Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

Now that winter is coming up to its end (even if it doesnt feel like it ) dad and I are starting to think more seriously about plans for our flock going forward.

The other day chicks were mentioned. Dad said another 5 to make an nice round 10 would be perfect. So I've been researching breeds to look out for (CCL would be amazing but those huge single combs would be a frostbite nightmare).

Most important though, we've been throwing ideas back and forth regarding the coop/run situation. I mentioned the safety concern about the gas meter (plus other things). Since I'm the one caring for them, he wants everything to be as easy as possible, which I appreciate but safety is more important than how far I have to walk.

So I thought, why not just convert this old playhouse (something we've discussed before but then shelved it) into a coop and attached run?

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It's old, but very sturdy, and with some alterations it would be perfect. And I think it would be relatively easy to convert compared to other ideas we've had, like digging up the run's foundation posts, somehow getting it up and on wheels, and moving it...

Necessity is the mother of invention! The father just lays on the couch with his beer!

 

[TOMTE]

I had a look again at her toe and I will just snip the piece of skin holding it on, it will just dry up and hang there if I left it. Better to deal with it now and get it done with.

I had a rat lose a toe like this. He got it caught in the bars of the wire cage while I was cleaning the base in the other room. I heard him squeaking and rushed in, and his toe was still caught, and he was trying to pull free. When I got him out the tip of his toe was hanging on by a thread of skin. I was too squeamish to clip it off, but I knew it would dry and fall off on its own so I cleaned it up with hydrogen peroxide, let it dry, and then slathered neosporin on it several times a day for about a week and kept his cage extra clean while he healed. He healed really quickly, thankfully. And I did find the nail and shrivelled bit of toe but I dropped it in the carpet

 

[featherhead007]

Necessity is the mother of invention! The father just lays on the couch with his beer!

Kidding

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Well, I've planned my chick order! I'll hit buy as soon as materials are gotten and construction begins. Switched to ordering from Meyer, they had what I wanted and were cheaper. The list includes Chocolate Orpingtons, Easter Eggers, a white Cochin, and Buff Orpington and Blue Orpington. Totaling at...

Spoiler: How many chicks?

8! Chicken math has already struck as you can tell, because with our first flock, we had four and the family agreed we'd keep it at that. For the coop this year we all agree on 8!

So far we found a plan that looks good, with some modifications. Finding materials is the next step. Quite exciting! I did find my egg baskets and coop signs, which made me very happy as well.

 

[RoyalChick]

Well, I've planned my chick order! I'll hit buy as soon as materials are gotten and construction begins. Switched to ordering from Meyer, they had what I wanted and were cheaper. The list includes Chocolate Orpingtons, Easter Eggers, a white Cochin, and Buff Orpington and Blue Orpington. Totaling at...

Spoiler: How many chicks?

8! Chicken math has already struck as you can tell, because with our first flock, we had four and the family agreed we'd keep it at that. For the coop this year we all agree on 8!

So far we found a plan that looks good, with some modifications. Finding materials is the next step. Quite exciting! I did find my egg baskets and coop signs, which made me very happy as well.

Oooh exciting. When will they arrive? I am so excited to see Chocolate Orpingtons.

 

[featherhead007]

Oooh exciting. When will they arrive? I am so excited to see Chocolate Orpingtons.

You and your chocolate, Gezz

 

[BY Bob]

You know, some cars from the 40s (ish) had push button shifters and such. I bet if they put a push button controller (read: peckable controller - for 'go', 'stop/park', 'reverse' and a slide controller for gas like a tractor that they could move...and an 'emergency brake' like on trains/subways ) on a side arm, had a steering wheel that was smaller ( and had a looped rope attached to the old fashioned suicide knobs). I BET anything Aurora could learn that.

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Note: I would, of course, start her out in deserted parking lot with a driver's ed car (read - front passenger controls for the driver trainer!)

I am sure with some thought I could rig one up for her. Just don't tell her that!

 

[Sylvester017]

I had a look again at her toe and I will just snip the piece of skin holding it on, it will just dry up and hang there if I left it. Better to deal with it now and get it done with.

Thankfully being an Orp she has clean feet and legs - no feathers. But still I expect her to not be to thrilled with having a bandage on the foot. Might need to put one of those cone-collars on her that dogs wear hahaha. Just kidding.

OK well just popped in the house for some lunch, have been clearing snow - again, waiting for my niece to arrive to do the big stuff. I am so spent... just pooped. Too much snow.

BFTP

December 2022
Snow birds
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The original gang

A cone around the neck on a bird is not a bad idea. We rescued a Cockatiel years ago that lost its elderly owner ~ & PeeWee plucked himself almost bald w/ sadness. I made a dog cone collar for him out of a plastic milk gallon container & used white first-aid tape to make a dog cone curve to keep PeeWee from pulling out any more of his chest fluff. For weeks he toodled around w/that cone around his neck ~ he climbed in & out of his cage skillfully using his beak just as naturally as if he didnt have a cone. I used the first-aid tape to cushion the neck edge of the plastic around his neck & used the tape to close the ends of the cone. Never had an issue w/ him taking it off. It was loose enough to spin around his neck but still not slip his head out of it.

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Oooh exciting. When will they arrive? I am so excited to see Chocolate Orpingtons.

Not quite sure yet. Hoping to start the coop process shortly, but I need to wait for the ground to thaw from nasty weather before I can start building.

 

[rural mouse]

Can’t leave it as it could turn necrotic- though it would likely just dry up eventually.

My huge worry is the exposed bony tip. I don’t worry about them missing toes but don’t want to cause any further infection.

I wish Rebecca were available to so could aske her how Momma Hen was dealt with when her foot was partially amputated.

I think that happened before they got a hold of Momma Hen. Try messaging Shadrach. He might have some ideas.