Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Sylvester017]

Castor isn't big enough to keep the dangerous predators away. Haven't seen any weasels within 10 miles of home. Hawks and foxes are the 2 main predators, both of which could snatch Castor if they were so inclined (hungry enough). Feral cats get fed by anyone who can lure them in simply for the rodent control, so isn't an issue here either. Cheetah is outstanding at spotting hawks, and has taught everyone else, 4 of which are his daughters and 2 of which are his grandchildren. His offspring are incredibly close behind him on hawk alert.

We've also got a flock of magpies and one of crows that stay in the area year round. They sound alerts and the chickens listen. Currently, we have a hefty sized flock of pigeons living near by in more open terrain. They're an easier hawk meal.

Sherlock marking territory now that he's fully mature is excellent fox deterrent. He's bigger and fit. They would have a better chance at night....when the coop is closed.

This doesn't mean predators can't get to my birds. Odds are reduced. Late fall to early spring have less camouflage available. We'll see how this winter goes.

Sherlock, rooster, & crows... your Dream Team of predator control! We LOVE our crows too cuz we can't accommodate roo's or pups !

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

On this fine Wednesday...
Raven laid her second egg. The collection is starting to grow.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

To be bilingual is an amazing thing, my french sucks, but I can get by. I can speak cat, horse and now chook. Hahaha.

Holly don’t you give me any of your lip sister, stop being broody!
View attachment 4233104

The brat, laid a few eggs then went broody again!

NO MORE BABIES EVER!

I myself am a bilingual but I do know some words in other languages. It's great to know another language besides English or whatever someone's first language is. A funny thing my father has done to me in the past is shame me for how I speak Bosnian, and likewise I shame him for how he speaks English.
Language Tax
I definitely can't understand their language.

 

[featherhead007]

Interesting news, remember Nacho’s three Pullets taken by the neighbor next door? Well, Queso came to visit us today, and she grew up beautiful. I hav no idea what that neighbor is doing! More tax pics:

 

[Ponypoor]

I myself am a bilingual but I do know some words in other languages. It's great to know another language besides English or whatever someone's first language is. A funny thing my father has done to me in the past is shame me for how I speak Bosnian, and likewise I shame him for how he speaks English.
Language Tax
I definitely can't understand their language.
View attachment 4233304

Those two are looking lovely, Hawk looks just like my Chicki-chick - right down the the colour and the muffs



And yes knowing a second language is a wonderful thing - I envy you!

OH and I know a bit of heery coo...

 

[Ponypoor]

This is always hard.

The babies screamed so much tonight (it's really chilly) that Whiskers relented and went to bed early to snuggle them, they were cold. Thank you Whiskers I appreciate you doing this, it's way too chilly for those munchkins to be cut loose yet. I had hoped she would keep them until they were at least 3 months old.

Oh well, I guess I can hang the Sweeter Heater if she does cut them loose permanently. I know they can hop up on things and likely can hop up onto the ledge but they are way too small for the shenanigans that Georgie and the gang get up to at roost time.

 

[Ponypoor]

TY for posting the pics ~ reminded me to set up a cinder block roosting perch in the back patio after I recuperate from surgery. I have a Silkie that snoozes on things.

Here she is on a chair. She perches on the pushbroom, garden bed or dustbath borders too.

I just about clobbered some of them on Sunday, I was sitting on my lawnchair and some of them decided to roost on the rungs of the chair - when I went to move it and fold it I didn't see them there - ooops! Sorry girls! Receive a few dirty looks for that mistake!

 

[Ponypoor]

I do count them. All 37. Otherwise how am I going to know if one is missing for whatever the reason

Are you like me...? count - 29, count again 32 (should be 31), try again... 19 - Whaaa? ok stay still! 1, 2, 3... 30. grrrrr...

And so it goes hahaha.

 

[Ponypoor]

Sometimes it's a constant soundtrack when you have chicks in the house without so much background noise. Pfft - pfft - pfft as they zip around the place.

Last night Truly gave a good long toot and scared the living daylights out of the chooks hahahaha! That set them all off bok-ing for a good long time. Sheesh crazy birds!

 

[rural mouse]

I lost count when they're coming out of their clown car popdoor!

They didn't all come out either. Those in the most painful stage of moulting take their time leaving and come out later.