her. Went back for a wrap and flashlight as it was getting dark dark. Still couldn't find her. Finally closed the coop and sat out in the dark a while longer listening. Nothing. Slim chance of her showing up this morning (with the fox around and the 30F overnight temps, doubtful). Still nothing.

5-6 weeks, taken today.View attachment 3787986Back row: Jane, Daisy, Kate, Blurr
Front row: Focus, Hetty, Rose, Violet, Hyacinth.

She may still be hiding. I hope so

 

[ChicoryBlue]

My poor chooks have had a not so good living condition forever. I hate to admit it, but it was way less than ideal. Mom and I have been saying how we are going to fix it and build them a roosting bar, but we never have. They have been sleeping on this wooden box that is COVERED in poop.

Yesterday Mom and I spent the whole day taking that box apart and we finally built them a roosting ladder.

Them sleeping on poop is awful. I owe them an okay roosting situation for how good of birds they are. (Not perfect because Bolt decides to eat masks while standing on a four foot long rat snake- geez she is kinda dumb.)

This is the before- I know- it’s really awful. No wonder why BBQ’s bumblefoot kept coming back. They would sleep on top of it and it was always wet and caked in poop.View attachment 3788197
This is after. I am still going to add one more roost bar, but for now it will do. I was the one who screwed in all in place. I did most of it.
Opal jumped up on her own. OMG- you can see broody Willow all poofed up!
View attachment 3788198
This is all of the hens. Pastel was in timeout in a small TSC coop because he attacked my foot about five times… He is so sweet
View attachment 3788199

Everyone here has learned how best to care for their chickens at their own pace. Don’t berate yourself beyond what is going to help you move forward in a practical way and keep improving your set up!

What I’m thinking first - it will be interesting to see how they arrange themselves now!

Also, you still have to account for the poops below, either mixing them in with dirt and other organics like wood shavings to help them quickly break down and decompose, or by removing them. Flies and such will breed otherwise, won’t they? It’s up to you…

A solid platform can work, @Ponypoor does it, maybe puts some shaving there each day after scraping? Even with a roost bar over a poop tray with PDZ chooks will sleep on the tray sometimes and not the roost bar!

 

[Ponypoor]

I have so much to do today, but I don’t feel like doing anything productive except getting well.

Rest with your feet up, no use trying to do stuff when you’re not well.

 

[Ponypoor]

Everyone here has learned how best to care for their chickens at their own pace. Don’t berate yourself beyond what is going to help you move forward in a practical way and keep improving your set up!

What I’m thinking first - it will be interesting to see how they arrange themselves now!

Also, you still have to account for the poops below, either mixing them in with dirt and other organics like wood shavings to help them quickly break down and decompose, or by removing them. Flies and such will breed otherwise, won’t they? It’s up to you…

A solid platform can work, @Ponypoor does it, maybe puts some shaving there each day after scraping? Even with a roost bar over a poop tray with PDZ chooks will sleep on the tray sometimes and not the roost bar!

Yes I have a thin layer of shavings on the ledge which I clean every day. I have a pail and I go in with an old kitty litter scoop and flick the poops into the pail, takes about 5 min.

 

[Ponypoor]

View attachment 3788571
Who is that man and why hasn't noticed a fine figure of a bird like me.

She loves the attention she gets

Princess told a poodle off for barking at her today. She wasn't scared she had pusscat backing her up

View attachment 3788574

You tell him Princess! The nerve of that man ignoring you! And a crazy Poodle yapping at you go get ‘em pusscat!

 

[featherhead007]

Rest with your feet up, no use trying to do stuff when you’re not well.

I had to let Sir Jaffar out to see his harem. But I had to chase off that rooster from next door again. I don’t mind him coming over, but he has bloodied Sir Jaffar twice already. The chicken wire I put up did not detour that rooster from hopping over the 6 ft fence. My chooks like to hang out under the porch, where it’s quiet and warm.

 

[rural mouse]

She may still be hiding. I hope so

It's been 2 days and the adults have been out and about. I have to be realistic.

 

[Sally PB]

I had to let Sir Jaffar out to see his harem.

Happy to read this.

My chooks like to hang out under the porch, where it’s quiet and warm.

Happy to read this.

But I had to chase off that rooster from next door again. I don’t mind him coming over, but he has bloodied Sir Jaffar twice already. The chicken wire I put up did not detour that rooster from hopping over the 6 ft fence.

But this... not so much.

I want Sir Jaffar to have nice quiet days with his harem. And evenings spent with his Squire having a good meal, some entertainment, and restful slumber.

And I want his Squire to feel better too!

 

[rural mouse]

It's been 2 days and the adults have been out and about. I have to be realistic.

2 of the other babies stepped out onto the "porch" of the bird hatch this morning. Cuckoo and PITA promptly decided they needed to hunt for breakfast just outside the door this morning. The babes retreated to inside again. Looks as if the adults are going to be a bit pushier about the littles.