Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Marie2020]

I was so sick last night we almost went into the ER since my lips went numb anytime I moved. Kiddo is sick too. But we are a lot better today. Hopefully hubby doesn't catch it.

An old saying. "We always get worse before we get better ". I hope that's true in your case

Marble and chicky bird update coming soon. Everyone is doing good, but I want to get pictures.

 

[Marie2020]

She really does have an intimidating stare. She also just came in from having spent the night outside. She's a bad cat sometimes.

Aren't they all.

 

[TOMTE]

That is always interesting to figure out. It takes time and astute observation. We'll done!

It took so long! Of course, I think it has been shuffling around a lot so far, being that they're only pullets still, technically. But now that everybody is laying and getting close to a year old, they're really settling in to their spots in the flock.

On a related note, I have mentioned that Gytha is rather roosterish (no crowing or mounting or anything like that but she stands tall and proud like a roo, and is usually the one on the lookout for predators when they're out of the run). Is it always a high ranking hen that takes on the role of a roo or can it be someone lower down the ladder? Is middle of the pecking order (especially in a small flock like mine) high enough to be a roo-hen?

 

[Ponypoor]

Keep us posted on his progress. I sure hope the Tylosin works!!! And glad you were able to get some good answers on doses!! And no egg withdrawal is great news, if you have to dose the others.

This morning his respirations are not as wheezy, I will see how his cough and sneezing are when I head out in a bit.

 

[Ponypoor]

It took so long! Of course, I think it has been shuffling around a lot so far, being that they're only pullets still, technically. But now that everybody is laying and getting close to a year old, they're really settling in to their spots in the flock.

On a related note, I have mentioned that Gytha is rather roosterish (no crowing or mounting or anything like that but she stands tall and proud like a roo, and is usually the one on the lookout for predators when they're out of the run). Is it always a high ranking hen that takes on the role of a roo or can it be someone lower down the ladder? Is middle of the pecking order (especially in a small flock like mine) high enough to be a roo-hen?

I have several hens that are sentinels, and do a far better job than the Roos really. They seem to take turns keeping an eye on things and usually see things before the Roos do, likley because there are a few of them and on the lookout for trouble.

They are all from different levels of the ‘pecking’ order.

Since I have many hens, I don’t have a linear hierarchy here, since Penelope passed away no one hen has stepped up to be the big boss. It really seems to be dependent on age and with whom one hangs out with as to who is higher on the ladder.

For instance, Raven bosses around almost all the younger pullets, but my silkies put her in her place, and then those younger pullets in turn pick on the silkies! Go figure.

 

[Ponypoor]

They never are.

He sure can scream like a demon! It freaked me out the first time, I thought I was hurting him! He learned that if he did that I would release him! Smart cookie.

 

[Ponypoor]

Polka dot maybe?

Sure glad I didn’t add that - I figured some would - didn’t want to have a SHRH tax!

Hi Babe you comfy there, my leg is falling asleep!

 

[Ponypoor]

Mr P

I feel really bad this wee man, he is his own worse enemy. This morning I noted his beak had some blood on it, I figured he had pecked some one or something. The more I stared at it the more I wanted a closer look he seemed to be ‘licking his chops’ with his beak. So I caught him and with my glasses on checked him out. Used my magnifying glass also.

Looks like he has cracked his beak. So between last night when I treated him and this morning he seems to have damaged his beak.



This Roo is going to drive me crazy. I dosed him with some Tylenol and told him he was never getting out of the Summer House ever again.

On the up side Clyde’s breathing is better.

 

[rural mouse]

It took so long! Of course, I think it has been shuffling around a lot so far, being that they're only pullets still, technically. But now that everybody is laying and getting close to a year old, they're really settling in to their spots in the flock.

On a related note, I have mentioned that Gytha is rather roosterish (no crowing or mounting or anything like that but she stands tall and proud like a roo, and is usually the one on the lookout for predators when they're out of the run). Is it always a high ranking hen that takes on the role of a roo or can it be someone lower down the ladder? Is middle of the pecking order (especially in a small flock like mine) high enough to be a roo-hen?

