Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[SimpleJenn]

And…. Your chooks smell pine fresh!

That is another positive!

 

[Sylvester017]

They spend a lot of time in there

That is so satisfying to see them appreciate your build!!!

 

[SimpleJenn]

Went and bought 5 bales of fresh rye straw for the chickens. We're getting frost most nights so I plan on layering it on top of the woodchips to make the coops cozier.
I also got some squashes and pumpkins for fall baking. We found a charming little farm stand (it was actually quite big!) So dad and I got some goodies there.

I love the little birds, all of them. I even think cowbirds have a sort of beauty to them. However, I shouldn't feed our birds anymore, my county has had a few AI cases so it's time to buckle down and keep my chickens safe.

Speaking of safe, a bluejay just did a hawk cry and the chickens are repeating their alert sound. Better head out to check them.

 

[Sylvester017]

I agree. Sparrows almost wiped out bluebirds at one point. I've spent years helping bluebirds to thrive. Sparrows are a hated enemy.

Sparrow tax
Whatcha got in those mugs there? Anything for me?

View attachment 3967898

Happy to know we're not the only ones disgusted w/the little pests ~ House Sparrows. We don't leave out bird feeders either cuz the little devils just take over the neighborhood chasing off all other small birds!

 

[rural mouse]

Results of yesterday's rain

And a flock (probably more like family group) of Common Flickers were around this morning

Counted about 6 of them

 

[Sylvester017]

I agree. Sparrows almost wiped out bluebirds at one point. I've spent years helping bluebirds to thrive. Sparrows are a hated enemy.

Sparrow tax
Whatcha got in those mugs there? Anything for me?

View attachment 3967898

Speaking of House Sparrows (& hawks recently) ~ DH just saw a Cooper's watching Sparrows that were hiding in our Pomegranate's thorny foliage. As in the past the hawk didn't try to jump thru the Pomegranate thorns to get the Sparrows.

When DH spotted the hawk 2 broodies were brooding out of sight inside the coop nests & the Dom & 3 other Silkies were hiding under junk in the back patio. They refused to come out after DH chased off the hawk & chased off the chittering sparrows. The hens will stay hiding the rest of the day now.

That's about the only thing in my mind that Sparrows are good for ~ alarm screeches! Our hens recognize the Sparrow alarms & the hens stay silent & instantly hide when the Sparrows cry out.

Autumn hawks are rare here. In fact, rats are a rarity around here too but this year has been a record year for rats. When DD visited us today she said this was also the first year in 25 years that they've seen such an infestation of rats on their property.

Tx ~ fluffy chicks Friday

 

[Ponypoor]

RUN CLYDE!!!!!! RUUUNNN

I’m coming hang on!

Holy Dinah every day is a circus here, and that ruckus is NOT your normal squabble, or killer bunny, or some other perceived danger.

This is all out pandemonium, I am running through the barn, I am sure I stepped on a few chickens, the birds are running to the barn.

I am trying to get out my temporary gate (guess what’s getting fixed first thing tomorrow), I dropped the 2x4 with a crash birds rushing to get inside - me rushing to get outside because there is a black silkie just a whirl with flashes of white breast, GEORGIE?!!! No! RUN CLYDE I screamed as I tripped over terrified chickens ‘RUN!’

My running towards him scared off the hawk, which flew up into the Poplar tree, I screamed at it and generally caused my own commotion. And then I saw poor Georgie all terrified standing under the trees there. I ran over and picked her up cuddling her and glanced around, no Clyde.

In a scramble I ran around looking for chooks, Clyde was in the barn, one of the youngest chicks was outside the barn under some the shrubs with a few others still causing a big commotion.

I had to go searching for the rest of the youngest chicks, one (the one grey Icy) was outside the new fencing I put up, she ran towards me some could lift the fence for her to crawl under. Finally saw the other grey Patches, and lastly Little Mouse was in the barn.

Once everyone was inside I did a head count. Couldn’t find Fluffy, ran around frantically until I remember the little cubby on the ledge and there she was snoozing the brat!

Once everyone was accounted for I picked up Clyde and checked him over, he seems ok, we had a bit of a cuddle and I told him what a brave velociraptor he was fighting off a hawk while everyone else ran for the hills! He sure can fight, that little chickie can! Silkie Ninja Chicken

Next thing to do tomorrow is to trim back everyone’s coiffe so they can see.

 

[Ponypoor]

Ok now for some fluffy butts, I took this Wednesday night. They are up on the stall wall roosting.

 

[BY Bob]

In Case You Never Saw It or Forgot

 

[BY Bob]

RUN CLYDE!!!!!! RUUUNNN

I’m coming hang on!

Holy Dinah every day is a circus here, and that ruckus is NOT your normal squabble, or killer bunny, or some other perceived danger.

This is all out pandemonium, I am running through the barn, I am sure I stepped on a few chickens, the birds are running to the barn.

I am trying to get out my temporary gate (guess what’s getting fixed first thing tomorrow), I dropped the 2x4 with a crash birds rushing to get inside - me rushing to get outside because there is a black silkie just a whirl with flashes of white breast, GEORGIE?!!! No! RUN CLYDE I screamed as I tripped over terrified chickens ‘RUN!’

My running towards him scared off the hawk, which flew up into the Poplar tree, I screamed at it and generally caused my own commotion. And then I saw poor Georgie all terrified standing under the trees there. I ran over and picked her up cuddling her and glanced around, no Clyde.

In a scramble I ran around looking for chooks, Clyde was in the barn, one of the youngest chicks was outside the barn under some the shrubs with a few others still causing a big commotion.

I had to go searching for the rest of the youngest chicks, one (the one grey Icy) was outside the new fencing I put up, she ran towards me some could lift the fence for her to crawl under. Finally saw the other grey Patches, and lastly Little Mouse was in the barn.

Once everyone was inside I did a head count. Couldn’t find Fluffy, ran around frantically until I remember the little cubby on the ledge and there she was snoozing the brat!

Once everyone was accounted for I picked up Clyde and checked him over, he seems ok, we had a bit of a cuddle and I told him what a brave velociraptor he was fighting off a hawk while everyone else ran for the hills! He sure can fight, that little chickie can! Silkie Ninja Chicken
View attachment 3968096

Next thing to do tomorrow is to trim back everyone’s coiffe so they can see.

Way to go Clyde! He saved everyone including himself!

Those nasty nasty hawks!