Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

The older Omlet style coop ladder was a total step situation, but their new ladder that fits both the older Cube and the new Pro is a combination, which is interesting-looking and a big improvement. I bought a new one for the Cube. https://www.omlet.us/shop/chicken_k...s/ultimate-ladder-for-eglu-cube-chicken-coop/
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The 7 week old chicks got up it no problem (to explore, they haven’t even looked in their coop yet). Previously the old style steps were a slight problem for chicks/pullets, maybe visually the space between each ledge was an issue? They kept trying to go up the side rail, so I put rug gripper stuff on that tube. They learned how to navigate it eventually but most of the time took one step and flap-jumped up. This design is much better.

I think I’ll have the new Buckeyes roost in the old Cube coop for now, in their own space, as I’ve waited until they're older to be doing the see-no-touch thing. Nine hens in the Pro is possible now with their size, but when they’re full-grown that will really be pushing it. So I’m inclined to let them separate or join in roosting as they wish, with two coops available to either group, though that’s more maintenance for me.

This might reduce integration stress and help keep everyone healthier, given there’s respiratory disease here. Not by keeping it from the new guys but maybe reducing the severity of infection due to less stress? And helping the older hens out too with their flare-ups?

I’ve heard stories where 13-14 chickens want to cram into one of the old (smaller) Cubes, even though two were provided next to each other, so we’ll see.

That is my situation with Hen House A & B - everyone wants to be in HH-A but the older ladies won’t have any of
That! But the younger ones eventually sneak in.

Brats all of them

 

[featherhead007]

Missy is a gorgeous cat!

Missy looks more like an overgrown hamster!

 

[knoturavggrl]

They have… a. Retail store??!!!!

Ok I’ll meet you there! For moral support of course.

Wow they sure have grown!

Oh wonderful, I think I will definitely need the support! Yes they do and they had to make it their pick up location, I think they may have planned this.

Yes, my crew is definitely growing up. They are nearly 14 weeks old now. The SFH boys just started their hilarious juvenile crowing. They sound more like a poorly played bagpipe than a crow but no doubt they will get it figured out. Nothing from Pebble yet but their ears are turning that beautiful bright turquoise color. The SFH pullets are all pinking up so maybe first eggs in the next few weeks or so!

So my lavenders are really growing. But Heather is definitely still a runt. Definitely smaller and with slower feather development than the other four. But she seems to be ok otherwise. I try to make sure she gets some extra attention every day, and check her crop to make sure she is getting enough food.

Heather and Violet
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All five, Heather is in the middle.
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Just lounging around.
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How many of us can fit on “mom’s” back?
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Sleeping on the grownup roost.
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And some Friday butts for other flock members
Hershey and Nestle
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Glory
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Buffy and Jasmine
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Broody Blue
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They are all so beautiful, I have a soft spot for the lavenders, something about their faces gives soft sweetness. Beautiful

 

[Ikslo]

This batch of chicks is a lot slower to free range than the last. Really timid. They come out just outside the gate, then one gets spooked and they all hightail it back to the run. It’s hilarious. Curiosity the cockerel and Angel, our small white Ameraucana, have been the only two so far to venture further out towards the deck.

Our last groups figured out quickly how to use the lawn chairs to hop the fence in and out, which saved us from having to open/close the gate. Probably won’t rely on that this time as we have one chicken with a bum leg who will most likely not ever be able to scale the fence, and I don’t want her (him?) locked in alone.

I don’t have any free ranging pics for this post, so instead here is Beaky instead.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Good morning everyone.

I am tired. I tried a new method last night of sitting out on the front porch and listening for the chickens to go off. All was silent.

I honestly thought I was dealing with a coyote, and after talking to my next door neighbor now I'm not sure. She came up yesterday and asked me to leave CeeCee out at night. She has camera's and caught someone trying to break in her car Wednesday night on camera's. I had forgotten she has camera's everywhere outside and asked her if they had picked up anything at night near my yard. She will check for sure when she gets the sd card back from the police but she did inform me she has a big raccoon that has been coming onto her back porch. She also picked up a big coyote near her garbage cans 2 weeks ago. I love this neighbor, but good grief you could have warned me about both of them ahead of time. I almost want to leave CeeCee inside just for spite now. Get your own guard dog. I'm not though, I'm keeping her inside while we are waiting for whatever it is to come back, but, when I give up to go to bed she is outside.

I think I need to look into getting a few camera's myself. One on the building facing the hillside and would have view of both coops. Another one placed somewhere in the horse stalls to see if anything comes near them.

