Confounded by Sicilian buttercup chicks shunning their heat cave

[rosemarythyme]

Miscreants indeed! In a couple more weeks these weisenheimers will lead an insurrection and be ruling the roost!

It's the little crowns on their heads... it makes them think they're queens!

Mine still hasn't learned that she shouldn't start things with birds bigger than her (which they're all bigger than her, being that Buttercups are on the very small side of standard).

 

[azygous]

@rosemarythyme I just noticed today that Saffron's "crown" is now much more pronounced and it's turning red. I convinced her to let me measure her pelvic knobs. Not quite two fingers, but more than one. Scotty is a bit behind in comb color and size, although she's the larger of the two.

When did yours start to lay? How old? I am wondering now that their nest play may have had a reason behind it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

@rosemarythyme I just noticed today that Saffron's "crown" is now much more pronounced and it's turning red. I convinced her to let me measure her pelvic knobs. Not quite two fingers, but more than one. Scotty is a bit behind in comb color and size, although she's the larger of the two.

When did yours start to lay? How old? I am wondering now that their nest play may have had a reason behind it.

Mine's unfortunately not going to be much help. She's now 1 1/2 yrs old. I think she laid an egg or two and that was it, and I can't even be 100% sure they were hers - undecided if my Faverolles was laying twice in a day a couple times, with less tint, or if it was the Buttercup.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

@rosemarythyme I just noticed today that Saffron's "crown" is now much more pronounced and it's turning red. I convinced her to let me measure her pelvic knobs. Not quite two fingers, but more than one. Scotty is a bit behind in comb color and size, although she's the larger of the two.

When did yours start to lay? How old? I am wondering now that their nest play may have had a reason behind it.

It is apparent to me that your Buttercups fully intend to keep on confounding you.

 

[azygous]

This looks like a bit more than just play. Saffron has broken with shaddowing Scotty every waking minute, and has been in a nesting box acting very much like a hen that is settling in to lay an egg. It won't be any mystery as to who laid a tiny white egg should one materialize since a Buttercup would be the only chicken capable of it.

 

[azygous]

Hormones are definitely increasing in the little twerp. But this episode of nest reconnaissance was a false alarm. No egg yet.

 

[Happy hen lover]

I love their crowns !

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hormones are definitely increasing in the little twerp. But this episode of nest reconnaissance was a false alarm. No egg yet.

To this day my freeloader likes to play in the nests (thankfully she doesn't poop in them or kick too much stuff out, she just likes to check them out).

Your girl looks like she still has a bit more maturing to do, but never a bad thing to see them checking out the nests and showing awareness of them.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I really LOVE this thread! It's got me wanting to "meet" and learn about the entire Azygous Flock. I know that's a lot, but if you ever consider it, I'd love to read a daily/weekly/biweekly/monthly "Azygous Flock Antics"

 

[azygous]

The Buttercups are just about grown up. They move among the flock easily, and accept as their right of membership to partake of any and all treats that are served the flock They compete just fine, but they know their place and defer to the adults.

The big news is they appear to have reached point of lay. Their pelvic points are spaced far enough apart now to accommodate the first eggs, and their combs are engorged from hormones and are turning a lovely pinkish red. The combs are perfect little crowns sitting jauntily on their noggins. And, the two pullets are boldly consorting with the roosters. The first eggs are imminent!