Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Happy Caturday

 

[BY Bob]

Missy is a gorgeous cat!

She sure is.

 

[BY Bob]

No pics this morning, but shoulder feathers are starting. Crest watch is also happening, but so far, nothing. I'm still hopeful that at least 1 of the little black ones is a Thing grandchick. One of the blacks is feathering out seal brown. Final colors will be interesting. Comb/wattle/red epaulets watch starts in another week or so.

Last night, Rose was lingering going into the coop. Seems a specific ant hill was rather tasty (didn't see any of the flying ones, but they could be starting).

This morning, one of Lark/Indigo and one of Hyacinth/Violet are wandering around the rose patch and have headed into the grasses on the other side of the hedge: grasshopper hunting? Make that both H & V...and Enigma.

Mine do not eat ants. Odd. I guess someone has to teach them.

 

[Ponypoor]

Oh @Ponypoor Don't you hate when they scare us like that!

Very sad about the fireflies. I wonder what happened?

Yes I was in a panic - I almost forgot to turn of the security! And poor mum was all startled.

Re: fireflies

I was hoping that we are just a few weeks behind you, being further north. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.

It may be too dry here, it’s been humid but we really have not had much rain. The grass is crispy and I noted my cherry tree looking droopy. We didn’t get the thunderstorms they called for today, tomorrow I will drop a couple buckets of water around the tree.

This is what I have found on Fireflies, there is a a Firefly Watch site that one can participate in.

Early Pony Sunday

https://ontarionature.org/fireflies-of-ontario-blog/

 

[BY Bob]

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.

Stress will make mycoplasma outbreaks occur. I think what your doing is quite wise. Mine have 2 chips too chose from right now as well. I do this every time. So far they have chosen to live together. It is not required.

 

[Sylvester017]

Max is (was) my Dads name

This was our Max for "MAX-a-million" ~ Rottie pup

 

[drstratton]

Hi all, I'm René and I'd like to re-introduce myself as I've been gone way too long and my goodness have I missed everyone.
Here are a few of my new littles and a few of my older girls and their faithful roo. I have 5 hens and 1 roo left.

New babies!

A few of the old crew... just like me...lol

My Spazzy girl!

 

[Ponypoor]

Happy Caturday

Awwww I just love Éowyn - she is just lovely

I am a cat person more than a dog person.

 

[Ponypoor]

Hi all, I'm René and I'd like to re-introduce myself as I've been gone way too long and my goodness have I missed everyone.
Here are a few of my new littles and a few of my older girls and their faithful roo. I have 5 hens and 1 roo left.

New babies!
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A few of the old crew... just like me...lol
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My Spazzy girl!
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You have such a lovely diverse flock! And I love your spazzy girls fuzzy feet

 

[Sylvester017]

We had someone fall into the pool for the first time. They got right out on their own.

Spoiler: Who was it?

It was Nimue!

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Smart girl! I knew she was my favorite chick pick when I 1st saw the little smartie