Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

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.

Wouldn't hurt to try with whatever/all eggs she has....if only a few are fertile and hatch, then that would be okay - she only needs one Roo, correct?

 

[notabitail]

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

I had one. It has a chicken shaped hole in it.

 

[RoyalChick]

Firewood, furniture woodworking, bedding (need a wood chipper for that).

Check Craigslist and Facebook marketplace for someone LOOKING for any of those. You might be able to find a less financially painful deal. If you were near by, I'd jump on the firewood option.

last resort, get the wood chipper and turn it all into bedding for your coops.

Yes this.
And if you need to hire a professional tree service they should give you the chips for free. Actually they like doing that because otherwise they have to pay to dispose of them.

 

[RoyalChick]

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!)

Well almond extract used to be made of bitter almond - which guess what, is just the same as ground apple seeds or peach pits or whatever.
I think the more expensive brands may still be that.
Cheaper brands are a chemical equivalent.
So all I am doing is making my own almond extract! I don’t really bother any more, but I used to keep a jar of ground pits to add for flavor.

Bitter almond tax: don’t worry she is fine - just napping.

 

[bgmathteach]

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.

Grey foxes are good climbers, and can climb a vertical fence. (and trees, etc.) They have reticulating claws like a cat, and can extend/retract their claws...it keeps them sharp for climbing/grabbing things, and also helps them when climbing non-porous things like fences. Having an outward facing/angled portion on the top of a fence can help keep them out...but they are also very good jumpers...so I would go with a fence at least 6' tall (solid fence they could jump onto) if you go the route of solid fence.

Electric fence is good...but I have found my chickens flew over electric fencing (I used to use a mobile coop with the tallest electric poultry fencing I could get....and it was still short enough they could fly over (not onto then over) - at least my better fliers. Especially if they had anything to 'launch off' even if it wasn't close to the fence. (i.e. think of @BY Bob 's Aster - flew at 4' high for a very long distance...they feel more confident trying for a distance with not needing much lift....and are quite successful. Even heavier birds would try that over needing a straight up 4' height.)

Just my 2 cents.

 

[bgmathteach]

Yes this.
And if you need to hire a professional tree service they should give you the chips for free. Actually they like doing that because otherwise they have to pay to dispose of them.

Yes, I will have them chip it if they use a chipper. I already use wood chips for the run...I usually get tree companies trimming locally along the phone/power lines to drop a load or two each year they are around.....I have only had to buy them twice since I have been here ( 8 +years) (They come around every 3 years or so.)

The broken coops I will probably end up burning in a brush pile...completely NOT salvageable, and painted, so someone would not want to burn in their house. I will have to try to remove the plastic roof panels first...and ?maybe? salvage some hardware like door latches if they aren't too 'stuck' (i.e. hardware holding them in place.)

 

[bgmathteach]

Are you sure she didn't get into YOUR bitter almond extract ????????

 

[knoturavggrl]

Nothing butt tiny fluffy butts. Arrangement today is dot, dash, dash,
dot, dash, dot. They are trying to speak to me, I know it!

9/3 we go our first tiny fairy egg from I assume the SFH’s. Silkie eggs are typically more white than this right?
I have gotten three more since then. So, I believe I have two laying so far.

 

[BY Bob]

Pony Sunday & Caturday

https://www.newsweek.com/hilarity-maine-coons-dont-realize-backyard-visitor-2125058

 

[BY Bob]

I baked a tres leches cake today.
View attachment 4212386
Too bad Grandma isn't around anymore to try it. Perhaps Tony and the twins can try a very small amount. I mean, Mozzarella did eat a slice of apple cider donut cake before...
Does this recall to anyone?
View attachment 4212390

My chickens love cake. They have been eating some old key lime cupcakes recently.