Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

It's really hard. Locking up the feed is not a big deal. The other problem lies in that the chooks are out most of the day while I keep a eye on them, their coop is on the other side of the yard, and their water is freely accessible, and I don't know of anything to keep the sparrows out of it.

Nipple waterers are at least a partial solution to the water access issue. I’m jumping around on the thread so forgive me if somebody suggested this already….I do have pics for SHRA…

 

[Sylvester017]

It's really hard. Locking up the feed is not a big deal. The other problem lies in that the chooks are out most of the day while I keep a eye on them, their coop is on the other side of the yard, and their water is freely accessible, and I don't know of anything to keep the sparrows out of it.

We solved the waterer problem years ago by using nipple waterers. There are several models & brands from stand alone, cage mounted, or hanging styles. We got the Brite Tap brand & Rent-a-coop brand so the sparrows can't get a foothold to stand on the rounded spigots.

Rent-a-coop 32-oz chick nipple waterer we used for the Silkie chicks earlier this year which we have moved outdoors now that we don't plan on any more new chicks.
Year 2024

Nipple attachments have kept sparrows out of the chicken water & stays clean from chicken dirt too. This is a small waterer from Rent-a-coop but there are DIY ways to get the Premier brand of nipples to attach to insulated thermos jugs or resin pails, etc.

PREMIER water nipples from Rent-a-coop. We got a couple backup nipples should a mounted nipple leak but in 10 years we only replaced one nipple!

We have a couple handled Rubbermaid insulated 2-gal jugs that have Brite Tap brand spigots that easily screw into the jug ~ no drilling ~ just unscrew the jug spigot then screw the Brite Tap right into the 2-gal spigot hole ~ no more dirty water from sparrows or chickens. We've had our 2 jugs for 14 years! These jugs can stand alone or hang up in a coop.

Some pics of our 2 insulated jugs over the 14 years ~ easy to clean ~ add ice cubes in summer ~ add probiotics or worming meds etc.
We have an old Brite Tap nipple style on this jug ~ the newer Brite Tap attachments selling today are better

Year 2015

Year 2016

Year 2022 old jug w/ newer Brite Tap spigot

We still have a jug w/ one old style Brite Tap nipple spigot still in use today 14 years later ~ Year 2024

 

[RoyalChick]

I understand Mrs By Bob's reaction. Most of our pets or animals will get sick and die before us, but with chickens it seems to happen so often. I know we should focus on the wonderful time we shared with them, and i'm sure she will in time, but it can be overwhelming when you loose your heart chicken or/and too many in a row. I also think sometimes I'm too emotional for chicken keeping ! Give her some extra hugs from us all. And hug for you too.


This morning I was thinking about the things that I do for confort when I feel sad ...and watching my cats sleep is one of them. They just seem so perfectly relaxed, like nothing in the world matters. It's very soothing. Almost meditative !

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What do you folks do for confort that's not related to chickens ?
I bake simple cakes, read silly fantasy novels, and most efficiently but not as easily possible for all, run in the mountains.

I curl up with a cat.
I also like to bake or do a big cook.
And being outside in nature - digging up stuff always makes me feel better about life. Which reminds me that splitting logs also helps me get back into balance and I haven’t done any for a while.

 

[RoyalChick]

Your kitties are so cute! I NEED to put my face in their fur, itchiness be darned

I love to cuddle with my cat (when he's willing, he can be a huge cuddlebug when he wants to be, and he purrs like a motorboat)

The Lord of the Rings trilogy has been a comfort to me since I was small. Of course, I can't watch the theatrical versions— only the extended editions

My weighted blanket is perfect for comfort. The pressure is niiiiice

Talking to my bf... And him reading Discworld to me. We're almost all the way through the series! Right now we're on I Shall Wear Midnight. I love Discworld so much, Terry Pratchett's world and writing are a comfort because it's a fun escape from the Roundworld sometimes, when I need it!

