Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ManueB]

I swear this year sucks chicken wise. I just went out to take a picture of what should have been Raven's fully dried chick. It has passed sometime in the last 5 hours. It was fully dry and fluffed and I tried to revive it but it is gone. All hope is now on the Holly egg.

Oh, Rebecca I'm sorry really to read this as you sounded so happy about that chick. I hope the other egg will hatch.

Thank you so much for this!! I'll share with my dad

I actually totally forgot that my dad wants to build the coop raised off the ground for the exact reason that they won't lose any run space, and they'll have more cover and shade!

The run is almost 7' by almost 8'. Geometry is not my strong suit so I don't know which is length or width or depth or whatever... So I took a couple extra pics

View attachment 3939872
Front and back are 8'

View attachment 3939874
The sides are both 7'

For winter we plan on wrapping the bottom half of the walls of the run with landscaping cloth because it's breathable but should block out enough wind and drafts, and above that with greenhouse plastic for sunlight, leaving the very top section (below the roof and above that horizontal board) open for ventellation. Should we leave one side open too?

When we get around to building the coop, it'll probably be about half of the run, like the section outlined in red

View attachment 3939893


This is a really good idea! I think we were planning on keeping the coop just in case we need it for anything. I REALLY like the idea of enclosing the support frame with hardware cloth!!

My run has in common with yours that one side is leaning against our house. This means in winter, that side is fully protected from wind and draft. We also used landscape clothing on the bottom half and we're very happy with it. We have a lot of wind and it makes a good protection. We leave it in summer for shade. Our only regret is that we were cheap tying it with string instead of buying the expensive special ties they sell it with, and the strings comes off regularly.
In our climate, just that and nothing above is sufficient for winter, however the coldest we get is -10/14 and more usually around -5/23. We rarely have more than 50 cm/20 inches of snow and never for more than three days in a row. What is your climate like in winter ? Do you have a lot of wind and snow that comes from the side ? How is the run orientated, will it get sun ? That would be factors to consider on whether to wrap all sides or leave one open.
Be aware that when it snows, your chickens will want to shelter. Your run may feel small if that's all they have to stay in for days. Maybe you want to think about adding other possibilities of shelter in your yard.
We also have a second small raised coop in the run. It's not a big hit, but some chickens do shelter under it or more often use it as a place to hide when they want to isolate themselves when all the flock is in the run.

Here are two pictures of my run. It's night now, but tomorrow I will take one where you can see the landscape fabric from outside. On the second picture you can see it from inside.

Here are some mugs for Monday.

Kara

Piou-piou

Annette

Broody Léa (she was off sitting for exactly 12 days...sigh...)

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I want a rooster so bad guys the more I read about them and see them caring for their hens the more I want to have one and expand the flock a little. GRRRR I DONT WANT TO WAIT LOL!

Dad and I have loose plans for building a bigger coop out of half of the run. Since we plan on free ranging the smaller run shouldn't be an issue but maybe we can expand on that too later...

The prefab we have now should probably hold 2 or 3 chickens at most. I really hate it. It's drafty, small, and probably going to fall apart within a year. But my uncle is the one who spent all the money on everything, and he did it on a whim. I tried to convince him to either get a prefab with a run built in that we could modify into a bigger coop, or a cheap shed we could turn into a coop. But he went with the cheapest option and then went all out buying the lumber for the run frame. And then went cheap again, using chicken wire instead of hardware cloth

Soooo dad and I have a lot to do to make the chickens happier and safer. I think it will be fun though and definitely well worth it. I hope we can start soon!

We still need to bury hardware cloth on 2 sides of the run and then move the coop into its spot in the back corner, then add more clutter to the run once that's done. Phew!

Here's our chicken space so far They're confined to the garden until they're a bit bigger but we've had escapees a few times They're so eager to explore!

View attachment 3939770
View attachment 3939771

Welcome to the thread.

I love hearing you want a Rooster. I fully support anyone who is allowed to keep a rooster having one. Don't get me wrong, I love my hens, every single one of them. The roosters, My Roosters have always stolen my heart.

