Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[ValarieF]

Phyllis

Phyllis is still broody. I need to break her soon. We are now in the 30s as a total number of days on the nest.

i was very excited to see her come out this morning while I was visiting with everyone. I do miss her greatly.
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Of course I was glad to see her until she dropped that broody poop on my footstool! That's bad form Phyllis.

I did take the opportunity of her being off the nest to go see what she was sitting on. Last I knew she was on 2 fake eggs. Here is what I found.

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Yup its been a while since I looked.

I think I found where Betty has been laying.

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Out of 20 eggs, 14 are Betty's, 4 seem to be Aurora's, 2 are fake.

I took about 7 of Betty's eggs before Phyllis came storming back to the nest. I decided to leave the rest with her for now. Why not take them all and break her?

One hen started running in terror when Phyllis emerged from the nest.

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The good news, Gucci was running, the bad news, it was ineffective. She was running in circles bukking is distress and still Phyllis caught her and gave her a thrashing.

We had been gone for 3 days. In those three days poor Gucci must have taken some abuse from Phyllis because she knew the sound of that broody lady emerging and it created panic. If I leave Phyllis on the nest one more week she will be out of circulation most of the time I have them locked in the complex when we go to a wedding out of state. That should help to limit the abuse that poor Gucci might have to endure. It is clear from today's poop that Phyllis is eating enough. She seems pretty healthy. I should probably weigh Phyllis tonight too be sure.

What does everyone else think?

She is gorgeous!

 

[ValarieF]

Gonna go add ventilation to the coop I still need a couple of square feet.

 

[BY Bob]

Molting

Im pretty sure that Aurora is starting her molt. It usually starts around her neck and ears.

I thought I found where Betty was dropping her feathers last night when I went out to put Gucci into the coop.

Turns out both of my striped ladies are molting. Who knows what belongs to whom?

This is all good as that will just leave Phyllis to molt and that should happen as soon as I get her off the nest. Nice and early this year.

 

[BY Bob]

Egg Laying Pullets

While we are closing in on 19 weeks of age, I see nothing that indicates anyone will be laying eggs soon. No egg laying behaviors and these combs and wattles are no where near what I would expect them to be.

Glynda is getting a little wiggle in her comb.

For reference sake, here is a mature orpington.

 

[RoyalChick]

Molting

Im pretty sure that Aurora is starting her molt. It usually starts around her neck and ears.
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I thought I found where Betty was dropping her feathers last night when I went out to put Gucci into the coop.

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Turns out both of my striped ladies are molting. Who knows what belongs to whom?

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This is all good as that will just leave Phyllis to molt and that should happen as soon as I get her off the nest. Nice and early this year.

Hmmm. I think only Maggie is having a slow moult.

 

[RoyalChick]

Egg Laying Pullets

While we are closing in on 19 weeks of age, I see nothing that indicates anyone will be laying eggs soon. No egg laying behaviors and these combs and wattles are no where near what I would expect them to be.

Glynda is getting a little wiggle in her comb.

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For reference sake, here is a mature orpington.

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Glynda is going to have a crazy Roadrunner comb like the dearly departed Dotty, Minnie, and Lulu.

 

[BY Bob]

Glynda is going to have a crazy Roadrunner comb like the dearly departed Dotty, Minnie, and Lulu.View attachment 3262937View attachment 3262938View attachment 3262939

That is my hope. Those are gorgeous combs.

Do you remember how old they were when they started laying? I feel like I could be a month away still. Trust me I'm in no rush.

 

[RoyalChick]

That is my hope. Those are gorgeous combs.

Do you remember how old they were when they started laying? I feel like I could be a month away still. Trust me I'm in no rush.

I do miss their funny little ways. When I get new chicks I feel I will have to have some more Roadrunners - they have found their way into my heart.
In terms of laying I know the following:
- Lulu laid her first egg at about 21 weeks and she laid 4 eggs over the next 2 weeks. Then she died. Bernadette is now at 25 weeks and has bright red comb and wattle and has shown no interest in the nest boxes since Lulu died.
- Minnie/Dotty (it was hard to tell which) first laid in early December at almost exactly 6 months old
Yours do not look anywhere close to laying given how pale their combs are. Enjoy their childhood!

 

[ChickensInNM]

Our other two residents came to us in April as chicks. My wife raised them until they moved outside and then they became my responsibility.

Hattie is our lavender orpington hen. She has not starting laying yet but i expect she will once the days turn longer.
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Jabberwockie, Jabber for short, was supposed to be an Easter Egger hen, however, he is clearly not a hen.
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He and Hattie are inseperable.

What a gorgeous rooster!

 

[bgmathteach]

Glynda is going to have a crazy Roadrunner comb like the dearly departed Dotty, Minnie, and Lulu.View attachment 3262937View attachment 3262938View attachment 3262939

I just absolutely adored Minnie's comb. I think it should be voted as fashion trend of the year!