MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

Trifecta?

Yesterday was a rare 0 eggs day. So my chances of a trifecta are higher than usual today

Sandy is in the nest box already. Mary and Janet are hunting for bugs.

Their water consumption has been down lately, which would be impacting on laying. They no longer use the big water dispenser in the yard but the hanging water dispenser in the henhouse and the little water bowl in the yard are still approved of. Yesterday I realised the increased consumption from the little water bowl means it runs out by about 3. Today, I've provided two little water bowls in the yard.

All three water containers were used for worming recently, but if that's the reason all three containers should be on the disapproval list. So I'm a little confused about what's going on

 

[MaryJanet]

Yes!! Trifecta!!

Mary and Sandy laid in the nest box.

Janet put hers in the long grasses.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I think I have discovered why Alice has been roosting in the rabbit hutch. The feathers on her back were "getting thinner". On closer inspection it looks like someone has been pecking at her. I suspect Pepper.

When I locked them up last night Alice was, again, in the rabbit hutch with Edwina squished in beside her.

Pepper has spent the last two days in the new coop nesting box being a flat, angry pancake and growling and pecking at anyone who comes near. Even Tsuki-the-bully hasn't been able to shift her.

I think I have my first broody folks

At least I have some idea what to do thanks to you lovely folks

 

[Ribh]

Oh gosh! lol I've just done Lavender & she was one mean ol' broody! I have 3 minus a ton of feathers thanks to her.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

I gave Mary a bath

Mary was recently found to have a round worm burden. The whole flock was wormed (I think - I tried my best and they definitely swallowed a little medicated water but there's still the follow up flotation test on the cards).

Anyway, Mary got poopy buttbutt real bad. And that's not ok with her orpington fluff. There were big clods hanging down and pulling on her fluff. She wasn't joyful.

She needed a bath and after my recent successful foray into chook bathing with Sandy, I was ready to take her on.

A few important differences:

Sandy Mary
Small. Large
Tame. Wild
Poopy bum Poopmageddon
Sweetheart. Bold.

With these constraints in place, I came up with a plan to put Mary in a plastic cat carry box with a folded over towel in the bottom to prevent damage to her claws, then put the whole box in the bathtub (it doesn't fit in the kitchen or laundry sinks).

Good plan.

Except for the first part.

Luckily my brother popped in to provide some kitchen scraps. He was recruited into service. We each took a small panel of fence and crept up on her, eventually cornering her. She wasn't at all happy. After a few failures, I got her wings held down then I picked her up and placed her gently in the cat box.

I'm always very gentle with the hens but Mary still thinks I'm an axe murderer.

Once she was in the box, she calmed right down. I put the box in the tub and started the taps. No problem.

Then she soaked while the poop clods softened. Whenever I could trick her into not poking her head out of the cat box, I sneaked my hand in to check on progress. Eventually 90% of the pooperama was gone. I thought we were really pushing it with her in the water for so long, so I pulled the plug, tipped the box to get the worst of the water out, and placed the box on the floor.

Like many before her, she seemed to really enjoy the hairdryer

After 40 minutes, I carried her out and opened the box.

She didn't even say "it's good to be back in the yard" she just walked away like nothing happened.

I'm always impressed by your resourcefulness and versatility MJ. You could out McGyver McGyver I think
I'll have to remember this trick for when my girls get poopy bum

 

[drumstick diva]

everyone

 

[MaryJanet]

I'm always impressed by your resourcefulness and versatility MJ. You could out McGyver McGyver I think
I'll have to remember this trick for when my girls get poopy bum

Oh! That's a very kind thing to say! Thank you

 

[MaryJanet]

I think I have discovered why Alice has been roosting in the rabbit hutch. The feathers on her back were "getting thinner". On closer inspection it looks like someone has been pecking at her. I suspect Pepper.

When I locked them up last night Alice was, again, in the rabbit hutch with Edwina squished in beside her.

Pepper has spent the last two days in the new coop nesting box being a flat, angry pancake and growling and pecking at anyone who comes near. Even Tsuki-the-bully hasn't been able to shift her.

I think I have my first broody folks

At least I have some idea what to do thanks to you lovely folks

Good luck with it! Hope it passes quickly

 

[MaryJanet]

everyone

Hi how are you today? All good?

 

[drumstick diva]

Getting by, it's raining AGAIN, and Wednesday into Thurs am. supposed to be having tremendous wind kicking up. Warnings to stay away from windows. I'd have to hide in the basement closet

But I've spent time there before Thanks for asking MJ