Illinois...

[jerryse]

So this is a 3 month old lav Orpington and it looks like she has a crazy cowlick-her feather pattern is just messy. And some of her feathers always look patchy, ruffled and curled. Is this normal? My buff Orpington looks perfect, every feather in just the right place. This one always looks like this, especially with the cowlick on the left of her neck Could she have the frizzle gene and it be coming thru? I don't care, I'm just curious. I think it's a recessive gene so it could have snuck into the hatchery unnoticed.
https://youtube.com/shorts/sRSn0k4jLpc?feature=share

The lavender gene causes some feather issues . Fretting I think they call it . Could not tell if that is what you have . Breeders cross to black once in awhile to combat feather issues . Lavender is a recessive dilution of black .

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

I have been getting bug bites on my ankles . Chiggers I think . Never used to have them this far north . Started spraying my socks with off before outdoor work .

Mites! Also known as chiggers. Many of us battling them lately. My first year seeing them

 

[BReeder!]

In case I don't post tomorrow, happy 4th everybody! Enjoy the holiday.

 

[jdragonwings]

That is so interesting; I'll have to look more into it.

 

[NotAFarm]

Happy Independence Day!

 

[jdragonwings]

Mites! Also known as chiggers. Many of us battling them lately. My first year seeing them

We were outside all day Friday and my boys had bites all over themselves My mom told me as a kid to paint the bites with clear nail polish to suffocate them ( now I'm curious if that actually works). We called them chiggers; I didn't realize they're actually mites...

Also, my peas are done in the garden. Any suggestions on what I can plant in their place? Or do I just leave it open?

 

[jdragonwings]

The lavender gene causes some feather issues . Fretting I think they call it . Could not tell if that is what you have . Breeders cross to black once in awhile to combat feather issues . Lavender is a recessive dilution of black .

Such a shame; I found a discussion about it. Of course, this was the chicken I paid the most for, bc she's a trendy color.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/lavender-wyandottes-frayed-tails.1137376/page-2

 

[cavemanrich]

Any suggestions on what I can plant in their place?

Consider flowers from seeds. or rescues flowers from homecenter clearance racks.
I have no suggestions on eatable items, since many wont mature, and many don't tolerate the intense warmth now.
@BReeder! has green thumbs,,, lets hear his suggestions

 

[cavemanrich]

We watched via TV the fantastic fireworks display at Navy Pier. Lasted I think 12 minutes. was well done and to music

 

[homeschoolin momma]

So this is a 3 month old lav Orpington and it looks like she has a crazy cowlick-her feather pattern is just messy. And some of her feathers always look patchy, ruffled and curled. Is this normal? My buff Orpington looks perfect, every feather in just the right place. This one always looks like this, especially with the cowlick on the left of her neck Could she have the frizzle gene and it be coming thru? I don't care, I'm just curious. I think it's a recessive gene so it could have snuck into the hatchery unnoticed.
https://youtube.com/shorts/sRSn0k4jLpc?feature=share

I agree with @jerryse. People who breed lavenders must have blacks in their breeding programs to breed the black back in for feather quality. @Faraday40 and I both have blacks with our lavs to help prevent this.