Illinois...

[Molpet]

.... and yes I know hatching chicks a few days before Christmas is unusual. Tell that to my persistent hens who went broody mid November. They had to share their winter chicks.

Also. I'm getting eggs!
My bantam EE (a "future" replacement for my 13 year old EE, Tyrion) is giving me the cutest little round eggs. Then Tyrion decided to lay eggs. One last week and another this week.

DD's 8-yr-old silkie, Xansie, stopped laying a year ago, but she too decided to start laying again. She's a house chicken these days and not required to do more than be an emotional support chicken.

Is anyone else noticing an upswing in production this week?

I went from 3 to 7 eggs this week.

 

[Faraday40]

I have a few rose combs and they do pink up a little more than the others but I feel like I might see some saddle feathers. I'm not good at this game but I think the jury may still be out on that cutie pie.

Too early for saddle/hackle feathers. It's a wait and see, I guess.

I am definitely getting more eggs -- finally!!!! I think the new coop build threw a wrench in production too because a few had started and then promptly stopped when they were moved into the new coop. They were willing to lay in a cardboard box in the shed while we were building but not their new coop. LOL!! Crazy birds!

Congrats on the eggs
... and the new coop!

 

[Molpet]

https://agr.illinois.gov/news/press-release.30935.html

 

[BReeder!]

I logged in for the first time in a long time. Hello, everybody!

I see some of you are getting eggs. I'm jealous. We have 8 hens, but 7 will be first time layers this Spring. We purchased them last summer as chicks. A'hole is the 8th (1st really). She's an old bitty these days and I don't expect her to lay much.

 

[BReeder!]

https://agr.illinois.gov/news/press-release.30935.html

View attachment 4048449

Wild birds can get into the rafters over our covered run. I think I'm going to block that area off this year to keep them out so I don't risk them dropping poop into the run. Beyond that, any other thoughts on protecting the flock from avian flu?

 

[homeschoolin momma]

This little one is exactly 7 weeks old today. I’ve never had a rose comb chick so I’m confused about its gender. It's so different from my Orpington experience.

At first I thought male. The comb color went pinkish at 4 weeks,(Any Orp with pink comb at 4 weeks would be male) but it’s still flat 3 weeks later. There are tiny pink wattles but they’re not dropping. They’re also staying about the same and close to the beak

Tail and feather growth are fast. No bald back and shoulders. That "might" point to male, but not always.

No siblings (of same breed) to compare. Please share your gender guesses.

male is my guess

 

[Faraday40]

male is my guess

You always guess male. Lol

Of course, you tend to get more males. After the birth of your sons, male puppies, and countless cockerels and drakes, I can understand why you say “male.”

 

[homeschoolin momma]

You always guess male. Lol

Of course, you tend to get more males. After the birth of your sons, male puppies, and countless cockerels and drakes, I can understand why you say “male.”

I got too much testosterone over here.

 

[Faraday40]

Speaking of males.. Here’s one of my favorites. Ranger is being a wonderful house guest.

 

[Molpet]

I got too much testosterone over here.

Did you ever get the turkey hens back?