Illinois...

[chickendreams24]

DD presented her sci fair today & DS got a perfect report card, so I decided to make a special dessert.
Apple Tarts! Technically I only made the rough puff pastry and @chickendreams24 made the pie filling. (Thank you & they were very yummy! I still have the remaining 1/2 jar to use for topping crepes.)
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I also took some backyard pics...
Here are what I thought were my 2 male lav orps. (Now I really think I hatched 7 females & only 1 male. I nicknamed the male with the gold leakage "Dinner" but DD didn't appreciate my logical name. She calls him "Pretty Boy." She wants to keep him & I must admit, his unusual coloring is getting better looking.
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Here's the other one with the large comb & wattles. The body of this lav below looks very female and its face is not as dark red as the brother. Both are almost 17 weeks. The confirmed male has gold laced saddle & hackle feathers in addition to thick shanks & red comb/wattles. Is there any chance this lav below could be my future rooster?
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Here's our silkie with her 2 chicks. (7 weeks old) Pretty sure since hatch that there's a male & female. Depending on my lav roo situation, I may end up keeping the bllk/lav split male.
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Here's GG:
View attachment 1238492 ... and of course, our good, old, sweet, boy, "Mr Dummy-pants"View attachment 1238482

Glad you liked it! And they look delicious.

I love the beautiful lavender boy with leakage although not desirable he sure is handsome. Would he qualify as an Isabella? I think some pullets and a roo that all looked that way would be stunning! Ive always loved the photos I've seen of other Isabella birds, leghorns especially.

I'm not seeing a boy in the other lavender but I'm hoping I'm wrong for you.

I love the little black pair and their Mommy! You know splash is a silkie color I don't own lol.

And oh how I love your GG! She doesn't appear to have the blue but who cares she's stunning!

Dummy is handsome as ever too!

 

[Faraday40]

I was telling someone about how black orps are my fav because of the way they shine in the sun.... and then I realized I didn't have any recent pics to back it up.

I had to remedy that!

Today I took a few pics of my blk/lav split pullet. Here's "Smudge"
(I couldn't get her full shine, but I like the contrast with the snow.)

 

[bellaisa]

Do chickens normally molt in January in Illinois; or is this something else? I checked several birds and did not see lice or mice but I don't know what I am looking for. They were born in March and April 2017. They are feed layer pellets and free choice oyster shells. Grain and corn as treats but only a cup or two ever other day for 12 birds. I have feed them back frozen eggs the last week. Only one of the birds is so bad that you can notice without picking her up.

 

[Faraday40]

Do chickens normally molt in January in Illinois; or is this something else? I checked several birds and did not see lice or mice but I don't know what I am looking for. They were born in March and April 2017. They are feed layer pellets and free choice oyster shells. Grain and corn as treats but only a cup or two ever other day for 12 birds. I have feed them back frozen eggs the last week. Only one of the birds is so bad that you can notice without picking her up. View attachment 1241619 View attachment 1241619 View attachment 1241620 View attachment 1241621

It looks like new feather growth, and yes they can molt any time of the year. (Fall is most common, but I have a Dom hen molting now.) Some high protein snacks can help give them a boost during molt.

 

[bellaisa]

It looks like new feather growth, and yes they can molt any time of the year. (Fall is most common, but I have a Dom hen molting now.) Some high protein snacks can help give them a boost during molt.

Thanks that was what i was guessing it was. I was just a little concerned since everything i was reading said they molt at 18 months and my girls are only approx 10 months

 

[Faraday40]

I tried making an album today. (Rather than take up a ton of pages in the IL thread I know I tend to do that....)

A few pics are repeats, but most are from this morning. It's such a pretty sunny day, the temps are above freezing, and the backyard is not covered with mud - yet. The dog enjoyed running about, I played with my camera, and the chickens had a good time doing "chicken things." After a while I heard the unmistakable cry of a red-tailed hawk, so it was time to put the chickens back inside.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/albums/a-sunny-winter-day-jan-2018.7428125/


I think these 3 are my fav pics
GG, Laced orp pair, & "Dinner" (I like his unusual Isabella coloring)

Some of the June 17th hatch are getting red combs & wattles. Anxiously awaiting those 1st eggs!

