Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

Good to know!

I don't care much for the Cuckoo Breda variety which have been crossbred w/ Malines to get the cuckoo pattern ~ the body shape is the same ~ tall & statuesque; however the Cuckoo Breda is heavier cuz of the Malines cross & the temperament not as friendly or sweet as the BBS variety. The large Cuckoo Breda we had did not play nice to our bantam Silkie while our Blue Breda was a smaller size yet an excellent flockmate around Sikies & other breeds. We never had issue w/ our Blue Breda hen around Silkies or BW Ameraucana.
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My 2017 Calif breeder & Minnesota breeder said their Mottled Breda were more skittish than the BBS.

Is your Blue Breda source in Kansas or Minnesota (my last recent contacts)? I likely won't get more birds now but I would appreciate a PM w/ your Blue Breda source plz

 

[Sally PB]

I would love to hear any tips and tricks for building or cost reducing anyone may have.

Build in dimensions that are multiples of 4 or 8 to take advantage of using full sheets of plywood, for example. Fewer cuts, less waste.

Consider using pallet wood for some things. There's an entire thread on pallet projects.

Metal roofing is probably cheaper than plywood and shingles.

Let friends and neighbors know what you're doing, if you have a good relationship. A neighbor asked me if I wanted the metal frame that is now my run. She "just wanted that junk out out of there!"

Check the reject bin (or whatever it's called) at Menards, Lowes, etc. If there are commercial building sites around, ask if you can go through their scrap pile. But don't make a mess, obviously.

 

[Ponypoor]

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This made me laugh out loud.

Oooooo - that is gonna go up in the office tomorrow for sure hahahahaha!

 

[Ponypoor]

Over here that is a very expensive water dish..........

I have used those dishes similar and have to say those handles make great perches when the bowl has water in it - not so good though when empty! hahaha!

 

[Ponypoor]

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Oh yes, faulty pump site was most definitely the problem. Headache is easing up and a granola bar has been eaten to prevent a low which brings it own sort of headaches. I checked the old pod tubing when I changed it out and did not see any obvious blockage. The sudden correction though reveals there had to have been one in the tubing.

so glad you're feeling better! George and the gang need you out there giving out treats

 

[Ponypoor]

Hi everyone just popped in to say hi - it's been a miserably tiring week here, the snow and cold on top of poor Lulu not feeling well has been about 3 times as much work here.

Tonight Lulu actually nickered to me to 'hurry up with my dinner'. First time all week she has been alert. She is still not moving very well, but she is doing a bit better I feel.

Laverne's toe seems ok - I have not had a chance to change out her dressing, will try to get that done tomorrow night.

OK everyone have an awesome evening.

Mr P - BFTP - I can't wait for his coiffe to grow back like this!

Though to be fair since he is practically bald now he sure is more active - he can see better!

 

[RoyalChick]

Build in dimensions that are multiples of 4 or 8 to take advantage of using full sheets of plywood, for example. Fewer cuts, less waste.

Consider using pallet wood for some things. There's an entire thread on pallet projects.

Metal roofing is probably cheaper than plywood and shingles.

Let friends and neighbors know what you're doing, if you have a good relationship. A neighbor asked me if I wanted the metal frame that is now my run. She "just wanted that junk out out of there!"

Check the reject bin (or whatever it's called) at Menards, Lowes, etc. If there are commercial building sites around, ask if you can go through their scrap pile. But don't make a mess, obviously.

@ILoveDaffy I would strongly second the point about neighbors and junk. I would go further and chat to local contractors or even the postal delivery folk if there are either heaps of junk or houses being demolished.
Take a drive around the neighborhood too.
I scored Anderson windows and exterior doors as well as a lot of lumber from a house being demolished. I ended up designing the Chicken Palace around them!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

so glad you're feeling better! George and the gang need you out there giving out treats

No special treats tonight. I did head out 15 minutes early to put them to bed. I hung out in the coop which was much warmer with everyone. All 3 boys got snuggles and I got the chicken equivalent of purrs out of George and Barbosa. Davy did not purr, he just buried his head in my arms and melted. I also braved the wrath of Poppet who is still very protective and attached to Turkey to get a good look at her. She is a little over a week away from turning 3 months old. I wanted to see if since the last time I got a good hands on look if wattles or a comb had started to sprout. Nope nothing, and still solid black feathering. I am now 100% confident Turkey is a pullet. A pretty little pullet who will have the tiniest and cutest little fascinator style poof. Poppet is now 7 for 7 on producing pullets. As we head into silkie hatching season in the next month or so let's hope at least half her daughters inherited this trait from her. Right now only 1 of them is laying, one of the partridge girls Patsy. She has been laying for about a week and a half. Her egg should be up to hatching size in roughly 4 to 5 more weeks. By then Poppet should also be back to laying. For myself personally I will bring home my incubator the last week of March to test run it empty. First week of April eggs are going in. The first round will probably only be Poppet and Patsy eggs unless the other girls start laying in the next week. Round 2, well, round 2 has potential to be very exciting with hopefully eggs from the rest of the girls.

Now, I do not plan on keeping any the first few go arounds. Those are famous last words though. Blue chicks are now a possibility thanks to Davy. At some point this year I do want to do a hatch for myself in hopes of some blues to grow out. Oh, and some more partridges like Martina and Patsy.

 

[featherhead007]

@ILoveDaffy I would strongly second the point about neighbors and junk. I would go further and chat to local contractors or even the postal delivery folk if there are either heaps of junk or houses being demolished.
Take a drive around the neighborhood too.
I scored Anderson windows and exterior doors as well as a lot of lumber from a house being demolished. I ended up designing the Chicken Palace around them!

Except for the flat screen tv, everything was scrap building material when I built the barn/coop

 

[Sylvester017]

I hope you heal soon. But please take your time. Sadly nothing in our bodies heal automatically.

Sending you healing thoughts and a big hug

TY ! Very much appreciated