Illinois...

[ChicagoClucker]

I also took some pics of a unique orp. Came from a lav orp hen's egg, but has a tiny bit of brown on the feather tips. I only have orp males, but which one is "daddy" is a toss up. I did have a young choc orp from @Junibutt , but his genes left the flock in early or mid Aug. (small chance, but still a possible daddy. Never saw him mating.) Of course there's Brick (also from Junibutt) & Mr Dummy, but I didn't see Brick mating in August either.

Here's the mystery orp

Sorry about the flash, but you can see the interesting color pattern along the top row of feathers.

Well, if its from the lavender hen, it could only come from the choc roo. All of Brick's kids would have barring. Also if it did come from the choc roo, it would be a sex-linked pullet. If its not a pullet, then its not from the choc roo. The strange colored feathering on head and feather-tips could be some sort of color leakage from other factors.

I think that cute little baby is a cockerel, so sex linked is out. I think it looks like leakage. Was any of the potential parents split to mottled? Some of that color leakage on the tips of his feathers remind me of mottling.

 

[Faraday40]

Well, if its from the lavender hen, it could only come from the choc roo. All of Brick's kids would have barring. Also if it did come from the choc roo, it would be a sex-linked pullet. If its not a pullet, then its not from the choc roo. The strange colored feathering on head and feather-tips could be some sort of color leakage from other factors.

The eggs were set almost 2 wks after the male choc orp left, so it's possible he was a daddy.

BTW- Here's "Oppsie-Daisy"
She's definately not a mauve, but she's a flock favorite nontheless. I love her dark eyes & fearless curiosity! She's always one of the first chickens to jump up into my lap to see if I have treats.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Ok, what would you do?

The opossum mother and babies (that aren't that small anymore) that killed 3 of my juvies, are still coming around every nite. Its making me nervous, thinking they might try to chew into a coop. I have thought about setting a trap, but I would only catch 1 at a time and have to haul them. I have also thought about setting out poison, but hate myself for thinking it. Does anyone have any other ideas? Besides a gun, I looked at pellet guns online last nite. I figure I would be a lousy shot, and my chickens would end up eating the pellets and die.

 

[MeepBeep]

Does anyone have any other ideas? Besides a gun

Well there are always those that will argue some 'humane' angle but for me I lean towards practicality... And I apologize upfront if these methods are not for you, I understand people have different ideals and feelings on the subject...

1. Get a garbage can and fill it with water, trap the possum and drop possum trap and all, it in the can with a brick on top, repeat...

2. You can also use a very cheap DIY cable snare and baseball bat to the base of the skull...

 

[chickendreams24]

Are you sure they killed your juvies? From our experience once a predator tastes chicken they come back for more and she may be teaching her babies that. If the babies are old enough to leave momma I might kill her and relocate them. I know that's a hard thought and probably more difficult if you don't have a firearm but it's something to think about.

We had a coon problem in a shed they destroyed tons of our stuff after chewing their way in. Finally chasing our barn cats away from food and losing their fear of people we had to put down the mother and the babies(well old enough) left now learning this wasn't safe they haven't been back to the shed and we were able to close it up.

 

[Faraday40]

"Good Morning! Got any treats?"

This is what I get everytime I go out to the coop. How can I ignore such an "in-your-face" pullet?
@Junibutt are all your chickens like this one?

 

[Junibutt]

"Good Morning! Got any treats?"

This is what I get everytime I go out to the coop. How can I ignore such an "in-your-face" pullet?
@Junibutt are all your chickens like this one?

some of them are

 

[Faraday40]

Here's Moose, my leggy lav. He's already taller than "Mr Dummy" and continues to fill out.



He's about 4.5 mo & finally began to crow. (Wouldn't crow with the other 2 roos around) It's such a quiet & low-pitched sound. I hope it stays that way.

 

[ChicagoClucker]

Here's Moose, my leggy lav. He's already taller than "Mr Dummy" and continues to fill out.

He's about 4.5 mo & finally began to crow. (Wouldn't crow with the other 2 roos around) It's such a quiet & low-pitched sound. I hope it stays that way.

His body is catching up to his legs, lol. He looks like he is going to be a big boy. Handsome guy!

My Mr. Wonderful (SL) and the Black Orp , started out with that low pitch, quiet crow, they are still low pitched but have increased the decibels a couple of notches and the length of the crow has increased. They are almost 6 months. Hope you have better luck than I did.

 

[Faraday40]

His body is catching up to his legs, lol. He looks like he is going to be a big boy. Handsome guy!

My Mr. Wonderful (SL) and the Black Orp , started out with that low pitch, quiet crow, they are still low pitched but have increased the decibels a couple of notches and the length of the crow has increased. They are almost 6 months. Hope you have better luck than I did.

Both roos look like they could be named Mr Wonderful! Your black orp has a great shape & nice shiny feathers, and your laced boy is stunning!