Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[RebeccaBoyd]

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 looks like she will be your first layer. I would watch her, closely. I do not think this week, but she is at the stage where it will seem overnight those wattles and comb will pop. Going by what I see, she will lay somewhere in the first week of October. Glynda and Gucci, it would not shock me to find them wait until spring to begin laying. Glynda based on comb color, and Gucci simply because of her leg issue she had. These girls that come of age this time of year are tricky though. They may be old enough, but will there still be enough daylight hours in the day to kickstart the process is the big question. I will have to go out and get pictures of Lilly and Karen. They are coming close to the age of laying, but going by comb, Karen will lay this fall, Lilly I think will wait until spring.

 

[RoyalChick]

Lady F looks like she will be your first layer. I would watch her, closely. I do not think this week, but she is at the stage where it will seem overnight those wattles and comb will pop. Going by what I see, she will lay somewhere in the first week of October. Glynda and Gucci, it would not shock me to find them wait until spring to begin laying. Glynda based on comb color, and Gucci simply because of her leg issue she had. These girls that come of age this time of year are tricky though. They may be old enough, but will there still be enough daylight hours in the day to kickstart the process is the big question. I will have to go out and get pictures of Lilly and Karen. They are coming close to the age of laying, but going by comb, Karen will lay this fall, Lilly I think will wait until spring.

Interesting.
What are your thoughts on my Bernadette?

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I just had to go back and see exactly how old Lilly and Karen are. Lilly hatched April 19. Karen hatched April 29. That puts Lilly at 21 week and 5 days and Karen at 20 weeks and 1 day. These girls came from my eggs so going by their parents history they "should" lay that first egg between 5 to 5 1/2 months old. That is cutting it close though as I have never had a new layer start up after the 2nd week of October.

 

[BY Bob]

Some Thoughts on Queen Aurora

Over the years I have opined about my fears if Aurora ever became leader of my tribe of misfits. I need to take some of that back.

She has rounded into a pretty good choice as leader for this group. Her need to remind everyone she is leader has slacked off considerably.

She surely has accepted the newcomers with little abuse. Easing their way into the tribe.

She is not only alpha hen, she is also sentinel nearly all the time. It seems she does not have anyone she can trust in that role.

She has allowed Phyllis to set her nest in peace even contributing eggs to her efforts.

The only time I still see the old Aurora is when it comes to treats. She must have more than her fair share. Outside of that she has become an exemplary leader who works hard all day. This is really a surprising development and something I am very happy about.

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Interesting.
What are your thoughts on my Bernadette?

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Bernie looks physically ready. Bernie is in the same category as Gucci though. She had the leg issue. We do not know if the stress of their bodies trying to overcome that will delay their laying. This is also where knowing your family history comes in. My birds, all but 2, laid their first eggs in the early fall when I had late spring early summer Hatches. Bernie is a Wellbar correct? One would need to know when on average the breeds that make up that cross in general begin laying to form a guess.

 

[BY Bob]

Some Thoughts on Queen Aurora

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Over the years I have opined about my fears if Aurora ever became leader of my tribe of misfits. I need to take some of that back.

She has rounded into a pretty good choice as leader for this group. Her need to remind everyone she is leader has slacked off considerably.

She surely has accepted the newcomers with little abuse. Easing their way into the tribe.

She is not only alpha hen, she is also sentinel nearly all the time. It seems she does not have anyone she can trust in that role.

She has allowed Phyllis to set her nest in peace even contributing eggs to her efforts.

The only time I still see the old Aurora is when it comes to treats. She must have more than her fair share. Outside of that she has become an exemplary leader who works hard all day. This is really a surprising development and something I am very happy about.

I'm editing to add that I have hopes that Lady Featherington will be seen as reliable enough to take on sentinel duties one day and give Aurora a well deserved break.

 

[RoyalChick]

Bernie looks physically ready. Bernie is in the same category as Gucci though. She had the leg issue. We do not know if the stress of their bodies trying to overcome that will delay their laying. This is also where knowing your family history comes in. My birds, all but 2, laid their first eggs in the early fall when I had late spring early summer Hatches. Bernie is a Wellbar correct? One would need to know when on average the breeds that make up that cross in general begin laying to form a guess.

Thank you. Yes, she is a Welbar. What I have read about the breed is 22-24 weeks to laying. I was wondering about whether her leg issue might have put her behind schedule. Thankfully it seems like her legs are working just fine now.

 

[RoyalChick]

Some Thoughts on Queen Aurora

View attachment 3263028

Over the years I have opined about my fears if Aurora ever became leader of my tribe of misfits. I need to take some of that back.

She has rounded into a pretty good choice as leader for this group. Her need to remind everyone she is leader has slacked off considerably.

She surely has accepted the newcomers with little abuse. Easing their way into the tribe.

She is not only alpha hen, she is also sentinel nearly all the time. It seems she does not have anyone she can trust in that role.

She has allowed Phyllis to set her nest in peace even contributing eggs to her efforts.

The only time I still see the old Aurora is when it comes to treats. She must have more than her fair share. Outside of that she has become an exemplary leader who works hard all day. This is really a surprising development and something I am very happy about.

Good for her. She stepped up to the responsibility of her position.

 

[Ponypoor]

I've been searching for a mesh roll to cover these small vents on my window but I can only find 30 metre rolls I only need about 4 metres at most and that's excessive. It's all money here and a heck of a lot of wast

You can use netting material like that stuff they use for making crinoline or tutus for ballet.

 

[Ponypoor]

Some Thoughts on Queen Aurora

View attachment 3263028

Over the years I have opined about my fears if Aurora ever became leader of my tribe of misfits. I need to take some of that back.

She has rounded into a pretty good choice as leader for this group. Her need to remind everyone she is leader has slacked off considerably.

She surely has accepted the newcomers with little abuse. Easing their way into the tribe.

She is not only alpha hen, she is also sentinel nearly all the time. It seems she does not have anyone she can trust in that role.

She has allowed Phyllis to set her nest in peace even contributing eggs to her efforts.

The only time I still see the old Aurora is when it comes to treats. She must have more than her fair share. Outside of that she has become an exemplary leader who works hard all day. This is really a surprising development and something I am very happy about.

Yea sometimes they do surprise us! Just like our kids also