Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

Time to renew looking at the Do's and Don't's on the Rooster Allies pages, and asking advice here. Shehnai seemed more forceful with his pecks today, and he actually grabbed my neoprene gloved finger and yanked on it. Don't know what it means. I think he flapped a wing on to my knee from the side, I didn't see it fully, I couldn't see if he was herding me or challenging me or what. He was staying much closer to me than usual. Then, he stuck around long after the ladies had gone to roost, so I know my presence was something that he feels he needs to pay attention to. When I realized I seemed to be keeping him from roosting I went over to the coop platform to encourage him to go roost and he ran next to me all ready to jump up "too". Does he think I'm a hen? I decided I should leave.

I had been fixing some tarps attachments and then looking from the inside planning for ventilating snow-stopping measures.

On a positive note I've been noticing how chill Tedi has become when at the fence with Shehnai, so today I opened the gate and Tedi went around when he was there, and Shehnai got closer and sort of tidbitted but didn't jump her or fight her, and she slowly circled back and came back in. Same with Diane a bit later. Annie, still molting hard, was not interested in doing that.

Not entirely sure on the behavior re: glove/wing. Will mull.

Waiting for you re: go to bed. My crew will linger/loiter outside the coop grazing on last minute goodies, especially the ladies, not every evening, but sem-regularly if I'm out there waiting for the stragglers. I get the impression they're figuring on me keeping watch so they can stay out a little longer. It's not usually the MATURE roos, but the young idiots will linger also....generally hoping to catch the last hen who's staying out to avoid them until they give up (almost full dark).

If I head back to the house, I can usually head back out in 5-10 min to close the coop. If a hen is avoiding idiots, it's 50/50 on having to go play rooster escort for her (still has to avoid him unless she let's me carry her when ill set her directly on a roost). Shenai could be trying to "escort" you to the coop. He could be asking for an escort for himself. He could be....lots of options...

 

[featherhead007]

Does my heart good to see an alike breed toodling together

They are too afraid of the other birds, not to stick together. They (all 10) have their own tree to perch in at night. They are slowly adapting to a new environment.

 

[featherhead007]

He is spectacular. Everyone seems to have some lovely handsome boys this year.

I sure have gained a few “handsome boys” colorful feathered idiots !

 

[featherhead007]

Snow? Why?

Sure it’s pretty, but is work dealing with it. It’s cold, my feet and hands are frosted from Nov to April, I have had frost bite on n my cheeks a few times, they ache in the cold now, same with the fingers and toes I have had frost bite with. The cost to heat the house with propane from Nov to April; and truth be told we have the heat on from Sept until June. It’s a tough climate here.

Have to brush snow of the truck twice a day when it won’t stop snowing; I have to shovel the deck, the walk ways, a path to the manure pile so I can push the wheelbarrow through it. Haul hay for the horses, put their blankets on (and off when they come in). And then there is water. I have to make sure the de-icer is working so their water doesn’t freeze, same with the chooks.

Snow and cold adds hrs to my day doing chores. Sure it’s pretty, pretty useless!

You’re not a fan of snow I take it!

 

[featherhead007]

Not entirely sure on the behavior re: glove/wing. Will mull.

Waiting for you re: go to bed. My crew will linger/loiter outside the coop grazing on last minute goodies, especially the ladies, not every evening, but sem-regularly if I'm out there waiting for the stragglers. I get the impression they're figuring on me keeping watch so they can stay out a little longer. It's not usually the MATURE roos, but the young idiots will linger also....generally hoping to catch the last hen who's staying out to avoid them until they give up (almost full dark).

If I head back to the house, I can usually head back out in 5-10 min to close the coop. If a hen is avoiding idiots, it's 50/50 on having to go play rooster escort for her (still has to avoid him unless she let's me carry her when ill set her directly on a roost). Shenai could be trying to "escort" you to the coop. He could be asking for an escort for himself. He could be....lots of options...

I think he just wants a hooman hen to follow around! Especially if she’s the treat giver.
Example: Dakota is now an indoor house chicken. She won’t go outside for any reason.

 

[Sylvester017]

They are too afraid of the other birds, not to stick together. They (all 10) have their own tree to perch in at night. They are slowly adapting to a new environment.

Do you have plans to get them into a coop? Won't be good to roost in trees during rain or extreme cold nights?

 

[RoyalChick]

Time to renew looking at the Do's and Don't's on the Rooster Allies pages, and asking advice here. Shehnai seemed more forceful with his pecks today, and he actually grabbed my neoprene gloved finger and yanked on it. Don't know what it means. I think he flapped a wing on to my knee from the side, I didn't see it fully, I couldn't see if he was herding me or challenging me or what. He was staying much closer to me than usual. Then, he stuck around long after the ladies had gone to roost, so I know my presence was something that he feels he needs to pay attention to. When I realized I seemed to be keeping him from roosting I went over to the coop platform to encourage him to go roost and he ran next to me all ready to jump up "too". Does he think I'm a hen? I decided I should leave.

I had been fixing some tarps attachments and then looking from the inside planning for ventilating snow-stopping measures.

On a positive note I've been noticing how chill Tedi has become when at the fence with Shehnai, so today I opened the gate and Tedi went around when he was there, and Shehnai got closer and sort of tidbitted but didn't jump her or fight her, and she slowly circled back and came back in. Same with Diane a bit later. Annie, still molting hard, was not interested in doing that.

Let me know what you learn.
Mr. Chips still follows me around like a little dog. Fortunately he is big enough that I am unlikely to actually trip over him.
Tonight Cookie is so squished by the others she is in danger of falling off the end of the roost!

 

[featherhead007]

Do you have plans to get them into a coop? Won't be good to roost in trees during rain or extreme cold nights?

I have plans to build another coop. I just need more plywood and roofing materials.

 

[featherhead007]

Let me know what you learn.
Mr. Chips still follows me around like a little dog. Fortunately he is big enough that I am unlikely to actually trip over him.
Tonight Cookie is so squished by the others she is in danger of falling off the end of the roost!
View attachment 4262428

Perch extension desperately needed!

 

[featherhead007]

Do you have plans to get them into a coop? Won't be good to roost in trees during rain or extreme cold nights?

For now, I have awnings that they can hide under in the rainy nights/ days. Far as freezing goes, we rarely get frozen nights. (Knock on wood) 🫩