Illinois...

[Faraday40]

BTW I've always heard about orp being all feathers and fluff but I think they're lying to me. My old hen likes to be left alone, she was mostly raised by neighbor. I finally went to pick her up and much to my surprise she is all meat.

Orpingtons were originally raised for meat, but because they can be so friendly they've become a very popular backyard pet. Some of my orp hens weigh about 10lbs. Others are super-fluffy and only weight about 8 lbs.

This is Big Blue. She's not even a year old and has a very solid build under her fluffiness. They grow until about 12-18 months old. I bet she's going to be a 10 pounder.

Below is Cookie. (bantam orp) When looking at her, she appears about the size & weight of a light to medium sized hen - like a Leghorn or Golden Comet. BUT, she's mostly feathers. She may appear to look about 5lbs but when I pick her up, she's only about 2.5 lbs. It's quite surprising.

Here's Cookie next to some LF chickens.... & one Sebright. She & the tiny sebright weigh about the same. Orps are a very docile breed, so my bantams can live with them.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

This is Big Blue. She's not even a year old and has a very solid build under her fluffiness. They grow until about 12-18 months old. I bet she's going to be a 10 pounder.
View attachment 2017936

The blue is beautiful. I love blue laced reds and should have bought some. But if I order any more it'd probably be jubilee orpington. They are essentially a speckled Sussex but orpington. Not much pretty about my Henrietta. She was mean to my new flock especially the rooster. Then the day came that I expected and dreaded when the rooster took his place at the top. She was beat up pretty bad. Even now a month later he wont let her out of her coop. She still mean to the pullets though not excessive.

And I am thoroughly enjoying this near spring day.

 

[BReeder!]

The blue is beautiful. I love blue laced reds and should have bought some. But if I order any more it'd probably be jubilee orpington. They are essentially a speckled Sussex but orpington. Not much pretty about my Henrietta. She was mean to my new flock especially the rooster. Then the day came that I expected and dreaded when the rooster took his place at the top. She was beat up pretty bad. Even now a month later he wont let her out of her coop. She still mean to the pullets though not excessive.

And I am thoroughly enjoying this near spring day.

Your Henrietta sounds a bit like our Cuckoo Maran, A'hole. She is the top hen and used to keep the order with an iron fist. She's calmed down a bit these days, I think because there's two big turkey hens in the coop who she is a bit weary of.

 

[Molpet]

I caught the turkeys trying to figure out how to do the wild thing....the jennie hasn't figured it out.
So I will let you know @Faraday40 when I find any eggs

 

[homeschoolin momma]

I had 4 pages of missed posts here. I have no clue why it stops giving me notifications at times

If I end up with an extra handsome, easy-going, and large fellow, I'll let you know.

I may have that extra laced guy. I've got two boys and really only need one. Of course there is Taji in the avatar, but there's also puppy.... named that way for a reason. He such a sweet and curious love monkey! Blizzard has done a great job keeping an eye on him and teaching him right, even though he wasn't hers. Taj tolerates him just fine right now, but he's so laid back anyways.

Keeping my coop clean this winter has proven to be a chore. I've really got about 5-6 too many chickens in there and need to thin it out. There's really not enough roost space, someone, or 2 or 3 always has to sleep on the floor. Even with open windows, humidity has been a problem. But this week, I plugged back in my little fan that's right above the heat lamp in hopes of circulating the warm air some. That, combined with picking it out before they all get up, has helped tremendously. I guess I'm not sleeping in anytime soon.....

Trying to get pics soon
.

 

[Faraday40]

Trying to get pics soon

Is your "Puppy" the boy from me? He'd be "Awesome's " brother. This happened to be a very nice group of chicks. Crystal is a very sweet hen and must have shown her chicks how to be great pets.

Awesome is a dream.

and Treasure is gentle, friendly, quiet, and pretty. I can't think of anything I dislike about her.

Oh how I wish you still had that pretty laced girl for Taj! (Darn hawks!!! ) I'm sure I'll be able to get you another female but it takes a long time for them to mature. I definitely would like some of Taj's genes. Breeding him to a nice female should make incredible offspring.

BTW- Crystal's 4.5 month old chicks still follow her around.

 

[Faraday40]

My 7 yr old EE started laying again today.
Way to go Tyrion! (Yes, we thought she was a tiny rooster, and the name stuck.)

My eggs from today, Left to right:
Lav orp, black orp, Easter Egger, 2 leghorns

 

[cavemanrich]

My egg collecting, ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; nothing to write home about this week.
Wednesday, got 3 regular, and one mini. Today,,, only one mini.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

My egg collecting, ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; nothing to write home about this week.
Wednesday, got 3 regular, and one mini. Today,,, only one mini.

I got 6 and hit the jackpot and found where my Gold Wyandotte has been laying. A pile of 5 eggs unfortunately on top of the poop pile under the roost. Hopefully I can stop that habit.

 

[cavemanrich]

I got 6 and hit the jackpot and found where my Gold Wyandotte has been laying. A pile of 5 eggs unfortunately on top of the poop pile under the roost. Hopefully I can stop that habit.

Have you considered poop shelves under roost, with a layer of Sweet PDZ. I will be building a new coop this Spring, and do intend to make those shelves to catch those gumdrops. Use a cat litter scooper to clean out. Easy Peasy