Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RoyalChick]

Why not just let the chickens out in the field to find their own grasshoppers?
Would save on gas!

 

[rural mouse]

You can blame me. Mine surely do.

Aster did emerge this afternoon and explore the snow for about 3 minutes and then back in she went. The wind was legendary today.

The non-windy days are fewer than windy days around here. Even in the summer, when the wind is really blowing, the chickens are staying put...somewhere out of the wind. Add in winter temps and the response is even more likely to be "young 'ens, go outside. You can come back to warm up, but otherwise, leave the elders be" (elders being defined as anyone higher in rank) (the whole idea like the old "be home before the street lights come on")

 

[rural mouse]

I've never had first year birds molt their first fall. I have no idea how to advise. Any chance it's one of the regular molts as they grow?

Not at their age.

From the sounds of it, this happens occasionally. Possibly early (ish) hatch date or the odd winter (or both) so...

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Oh there is a Randy update I have been meaning to post but have forgotten to.

As you all are aware from the moment he decided to adopt my flock he has chosen to sleep in Momma Hens tree. I am pleased to report that finally for the last 2 weeks Randy has abandoned the tree. He now Roosts on the big roost right beside Raven. He has gotten very comfortable with me walking around and under him on the roost and me talking to him while he is up on it. If the need arose I do think I could take him off the roost successfully now. I still have not attempted it. I do not want to scare him back to the tree. With winter now here and freezing temps I do not want him unprotected from the elements. I am making progress with him. Slow painful progress, but progress none-the-less. Last night Raven and Siri decided to have a go at each other on the roost. Poor Randy was caught in the middle and he was knocked down. He trusted me enough to get close. I did not attempt to pick him up and put him on the roost, I could tell he was not ready for that and ready to bolt towards the hill. Instead I used my head lamp and shined a light onto the top of Russ's stall board. He is smart and used it to fly up to it. I then shone the light onto his spot on the roost and he was back up in a instant. He also gave a very well deserving peck to Raven who was in a mood. He also pecked at Siri until she moved about a foot away from them which seemed to make Raven happy.

Good boy Randy. We will become friends eventually.

 

[RoyalChick]

Oh there is a Randy update I have been meaning to post but have forgotten to.

As you all are aware from the moment he decided to adopt my flock he has chosen to sleep in Momma Hens tree. I am pleased to report that finally for the last 2 weeks Randy has abandoned the tree. He now Roosts on the big roost right beside Raven. He has gotten very comfortable with me walking around and under him on the roost and me talking to him while he is up on it. If the need arose I do think I could take him off the roost successfully now. I still have not attempted it. I do not want to scare him back to the tree. With winter now here and freezing temps I do not want him unprotected from the elements. I am making progress with him. Slow painful progress, but progress none-the-less. Last night Raven and Siri decided to have a go at each other on the roost. Poor Randy was caught in the middle and he was knocked down. He trusted me enough to get close. I did not attempt to pick him up and put him on the roost, I could tell he was not ready for that and ready to bolt towards the hill. Instead I used my head lamp and shined a light onto the top of Russ's stall board. He is smart and used it to fly up to it. I then shone the light onto his spot on the roost and he was back up in a instant. He also gave a very well deserving peck to Raven who was in a mood. He also pecked at Siri until she moved about a foot away from them which seemed to make Raven happy.

Good boy Randy. We will become friends eventually.
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Well we all know he is smart because he picked you to move in with!
He is a handsome fella and I am glad he is sleeping in out of the cold.

 

[Ponypoor]

I am so doing this next summer!

 

[Ponypoor]

Why not just let the chickens out in the field to find their own grasshoppers?
Would save on gas!

Predators would my reason for not letting them out.

But it is hilarious watching them chase after grasshoppers!

 

[SimpleJenn]

Snow this morning.

 

[featherhead007]

I saw one grasshopper in the front yard, but it was huge and I didn’t want to fight with an insect at the moment.

 

[Sylvester017]

Why not just let the chickens out in the field to find their own grasshoppers?
Would save on gas!

DH & I thought the same thing ~ but maybe the farmer can't protect his flock foraging openly in such a big area? Chickens could disappear for days or for good if left in big areas, the little sneaks!