Illinois...

[Molpet]

This is what is flying by my house today. Comes down at sunset. Half Mast.
View attachment 1531415

as it should be for everyone with a flag

 

[sunshine ducky]

Hi All! I’m in the West Chicagoland area and was wondering if you or anyone you would know have any farmland for rent. I want to start raising a few flock of hens not too many though. Thanks for reading!

 

[Faraday40]

Hi All! I’m in the West Chicagoland area and was wondering if you or anyone you would know have any farmland for rent. I want to start raising a few flock of hens not too many though. Thanks for reading!

& the IL thread.

I can't really help with the land rental, but several towns have ordinances that allow a few backyard hens. (Usually no roosters unless you're involved in 4H or similar educational program or live in an unincorporated area.)

 

[Faraday40]

So far 2 of the blue orpington eggs hatched. (Too early to tell if blue or black since they're under the broody.) Also, the "blue silver laced orp" egg hatched out a white chick. (Not sure if I mislabeled the egg or had a rooster error.....)

3 more blue orp eggs to go! All 3 are pipped! It's like a Christmas morning: I can't wait 'til morning to see what I'll get!

Have a good night everyone!

 

[Faraday40]

Good Morning!

Results:
We have a white, lav/light blue, blue, & 2 black orps under Trouble now.


The white chick either came from my blue silver laced orp or perhaps my Buff Colombian orp. Both blacks came from Big Blue & the 2 shades of gray/blue came from Jewel. Interesting colors.

There is one last pretty dark blue orp in a cup inside the incubator. It hatched with about 1/3 the yolk sac hanging out. I may need to cull it, but I'm going to wait & see if things resolve on their own. For now I wrapped it in moist paper towel & put it inside a coffee mug to prevent it from running around & rupturing something. I'm not optimistic because I think more actually slipped outside the body since 3am.

 

[Faraday40]

Here are some recent yard pics. The flock was only out for a little while this morning. (darn hawks!!!!) We had a Coopers hawk on the ground staring through the run's hardware cloth. Most were already safely inside & I was able to find 3 birds that were hiding. About 90 mins later, there was a giant hawk sitting on the fence causing all sorts of panic. (Thankfully the flock was still locked up. They will have to stay cooped up for a few days.)

Still not sure if we're keeping Cupcake. (Buff Colombian Orp hatched March 25th) She's very pretty but thinks she's a bantam. She was placed with the bantam hatch because she was late & needed TLC. She bonded with them & insists on being with them 24/7.

Big Fluffy butt

Best friend = her older "sister" Noodle (our serama)
They were twins at hatch

DS's hen Chizzy just started to molt but is still looking good.

chick = a silkie serama mix

Spitzhauben Chick (I think pullet)

 

[Molpet]

Here are some recent yard pics. The flock was only out for a little while this morning. (darn hawks!!!!) We had a Coopers hawk on the ground staring through the run's hardware cloth. Most were already safely inside & I was able to find 3 birds that were hiding. About 90 mins later, there was a giant hawk sitting on the fence causing all sorts of panic. (Thankfully the flock was still locked up. They will have to stay cooped up for a few days.)

Still not sure if we're keeping Cupcake. (Buff Colombian Orp hatched March 25th) She's very pretty but thinks she's a bantam. She was placed with the bantam hatch because she was late & needed TLC. She bonded with them & insists on being with them 24/7.
View attachment 1534180
Big Fluffy butt
View attachment 1534181

Best friend = her older "sister" Noodle (our serama)
They were twins at hatch
View attachment 1534178


DS's hen Chizzy just started to molt but is still looking good.
View attachment 1534179

View attachment 1534184
chick = a silkie serama mix
View attachment 1534182

Spitzhauben Chick (I think pullet)
View attachment 1534183

I don't care for hawks any more... I used to like them ..pre chickens

awww on fluffy babies
My turkey hen, that hatch poults the same time as yours, is still taking care of her babies.. she still runs the others away from the food so they can eat first, and breaks up big pieces for them.

 

[cavemanrich]

Best friend = her older "sister" Noodle (our serama)
They were twins at hatch

Am I seeing a similarity (Parallel Universe)

 

[Faraday40]

 

[Faraday40]

Before processing, I want to confirm that both orpingtons are male. One has a lighter face & I'm still not seeing saddle feathers. (However the "size" of those wattles & comb look very male to me.)

More pics of them side by side: