Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

So sad for those Geraniums

Good thing about geraniums is that they should be able to pop back into existence. They will put out some leaves and branches then flowers….

I regularly cut mine back when they get scraggly. Petunias also benefit from pruning. Tomatoes…. Fruit trees, vines. Lots of plants can be pruned back and they will get thicker.

So when the chooks take on some of the plants o don’t get too worried. Only thing is with the colder nights and less daylight hrs their growth has slowed. We’ll see what happens, I might be able to salvage them.

 

[RoyalChick]

Dust bath poll, what do you use?

The vet I consulted about Hazel's respiratory problems, bubbly eyes, etc wanted me to minimize sources of dust, as irritants to her eyes and lungs. So what’s a dust bath going to consist of that will be effective, but be low dust? I think she said construction sand but I’m not sure. I can email them.

There’s so much confusing information about sand on BYC and elsewhere. Different companies or outfits around here might sell different sands and call it different things. Washed sand? And is sand even an effective dust bath if there’s no fine clingy material?

I am tempted to put in there just the topsoil dirt/organic material gathered from the deciduous woods by us. No added wood ash, definitely no DE, no sulphur, etc.

Coarse or construction grade sand is pretty good and doesn’t create a lot of dust. It seems satisfying to my ladies - but then they dust bathe in pretty much anything so maybe just aren’t discerning enough!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Regular old play sand is what I use. It’s quite fine but I don’t find it’s particularly dusty. I change it out couple times a year.

I have a 4x4 sand box I put 3 or 4, 50lb bags of this in.

How do you make sure there’s no quartz dust in play sand? Just feeling paranoid here, sorry!

 

[featherhead007]

Good thing about geraniums is that they should be able to pop back into existence. They will put out some leaves and branches then flowers….

I regularly cut mine back when they get scraggly. Petunias also benefit from pruning. Tomatoes…. Fruit trees, vines. Lots of plants can be pruned back and they will get thicker.

So when the chooks take on some of the plants o don’t get too worried. Only thing is with the colder nights and less daylight hrs their growth has slowed. We’ll see what happens, I might be able to salvage them.

View attachment 4213978

I have been pruned once in my life, it wasn’t a good experience! I’ll never eat figs, prunes or dink excessive amounts of Dr Pepper ever again!!

 

[RoyalChick]

How do you make sure there’s no quartz dust in play sand? Just feeling paranoid here, sorry!

That is why construction sand was recommended to me by the vet.

 

[featherhead007]

How do you make sure there’s no quartz dust in play sand? Just feeling paranoid here, sorry!

never thought of that. I use play sand in the run (easy to clean)

 

[featherhead007]

I’m going to just use fill dirt from now on. I don’t want my birds to get sick. Respiratory problems are bad enough with all the spraying and shaking of almonds and walnut orchards around here.
Did you know: Central Valley is the largest supplier of almonds and pistachios in the world? Most of the products are grown here, but shipped overseas. Pisses me off that I still have to pay full price for a bag of pistachio nuts!!

 

[bgmathteach]

From today - guys you’re early it’s not fluffy butt Friday yet!

It is never to early to show off booty like ours

 

[janiedoe]

I have a bunch of medical/dental appts the next 2 wks so imagine my dread to catch up maybe 50+ pgs teehee

Better to dread the catch-up than the doctors. (& you left a zero off)

 

[janiedoe]

It is never to early to show off booty like ours

Gorgeous!