A few questions if you do not mind.
Is this your first time having chickens? Has your dad had chickens in the past and hopefully experience with roosters? Rooster experience is not needed, but it definitely helps in the long run.
How old are your current chickens? I ask because if you decided to raise a cockerel up yourself without a mature Rooster already in residence older hens will be your best tool. No matter the cockerel, no matter how sweet he is as a young chick, when he hits about 5 months old he WILL hit the idiot phase. Hormones will be out of control and rule his tiny pea brain. He will run the young first year pullets ragged as they tend to not stand up for themselves. Since you do not already have a older boy to literally "whip" him into shape and learn the ropes from your older hens will do it for you. He tries to run them, they are going to beat the day lights out of him. It will not be pretty, but, do not interfere. A smart boy will learn fast, a hard headed boy, it will take a bit. He will learn to court the hens and be respectful and not chase. A good rooster also does not just watch out for predators. He escorts the hens to and from the nest box. He finds and builds suitable nests for them. If he finds food, he tidbits and offers the best bits to the hens and lets them eat their fill first. Some roosters make wonderful dads. Not all will interact with the chicks, but they all should never harm chicks and be extra vigilant when they are around. I have a hard and fast rule with my boys. I will not tolerate human aggression. There are too many good boys out there who need a home to deal with a jerk. During the idiot phase from about 5 months to about a year and a half a boy may test you. I have had them run up behind me but stop short of attacking. When they have done this I have quickly turned around and scooped up the hard head and went about my business carrying him around. I expect my boys to move out of my space if I walk near them. Giving out treats, offer them to the rooster. Let him call and offer them to the hens, it is his job after all. Not all boys like or want to be held. Respect that. Even the most standoffish tend to like their crops or wattles rubbed at night on the roost. Occasionally at night take him off the roost and hold him for just a few minutes. Do a once over inspection of him. There may come a time when you do need to handle him due to injury. He may protest, scream like he is dying but hold him securely until he settles down. Once calm return him to the roost. Some roosters, and I have been blessed with 2 so far and working on a 3rd enjoy to be handled. I can be outside sitting around and they walk right up to me and stand there. That is their signal they want picked up and placed in my lap where they immediately settle down. I then rub or massage their shoulders and backs of their necks and they simply melt and purr. Those boys, they have been the ones that have found a special place in my heart and when I have lost them it has shattered me.
Another option besides raising a rooster from a chick is to check out facebook if you have it or craigslist or similar sites. This time of year and coming into next spring poultry and livestock groups will be flooded with listings for boys. Sometimes you can find some boys that are closer to 2 years old needing a new home. To me it is a bonus if they have come from flocks that previously free ranged.

I hope you stick around and enjoy this thread. Everyone on here is friendly and very knowledgeable. Several of us on here also have roosters and are here to offer advice if needed.

 

[Ponypoor]

Mug Monday?!

View attachment 3939988
Esme saying goodmorning today... Or probably more accurately "PLEASE let me up on your shoulder, I PROMISE I won't peck your eyeballs and fart in your face! And my feet only have a LITTLE bit of poop on them!"

Yeah, no more shoulder perching for my birds anymore

View attachment 3939992
This was yesterday but I can't not share my cuddle sesh with Magrat
View attachment 3939994
My sweet little runt lady

And just because MY birds can't shoulder perch anymore doesn't mean a wild chickadee can't!
View attachment 3939998
This was just 20 minutes ago. Sweet little thing, I can't tell if it's sick, injured, molting... The fact that it lets me get really close to it and even pick it up without any fuss has me worried I hope it's just stunned or something

Poor wee thing. It’s hard to not want to help them, but you have chickens now so it’s a good idea to leave wild birds be. They can carry avian influenza which can destroy your flock faster than you know.

I had to stop feeding the birds when I got chickens. And that is something I really miss, so entertaining.

What breed are your chickies they are gorgeous. Oh and I can attest to the eyeball peckers. Twice last year two chicks nailed me in the eye. The second time was very bad - the eye doctor laughed and laughed and laughed… then told me to be more careful.

