Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

I like that idea. DH can lift the weighty lid... I can't lift yet till my arm strengthens in therapy. I wonder if a lantern light would bother the others cuz DH already keeps the lid open about 4-5 inches in summer for extra ventilation so bright light from the porch is already entering that way in addition to the light entering thru 2 windows. After all go to roost DH closes the lid for safety from potential predators cuz the 4 nestboxes is where all 5 Silkies sleep.

W/ only 6 birds in a backyard it's not so bad to deal with the troublemakers compared to if we had a huge property where we'd have to hunt them down every night

When he goes to close the lid, turn off and remove

 

[Sylvester017]

I was given a few solar panel lights that seem to work well. Just toys from tractor supply, but they seem to work. I keep one by the coop, and one on the front lawn. I could take pictures if you want to see them.

Solar lamps are too dim, we tried them. We use a 150 watt equivalent energy efficient light in the porch & that lights up the coop & patio & yard all night, very bright. But, yes, I'd love to see what your setup is!!

 

[BY Bob]

I like that idea. DH can lift the weighty lid... I can't lift yet till my arm strengthens in therapy. I wonder if a lantern light would bother the others cuz DH already keeps the lid open about 4-5 inches in summer for extra ventilation so bright light from the porch is already entering that way in addition to the light entering thru 2 windows. After all go to roost DH closes the lid for safety from potential predators cuz the 4 nestboxes is where all 5 Silkies sleep.

W/ only 6 birds in a backyard it's not so bad to deal with the troublemakers compared to if we had a huge property where we'd have to hunt them down every night

The idea is that the chickens will go to the light, just like moths in a way.

The light in the coop, if it is too bright, could keep the others up. I have a lantern with a high and low setting. I put it on the low setting. It doesn't keep the ones in the coop up but does provide enough light to draw stragglers in.

The big problem with stragglers is that sometimes it gets too dark for them to find their way back to the coop and even if they find their way back they can't see to roost in the dark coop.

The lantern shows them where to go and gives them enough light to roost by.

 

[featherhead007]

Dakota has been chanting something. I don’t know for sure, but it sounds like “Chic-Fil-A, all the way!”

And I wonder why I get slapped a lot throughout my life.

 

[featherhead007]

The idea is that the chickens will go to the light, just like moths in a way.

The light in the coop, if it is too bright, could keep the others up. I have a lantern with a high and low setting. I put it on the low setting. It doesn't keep the ones in the coop up but does provide enough light to draw stragglers in.

The big problem with stragglers is that sometimes it gets too dark for them to find their way back to the coop and even if they find their way back they can't see to roost in the dark coop.

The lantern shows them where to go and gives them enough light to roost by.

So it really is “come children, into the light, all are welcome “

 

[featherhead007]

So it really is “come children, into the light, all are welcome “

I’ll see myself out

 

[Sylvester017]

When he goes to close the lid, turn off and remove

I wonder which Silkie doesn't get a nestbox while the lantern is there? We'll see how it goes the summer. So glad we only have 6 birds (we're zoned for 5). We got 5 Silkies thinking our old Dom was slowing down but the old girl at 8 was still laying eggs this Spring ~ she's a Spring Chicken! 5 is more than enough for us but the old girl is a last survivor from the previous flock & she's so good w/ the littles. She's the only one who uses the low perch.

There are clever stick'em closet/cabinet lights we've seen where they have a push on/push off button but the one we tried in a closet stopped working after a couple months. Come to think of it, the battery camping lantern we had lost it's recharging power early too

 

[BY Bob]

So it really is “come children, into the light, all are welcome “

Yes it is. Apt analogy.

 

[Grandmas Coop]

Did her crop empty when you turned her over or was there something left in it?

Yes,

And at 6 I went out and got the chicks in their nest. Then I emptied her crop again because she drank a lot more water, it was clear at first then turned creamy white, I put Notail in a nesting box. She will stay there all night.

 

[BY Bob]

Yes,

And at 6 I went out and got the chicks in their nest. Then I emptied her crop again because she drank a lot more water, it was clear at first then turned creamy white, I put Notail in a nesting box. She will stay there all night.

That's very worrisome. I hope she picks up overnight.