Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

Caturday lounge (more like everyday lounge)

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?

Seems like she's doing fine. If you try breaking her now, will she hop back on while you're gone? I vote wait until you're back and can supervise. And she may give up while you're gone.

 

[bgmathteach]

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.

Based on comb colour, I agree. However, given Glynda is part leghorn, I would have thought around 20 weeks....clearly not the case based on her comb. I would suspect around 24-26 weeks for Lady F (though, honestly, given the time of year/daylight hours, she may just wait until late Jan.. I'm completely clueless regarding Polish, but if I remember correctly, Phyllis started on what I would consider the early side...no?

FWIW: I have found that most of my young pullets, if they haven't started laying by mid-late, October, many will wait until sometime in latter part of Jan., as the days lengthen. Older girls seem to 'start back up' early Feb ...or the 'really older girls' mid to late Feb.

I am not sure about your daylight length compared to mine...you are slightly more South latitude wise..so slightly longer days - though how much I'm not sure. I do know someone who moved up here from VA and she was absolutely amazed at the drop off in egg production in fall when she moved up here (versus that when in VA). Seems you are about 1/2 way between me and where she lived, latitude wise. So, my observations here may not hold as true for you.

 

[RoyalChick]

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

Yes me too - it really was wonderful. Just so very silly!

 

[rural mouse]

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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Lady F appears to have more red in her face. If the color between the 2 is accurate, I think she'll lay before Glynda....by no more than a week. And I'm guessing more than a week, less than 3 weeks.

 

[RoyalChick]

Lady F appears to have more red in her face. If the color between the 2 is accurate, I think she'll lay before Glynda....by no more than a week. And I'm guessing more than a week, less than 3 weeks.

At this rate they will be laying before Bernie!

 

[BY Bob]

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!

I really am. I would be alright waiting until spring for eggs. Thanks for the info.

 

[RoyalChick]

I really am. I would be alright waiting until spring for eggs. Thanks for the info.

Well you may be OK but I am impatient to know if you will finally get a blue egg!
I haven’t really had any eggs since last year so I have settled back into local farm eggs. I have even stored away all my egg containers. Next year hopefully!

 

[BY Bob]

What a gorgeous rooster!

He really was spectacular.

 

[BY Bob]

If you try breaking her now, will she hop back on while you're gone?

This is quite likely as eggs will pile up.

 

[bgmathteach]

At this rate they will be laying before Bernie!
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IDK, Bernie looks like she is 'thinking about it'. I can't imagine her not laying by Mid-October at the latest!