And poopy feet? Yep been there also. Wear a hat/cap and tie any long hair up.

Little Grey

 

[rural mouse]

Welcome to the thread.

I love hearing you want a Rooster. I fully support anyone who is allowed to keep a rooster having one. Don't get me wrong, I love my hens, every single one of them. The roosters, My Roosters have always stolen my heart.

A few questions if you do not mind.
Is this your first time having chickens? Has your dad had chickens in the past and hopefully experience with roosters? Rooster experience is not needed, but it definitely helps in the long run.
How old are your current chickens? I ask because if you decided to raise a cockerel up yourself without a mature Rooster already in residence older hens will be your best tool. No matter the cockerel, no matter how sweet he is as a young chick, when he hits about 5 months old he WILL hit the idiot phase. Hormones will be out of control and rule his tiny pea brain. He will run the young first year pullets ragged as they tend to not stand up for themselves. Since you do not already have a older boy to literally "whip" him into shape and learn the ropes from your older hens will do it for you. He tries to run them, they are going to beat the day lights out of him. It will not be pretty, but, do not interfere. A smart boy will learn fast, a hard headed boy, it will take a bit. He will learn to court the hens and be respectful and not chase. A good rooster also does not just watch out for predators. He escorts the hens to and from the nest box. He finds and builds suitable nests for them. If he finds food, he tidbits and offers the best bits to the hens and lets them eat their fill first. Some roosters make wonderful dads. Not all will interact with the chicks, but they all should never harm chicks and be extra vigilant when they are around. I have a hard and fast rule with my boys. I will not tolerate human aggression. There are too many good boys out there who need a home to deal with a jerk. During the idiot phase from about 5 months to about a year and a half a boy may test you. I have had them run up behind me but stop short of attacking. When they have done this I have quickly turned around and scooped up the hard head and went about my business carrying him around. I expect my boys to move out of my space if I walk near them. Giving out treats, offer them to the rooster. Let him call and offer them to the hens, it is his job after all. Not all boys like or want to be held. Respect that. Even the most standoffish tend to like their crops or wattles rubbed at night on the roost. Occasionally at night take him off the roost and hold him for just a few minutes. Do a once over inspection of him. There may come a time when you do need to handle him due to injury. He may protest, scream like he is dying but hold him securely until he settles down. Once calm return him to the roost. Some roosters, and I have been blessed with 2 so far and working on a 3rd enjoy to be handled. I can be outside sitting around and they walk right up to me and stand there. That is their signal they want picked up and placed in my lap where they immediately settle down. I then rub or massage their shoulders and backs of their necks and they simply melt and purr. Those boys, they have been the ones that have found a special place in my heart and when I have lost them it has shattered me.
Another option besides raising a rooster from a chick is to check out facebook if you have it or craigslist or similar sites. This time of year and coming into next spring poultry and livestock groups will be flooded with listings for boys. Sometimes you can find some boys that are closer to 2 years old needing a new home. To me it is a bonus if they have come from flocks that previously free ranged.

I hope you stick around and enjoy this thread. Everyone on here is friendly and very knowledgeable. Several of us on here also have roosters and are here to offer advice if needed.

@TOMTE also suggest reading the article "Understanding Your Rooster" by @Shadrach

 

[Ponypoor]

Oh, Rebecca I'm sorry really to read this as you sounded so happy about that chick. I hope the other egg will hatch.

My run has in common with yours that one side is leaning against our house. This means in winter, that side is fully protected from wind and draft. We also used landscape clothing on the bottom half and we're very happy with it. We have a lot of wind and it makes a good protection. We leave it in summer for shade. Our only regret is that we were cheap tying it with string instead of buying the expensive special ties they sell it with, and the strings comes off regularly.
In our climate, just that and nothing above is sufficient for winter, however the coldest we get is -10/14 and more usually around -5/23. We rarely have more than 50 cm/20 inches of snow and never for more than three days in a row. What is your climate like in winter ? Do you have a lot of wind and snow that comes from the side ? How is the run orientated, will it get sun ? That would be factors to consider on whether to wrap all sides or leave one open.
Be aware that when it snows, your chickens will want to shelter. Your run may feel small if that's all they have to stay in for days. Maybe you want to think about adding other possibilities of shelter in your yard.
We also have a second small raised coop in the run. It's not a big hit, but some chickens do shelter under it or more often use it as a place to hide when they want to isolate themselves when all the flock is in the run.

