Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

So do I

Nope nope nope not agreeing nope! It took me 3 hrs to do chores tonight, I had to shovel to the manure pile again, and try to clear snow from the house roof where it’s getting an ice dam. Hoping for some sun to warm the roof where I cleared it, help melt the ice.

Temp is steady at -9C (16F) and I see on the radar a new squall line setting up over top of my area.

My barn cams are running tonight and I see that Mr P’s group are all snuggled together, the silkie chicks are still being permitted to sleep with Whiskers, though she would prefer they not sleep with her.

Where is everyone? HH-A is almost empty!

They are packed into HH-B - but really it looks as empty there also.

I’d really like to get Mr P and his harem back in there but I worry about the wee silkies, I know Marty and Georgie would be fine, and of course The McNugget triplets. But wee Holly and the new chicks are tiny. I’ll need to think on this. It would be warmer for them all, but I don’t want anyone hurt.

 

[Ponypoor]

Thanks for the frostbite advice, everyone. She's the goober who tried to sleep on the roost OUTSIDE the coop. If I thought I could catch her I'd dose with aspirin. Do we think Riddick would have any obvious signs, what with him having black skin? I'd hate for his beret to be damaged.

The breeder I was following who posted regarding cutting off frostbite also dubs her game roosters for show...with no antiseptic or pain relief...I have since unfollowed because yikes. I definitely don't want to get involved with that side of birdkeeping.

Buffy had black shrively comb tips when she first moved in with us, and over the course of the year they came off and her comb has healed up. She's still weirdly wooly, but I make sure she's tucked in the nestbox near the broodies at night to at least be warm.

Um in other news, one of my coops has a broken door hinge so it doesn't close all the way. The birds are able to sleep on either side and above, as well as in the nestboxes and I have not seen any frostbite on that group.

They would all cram into the tall coop, we have 12 or 13 in there right now. It's supposed to sleep 8 or so...

Going to go toss another layer of straw down in the coops and see if I can use a cinderblock to try closing the broken door.

You can also use a 2x4 to wedge the door shut, one end in the ground the then the other end pushes into the door. Been there done that.

 

[Ponypoor]

Thanks for the frostbite advice, everyone. She's the goober who tried to sleep on the roost OUTSIDE the coop. If I thought I could catch her I'd dose with aspirin. Do we think Riddick would have any obvious signs, what with him having black skin? I'd hate for his beret to be damaged.

The breeder I was following who posted regarding cutting off frostbite also dubs her game roosters for show...with no antiseptic or pain relief...I have since unfollowed because yikes. I definitely don't want to get involved with that side of birdkeeping.

Buffy had black shrively comb tips when she first moved in with us, and over the course of the year they came off and her comb has healed up. She's still weirdly wooly, but I make sure she's tucked in the nestbox near the broodies at night to at least be warm.

Um in other news, one of my coops has a broken door hinge so it doesn't close all the way. The birds are able to sleep on either side and above, as well as in the nestboxes and I have not seen any frostbite on that group.

They would all cram into the tall coop, we have 12 or 13 in there right now. It's supposed to sleep 8 or so...

Going to go toss another layer of straw down in the coops and see if I can use a cinderblock to try closing the broken door.

They cut off (dub) the wattles and combs on those OEGB bantams - can you imagine doing that to Mr LC and his glorious wattles and comb. How cruel!

 

[Ponypoor]

The best thing happened today! We FINALLY were able to get my poor chickens out into the yard. We got an electric fence set up with a decent amount of space (planning for more later, but I'll take what we can get!). It of course took much longer to set up than planned, so they only had about an hour.
We videoed them coming out. It took them a while to figure out they could roam - they at first hung out right on front of the run.
The video involves my squeaky voice, so I'll spare you. Here's a few pictures of their first foray into the wider world outside of their run.
They had no fear of Jack the dog, having seen him waiting for me outside the run all their lives. Then he stood up and everyone freaked out.
I don't know if you can see the fence in the last picture, as it was really getting dark

Oh I am so envious of your hubby sitting on the lawn chair relaxing enjoying the chooks…. Only 164 days until our unofficial start to good weather! Lawnchair sitting weather!

 

[RoyalChick]

They cut off (dub) the wattles and combs on those OEGB bantams - can you imagine doing that to Mr LC and his glorious wattles and comb. How cruel!

View attachment 4265007

Apart from the cruelty I cannot imagine why anyone would find it more appealing to have that magnificent comb cut off. I mean look at him? It is stunning!

 

[SimpleJenn]

In Shadrach's thread we are discussing rooster ornamentation. Mr. LC would fit in well with all of the boys! Riddick and his jaunty beret are liked there.

 

[SimpleJenn]

This is how Buffy looks. It's very coarse but she has a full coating of feathers. How odd.

She had been sent to the run extension yet again so I had to shovel out the door and gather her up to go in a nestbox. I also blocked two of them so hopefully my broodies will snuggle together. I'd hate for Periwinkle to freeze to death sitting by herself.

 

[Ponypoor]

Apart from the cruelty I cannot imagine why anyone would find it more appealing to have that magnificent comb cut off. I mean look at him? It is stunning!

I know right?

If they don’t want comb and wattles they can breed for that! Plenty of breeds without them!

 

[Ponypoor]

In Shadrach's thread we are discussing rooster ornamentation. Mr. LC would fit in well with all of the boys! Riddick and his jaunty beret are liked there.

A rooster needs some fancy bling I think

Even Clyde’s wee wattles are cute

 

[Ponypoor]

This is how Buffy looks. It's very coarse but she has a full coating of feathers. How odd.
View attachment 4265020
She had been sent to the run extension yet again so I had to shovel out the door and gather her up to go in a nestbox. I also blocked two of them so hopefully my broodies will snuggle together. I'd hate for Periwinkle to freeze to death sitting by herself.

It’s pretty chilly. I make Georgie go up on the roosting ledge, she can snuggle with the kids. The brat has been broody about a week now.

Not sure who that is on their lonesome by Fluffy in the box. But I am glad Holly is snuggled with Georgie under the sweeter heater - she is still moulting, and coughing.