Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Ok well, I have 43 chooks running loose in my 30’ x 60’ barn, most would say that’s not enough room for that many chooks. But the big difference is there are rooms (stalls, hen house, unused portion of barn…) that are all places the chooks can run to, hide in, and dig around it. They can also get up on things. It’s very 3 dimension here, there are squabbles but very minor - everyone can get away from whomever is irritating them.

If you can put up some barriers so they can break eye contact and get out of sight that will help, also put in more things to hop up on, it needn’t be high. I have an old chest I use to store horse blankets in, and that is a huge favourite to hop up on and roost on. I gave up trying to keep it clean, it now belongings to the chickens. If you can find/buy a sheet of plywood, you can cut it lengthwise and fasten the top long edge to make an ‘A’ frame that then can run under as a tunnel and hop up onto, a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood cut lengthwise will give you an 8’ long tunnel about 2’ high. Just make sure to not have any gaps along the top they can catch a toe in.

There are lots of ideas out there for creating barriers and play areas.

 

[BY Bob]

Well, you now know what flowers they like - to plant along their pen fence in the spring! throw in a few pea seeds and maybe a few sunflower seeds...and just protect them until established. Will give them something to nibble on through the fence when not out...and if they survive (the sunflowers), maybe a fall treat!

Good idea.

 

[BY Bob]

New layer! Marans from yesterday on the right. I think the new one on the left may be a Barnevelder, as I saw one checking out the garage nest yesterday.

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Beautiful eggs.

 

[BY Bob]

I have learnt some things this year with the tomatoes. Next spring I will be ready for these chooks! I will not be bested by a chicken!

The tomatoes will go up to the house hahahahahahaha!

Right. So you win. You have tomatoes in your house.

 

[BY Bob]

Sir Surely (nee: Shirley)

It is with great sadness I report the passing of the big boy.

His new Hooman called me today to tell me they found him in the tractor shed passed way after they noted two huge piles of feathers. The thought is a hawk or eagle attack. He died protecting his flock it seems, giving them time to run and hide.

The lady is very devastated and her little boy also. Seems Surely was not only great with the hens, but good with his Hoomans.

I am now on the look out for a lovely rooster to take on the task of leading the flock.

Fly high and free lovely fellow

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So sad. Brave rooster doing his job. Bless him. Fly high Sir Surely and rest in peace knowing your ladies are safe because of your sacrifice.

 

[Ikslo]

Beautiful eggs.

I think so, too! I’m happy with any eggs from any of these ladies, but I must say I feel like I’ve gotten pretty lucky thus far with egg color. I know the Ameraucana are a ways out from laying, but if my luck holds out I expect some pretty blue eggs from them.

 

[Ikslo]

Fly high, Sir Shurley!

 

[rural mouse]

Sir Surely (nee: Shirley)

It is with great sadness I report the passing of the big boy.

His new Hooman called me today to tell me they found him in the tractor shed passed way after they noted two huge piles of feathers. The thought is a hawk or eagle attack. He died protecting his flock it seems, giving them time to run and hide.

The lady is very devastated and her little boy also. Seems Surely was not only great with the hens, but good with his Hoomans.

I am now on the look out for a lovely rooster to take on the task of leading the flock.

Fly high and free lovely fellow

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for you and his family

Can you get the incubator from your niece and eggs from Sir Surely's ladies?

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

Oy vey... Well... Let's see if I can hold myself together.

About an hour ago Aliss fell asleep. Within minutes she was gone. I don't know what happened. She was doing so well today. I was about to give her a piece of my dinner and she was just lying there, her comb was starting to turn pale, she was still warm. She must have just passed. I held her and rocked her and kissed her over and over and cried. I had to bury her by myself, my dad is sleeping. I'm just stunned, and my heart is broken. I don't know what happened. I'm just glad she went in her sleep. I hope she wasn't in pain. And I'm happy her last day was good. I'm just so... More than sad. I don't know how else to put it, just heartbroken. I didn't expect it. I didn't think it would hit me so hard.

I know this was a week ago but I felt the same way, more than sad, when Grandma passed. I'm glad that Aliss's last day was good. Grandma's last day was also good, as she got to hang out with the little ones.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

I got a new phone, but I don't know how I feel about the camera quality. Tony looks a bit too bright and the photo isn't as high quality as the Google Pixel.