Here are two pictures of my run. It's night now, but tomorrow I will take one where you can see the landscape fabric from outside. On the second picture you can see it from inside.
View attachment 3940003
View attachment 3940013

Here are some mugs for Monday.

Kara
View attachment 3940010
Piou-piou
View attachment 3940012
Annette
View attachment 3940011
Broody Léa (she was off sitting for exactly 12 days...sigh...)
View attachment 3940009

Your Annette is simply lovely- I love her colouring it’s so beautiful.

What is your house roof? Slate or tile? Does the snow slide off it? Or is it not a factor on that side of the structure.

 

[RoyalChick]

Mugs Monday

Shorley
(Are you all certain she’s a he?)
View attachment 3939958View attachment 3939959

Mr LC
He’s late for a very important date
View attachment 3939960

Twister - the third twisted sister
View attachment 3939961

Lavern of Lavern and Shorley
View attachment 3939962

Bert, still needs a new home
View attachment 3939964

And his sister Betty needs a haircut
Not sure how she can see!
View attachment 3939963

Mr LC!

 

[Ponypoor]

Welcome to the thread.

I love hearing you want a Rooster. I fully support anyone who is allowed to keep a rooster having one. Don't get me wrong, I love my hens, every single one of them. The roosters, My Roosters have always stolen my heart.

A few questions if you do not mind.
Is this your first time having chickens? Has your dad had chickens in the past and hopefully experience with roosters? Rooster experience is not needed, but it definitely helps in the long run.
How old are your current chickens? I ask because if you decided to raise a cockerel up yourself without a mature Rooster already in residence older hens will be your best tool. No matter the cockerel, no matter how sweet he is as a young chick, when he hits about 5 months old he WILL hit the idiot phase. Hormones will be out of control and rule his tiny pea brain. He will run the young first year pullets ragged as they tend to not stand up for themselves. Since you do not already have a older boy to literally "whip" him into shape and learn the ropes from your older hens will do it for you. He tries to run them, they are going to beat the day lights out of him. It will not be pretty, but, do not interfere. A smart boy will learn fast, a hard headed boy, it will take a bit. He will learn to court the hens and be respectful and not chase. A good rooster also does not just watch out for predators. He escorts the hens to and from the nest box. He finds and builds suitable nests for them. If he finds food, he tidbits and offers the best bits to the hens and lets them eat their fill first. Some roosters make wonderful dads. Not all will interact with the chicks, but they all should never harm chicks and be extra vigilant when they are around. I have a hard and fast rule with my boys. I will not tolerate human aggression. There are too many good boys out there who need a home to deal with a jerk. During the idiot phase from about 5 months to about a year and a half a boy may test you. I have had them run up behind me but stop short of attacking. When they have done this I have quickly turned around and scooped up the hard head and went about my business carrying him around. I expect my boys to move out of my space if I walk near them. Giving out treats, offer them to the rooster. Let him call and offer them to the hens, it is his job after all. Not all boys like or want to be held. Respect that. Even the most standoffish tend to like their crops or wattles rubbed at night on the roost. Occasionally at night take him off the roost and hold him for just a few minutes. Do a once over inspection of him. There may come a time when you do need to handle him due to injury. He may protest, scream like he is dying but hold him securely until he settles down. Once calm return him to the roost. Some roosters, and I have been blessed with 2 so far and working on a 3rd enjoy to be handled. I can be outside sitting around and they walk right up to me and stand there. That is their signal they want picked up and placed in my lap where they immediately settle down. I then rub or massage their shoulders and backs of their necks and they simply melt and purr. Those boys, they have been the ones that have found a special place in my heart and when I have lost them it has shattered me.
Another option besides raising a rooster from a chick is to check out facebook if you have it or craigslist or similar sites. This time of year and coming into next spring poultry and livestock groups will be flooded with listings for boys. Sometimes you can find some boys that are closer to 2 years old needing a new home. To me it is a bonus if they have come from flocks that previously free ranged.

