Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ChicoryBlue]

Our experience is that some breeds get along better together than others. In a smaller space chickens also get testy w/ each other w/ older ones harassing newer birds. Even in our open backyard for hens to forage, the older ones will chase/harass the newer birds, nothing injurious, but it's chicken behaviour. More space is a real help w/ lots of hiding spots ~ chairs, box crates, pen perches, tree stumps or boughs, hanging chicken toys, mirrors (a real winner for distraction), ladders, milk crates, chicken swings, dog house, etc, might help the younger to get away from oldsters' abuse? Whenever a hen goes broody others will get jealous & pick on her. Some chickens are just plain bullies & we've had to rehome a couple in the past.

Tish a Cuckoo Marans upset the whole flock she just wouldn't stop ~ rehomed to a neighbor's layer flock.She didn't warm up to humans either. She didn't bully in the layer flock.
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Char a very tall heavy Cuckoo Breda Fowl was a bully toward the littler Silkies so she went to a friend's rescue farm where she apparently got along well w/ a dog.
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I hope something will work out for you... but a large space w/ distraction objects really helps if birds are confined.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Great closeups... maybe poultry caption contest worthy A couple already made me chuckle

This one gets me - Shanai's expression...she's perching on the coop edge, perfectly balanced of course...she wasn't sure about the commotion behind her...Isabel & another were inching forward to inspect the phone!

 

[rural mouse]

Maybe chain link does keep out some domestic dogs, though?

Some, maybe. All? No. We had a 45 pound springer spaniel who climbed the fence to get out. His paws fit neatly into the links. He did have to have a corner to climb in, so a 2x12 across it with a chunk of concrete on top ended his adventures.....once we figured out how he was getting out, double secured it to the house, reinforced the ground all the way around (thought he was digging out). Size wise, anything average fox to large coyote size could do something similar. And might figure out how to use a flat section to do so. They also can dig, so finding a sheltered place to dig under a chain link is also very possible.

@RebeccaBoyd
For keeping them out, my vote goes to electrified fencing too.

 

[bgmathteach]

Remove the apple seeds... there's some toxicity in them but chickens gulp them down anyway. We get Granny Smiths & the chickens aren't too keen on those.

True, apple seeds have cyanide in them...but animals eat them all the time..... & they get pooped out. I am not, mind you, advocating actively/intentionally feeding your chooks apple seeds, but if they gobble down a few, I also wouldn't panic. Their gizzard will probably scarify the seed, which might give them a smidge of the compound (amygdalin) that converts to cyanide...but for the most part, it actually helps the seed to germinate more than anything.

Granted, this following quote is for people...and chickens are far smaller, weight wise, than people, but it gives a better perspective than the 'OMG they ate an apple seed, will they die?' thinking:

Cyanide is very poisonous. However, it is important to note that for there to be any harmful effects, a person would have to eat a significant amount of crushed apple seeds, which is unlikely to occur.

For more information

 

[Ponypoor]

*tsk tsk* Shame on you.

He could always try that magnetic screen like I have - of course it took my kiddos about 5 min to breach that hanaha

 

[Ponypoor]

Some, maybe. All? No. We had a 45 pound springer spaniel who climbed the fence to get out. His paws fit neatly into the links. He did have to have a corner to climb in, so a 2x12 across it with a chunk of concrete on top ended his adventures.....once we figured out how he was getting out, double secured it to the house, reinforced the ground all the way around (thought he was digging out). Size wise, anything average fox to large coyote size could do something similar. And might figure out how to use a flat section to do so. They also can dig, so finding a sheltered place to dig under a chain link is also very possible.

@RebeccaBoyd
For keeping them out, my vote goes to electrified fencing too.

I love electric fencing - highly entertaining with kids too! And goats!

Mwa-hahahaha

 

[bgmathteach]

Here's pics from today, didn't get the wide shots of the setup yet, just pics of the new Buckeyes, it was the magical time between the adults going to roost and the juveniles going to their coop and hanging out before packing it in. Here they were perching and scrolling my phone before bed while I worked on the coop camera and fixing the fan charge wire in there (am thinking we'll get hot weather again before it really cools down so not taking them out yet).
At one point four of them were pecking all over the phone screen. They managed to change the camera settings!
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They are so gorgeous! And, I am sure it is frustrating, but I love the fact they changed your phone settings!!!! They are practicing for when they get a chance at beakbook - need to be proficient in case it is a short window of time before Mom comes back!!!!

(makes me thing of the commercial for Liberty with Lemu Emu pecking the golf cart pedals and the golf cart rolls away! )

 

[Ponypoor]

Perfect idea - he was a really, really good boy! Would be nice to have a rooster he sired. It might also give a bit of continuity to the flock, being genetically theirs.

Ok so she said he has been gone about 3 weeks - do you think the hens will still have viable eggs?
Mi have heard they can store semen for up to 2 months. What do you all think? Should we try the eggs from today? The other she refrigerated.

 

[bgmathteach]

Here it is:

Post in thread 'Ali James' Garden Chickens' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ali-james-garden-chickens.1330040/post-21726032

Conclusion: It would take over a 1,000 seeds to poison a 7lb chicken.

Well, Hattie is safe for now, then!

 

[bgmathteach]

You beat me to it!
SHRA tax: gorging on peaches
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By the way, adding a pinch of ground apple seeds to baked goods really enhances almond flavor. Yes, it is the cyanide that does it.

Umm, wouldn't adding a hint of almond extract be a better option???? (Unless, of course, you really WANTED to cause someone pain and suffering...that is!)