Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

@BY Bob

Just checking in to see how the 2 expectant mothers are. I know last night was traumatizing cleaning up Lady F and her eggs. I now propose a less invasive check on your momma's. Sneak out to the nest box where the girls are at quietly. Stand just outside with the lid down and listen. I am sure you have noticed that while on the eggs unless they are growling and or shrieking at you or another hen they have been quiet. Can you hear the soft continuous clucking from one of the girls. My girls start talking to those chicks the moment they pip internally. They cluck more if they think they are not being watched. If something is happening you may also hear a chick peep. Now if you raised the lid the girls will growl and be silent. That growl also signals the chicks to be silent as well. If you hear the clucking or even a peep if you feel up to it you can do a quick check. Quickly lift the lid and gently lift up the girls. All you have to do is raise up their chest to catch a glimpse. This will not be breaking lockdown procedures as it would in a incubator. While hatching the hen is going to raise herself up for a few seconds here or there anyway to move the eggs or even remove eggshells. She may bite at you when you place your hand on her chest but she should not loose her mind with a gentle lift as you are not going to make her fully stand up or get off the eggs.

One of things I love with Henny Penny is the fact she is such a lovely quiet hen. She quietly chats to them even with me around, let’s me check under her, and most importantly let’s me handle the chicks when hatched.

Now I can’t speak to any of the others as I have only hatched eggs with Henny! I just realized that.

While I have given chicks to fluffy, curly and Sophia, none of them has hatched eggs.

I am just terrified of getting more Roos.

Gosh now I feel bad for not letting the broodies hatch a couple chicks.

 

[Ponypoor]

After 8 days in the cage, Tassels is as determined as ever.
Piglet is also hanging in there.
View attachment 3882451

Whoa! Brats!

 

[bgmathteach]

Farewell My Friend

It is with great sadness that I share this.

Last night Phyllis passed away in her sleep.

She was very active yesterday and I should have seen that as a sign. She left the coop for the first time in days and just like in old times she positioned herself under my feet.


View attachment 3882201

I just finished making arrangements for her cremation. Mrs BY Bob wants to finally let her be in the house with us.

It will never be the same here. She was my shadow when I was outside. I'm certain for the rest of my life I will check my feet to make sure that I'm not going to step on her.

Be at peace my dear friend. You will never be forgotten.

 

[Sylvester017]

On the 4th of July DH was peacefully dog-sitting DD/SIL's Quincy the Pit-mix and Jackson the Retriever.

While I was home alone to help little Betta lay her first eggy amidst all the cherry bomb and firecracker noises in the area! She was so stressed and the littlest of our Silkies. I pray her next egg-lay is less stressful.

 

[Ponypoor]

On the 4th of July DH was peacefully dog-sitting DD/SIL's Quincy the Pit-mix and Jackson the Retriever.
View attachment 3882592

While I was home alone to help little Betta lay her first eggy amidst all the cherry bomb and firecracker noises in the area! She was so stressed and the littlest of our Silkies. I pray her next egg-lay is less stressful.
View attachment 3882594
View attachment 3882598

Congratulations wee Betta - that is a lovely egg well done.

 

[Ponypoor]

Evaporative cooler

I had hoped today would be less humid but it ended up being another steamy afternoon and rainy to boot. But I still set up the cooler.

Initial temp in Hen House B:

Temp after about 10min

Temp after 30 min

There was no appreciable temperature drop, but the humidity level did rise.

Here is a video of the setup I both Hen House A and B

 

[BY Bob]

@BY Bob

Just checking in to see how the 2 expectant mothers are. I know last night was traumatizing cleaning up Lady F and her eggs. I now propose a less invasive check on your momma's. Sneak out to the nest box where the girls are at quietly. Stand just outside with the lid down and listen. I am sure you have noticed that while on the eggs unless they are growling and or shrieking at you or another hen they have been quiet. Can you hear the soft continuous clucking from one of the girls. My girls start talking to those chicks the moment they pip internally. They cluck more if they think they are not being watched. If something is happening you may also hear a chick peep. Now if you raised the lid the girls will growl and be silent. That growl also signals the chicks to be silent as well. If you hear the clucking or even a peep if you feel up to it you can do a quick check. Quickly lift the lid and gently lift up the girls. All you have to do is raise up their chest to catch a glimpse. This will not be breaking lockdown procedures as it would in a incubator. While hatching the hen is going to raise herself up for a few seconds here or there anyway to move the eggs or even remove eggshells. She may bite at you when you place your hand on her chest but she should not loose her mind with a gentle lift as you are not going to make her fully stand up or get off the eggs.

Thanks for the idea. I may turn the fan off and listen on the camera. I'm not keen on disturbing them at all.

 

[Ponypoor]

Thanks for the idea. I may turn the fan off and listen on the camera. I'm not keen on disturbing them at all.

You might not hear anything but them again you may hear chirping when they hatch. Some are super noisy!

 

[BY Bob]

@BY Bob

Just checking in to see how the 2 expectant mothers are. I know last night was traumatizing cleaning up Lady F and her eggs. I now propose a less invasive check on your momma's. Sneak out to the nest box where the girls are at quietly. Stand just outside with the lid down and listen. I am sure you have noticed that while on the eggs unless they are growling and or shrieking at you or another hen they have been quiet. Can you hear the soft continuous clucking from one of the girls. My girls start talking to those chicks the moment they pip internally. They cluck more if they think they are not being watched. If something is happening you may also hear a chick peep. Now if you raised the lid the girls will growl and be silent. That growl also signals the chicks to be silent as well. If you hear the clucking or even a peep if you feel up to it you can do a quick check. Quickly lift the lid and gently lift up the girls. All you have to do is raise up their chest to catch a glimpse. This will not be breaking lockdown procedures as it would in a incubator. While hatching the hen is going to raise herself up for a few seconds here or there anyway to move the eggs or even remove eggshells. She may bite at you when you place your hand on her chest but she should not loose her mind with a gentle lift as you are not going to make her fully stand up or get off the eggs.

I could hear nothing.

 

[Sylvester017]

Evaporative cooler

I had hoped today would be less humid but it ended up being another steamy afternoon and rainy to boot. But I still set up the cooler.

Initial temp in Hen House B:
View attachment 3882623

Temp after about 10min
View attachment 3882625

Temp after 30 min
View attachment 3882626

There was no appreciable temperature drop, but the humidity level did rise.

Here is a video of the setup I both Hen House A and B

That is a lot of great instrumentation!