25 From Welp

3KillerBs · Oct 31, 2021

This morning the chicks took advantage of the adults' rush into the run when I opened the doors to explore the roosts and the adults waterer. I don't think they've discovered that there is feed up in the feeder if they were to jump up on the bucket so they could reach. I'm sure that will come soon.

I scattered some feed on the ground to ensure the ability to engage in communal, flock feeding.

3KillerBs · Oct 31, 2021

No photos, but tonight there were 2/3 of the babies up top and 1/3 down below.

At the end of the week I'll probably pull the playpen completely and set up more juvenile roost space.

3KillerBs · Nov 4, 2021

At this point they're all sleeping up on top of the playpen instead of in it. It's raining today so no major coop remodeling, but tomorrow I'll see about removing the playpen and building another juvenile roost area.

I'll probably try to section it off a little still so that the chicks can have their protected corner if they want it.

Everyone is essentially ignoring everyone else.

I'm sorry, I'm not good at photography.

3KillerBs · Nov 11, 2021

Random picture time. They're now 7 weeks.

MASH!

Hey! What do they have?

I do have bars after all.

Feeding time.

I am not a Blue Australrop.

I might be splash.

What are these funny, little boxes for?

We're trying out the big girls' perches.

Photobombing Split.

Feeding time again!

I might be splash too.

The big girls' perches are comfy.

No big girls allowed in our corner.

I have to pose for photos because Mommy's going to sell me.

3KillerBs · Nov 11, 2021

I did not see it myself and my son did not take a photo, but it is reported that some of the little ones were popping out of the coop into the run -- escorted by and watched over by Ludwig, the Black Langshan cockerel.

3KillerBs · Nov 16, 2021

Little mischief-makers aren't satisfied with the juvenile perches, they want to sleep in the nests.

Before and after I moved them.

I don't have a ready means of closing the nests so I'll see if I can dissuade them by moving them for a few days. If not, I'll have to think about that.

3KillerBs · Dec 1, 2021

Rebanded the boys this morning. Here's a thread about it: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/7-6-boys-re-banded-and-photographed.1503134/

Over the next week or so I'll have to sort out the females so that I know who to sell in the next wave. of the Blue Blob, I only want to keep Blue/Splash Australorps and any Lavender Orpingtons -- along with the Mottled Javas.

My son loves Hot Wings (now ID'd as a RIR), but I don't like red birds and adding red to my blacks, whites, and blues would screw things up royally breeding forward.

Sally PB · Dec 1, 2021

3KillerBs said:
My son loves Hot Wings (now ID'd as a RIR), but I don't like red birds and adding red to my blacks, whites, and blues would screw things up royally breeding forward.

Tell him he is responsible for making sure her eggs are collected so that they don't end up with a broody.

3KillerBs · Dec 10, 2021

I was able to get a proper count.

I have:

5 Blue Australorp boys (all the straight runs),

1 Blue Cuckoo Marans boy (either the extra chick or an oops -- he didn't have the white headspot as a day-old),

1 RIR girl,

2 Mottled Java girls,

2 Blue Rock girls,

8 other blue girls, who *may* include Splash Australorps and/or Lavender Orpingtons.

Total remaining chicks: 19

3KillerBs · Dec 10, 2021

Photo time for the female members of the Blue Blob @ 11 weeks.

Red, who may be a Splash Australorp or a Lavender Orpington.

Yellow, Blue Australorp with a nice, even color and the correct darker head.

Blue. Blue Australorp with decent lacing and a very nice overall look.

Pink. Presumed Blue Rock (possibly splash). Yellow feet and pale feathers with dark tickmarks. Slight lacing.

Green. Blue Australorp. Overall darker bird with a slight dark wash across her back.

Black. Blue Australorp (possible splash?). Beautiful color with lacing and a bright face.

Purple. Blue Australorp. A bit feisty. Really beautiful, clear, light color with slight lacing.

Black/Red. Blue Australorp. Medium color with a number of black tick marks. She'd be lighter if she were splash, I think?

Black/Purple. Blue Rock, formerly suspected male based on comb at 3-weeks but no male saddles or hackles coming in. Yellow feet. Nice color with good lacing. Dark head.