I hope you stick around and enjoy this thread. Everyone on here is friendly and very knowledgeable. Several of us on here also have roosters and are here to offer advice if needed.

All this makes me sad that I just cannot find a home for poor Bert

He is such an awesome boy, I could just smack Mr P for being such a moron!

It was just like one day he decided to become an idiot! I am wondering if he is sore and in pain, I know his feet aren’t great, and he is moulting, not to mention those silly young hens keep pecking at his head and rump feathers.

Maybe I will try him on some Tylenol for a couple days and see if it fixes his attitude.

 

[RoyalChick]

Oh, Rebecca I'm sorry really to read this as you sounded so happy about that chick. I hope the other egg will hatch.

My run has in common with yours that one side is leaning against our house. This means in winter, that side is fully protected from wind and draft. We also used landscape clothing on the bottom half and we're very happy with it. We have a lot of wind and it makes a good protection. We leave it in summer for shade. Our only regret is that we were cheap tying it with string instead of buying the expensive special ties they sell it with, and the strings comes off regularly.
In our climate, just that and nothing above is sufficient for winter, however the coldest we get is -10/14 and more usually around -5/23. We rarely have more than 50 cm/20 inches of snow and never for more than three days in a row. What is your climate like in winter ? Do you have a lot of wind and snow that comes from the side ? How is the run orientated, will it get sun ? That would be factors to consider on whether to wrap all sides or leave one open.
Be aware that when it snows, your chickens will want to shelter. Your run may feel small if that's all they have to stay in for days. Maybe you want to think about adding other possibilities of shelter in your yard.
We also have a second small raised coop in the run. It's not a big hit, but some chickens do shelter under it or more often use it as a place to hide when they want to isolate themselves when all the flock is in the run.

Here are two pictures of my run. It's night now, but tomorrow I will take one where you can see the landscape fabric from outside. On the second picture you can see it from inside.
View attachment 3940003
View attachment 3940013

Here are some mugs for Monday.

Kara
View attachment 3940010
Piou-piou
View attachment 3940012
Annette
View attachment 3940011
Broody Léa (she was off sitting for exactly 12 days...sigh...)
View attachment 3940009

We don't see enough of Annette - she is very pretty

 

[TOMTE]

Welcome to the thread.

I love hearing you want a Rooster. I fully support anyone who is allowed to keep a rooster having one. Don't get me wrong, I love my hens, every single one of them. The roosters, My Roosters have always stolen my heart.

A few questions if you do not mind.
Is this your first time having chickens? Has your dad had chickens in the past and hopefully experience with roosters? Rooster experience is not needed, but it definitely helps in the long run.
How old are your current chickens? I ask because if you decided to raise a cockerel up yourself without a mature Rooster already in residence older hens will be your best tool. No matter the cockerel, no matter how sweet he is as a young chick, when he hits about 5 months old he WILL hit the idiot phase. Hormones will be out of control and rule his tiny pea brain. He will run the young first year pullets ragged as they tend to not stand up for themselves. Since you do not already have a older boy to literally "whip" him into shape and learn the ropes from your older hens will do it for you. He tries to run them, they are going to beat the day lights out of him. It will not be pretty, but, do not interfere. A smart boy will learn fast, a hard headed boy, it will take a bit. He will learn to court the hens and be respectful and not chase. A good rooster also does not just watch out for predators. He escorts the hens to and from the nest box. He finds and builds suitable nests for them. If he finds food, he tidbits and offers the best bits to the hens and lets them eat their fill first. Some roosters make wonderful dads. Not all will interact with the chicks, but they all should never harm chicks and be extra vigilant when they are around. I have a hard and fast rule with my boys. I will not tolerate human aggression. There are too many good boys out there who need a home to deal with a jerk. During the idiot phase from about 5 months to about a year and a half a boy may test you. I have had them run up behind me but stop short of attacking. When they have done this I have quickly turned around and scooped up the hard head and went about my business carrying him around. I expect my boys to move out of my space if I walk near them. Giving out treats, offer them to the rooster. Let him call and offer them to the hens, it is his job after all. Not all boys like or want to be held. Respect that. Even the most standoffish tend to like their crops or wattles rubbed at night on the roost. Occasionally at night take him off the roost and hold him for just a few minutes. Do a once over inspection of him. There may come a time when you do need to handle him due to injury. He may protest, scream like he is dying but hold him securely until he settles down. Once calm return him to the roost. Some roosters, and I have been blessed with 2 so far and working on a 3rd enjoy to be handled. I can be outside sitting around and they walk right up to me and stand there. That is their signal they want picked up and placed in my lap where they immediately settle down. I then rub or massage their shoulders and backs of their necks and they simply melt and purr. Those boys, they have been the ones that have found a special place in my heart and when I have lost them it has shattered me.
Another option besides raising a rooster from a chick is to check out facebook if you have it or craigslist or similar sites. This time of year and coming into next spring poultry and livestock groups will be flooded with listings for boys. Sometimes you can find some boys that are closer to 2 years old needing a new home. To me it is a bonus if they have come from flocks that previously free ranged.

