New to me breeds - cutie pies!

[feather16]

The little sweetie pies went in to bed all by themselves! I’m a proud chick momma tonight

 

[Tonyroo]

Nice S. Buttercup, pretty chickens.

 

[feather16]

The buttercups and Sussex are taking their time to grow, so I waited until they were 10weeks old to open them up to the rest of the flock. And all that worry I had was for nothing, sure they each got a little peck letting them know they had to wait to eat a treat by the older ladies. But by golly, little miss Wilma ran right into the middle of the gathering and just has so much confidence while staying incredibly sweet.

The hen with the bald shoulders (don’t worry she got a cape the next night) is the sweetest with them, she lets them get really close and eat with her. I don’t know what breed she is, she’s real small, looks like a roadrunner lol

Issac (BCM roo) was really gentle with them, tidbitting them. And Wyatt (Orpington roo) tidbits for them and already tried dancing for them, pfft boys

 

[feather16]

Well. 14wks old today, and last night at bedtime I had found Wilma (one of the buttercups) passed away behind the coop. She has been full of energy, flying up high and escaping the run to eat bugs in the pasture and come back when she’s done exploring. I have 3 food and 3 waters out in different spots in the run, so the babies would always have access to one.

The only odd thing was yesterday morning, while letting them out, she was hanging out in the coop when everyone else ran out. I opened the door to take a peak and she came right out, she wasn’t pale, she had no bugs, no blood no sign of distress or bullying. It was a hot day, upper 80s but the run is under a big tree with plenty of shade. And I had refilled the waters that morning.

Sigh… she was my favourite baby.. I was really looking forward to collecting her eggs and watching her mature into an adult. This sudden death thing with no outward signs of anything is rough. Her vent was clean, I never saw her pant or sneeze…. Really no sign. My green footed beauty