MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

Oh dear. That is quite a look!
Mind you, Calypso doesn’t look much better because she decided to discard all her feathers just as we approach the coldest time of year. Why couldn’t she have opted for October? Even November would have been OK.

Have I recalled correctly that she's the lead broody? Would she be getting ready for spring?

 

[LozzyR]

Last night the youngsters discovered the picnic table.

And pooped on it. Twice. evidently, once is never enough!

Baby peeps!

 

[RoyalChick]

Have I recalled correctly that she's the lead broody? Would she be getting ready for spring?

No, that is Tassels who molted after her last bout of broodiness and is looking very smug and snug in her glorious fluff.
Everyone else except Calypso is still molting but have been at it for a while so have many feathers back. Piglet looks almost back to normal.
Calypso however kept laying eggs until almost Christmas Day and then suddenly in the last few days has dropped all her feathers. It is a worry as we have a nasty cold spell heading our way next week.

 

[MaryJanet]

No, that is Tassels who molted after her last bout of broodiness and is looking very smug and snug in her glorious fluff.
Everyone else except Calypso is still molting but have been at it for a while so have many feathers back. Piglet looks almost back to normal.
Calypso however kept laying eggs until almost Christmas Day and then suddenly in the last few days has dropped all her feathers. It is a worry as we have a nasty cold spell heading our way next week.

It's not unusual for hens of the same age to lay their eggs at different times, but the extent to which she was doing her own thing is quite striking.

Will she be OK in the Palace or will you use a heater?

 

[MaryJanet]

The youngsters are in their picnic table era and who am I to discourage their dreams?

 

[Shadrach]

The youngsters are in their picnic table era and who am I to discourage their dreams?

They share well at that age.

 

[MaryJanet]

They share well at that age.

These four are very sweet in all their behaviour. So far.

 

[RoyalChick]

It's not unusual for hens of the same age to lay their eggs at different times, but the extent to which she was doing her own thing is quite striking.

Will she be OK in the Palace or will you use a heater?

I am keeping a close eye on the forecast and will make a decision on bringing her (and Pooh who is only a little better) into the garage.
I have a flat panel heater mounted by the main roost. It only warms something touching it not the air around. Both Calypso and Pooh are roosting right in front of it and snuggled up to fluffy Tassels, so I suspect they will be OK.
But I stand ready to do a late night chicken-grab if need be.

 

[RoyalChick]

The youngsters are in their picnic table era and who am I to discourage their dreams?

Well they are having a picnic so …..

 

[MaryJanet]

Well they are having a picnic so …..

Not sure I follow, but that's OK