Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Not hatching chicks here, but I'm all set up to go pick out some chicks. I think it's time to add to the flock. I need to have enough hens to bring Cooper back in. If there are enough of them, maybe the two roosters can get along. That's my hope anyway.

On a sad note, DH finally decided it was time to put the little leghorn down. She has been suffering with ascites for a couple months and I've wanted him to do this for a while. She was in very poor shape today, so he sent her off to chicken heaven. It's so sad, but it was so necessary. I know you are all very fond of leghorns, but this last year, losing one by one, has been way too heartbreaking for me.

I will enjoy going out there so much again, now that I don't have that sad reminder. To me, it is best to put them down sooner than later. I never want them to suffer. DH didn't think she was really, until today.

I'm so very sorry. It's never easy to know when the right time is and two caring people can easily disagree. That makes it much harder. When my dearest leghorn, Daisy, the greatest hen ever, passed I have up leghorns. Too many laying issues. I know how you feel.

I have found Polish, Legbars, and whatever Aster is to be similar in temperament and they are my substitutes for my favorites.

Daisy

 

[BY Bob]

Bob, I missed this. Who needs these and what happened?

No one needs them. I got them just in case I ever would. They took a long time get here so it would be frustrating if I ever actually needed them. They are now in the chicken medical kit.

 

[Marie2020]

Good night fluffy butt's.

Sorry I fell asleep. I'll catch you all soon

 

[featherhead007]

Another day is coming to an end. Only casualties are a one pound bag of meally worms. One can of corn , three steaks two scoops of feed, and a few bites out of my fingers.

 

[BY Bob]

Running Behind

I spent hours today trying to catch up and I'm still 13 pages behind. I'm sorry everyone. Please PM me if you need something timely. I fear I may not catch up all week.

 

[notabitail]

That's a great picture!

Thank you!

 

[BY Bob]

So I've been thinking about how to set up the silkie breeding pen.

Tomorrow first I need to track down some kennel clamps. While I am out I need some zip ties and I want to stop by the dollar store. I need 2 clear plastic shower curtains to cover the sides that will be exposed to wind. I already have a big roll of welded wire fencing to line the bottom half of the kennel with. I think I need to pick up one more roll to have enough. I plan on putting it right beside Russ's stall next to the house. That gives me a wind break from the back, a wind break from the front thanks to the hillside so I only have to worry about the sides as far as wind goes. I also will not need to cover the back in extra fencing. Dad thinks I need to put it near or under the mimosa trees for natural shade cover. It is a good idea but it takes away one of my wind breaks and is another section to cover in wire. I will say dad's spot has never once been in any danger of flooding so there is that to think about. We also have enough spare tin to make a roof for at least 80% of it if not the entire thing. I'm thinking the entire thing. Once it is built and covered and filled with sawdust I am going to get 2 cinderblocks and stand them up and use one of the 2 x 4's we have and make a low roost. I will have to teach them to roost as unlike Branch and Chiquita my current group have never attempted to get up on the roost in the coop. They always preferred to sleep on top of the tote. As for nest boxes, I'm heading down grandma's for a raid. She kept every milk crate she ever owned. She also has several old smaller buckets down there still. I could lay them down on their sides and line them with hay. It is not even built yet and I already love the door. It is wide enough I can fit the wheelbarrow through it. That is the one fault I have to the current coop. The door is too narrow which makes cleaning it out a chore.

Now that I have the kennel here though I do feel bad for George. I am taking his silkie siblings away from him. He has done wonderfully with them. He also has never roosted, he wants to but in the end always comes down to sleep in the middle of the silkie pile. I know without the silkies in his coop he will stay on the roost which is better for him honestly. I am also not taking away all of his girls, he will still have 15 hens of his own. 16 if I give him Turkey when she is grown. Turkey will be iffy, if she stays tiny George will probably be too big of a rooster for her even though he is small himself.

Everyone has to grow up, even George. Sadly in the chicken world that can me loosing old friends. Fortunately there will be new friends and increased responsibility. In certain George will step up and be the man you need him to be.

 

[notabitail]

I suppose CC's replacement arrived.

 

[Ponypoor]

It just scares me that possibly the breath I take won’t be enough to keep me alive

Are you using your puffer?

And wear your mask, I have for years and years now, when doing the horse stalls and now the chooks. Dust is very bad and can cause issues not only with coughing and asthma, but might possibly lead to something like emphysema.

You only have one set of lungs. Take care of them - you can’t live without them

A few mugs as payment for nagging all of you.

Clyde the Brave

Lavender Laverne

Jolly kiddo

 

[featherhead007]

Are you using your puffer?

And wear your mask, I have for years and years now, when doing the horse stalls and now the chooks. Dust is very bad and can cause issues not only with coughing and asthma, but might possibly lead to something like emphysema.

You only have one set of lungs. Take care of them - you can’t live without them

A few mugs as payment for nagging all of you.

Clyde the Brave
View attachment 4063771

Lavender Laverne
View attachment 4063772

Jolly kiddo
View attachment 4063773

I use my puffer as often as needed. But it stains the shirts under the armpits. Maybe I’m just using it wrong .