Being outside in nature... And, have any of you ever heard of grounding/earthing/rooting? It's the practice of taking some time out of your day to stand with your bare feet on the earth. It can do wonders for not only emotional health, but physical health too! (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4378297/)

How interesting. I think my digging around in the dirt is grounding (via my hands).
Definitely always makes me feel better about things.

 

[TOMTE]

How interesting. I think my digging around in the dirt is grounding (via my hands).
Definitely always makes me feel better about things.

Yes, any bareskin contact with the earth is grounding! Barefoot is just most convenient I think, since you can do a lot of things on your feet, walking, meditation, yoga, light stretches, tai-chi, etc

 

[RoyalChick]

We solved the waterer problem years ago by using nipple waterers. There are several models & brands from stand alone, cage mounted, or hanging styles. We got the Brite Tap brand & Rent-a-coop brand so the sparrows can't get a foothold to stand on the rounded spigots.

Rent-a-coop 32-oz chick nipple waterer we used for the Silkie chicks earlier this year which we have moved outdoors now that we don't plan on any more new chicks.
Year 2024
View attachment 3989639

Nipple attachments have kept sparrows out of the chicken water & stays clean from chicken dirt too. This is a small waterer from Rent-a-coop but there are DIY ways to get the Premier brand of nipples to attach to insulated thermos jugs or resin pails, etc.
View attachment 3989586

PREMIER water nipples from Rent-a-coop. We got a couple backup nipples should a mounted nipple leak but in 10 years we only replaced one nipple!
View attachment 3989593

We have a couple handled Rubbermaid insulated 2-gal jugs that have Brite Tap brand spigots that easily screw into the jug ~ no drilling ~ just unscrew the jug spigot then screw the Brite Tap right into the 2-gal spigot hole ~ no more dirty water from sparrows or chickens. We've had our 2 jugs for 14 years! These jugs can stand alone or hang up in a coop.

Some pics of our 2 insulated jugs over the 14 years ~ easy to clean ~ add ice cubes in summer ~ add probiotics or worming meds etc.
We have an old Brite Tap nipple style on this jug ~ the newer Brite Tap attachments selling today are better

Year 2015
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Year 2016
View attachment 3989622
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Year 2022 old jug w/ newer Brite Tap spigot
View attachment 3989636
View attachment 3989638

We still have a jug w/ one old style Brite Tap nipple spigot still in use today 14 years later ~ Year 2024

I think I need to get one of those for ice-water in the summer.
I didn’t know you could screw in the tap with nipples attached.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[featherhead007]

Nipple waterers are at least a partial solution to the water access issue. I’m jumping around on the thread so forgive me if somebody suggested this already….I do have pics for SHRA…

Slow down CB…eat some French fries for

 

[featherhead007]

How interesting. I think my digging around in the dirt is grounding (via my hands).
Definitely always makes me feel better about things.

Burying dead enemies makes me feel much better… I’m kidding. I let the county do that.

 

[Sylvester017]

I don't know what these ones are. I know they love chicken feed, right along with the doves.

I just hope I can get them to stay away for the most part.

Bird netting is 100% effective as long as ALL edges are SECURED down. The sparrows love/seek the millet in wild bird seed. We tried using seed bottles for our chickens but the da*n sparrows are too crafty to figure how to roll the seed bottles around so we stopped using those!

Port hole feeders like Rent-a-coop are great if you follow the instructions patiently. The sparrows don't go into the ports but mice/rats will but there are port closures on Rent-a-coop port feeders to close at night from vermin.

There are so many convenient ways to feed/water/care for our chickens. After DIY options that were failures we found the more expensive options lasted better & sturdier over the long run. JMHO

Port feeder ~ Silkie chicks

 

[notabitail]

Yes, any bareskin contact with the earth is grounding! Barefoot is just most convenient I think, since you can do a lot of things on your feet, walking, meditation, yoga, light stretches, tai-chi, etc

I do barefoot 24/7 unless on a bike ride or going somewhere. Shoes have always given me foot pain. Sandals seem to be the limit.

I have stepped in chicken stuff before...