This lock down and prolonged cooping them up is upsetting the big girls. My girls who are used to roosting overtop the horse stalls are very very angry with me. Egg production from them has came to a screeching halt. My silkies are the only one's laying for the last 3 days. They are nervous when they are let out, they no longer have George looking out for them. Poor Mrs. E is still looking for him. She has almost turned back feral on me again. Last night I was a hour getting everyone back inside the coop. Lots of chasing some unruly girls. Thankfully Goose and Gryffyn are easy to round up with their chicks. Goose has taken the opportunity to begin teaching her boy to roost in the coop with her. He follows her up and then does not settle until he is under her on the roost. Gryffyn is sleeping on top of the tote in the coop with her two. That is Gryffyn's version of roosting off the ground.

Small update on the chicks as well. Things are still looking good pullet wise for the silkie chicks. The little white one and the other dark partridge are starting to give off pullet vibes now. That is 3 I'm confident in out of the 4. If I question one it is the blue one I held back. Still no wattles, small non-existent comb and really no outward signs to say cockerel. It's just big, bigger then the other 3.

The other 3, well, the rooster fairy still loves me. 2 out of 3 are for sure boys. Gryffyn's yellow chick, yup, George has another son. I think he will end up looking similar to his great-uncle Bert. Georgette is now Orange Juice or OJ for short curtesy of Rosie. We shall refer to him as Juice. I would not call George by the name Adolf which my brother gave him and I shall not call Juice by the name "OJ". She swears she did not name him after OJ Simpson, I do not believe her. They had to watch the OJ Simpson murder trial 4 times in her forensics' class. That name is not a coincidence. Georgina is I think a pullet, but, that could change at the drop of a hat.

 

[knoturavggrl]

This batch of chicks is a lot slower to free range than the last. Really timid. They come out just outside the gate, then one gets spooked and they all hightail it back to the run. It’s hilarious. Curiosity the cockerel and Angel, our small white Ameraucana, have been the only two so far to venture further out towards the deck.

Our last groups figured out quickly how to use the lawn chairs to hop the fence in and out, which saved us from having to open/close the gate. Probably won’t rely on that this time as we have one chicken with a bum leg who will most likely not ever be able to scale the fence, and I don’t want her (him?) locked in alone.

I don’t have any free ranging pics for this post, so instead here is Beaky instead.
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Love all of these photos but the middle on is gold! Consider submitting it to the caption contest.

 

[notabitail]

I’m not fine with being pooped on (just saying)

Sorry, it was in the EULA. Too bad.

 

[knoturavggrl]

Good morning everyone.

I am tired. I tried a new method last night of sitting out on the front porch and listening for the chickens to go off. All was silent.

I honestly thought I was dealing with a coyote, and after talking to my next door neighbor now I'm not sure. She came up yesterday and asked me to leave CeeCee out at night. She has camera's and caught someone trying to break in her car Wednesday night on camera's. I had forgotten she has camera's everywhere outside and asked her if they had picked up anything at night near my yard. She will check for sure when she gets the sd card back from the police but she did inform me she has a big raccoon that has been coming onto her back porch. She also picked up a big coyote near her garbage cans 2 weeks ago. I love this neighbor, but good grief you could have warned me about both of them ahead of time. I almost want to leave CeeCee inside just for spite now. Get your own guard dog. I'm not though, I'm keeping her inside while we are waiting for whatever it is to come back, but, when I give up to go to bed she is outside.

I think I need to look into getting a few camera's myself. One on the building facing the hillside and would have view of both coops. Another one placed somewhere in the horse stalls to see if anything comes near them.

This lock down and prolonged cooping them up is upsetting the big girls. My girls who are used to roosting overtop the horse stalls are very very angry with me. Egg production from them has came to a screeching halt. My silkies are the only one's laying for the last 3 days. They are nervous when they are let out, they no longer have George looking out for them. Poor Mrs. E is still looking for him. She has almost turned back feral on me again. Last night I was a hour getting everyone back inside the coop. Lots of chasing some unruly girls. Thankfully Goose and Gryffyn are easy to round up with their chicks. Goose has taken the opportunity to begin teaching her boy to roost in the coop with her. He follows her up and then does not settle until he is under her on the roost. Gryffyn is sleeping on top of the tote in the coop with her two. That is Gryffyn's version of roosting off the ground.