I hope you stick around and enjoy this thread. Everyone on here is friendly and very knowledgeable. Several of us on here also have roosters and are here to offer advice if needed.

We live in a nice rural area where roosters are allowed, and we live on just under 2 acres, our property is half wooded and half open. Once we have more hiding spots in the yard it'll be perfect for free ranging chickens. We have a ton of hawks around here, raccoons, possums, foxes, and feral cats too. I expect to lose some chickens to predators over the years but hopefully I can at least make it less appealing for the predators to try!

These are our first chickens, yes. My dad hasn't had any in the past, he's mostly looking to me for information. That's fine with me, because one of my special interests is proper animal care/husbandry! I can read about it all day and not get bored (and frequently do )

No rooster experience obviously but since it'll be some time before we can add one anyways, I'm reading as much as I can about their behavior and stuff so that we are ready if and when we get one! I'm well aware of how important the pecking order is and that it might look ugly sometimes when they go at each other but as long as they're not trying to kill each other it's best to let them do their thing. I keep having to stop myself from interfering when my girls go at each other lol!

Thank you (all of you) for your advice so far. I'm seriously loving this thread

 

[Sylvester017]

Oh, Rebecca I'm sorry really to read this as you sounded so happy about that chick. I hope the other egg will hatch.

My run has in common with yours that one side is leaning against our house. This means in winter, that side is fully protected from wind and draft. We also used landscape clothing on the bottom half and we're very happy with it. We have a lot of wind and it makes a good protection. We leave it in summer for shade. Our only regret is that we were cheap tying it with string instead of buying the expensive special ties they sell it with, and the strings comes off regularly.
In our climate, just that and nothing above is sufficient for winter, however the coldest we get is -10/14 and more usually around -5/23. We rarely have more than 50 cm/20 inches of snow and never for more than three days in a row. What is your climate like in winter ? Do you have a lot of wind and snow that comes from the side ? How is the run orientated, will it get sun ? That would be factors to consider on whether to wrap all sides or leave one open.
Be aware that when it snows, your chickens will want to shelter. Your run may feel small if that's all they have to stay in for days. Maybe you want to think about adding other possibilities of shelter in your yard.
We also have a second small raised coop in the run. It's not a big hit, but some chickens do shelter under it or more often use it as a place to hide when they want to isolate themselves when all the flock is in the run.

Here are two pictures of my run. It's night now, but tomorrow I will take one where you can see the landscape fabric from outside. On the second picture you can see it from inside.
View attachment 3940003
View attachment 3940013

Here are some mugs for Monday.

Kara
View attachment 3940010
Piou-piou
View attachment 3940012
Annette
View attachment 3940011
Broody Léa (she was off sitting for exactly 12 days...sigh...)
View attachment 3940009

Beautiful birds & pretty property!