Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I'm trying to be responsible and only get more chickens when their coop and additional run is built. And hopefully enough fencing and netting that they can really get out and forage and be chickens.
My seven younger chickens lived in a brooder in our guest room far too long. It was sad. ( I did get them out every day for exercise. It was craziness.)
Funny story - there is no longer carpet in that room because they busted out one day when I was at work. I heard a strange tapping at the door when I was walking down the hall and opened the door to see a horror show of poop. We cut the carpet, rolled it up and threw it away. It was old anyway.
So I'm determined to only get chickens that already have their accommodations built, not just promised.

That's very responsible.

 

[BY Bob]

Evergreen or deciduous?

No idea. There are birch tree roots all through there. I need something that can find it's way and grow through that.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

Safe journey

I appreciate it!
Also I don't think I did a Mugshot Monday, so here's a late one.

 

[BY Bob]

Here is Maleficent and Aurora using that roost to avoid Lilly.

I forgot how good Lilly was at surprise attacks. Gosh she was a smart one. She knew how to scare but not hurt.

I'll never forget when she surprised Jabberwocky.

Or this, chasing and surprising Maleficent and Aurora.

 

[Grandma The Chicken]

Twofer Tuesday
"I was made for lovin' you, baby. You were made for lovin' me."

By the way, this photo was from February and they posed for the camera real well. Staring at you. I'll try to get some photos of the chickens tomorrow. It has been way too cold today. Tomorrow will be 41 F so hopefully better...

 

[rural mouse]

No idea. There are birch tree roots all through there. I need something that can find it's way and grow through that.

Birch tends to be brittle once thoroughly dead. Any reaching the surface should crack under the impact of a hammer or a shovel blade. They're also going to rot and compost. Any that can be broken up a bit will speed the process.

Junipers (dunno if it's too wet there for it) are pretty tough and come in a wide variety...from creeping type ground cover to arching shrubs to rounded short trees to tall slender cones. Of course, getting it out later( if you decide it's not right) is a bigger problem. Arborvitae (spelling?) Is similar to juniper as an evergreen, and also comes in an array of shapes and sizes.

Some firs can arc over creating overhead cover and shade while maintaining space underneath for ladies to relax in, hide and climb.

What about some sort of nut tree? Hazelnuts/filberts are fairly small, I think...

Beech (not the same as birch) get tall but produce edible seeds (human edible, also). Chestnut could be fun too.

Some unusual ideas

 

[BY Bob]

Birch tends to be brittle once thoroughly dead. Any reaching the surface should crack under the impact of a hammer or a shovel blade. They're also going to rot and compost. Any that can be broken up a bit will speed the process.

Junipers (dunno if it's too wet there for it) are pretty tough and come in a wide variety...from creeping type ground cover to arching shrubs to rounded short trees to tall slender cones. Of course, getting it out later( if you decide it's not right) is a bigger problem. Arborvitae (spelling?) Is similar to juniper as an evergreen, and also comes in an array of shapes and sizes.

Some firs can arc over creating overhead cover and shade while maintaining space underneath for ladies to relax in, hide and climb.

What about some sort of nut tree? Hazelnuts/filberts are fairly small, I think...

Beech (not the same as birch) get tall but produce edible seeds (human edible, also). Chestnut could be fun too.

Some unusual ideas

Thanks. I'll check them out. I was considering a mimosa but I don't want all the "garbage" in the pool.

 

[Sylvester017]

Hattie has such a sweet face! (Or had, I guess. I haven't seen her mentioned lately.)
A lavender Orpington is high on my wish list when building projects are complete.

The most recent APA color added for bearded Silkies is lavender. I love Silkies but was rather unimpressed w/ the washed out pale gray color APA called "lavender" ~ I found colors like silver partridge, porcelain, isabel, red pyle, cuckoo, tortiseshell, calico, more exciting. I mean blue in chicken breeds really is pretty but I wish the lavenders were more vibrant in Silkies. What's hard is that not all lavenders come out the same hues ~ some are really pale to where they just look dirty white.
Lavender Silkie


One nice thing about light gray lavender Orps is that their beautiful body fluff style really flatters the look ~ their style makes lavender a must in their breed IMO.

 

[Sylvester017]

Thanks. I'll check them out. I was considering a mimosa but I don't want all the "garbage" in the pool.

Jacaranda are pretty too... but oh, what a mess. Mom had one in her neighborhood & that tree messed up a lot of yards w/ falling purple blossoms! Magnolias are messy too w/ falling cones.

I can't think of any tree that doesn't shed some kind of debris... even evergreens. For our climate, we chose citrus trees ~ the leaves are larger, easier to rake, less leaf shedding, plus added benefit of edible fruit.

Hope you find your magic tree choice & let us know what you get