Small update on the chicks as well. Things are still looking good pullet wise for the silkie chicks. The little white one and the other dark partridge are starting to give off pullet vibes now. That is 3 I'm confident in out of the 4. If I question one it is the blue one I held back. Still no wattles, small non-existent comb and really no outward signs to say cockerel. It's just big, bigger then the other 3.

The other 3, well, the rooster fairy still loves me. 2 out of 3 are for sure boys. Gryffyn's yellow chick, yup, George has another son. I think he will end up looking similar to his great-uncle Bert. Georgette is now Orange Juice or OJ for short curtesy of Rosie. We shall refer to him as Juice. I would not call George by the name Adolf which my brother gave him and I shall not call Juice by the name "OJ". She swears she did not name him after OJ Simpson, I do not believe her. They had to watch the OJ Simpson murder trial 4 times in her forensics' class. That name is not a coincidence. Georgina is I think a pullet, but, that could change at the drop of a hat.

I continue to hope you find the predator quickly. I think it will take some time for everyone to adjust and find their new balance after the tragedy. Everyone being discombobulated is completely normal and understandable. Glad you got lucky with your pullets and I hope that doesn’t change.

 

[Ikslo]

Good morning everyone.

I am tired. I tried a new method last night of sitting out on the front porch and listening for the chickens to go off. All was silent.

I honestly thought I was dealing with a coyote, and after talking to my next door neighbor now I'm not sure. She came up yesterday and asked me to leave CeeCee out at night. She has camera's and caught someone trying to break in her car Wednesday night on camera's. I had forgotten she has camera's everywhere outside and asked her if they had picked up anything at night near my yard. She will check for sure when she gets the sd card back from the police but she did inform me she has a big raccoon that has been coming onto her back porch. She also picked up a big coyote near her garbage cans 2 weeks ago. I love this neighbor, but good grief you could have warned me about both of them ahead of time. I almost want to leave CeeCee inside just for spite now. Get your own guard dog. I'm not though, I'm keeping her inside while we are waiting for whatever it is to come back, but, when I give up to go to bed she is outside.

I think I need to look into getting a few camera's myself. One on the building facing the hillside and would have view of both coops. Another one placed somewhere in the horse stalls to see if anything comes near them.

This lock down and prolonged cooping them up is upsetting the big girls. My girls who are used to roosting overtop the horse stalls are very very angry with me. Egg production from them has came to a screeching halt. My silkies are the only one's laying for the last 3 days. They are nervous when they are let out, they no longer have George looking out for them. Poor Mrs. E is still looking for him. She has almost turned back feral on me again. Last night I was a hour getting everyone back inside the coop. Lots of chasing some unruly girls. Thankfully Goose and Gryffyn are easy to round up with their chicks. Goose has taken the opportunity to begin teaching her boy to roost in the coop with her. He follows her up and then does not settle until he is under her on the roost. Gryffyn is sleeping on top of the tote in the coop with her two. That is Gryffyn's version of roosting off the ground.

Small update on the chicks as well. Things are still looking good pullet wise for the silkie chicks. The little white one and the other dark partridge are starting to give off pullet vibes now. That is 3 I'm confident in out of the 4. If I question one it is the blue one I held back. Still no wattles, small non-existent comb and really no outward signs to say cockerel. It's just big, bigger then the other 3.

The other 3, well, the rooster fairy still loves me. 2 out of 3 are for sure boys. Gryffyn's yellow chick, yup, George has another son. I think he will end up looking similar to his great-uncle Bert. Georgette is now Orange Juice or OJ for short curtesy of Rosie. We shall refer to him as Juice. I would not call George by the name Adolf which my brother gave him and I shall not call Juice by the name "OJ". She swears she did not name him after OJ Simpson, I do not believe her. They had to watch the OJ Simpson murder trial 4 times in her forensics' class. That name is not a coincidence. Georgina is I think a pullet, but, that could change at the drop of a hat.

Oh wow yeah I’d be miffed at my neighbor for not saying something, too

 

[featherhead007]

This batch of chicks is a lot slower to free range than the last. Really timid. They come out just outside the gate, then one gets spooked and they all hightail it back to the run. It’s hilarious. Curiosity the cockerel and Angel, our small white Ameraucana, have been the only two so far to venture further out towards the deck.

Our last groups figured out quickly how to use the lawn chairs to hop the fence in and out, which saved us from having to open/close the gate. Probably won’t rely on that this time as we have one chicken with a bum leg who will most likely not ever be able to scale the fence, and I don’t want her (him?) locked in alone.

I don’t have any free ranging pics for this post, so instead here is Beaky instead.
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I know that this is California, but you must try to keep your chooks from off the pot!