Ribh's D'Coopage

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Flock Dynamics

Flock dynamics are so interesting. I’m sure Bridge is still the Alpha, but she is so chill, she doesn’t push her weight around. She is subtle about it and rules the roost with just firm look. I just love that calm confidence in her.

It is really interesting to see how the Littles are coming along. Flo is working hard to establish her place in the pecking order in the main flock. Just in a short amount of time this morning, I saw her challenge Bridge, Buttercup, and Ruby. Bridge just had a stare down with her and eventually Flo backed off. Buttercup, on the other hand, went after her and beat her up a little bit (not really, but she definitely pecked snd chased Flo off). Ruby is pretty chill and still outranks Flo, but she didn’t put up a big fuss about it.

Flo also seems to think that I belong to her. She seems a little confused if one of the higher ranked birds gets in my lap or gets my attention. Poor thing! It’s super cute! Of all the birds, definitely the babies are the happiest to see me.

Ester’s molt is significant. If she fluffs and shakes herself, 20 feathers come flying off! She’s warming herself in the sun at the moment, along with Dorothy. I’m so glad I wired in this little area, which I call their “sun room.” It is the area under the upper level of the coop (upper level was previously the deck of the kids’ redwood play structure). I leave the little pop door open year round for ventilation and so they have access to the sun room. One side is removable for human access (cleaning). I often leave it off when they are free ranging so they have another entry to the safe area. Everything is wet outside, so even though they are free ranging, they are doing their sunning from inside the covered part of the run and/or the sunroom. Those are the only dry spots.View attachment 2466388

After I wrote this post, more girls piled into the sun room, but I didn’t catch it at its fullest. Here are Cashew and Buttercup as Lucky enters the scene:
View attachment 2466398

My Fatties - Not So Much?

It’s fun to observe the girls with fresh eyes. I picked each one up as a weight estimate (except Ester, of course - worst molt I’ve seen in my flock, I think). I think they are less fat, except maybe Ruby, who is on borrowed time. Little Mill also feels like one of the heaviest (after Buttercup, of course). I am hoping my efforts to lean them down have been paying off. I’ll have to remove the large feeders I left out while being out of town. I haven’t weighed them in over a year! I should do that, too.

While I’m at it, here are more sunning images:
(Bridge, Ester, Dorothy, Minnie, Ruby, Sunshine)
View attachment 2466437

You have an interesting set up @micstrachan .
Any chance of a floor plan, photos or a "tour" video to see how it all goes together please? I haven't quite been able to wrap my head around the upper and lower coop thing.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

the man wants me to replace the Vorwerk & that will mean @ least 2 birds. I won't do singles

Pepper had a heck of a time being accepted by the flock all on her own. I felt very bad for her. Now she and Edwina are almost inseparable and Alice has found herself hanging out with Tsuki and Deans most of the time.

I'm happier getting pairs too. Maybe I should get a couple of lavender Araucana's to keep Alice company?

 

[micstrachan]

You have an interesting set up @micstrachan .
Any chance of a floor plan, photos or a "tour" video to see how it all goes together please? I haven't quite been able to wrap my head around the upper and lower coop thing.

Sure! I will just pull together some old videos I have already posted to youtube.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

My Christmas present.
View attachment 2466518

Lychees...? We can pick them for free just down the road. There are 2 huge trees generally loaded about this time of the year. And is that Middle East dates...? Walnuts I recognise ~ but do you have to share?

Do you think the chickens will give him a choice in the matter?

 

[BY Bob]

Good afternoon Alex, have a great day
Barred Holland

Have I seen photos? I don't feel like I know that breed.

 

[BY Bob]

That's a very big question Bob. and I'm no expert.
But, I know someone who is and I'll ask him.
What I like isn't really on the high tier, mainly because I don't like a lot of fat on the cut.
I'll get back to you.

Thank you. I appreciate the extra effort on my behalf.

 

[Aussie-Chookmum]

Oh, gosh! Yes of course! You are absolutely right. I was just thinking the small coop is already getting a bit tight for my bigger girls but the big coop is probably too big for my smaller girls @ present. I can wait though. It's great to be reminded of what you should know & often forget because something else has become your main focus! I really am grateful.

So glad that you are going to intorduce them all at once Ribh, though I understand your earlier reasoning. The idea of separating them felt wrong in my gut but I couldn't figure out why until Bob posted his comment.

 

[BY Bob]

and the Spanish. I think the Russians sorted theirs out.....

Well played sir!

 

[BY Bob]

Yeah, one of the few great inventions to come out of France.
I've always thought it a shame that the English have never got past being a forelock tugging bunch of peasants.

Oh dear, my tax bill is gettinng bigger by the key stroke.

Weren't you counting on a pension from somewhere?

 

[micstrachan]

Oh, gosh, Bob...where to start....



They are really tiny aren't they. And even smaller when they first arrived. They are feisty though.




The phone cord was hanging down. That's what was fascinating her, not me. Unfortunately.



Having lost one was not a great confidence booster. I think I would still go POL in preference. These littles are just so...tiny... On the other hand, having done it once I wouldn't completely rule it out, which is a good thing as the man wants me to replace the Vorwerk & that will mean @ least 2 birds. I won't do singles.

Oh no, Ribh! I missed this! What happened? I’ll go back and reread. So sorry you lost one.