Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ValerieJ]

Lots of trees or low bushy places to hide & no open aerial hawk space...that's why we crowded the chicken area w/ trees, popup canopies, patio roofs, recycled doghouses or makeshift huts, lawn furniture & tables, many makeshift bench/lean-to's, anything scattered around in open spaces so the hens didn't have to go far to a hiding spot. The trees & canopies & patio roofs are great to interfere w/ hawk aerial space. We took no chances at making it easy for Cooper's to have swooping aerial space on a running chicken especially since we aren't zoned for a protective flock rooster.

Even in the old days before our yard remodel we made the yard un-appealing to aerial predators!
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I love it! Very secure!!!

I have about 4,000 sf for a free range area. Hard to tarp all of that. However there are 9 trees, several berry bushes and random small coops and shelters to duck into.

For several years we had a heavy netting over the whole thing, but when it started rotting, it was very difficult to get out of the trees, so DH said no more to that idea.

We did have an eagle attack about 7 years ago (I think....time gets away from me), but never since. I hope to never go through that again. And the hawks we have here are pretty small. They go after the doves.

 

[BY Bob]

Hawk tawk tax? Sounds like I have something caught in my throat

Hawk Tax......Satan

 

[BY Bob]

I know right!

Gosh how easy it would be

I would want some of those chickens

 

[ValerieJ]

Hawk Tax......Satan
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Well, they are beautiful birds. But lethal. I'm glad I don't have those large hawks here.

 

[BY Bob]

The

I think they just get habituated to humans - which is so sad.

Hawks I feel are my worst worry, they are stealth from above, how does one truly protect from above without creating a prison for the chooks.

Chooks themselves must be vigilant. Good roosters.

 

[BY Bob]

I too am playing a waiting game with my silkie chicklets. No crowing yet at 15 weeks.

And who knows how long to wait for an egg, Rebecca’s pullet was just shy of a yr when she laid her first egg!

In the meantime they are cute and precocious, and moulting!

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They are adorable.

but they are NOT chickens!

 

[BY Bob]

Caturday

what happens when a 5 year old is around your cats for a week......

 

[BY Bob]

Yes, it's unfortunate. And of course, now I realize I never dug out and replaced the dirt before putting the new birds in...hopefully they are okay.

If they weren't you would already know.

 

[BY Bob]

I stand corrected ~ so Nimue was the eyeliner chick? & Niamh the wing tipped? I guess you have figured I'm curious if your eyeliner chick is a girl?

That is the breakdown.

 

[SimpleJenn]

They are adorable.


View attachment 4091079but they are NOT chickens!

You wait, I will sneak some of my blue silkie crosses to Bob...just you wait and see...