32 birds, 4 of which are roos, I see daily roos standing guard. I also see ALL the hens standing guard at various times. Birds a bit under the weather and bottom of the order don't do sentinel time or only WITH a higher up also doing duty near by. My lot spreads out enough for me to see multiples on duty at any given moment, facing assorted directions. They all take turns so every bird has time for meals, drinks, baths, and naps.

Roos do the most, of course.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Seriously, we've had our Brite Taps/insulated Rubbermaid waterers for several years & we've had several Leghorn, Dominique, Breda, Marans, & Ameraucana breeds besides our current Silkie tribe using these jugs. Our 2-gallon Rubbermaid coolers are 10 yrs old & the Brite Tap attachments last forever & easy to insert & clean. The added bonus of these Rubbermaids is that they are heavy w/just one gallon of fresh water in them & won't tip & because of the handle can be hung. Of course the coolers can hold up to 2-gallons of water but 1-gallon is more than enough to not tip over. During heatwaves the ice in the coolers keep fresh cool water for the birds all day.

Our older style Brite Tap nipple waterer & 2-gal Rubbermaids from 10 yrs ago are still in great shape. We moved these jugs all around the yard during remodeling. The Silkies would stand under the nipples to dribble water onto their chests to cool themselves on hot days. We have 2 of these jugs just in case one leaks (has never happened so far) so there is still another jug available w/ water. Neither chickens or wild birds can poop in this water source.
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Newer Brite Tap attachment
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The short answer is "yes, but no". It does keep water unfrozen longer - just by virtue of it being insulated, but at some point the nipples will freeze. The way it is set up, the extension portion freezes easily. I have a different form of Britetap that that is an issue with as well. The extension that the nipples are off of freezes. AND, just adding hot water doesn't work as it doesn't get into the part that extends out.

Conversely, my 2 gal. coleman coolers with the nipples directly through the cooler wall are better for winter. If it is going to be super cold over night (read - low teens or single digits), I do bring them in, but otherwise, just bring out a gal. of hot tap water and add it to the cooler - it is enough to keep everything unfrozen for all but the coldest overnights - even below freezing during the day. (note, my chickens and ducks easily drink 1-1.5 gallons from it daily - so adding the 1 gal (or more) every day of warm water in the winter is needed anyways.) As long as the nipples are through the walls in a level manner - the actual nipples self drain and don't freeze. (unfortunately, I'm not that adept at level drilling, so mine don't ALL self drain, FYI.) These are the nipple extenders I used so the nipples can go through the cooler walls. They are great as is for square coolers (i.e. flat sides), I did need to get a thicker gasket to use for the curved edges of my round coleman coolers. I got the gaskets in the plumbing section of a local hardware store.

I do love my coleman coolers for summer, as well - I freeze a large block of ice and drop it in every morning in the heat - and it keeps the water nice and cool all day long. I do also have a cooler with the brite tap (as I mentioned above), and add ice to that in the summer. That said, I prefer my coolers with the nipples through the wall using the extenders.

My suggestions, if you think about going that route:

Use a square/rectangular cooler with the nipple extenders. Something that you can move easily (re: size). I really LOVE mine! My bucket nipple waterers are away for the winter because they freeze (obviously), but I use my coleman cooler nipple waterer year round.

The even better thing, for you, is that you can, since you have electricity in the palace, drill out a small semi-circle on the side of the cover (for the electricity) and put in a bird-bath water heater and they would be good to go for the entire winter regardless of the temp.

@RoyalChick

I happened to buy the Premier One insulated heated waterer the first winter (2020) and it works well. Last summer for the first time I kept it in use (unplugged) and found it works incredibly well in the heat -the insulation keeps it cool, no light gets through it so there’s no mold growth, and the water stays clean. I stand it on an upturned 3-gallon bucket.

You can put just one gallon in there and the water is above the nipples and it’s not heavy (it holds three gallons which becomes seriously heavy) but depending on how much they drink you’ll have to fill it more often. I’ve replaced the nipples once so far, the springs wore out. Nothing froze at all this last winter.

A downside I’ve found is that the twist action of the lid (three ridges slide into three slots) is a little stiff, so I use a small stick inserted in the handle to help untwist it. I have put a little mineral oil on the slots sometimes, like I do for the base of my food processor /blender. You also want to make sure there’s no water in the slots (I dry them) after cleaning and filling it in winter, or it will freeze shut. Happened once, had to bring it inside to thaw the slots out.
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