Derperella, the (weird) Faverolles, & Friends

[kitmarlowescot2]

Lol, that would be Derp, and good on Baron protecting his first bride to be, even if they are kissing cousins. Funny how different chickens will react, Bird the other rooster I follow ignored his new chick wives until the six new pullets moved into the seperated part of his coop, and for three weeks he gave an alarm call every time he saw them, annoyed fishnet1971 alot this spring. Then the pullets grew up and Bird was happy to have four new big wives, but ignored his two new bantam sultans, as he does his two older white cochin wives. Know I did get a funny story of Fishnet of one of her sultans Victoria meeting one of the cochins in the house, at about nine weeks old and both of them looking at the other like "What the heck are you?" So it's rare to see a confused look on a hen's face. Though I won't be suprised in a few years when Baron is a middle aged rooster like Bird that he will put an alarm call when you are adding new wives to his harem either.

(Edit: Just wanted to add that Bird takes good care of all his wives, when I mean ignoring the bantams I mean mating wise, I think. Bird prefers big hens.He has also seen at three or four adds on to his flock, and while he doens't like it, he tolerates the newbies.)

 

[HenFriend]

Love the amazing painting of Kua.

 

[Kattal00A]

What? Invisible chicks and cotton swabs are important!!

 

[drumstick diva]

sure they are!!

 

[Nambroth]

Yesterday was a lovely autumn day. While every day is a lovely day with chickens, the good weather made it so the Fud Lady could snap a few photographs. She knows that Derp Fans love photographs!!

The new chicks, Baron Rufflerump and his cousin Mildred, were allowed to range with the big girls. So far all is well, with the two groups essentially ignoring one another.


The sun was low and warm through the bare autumn trees, and it felt very nice indeed on the Baron's grey feathers. He took some time to soak it up!


Despite his relaxed state, he was careful to remain alert and vigilant! At one point a turkey vulture flew overhead. They are harmless, but The Baron gave a little alarm trill. Even though he still has his "chick voice", everyone listened and froze, eyes to the sky. Even as a baby he has the makings of a good roo!


After resting a bit, he had a nice late evening stroll, with the golden light making his grey feathers really shine. It's almost hard to remember that he's only 11 weeks old! He is going to be a huge roo.


His cousin, Mildred, was content looking for little morsels to eat. She is sweet, and shy.



The other chickens... the BIG girls, were about business as normal. Except poor, poor molting Willow. She's hardly the worst molter that has lived with this flock, but she looks a bit uncomfortable right now. The hidden blessing in all this is that it is unseasonably warm here for this time of year, and Willow's lack of feathers isn't making her cold. She is sporting a fleece "cape" to help protect her new pinfeathers. The older hens.. especially Madam Moa (ahem), has developed a taste for them. The soft fleece does not chafe the new pinfeathers and so seems comfy for Willow to wear.

"Are you seriously taking my photo like this?!"


"Nope! Nope! This is unbecoming. Do not gaze upon my shame!"


Dear sweet Lady Coho of Avalon is sill missing her beard. Perhaps that is just as well.. she gets warm very easily and the missing beard seems to cool her off. She is also such a messy eater...
Don't tell her that I said that.


Moa (The Big Stink) is as kind and wonderful a boss hen as ever. If only she didn't have a taste for pinfeathers! Still, she is never mean to the other hens, just stern when necessary.


Chickadee is as cute, curious, and full of mischief as always. Her favorite game is sneaking up on the other chickens to chase them from time to time. She loves to see their surprised reactions.


Kua is Kua. Food is the most important.



Three of the Big Ladies check out the Fud Lady's potted plant to sample it for dinner.


And what, you may ask, of Derperella? We have not seen many photos of her as of late. Well, Derperella's new passtime when she goes out to range.. is to go into the darkest corner of the patio. The wet, dark corner next to the retention wall. That's where all the worms live, she's discovered.

Also, Derp is molting right now... and.. well... she's....
She's just beautiful....

 

[seminolewind]

What breed is your Baron?

 

[Nambroth]

What breed is your Baron?

He's a cochin. Trousers' nephew.

 

[kitmarlowescot2]

I know we have talked about this before and that hens don't allopreen. But will any of them in this crotechy state tolerate or even you allow you to possibly Derp or Coho to gently rub of the keratin sheath on any of their new pin feathers once it's ready to come off ?

 

[Nambroth]

I know we have talked about this before and that hens don't allopreen. But will any of them in this crotechy state tolerate or even you allow you to possibly Derp or Coho to gently rub of the keratin sheath on any of their new pin feathers once it's ready to come off ?

Nope!! The whole time I've owned chickens I've tried to gently help, especially around their heads where they can't preen. It's been simply unacceptable, even to sweet snuggly Coho!

 

[NovaAman]

Man is Baron gorgeous! WOWSERS!

Poor molting girls... Coco Chanel just went through a molt. By far the worst molter in my yard, but it wasn't as bad as either of your girls. LOL. BUT my marans hen is starting a molt. She seems to be losing more and more feathers, and OH the pile under the roost. She is a crank, but I will try and sneak up on her to get a pic for comparison on how she looked and how she looks. She look positivily featherful next to your ladies. LOL