A big day for Mr Wonderful. I finally saw & heard him tidbit for the girls. Maybe he'll start mating soon!
He's not as big as my lavs. He's about the same size as Jewel (our blue orp pullet on left)

Boy is he beautiful and such a sweetheart. He's used to us carrying him to bed every night, so his gentle temperament reminds me of dear, old Mr Dummy. The boys crow a few times around 6am. (I think it's because they hear us letting the dogs out.) It lasts less than 2 min. The garage contains their noise. They get carried out to the coop at 8am and remain quiet all day.

OK, so I'll add one more of Mr Dummy. It's only fair since I posted all the other boys.

 

[cavemanrich]

Thanks that was what i was guessing it was. I was just a little concerned since everything i was reading said they molt at 18 months and my girls are only approx 10 months

You can easily boost the protein intake by giving some cat food. It is high in protein percentage. Check my Avatar. My chickens wolf down any they can get themselves to . I feed my cats Meow . Small granules that chickens have no problem eating. You can also give dog food. It is also high in protein, but lower than cat food. (usually, depending on variety/brand). It is larger size nuggets, so may need to be crushed.
If you are feeding layer feed, check the percentage of protein. Many feeds are 16% protein. That is at the minimum protein level. It still is OK. I use 18% Alflock. I have layers and non layers. It is 2% calcium. I offer oyster shells free-choice. Layer feed is 4% calcium.
On the subject of protein,,,,,, It is not advised to overdo the protein. Results that show up are Runny stools and on the smelly side.(more than normal) During molting, higher protein does help since new feathers need protein to grow. There are feed options called Feather Fixer, or something similar. I have never used such, but know that they are higher in protein than standard feed.

 

[bellaisa]

You can easily boost the protein intake by giving some cat food. It is high in protein percentage. Check my Avatar. My chickens wolf down any they can get themselves to . I feed my cats Meow . Small granules that chickens have no problem eating. You can also give dog food. It is also high in protein, but lower than cat food. (usually, depending on variety/brand). It is larger size nuggets, so may need to be crushed.
If you are feeding layer feed, check the percentage of protein. Many feeds are 16% protein. That is at the minimum protein level. It still is OK. I use 18% Alflock. I have layers and non layers. It is 2% calcium. I offer oyster shells free-choice. Layer feed is 4% calcium.
On the subject of protein,,,,,, It is not advised to overdo the protein. Results that show up are Runny stools and on the smelly side.(more than normal) During molting, higher protein does help since new feathers need protein to grow. There are feed options called Feather Fixer, or something similar. I have never used such, but know that they are higher in protein than standard feed.[/QUOT

You can easily boost the protein intake by giving some cat food. It is high in protein percentage. Check my Avatar. My chickens wolf down any they can get themselves to . I feed my cats Meow . Small granules that chickens have no problem eating. You can also give dog food. It is also high in protein, but lower than cat food. (usually, depending on variety/brand). It is larger size nuggets, so may need to be crushed.
If you are feeding layer feed, check the percentage of protein. Many feeds are 16% protein. That is at the minimum protein level. It still is OK. I use 18% Alflock. I have layers and non layers. It is 2% calcium. I offer oyster shells free-choice. Layer feed is 4% calcium.
On the subject of protein,,,,,, It is not advised to overdo the protein. Results that show up are Runny stools and on the smelly side.(more than normal) During molting, higher protein does help since new feathers need protein to grow. There are feed options called Feather Fixer, or something similar. I have never used such, but know that they are higher in protein than standard feed.

Is there a certain kid of cat food that is better? I have purina cat complete at home for our cat would that work?

 

[cavemanrich]

Any cat food is just fine. You can also give canned food as well. Any leftover meat you have from dinner is fine also. After we have a turkey, for holidays and other times, I let the girls pick clean the carved carcass.
Dry cat food is basically made from grain cereals with added ingredients. Same with dog food. I seen it on program "How Its Made" although if you read the contents on the bad, it shows ingredients. Canned cat food if it says whitefish, or tuna, is just that.

 

[Faraday40]

Good News of the Day:

1. DD got an A on her sci fair project (testing eggshell strength). She was one of only 3 kids in the school to get an A. The teacher liked how she explained all the issues she had when building her egg-smasher and how she overcame them. DD did a good job identifying all the possible variables and an honest evaluation on how she would further improve her design. Tomorrow she will present to for the judges and next week she will find out if she's going to regionals.


2. Some more of my chickens started laying. I got SIX chicken eggs today, and 3 of those must be new layers because I do not recognize the shape & color. Then I got SIX quail eggs!